Degree Programs

Degree Programs

The Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry offers an outstanding educational environment for undergraduate and graduate students. We offer undergraduate degree programs in Chemistry and Biochemistry as well as minors in Chemistry. Our graduate degree program is an M.S. in Chemistry. Our faculty are dedicated to providing our students with excellent classroom and laboratory instruction, with hands on experience using modern instrumentation. In addition, our students have the opportunity to participate in research under the direct supervision of faculty members who are experts in their field. A strong education gives you the knowledge and skills to succeed whatever your educational goals are.

The Department's degree programs are designed to prepare students for a variety of positions, such as a research scientist in a government, industrial or academic lab; a teacher, patent lawyer, physician, forensic scientist, pharmacist, hazardous materials manager, science writer, technical sales expert, to name a few. Many of our graduates use their degrees as preparation for graduate studies in chemistry or biochemistry. A chemistry and biochemistry degree also provides excellent preparation for medical, pharmacy, dental schools or a variety of other professional programs.

While in our programs, students will learn and obtain skills that every employer looks for in an ideal candidate. And these are skills that you can carry with you throughout your life. These skills include: the ability to communicate with a diverse group of people with clarity and logic, both verbally and written; the ability to handle information, organize it and maintain accurate records; the ability to plan, carry out, and explain scientific research, operate scientific instrumentation and to be able to work as part of a team.

B.S. in Biochemistry

B.S. in Chemistry

B.A. in Chemistry

Minor in Chemistry

M.S. in Chemistry

Chemistry Employment Prospects

The chemical sciences are experiencing a period of high student demand nationwide. This can be attributed to a number of factors, including the increasing public awareness of global climate change and its impacts, a growing need for and understanding of pharmaceutical and medicinal chemistry, the increasing national and regional strain on water resources, ongoing and expanding environmental remediation efforts driven by both public demand and tighter regulation, and a continued strong interest in health-related professions. A recent employment outlook from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (US Department of Labor) predicts a healthy growth and replacement rate for the next decade.

The 2014 Comprehensive Salary and Employment Survey by the American Chemical Society (ACS) shows that unemployment numbers for chemists went down by almost 50% between 2011 and 2014. The workforce is dominated by jobs in industry (40%) and academia (39%). Salaries of full-time employed chemists depend on specific areas and are considered competitive and attractive.

A 2015 survey by Chemical & Engineering News (a weekly news magazine published by the American Chemical Society) reported salaries for graduates with different degrees who had full-time employment. The data showed strong salaries for graduates with Bachelor’s degrees, especially in the Pacific region.

In a survey the College of NSM conducted in collaboration with the CSUF Career Center polled alumni regarding employment history, with 58 responses from Chemistry and Biochemistry majors. Since graduating, 90% of the respondents indicated that they were employed in a chemistry/biochemistry related field or closely related field and 88% after obtaining their undergraduate degree; for graduate students this was 100% of respondents. More than 40% of respondents indicated an annual salary of over $100,000 with an undergraduate degree; for graduate degrees this was 50%. The majority of the graduates work in scientific research and development, pharmaceutical industry, higher education, as a healthcare practitioner. Graduate students tend to find employment in higher education or the pharmaceutical industry. In summary, the Department does a very good job preparing its graduates for jobs in different areas of the discipline and the overwhelming majority of our students get chemistry and biochemistry related jobs.

Statistics collected from Appendix V - Employment, Salary, Census and Survey Data