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Chemistry

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Study the Central Science

Do you know why chemistry is called the “central science?" It’s because all branches of science — and all careers in science — require you to have a solid understanding of chemistry.

As a trained chemist, you’ll be in high demand for industry and government positions, and you’ll have the ability to succeed in a number of graduate or professional programs.

What will I study as a chemistry major?

As a student in our program, you’ll take a variety of chemistry courses where you’ll learn the basics and principles of chemistry. From there, you’ll begin working in our lab facilities, where our professors will teach you how to use the instruments you’ll encounter on the job.

As you progress in your labs, you’ll be able to design your own experiments to find answers to what interests you the most.

By the time you graduate from JCSU, you’ll know:

  • The characteristics of a good experiment
  • How to analyze the data
  • What data you can trust and what you should be skeptical of

Where will I study chemistry?

Through your lab classes, you'll be trained in the correct and safe way to handle chemicals and high-tech equipment. Our on-campus research facilities include:

NSC
 New Science Center
New Science Center

Our state-of-the-art facility, opened in 2015, includes lab facilities for general chemistry, organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, instrumental analysis, physical chemistry, and other fields.

Laboratory
 New Science Center
Shared Instrumentation Resource Laboratory

Our cutting-edge instrumentation facility, opened in 2016, includes a gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer, a fluorescence spectrometer, a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer, a Fourier-Transform infrared spectrometer, and other instruments.

MACMAS Lab
 Dorothy Cowser Yancy Hall exterior
MACMAS Laboratory

The Multidisciplinary Applied Computational Modeling and Simulation (MACMAS) lab is used for computational research, this lab was designed to comply with the standards, instrumentation and layout used for the computational modeling lab at MIT.

What will I learn outside the chemistry program?

JCSU is a private liberal arts university. What this means to you is that your education will broadly cover all areas of study. The diversity of your classes will help you look at “the big picture” in any career you choose.

  • Classes incomputer scienceandcommunicationartswill give you a definite advantage in the job market and workplace.
  • Taking severalEnglishandforeign language classeswill help you interact with a global community that is getting smaller each day.
  • By takingmathandhistory classes, you’ll have a better understanding of the world around you.
  • Healthandphysical educationcourses give you the knowledge to cope with everyday stress and lead a better, longer life.

Having a college education will give you the tools to succeed in life. Having a liberal arts education will give you the opportunity to take your success further.

According to theCollege Board, students with a degree in chemistry can find jobs as:

As a chemistry major in our program, the opportunities for real-world experience are endless. We get to know our students and their interests, and we take great care in pairing out students with summer research that will help them reach their career goals.

Our program also offers a number of courses and outside activities that allow you to conduct your own research or help our faculty members with their research grants.

Whether you’re applying for graduate school or going after your first job, the research experience we give you here will help you stand out among your peers.

We prepare you for success beyond the classroom.

Because our campus is small enough for you to develop a one-on-one relationship with your professors, they’ll be better equipped to help you achieve your goals.

Unlike larger research institutions, our students have more opportunities to participate in research projects and paid internships. You’ll be able to gain valuable lab and workplace experience before you even graduate.

Research opportunities you won’t find anywhere else.

Undergraduate research opens the door for further education and a promising career.

At JCSU, innovative research is a vital part of your education, and our faculty are dedicated to helping you excel in and out of the classroom. And we’ve got the numbers to prove it.

Research by the numbers
50
The percentage of recent chemistry grads who have gone directly from JCSU to graduate or professional school for advanced degrees.
35
The percentage of recent chemistry majors who coauthored a presentation at professional conferences — all while they were still students at JCSU.
30
The percentage of chemistry majors who were coauthors of scientific papers that were published in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
Chemistry
Research by the numbers
50
The percentage of recent chemistry grads who have gone directly from JCSU to graduate or professional school for advanced degrees.
35
The percentage of recent chemistry majors who coauthored a presentation at professional conferences — all while they were still students at JCSU.
30
The percentage of chemistry majors who were coauthors of scientific papers that were published in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
Chemistry
Research by the numbers
50
The percentage of recent chemistry grads who have gone directly from JCSU to graduate or professional school for advanced degrees.
35
The percentage of recent chemistry majors who coauthored a presentation at professional conferences — all while they were still students at JCSU.
30
The percentage of chemistry majors who were coauthors of scientific papers that were published in peer-reviewed scientific journals.
Chemistry

Personalized attention gives you the tools to succeed.

Students in Chemistry at JCSU enjoy lots of interaction with their chemistry faculty, eventually working side-by-side with them to conduct research. This experience makes JCSU chemistry graduates among the best prepared students for further education or the workforce.

JCSU has obtained a significant amount of funding from theand other external funders to help recruit, retain and graduate minorities in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields.

With the support of our grant-funded programs and the diligent efforts of our team, we have graduated more African-American students in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) than the national average. These programs are available to all STEM majors.

    Get involved in on-campus activities and organizations.

    On-campus organizations are the best way for you to get to know your professors outside the classroom setting.

    The Beta Kappa Chi Scientific Honor Society and the Society for Opportunities in the Sciences (SOS) both provide our students with professional development, as well as opportunities for socializing and community service.

    Your path to a successful career begins the minute you step on campus.

    Advanced Degrees

    Our students have been accepted by doctoral programs at:

    • Howard University
    • Purdue University
    • Florida International University
    View Title
    Department of Natural and Behavioral Sciences Staff
    Alexa von Dohlen headshot
    Alexa von Dohlen

    704.378.1206

    Area(s) of Expertise

    Parasitology

    Wildlife health

    Zoonotic parasites

    Subject(s) of Interest

    Parasitology

    Zoology

    Biology

    Veterinary Medicine

    Degree(s)

    BS: Animal and Poultry Sciences Virginia Tech

    PhD: Veterinary Medical Sciences Virginia Tech

    Dr. Candace Viada, PharmD

    704.388.4810

    Area(s) of Expertise

    Chemistry: expert on the topic many years of tutoring and teaching in the field

    Pharmacy: obtained Doctor of Pharmacy degree so also a clinical pharmacist

    Subject(s) of Interest

    Pharmacy

    Chemistry

    Biology

    Math

    Degree(s)

    Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with a Concentration in Sports Medicine: University of North Carolina at Greensboro

    PharmD: Creighton University

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