Nearly every career sector needs chemists — from academia to medicine to national security. Chemistry is known as the ‘central science’ because it drives all life processes and serves as the connective framework across many scientific fields, including biology, engineering, materials science, medicine, and physics.

At Drexel University, students can choose between a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Chemistry and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Chemistry degree program. Students in both programs establish a rigorous scientific foundation in chemistry while they explore their unique interests and career goals. The BS in Chemistry is approved by the American Chemical Society and offers extensive laboratory and research experience. The BA in Chemistry is for students who want a solid chemistry core with the flexibility to pursue other options, such as medical, dental, or pharmaceutical school.

From the beginning of their academic journey, all Chemistry majors engage in experiential learning. Students gain career-guiding insights by working alongside top faculty researchers to address compelling energy, environmental, and health challenges facing our planet. Chemistry majors build the depth and adaptability demanded across allied fields by joining a collaborative community of scientists who learn by doing – by integrating knowledge, leveraging skills, and examining complex questions at the forefront of discovery.

Chemistry students can expand their development through civic engagement and study abroad. Qualified undergraduates can pursue an accelerated program in chemistry to earn a graduate degree much sooner, and all students can enhance career-readiness through minor programs. Through the renowned Drexel Co-op program, Chemistry majors may explore a wide range of professional careers across many different sectors or prepare for graduate study.

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Programs Overview

Drexel University offers students a choice between a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Chemistry or a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Chemistry. Both degree programs provide students with a solid scientific foundation in chemistry.

Drexel’s Chemistry program features small classes that encourage students to explore their unique interests and potential career options. During the first two years, all courses are taught exclusively by Chemistry faculty – not graduate students. From the start of their academic program, undergraduates work within a collaborative and friendly community of scientists. Through courses, classes, and lab work, Chemistry majors gain in-depth knowledge and build a wide range of practical skills.

Chemistry BS
Drexel's BS in Chemistry degree curriculum is approved by the American Chemical Society. The BS in Chemistry includes a rigorous plan of study and requires a full year of undergraduate research under the guidance of a faculty mentor. This degree program introduces students to many different sub-disciplines of chemistry and offers substantial hands-on laboratory experience. The BS in Chemistry prepares students with the knowledge and practical skills to pursue graduate school, professional schools, or careers as chemists across a broad range of industries, including pharmaceutical, biotech, environmental, manufacturing, materials, and many other allied fields.

Biochemistry Concentration
In addition, BS in Chemistry majors may opt for a Biochemistry concentration to gain enhanced critical thinking skills that allow them to communicate scientific ideas across disciplines.

Chemistry BA
Drexel’s BA in Chemistry degree introduces students to the same sub-disciplines as the BS in Chemistry degree – however they are not required to take the full sequence of courses. The BA in Chemistry includes additional free electives, allowing students to easily explore other courses required for professional schools or double majors. This program is ideal for students who plan to enter medical, dental, or pharmaceutical school. It is also a good fit for students interested in chemistry-related careers in biotechnology, forensic chemistry, and environmental chemistry. BA in Chemistry graduates often work as laboratory technicians or as research assistants in medical school science departments.

Accelerated Program

Earn your advanced degree sooner with a Drexel accelerated degree — academically qualified undergraduate students can earn a bachelor's and a master's degree concurrently, allowing them to graduate sooner than in traditional advanced degree programs. While enrolled in the accelerated program, students still enjoy the benefits of Drexel Co-op and other programs that make up the Drexel experience.

Chemistry BS / Chemistry MS

Minor Programs

Drexel’s Chemistry Department offers minor programs for non-chemistry majors designed to enhance career-readiness through a deeper understanding of basic chemistry and to develop broad research skills.

Biochemistry Minor

Chemistry Minor

Professor Ezra Wood’s atmospheric chemistry research group investigates air pollution and global warming.

Experiential Learning

Whether they monitor sources of ozone production in New York City, co-author a peer-reviewed journal publication, or support reproductive health in Gambia, Chemistry majors learn by doing. They don’t just study the foundations of the discipline – they work closely with faculty scientists to conduct research in labs and field sites, as well as with civic, corporate, and governmental organizations. They prepare solutions, run samples, operate and troubleshoot instruments, analyze and interpret data, and communicate results clearly.

Chemistry undergraduates also expand their knowledge and forge professional networks through peer organizations such as the American Chemical Society and the Emergency Medical Services student groups at Drexel.

Research Areas

Research is the heart of Drexel’s Chemistry Department. Undergraduates join a community of scholars —faculty, postdoctoral fellows, graduate, and undergraduate students— large enough to offer a range of stimulating experiences yet small enough to provide each student with individual attention to fit their interests. Immersive research experiences allow Chemistry students to apply what they learn in real-world settings.

Research activity across the department consistently earns the support of federal agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, in addition to robust grant funding from many private foundations. Because Chemistry majors often work alongside faculty experts on funded research, undergrads –like Sky Harper, BS chemistry '24– have the opportunity to serve as co-authors on peer-reviewed journal publications.

Our pioneering Chemistry faculty investigates a wide range of sub-disciplines: analytical, atmospheric, inorganic, materials, organic, physical, theoretical and computational chemistry, including concentrations in chemical biology and chemical education.

Chemistry alum Victoria Smith supported the reproductive and child health team while on co-op with PowerUp Gambia.

Drexel Co-op

Through the renowned Drexel Co-op program, Chemistry majors can gain a competitive edge with on-the-job experience. Students can explore career options or prepare for advanced study while strengthening their résumés and building a professional network. In addition, the Philadelphia area is home to many pharmaceutical, biotech, environmental, materials, medical, and other allied industries. Due to this density of chemistry-related companies in our region, there are more employers seeking chemistry co-op students than there are chemistry majors. Year after year, chemistry majors are consistently among the most sought after Drexel co-ops.

BA in Chemistry majors pursue a four-year program of study that offers a single co-op. BS in Chemistry majors select either a four-year or five-year program of study. Depending on their program, students may opt for:

• No co-op; four-year program
• One co-op; four-year program
• Three co-ops; five-year program

Recent co-op employers include:

Sky Harper, BS chemistry '24, now brings medicinal chemistry and healthcare solutions back to his Navajo community.
Learn more: AISES video, "We Are All Scientists"

Careers

Graduates of Drexel's undergraduate Chemistry degree programs are positioned to pursue a wide range of excellent careers, advanced study in chemistry and allied fields, as well as professional medical, dental, and pharmaceutical schools. Common career paths include academic research centers, chemical companies, environmental law firms, government agencies, health systems and hospitals, medical research, pharmaceutical companies, and public policy organizations.