As a chemistry student at Earlham, you will engage in a core curriculum shaped by the American Chemical Society’s Committee on Professional Training, providing you with an understanding of matter and energy at the molecular and sub-atomic levels. Chemistry students have the option to graduate with an American Chemical Society certified degree if they complete the path of study outlined below.
The chemistry major encourages undergraduate student research and faculty-student collaboration. It also offers the opportunity to take exciting new chemistry courses, such as forensics and biophysical chemistry.
Through the chemistry program, you will gain the analytical, critical thinking and writing skills to succeed in whatever career you choose.
Through our 3+1 Education Program, you can earn a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) and teaching license—all in just nine semesters.
You’ll leave Earlham with two degrees, licensed to teach grades 5-12 in Indiana. (And it’s easy to transfer your license to other states—many of our graduates do!)
You can become certified by the ACS (American Chemical Society) if you have completed the curriculum approved by the ACS Committee on Professional Training (CPT).
Why should I get a certified degree?
- A certified degree in chemistry is a valuable personal credential which serves as national-level recognition for successfully completing a rigorous academic chemistry curriculum in an ACS-approved department. The extra rigor and additional requirements of the certified degree are valued by potential employers and graduate schools alike.
- Employers realize that graduates of approved programs have better preparation for technical employment.
- Although graduate school admissions committees are unlikely to consider overtly whether or not a graduate holds a certified degree, admissions committees will be impressed by the stronger preparation required for a certified degree and by a student being a graduate of an approved department.
Required courses for the certified chemistry major
- Comprehensive Examination
- A collaborative research project is also required. This may be accomplished through a summer (or May term) research experience on or off campus, an approved Ford/Knight or Student Research Project (CHEM 486, minimum of 3 credits) in Chemistry, or other research experiences as approved by the Chemistry Department. Careful early planning with your advisor should be done to determine the best option for the research experience.
To earn a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry, you must complete a total of 47-50 credits, made up of the following courses:
Core Courses:
Two of the following courses (totaling at least 7 credits):
Additional Requirements
- Comprehensive Examinations
- An independent research project is also required. This may be accomplished through an independent study in Chemistry, a summer research experience on or off campus, an approved Ford/Knight Research Project, or other research experiences as approved by the Chemistry Department. Careful early planning with your adviser should be done to determine the best option for the research experience.
To earn a minor in Chemistry, you must complete:
Core courses
Two courses from the following electives for a minimum of 7 semester hours:
91% of work seekers who majored in the natural sciences between 2018-2022 were employed, pursuing graduate school or volunteering within six months of graduation.
Careers
Recent graduates have gone on to careers in the medical device, scientific and technical consulting, and pharmaceutical industries.
Outcomes
The chemistry major at Earlham enhances the analytical, critical thinking and writing skills required to succeed in whatever career you choose.
What types of jobs and graduate school programs do graduates pursue?
A chemistry degree prepares you for a multitude of jobs, including:
- research chemist
- quality control associate
- chemistry laboratory technician
- chemical engineer
- chemistry teacher
- forensic scientist
- geochemist
- hazardous waste chemist
- materials scientist
- pharmacologist
What kind of research experience and internships are available?
Recent chemistry majors have interned at Loma Linda University Hospital, Stark Neuroscience Research Institute and the Earlham College Joseph Moore Museum, among other places.