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Chemistry Major (BS and BSChm)

As a chemistry/biochemistry major, you’ll build a foundation for a successful career in the health professions, research, industry, education and more. Creighton’s chemistry degree program offers close student-faculty collaboration and abundant opportunities for undergraduate research, preparing you for in-demand jobs and admission to graduate and professional schools.

Creighton offers a Bachelor of Science (BS) in chemistry, for those interested in teaching, and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (BSChm), for those wanting to specialize in chemistry or biochemistry. Creighton’s BSChm program is endorsed and certified by the American Chemical Society (ACS).

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Program Details

Program Goals

Creighton’s chemistry degree program is designed to provide you with an understanding of chemistry that is highly regarded by employers and graduate and health professions schools.

As a chemistry major, you’ll:

  • Learn to problem-solve in unique and creative ways, using team-based and independent learning
  • Be exposed to Creighton’s health professions programs in dentistry, nursing, medicine, and pharmacy and health professions
  • Have opportunities to participate in faculty-mentored research, be published in scientific journals and present at national meetings

Curriculum

Creighton offers three different tracks within the chemistry major.

Interested in teaching in secondary education?

If you’re interested in teaching, consider starting your graduate studies with a Master of Education in Secondary School Teaching while finishing up your bachelor’s degree to get a head start in your teaching preparation.

Learn how to save a year of time and tuition through our Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s Programs.

Admissions Requirements

Creighton admissions are based upon:

  • High school GPA
  • ACT or SAT scores*
  • Extracurricular activities
  • Personal statement to demonstrate creative abilities not reflected in your transcripts
  • Recommendation from high school counselor
  • Honors sections and advanced placement courses will enhance a candidate’s application
*For students who are choosing to apply test-optional, ACT/SAT exam scores are not required at the time of application for admission.

Dates & Deadlines

Applications for the fall semester open on Aug. 1 of the prior year. For scholarship consideration, the earlier you complete your undergraduate application, the better. For up-to-date deadlines, visit our admissions page.

Tuition & Financial Aid

Tuition rates are updated each year. Visit our financial aid site to learn more about the cost of attendance.

Financial Aid

Creighton University’s Financial Aid Office administers over $200,000,000 in student aid each year from federal, state, institutional and private sources.

To help make your undergraduate studies at Creighton University more affordable, we encourage you to file the FAFSA to apply for financial assistance. A variety of scholarships are also available.

Abbie Manse
“I have been able to pursue engaging research at an undergraduate level as well as be involved with peers in the department, both socially and academically. The faculty create a positive learning environment and help students grow.”
— Abbie Manse, Chemistry Major
David Dobberpuhl
“What I like most about our department is how collaborative and friendly everyone is. My colleagues maintain an open-office policy where we mentor research students in adjacent laboratories, while also being available to students dropping by.”
— David Dobberpuhl, PhD, Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Kayode Oshin
“Our collegial instructors welcome students into an enriching curriculum that prepares them for graduate school, professional school or industry. Students also participate in meaningful research that results in first-author publications and presentations.”
— Kayode Oshin, PhD, Associate Professor of Chemistry, Chair of the Department of Chemistry

Most Creighton chemistry majors perform research with faculty mentors, either in the labs of department faculty or in the labs of chemical scientists in other departments of the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Medicine or the School of Pharmacy and Health Professions.

In addition, our chemistry majors have participated in undergraduate research at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and the Omaha Veterans Administration Medical Center, and in summer research at Creighton or in programs hosted by National Science Foundation-funded colleges and universities across the country.

Creighton chemistry majors are particularly successful in attaining desirable jobs, graduate stipends and admission to graduate and professional schools.

Approximately one-third of Creighton chemistry majors go directly to a health professional school in such fields as medicine, dentistry or pharmacy. Another one-third enroll in PhD programs in chemistry or chemistry-related (biochemistry, chemical engineering, environmental science) disciplines. The remaining one-third obtain employment in chemistry-related fields, participate in organized volunteer programs (JVC, Peace Corps, Teach for America), or enroll in MBA or JD programs.

The chemistry job market has been and remains very good.

Recent graduates have taken employment with firms including:

  • Alegent Creighton Health (CHI Health)
  • Midwest Laboratories
  • Boys Town National Research Hospital
  • Teach for America
  • American Red Cross
  • Integrated DNA Technologies
  • The Retina Group
  • Henry Jackson Foundation

Recent graduates have pursued graduate or professional degrees at institutions including:

  • University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy
  • University of Nebraska Medical Center
  • Purdue University
  • Duke University
  • University of Notre Dame
  • Yale School of Medicine

ACS Certified

Creighton is one of the nation’s largest producers of American Chemical Society (ACS) certified chemistry graduates. Creighton averages 30 graduates in chemistry each year, more than many larger schools.
 

From Our Faculty

“Our department has built a strong culture of undergraduate research, with over half the faculty externally funded by the National Institute of Health, National Science Foundation, NASA, or other agencies. Students and faculty collaborate on projects, engage in departmental seminars (including one featuring a Nobel prize winner), co-author peer-reviewed articles in high impact journals, and travel to regional and national meetings to present their work.”

—Julie Soukup, PhD | Professor of Biochemistry, Associate Vice-Provost for Research and Scholarship

 

“What I like most about our department is how collaborative and friendly everyone is. My colleagues maintain an open-office policy where we mentor research students in adjacent laboratories, while also being available to students dropping by. We enjoy many community-building events, and students also enjoy a Majors Room, which lets them work on projects and homework together.”

—David Dobberpuhl, PhD | Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Still have questions?

Reach out to an admissions counselor.

Take the Next Step in Your Undergraduate Journey

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