Chemistry

Are you the kind of person who wants to know why things happen? Or how things work? Are you ever fascinated by chemical reactions, curious about the relationship between science and sustainability or drawn to a future career in forensic science? In the Department of Physical Sciences at Lander University, you can explore your scientific curiosity and turn it into a powerful foundation for your future.

In the Department of Physical Sciences, we have a variety of degree offerings with your future career in mind. We have degrees to prepare students for careers with focuses in chemistry, health sciences, forensic science or environmental science. We also offer a collaborative dual-degree program in cooperation with Clemson University, which allows you to earn two marketable degrees from two excellent schools. A chemistry degree is also a good first step towards medical school, pharmacy school or another health-related professional program.

At Lander, you’ll work alongside caring professors who know your name, support your growth, and challenge you to critically think about science and the world around you. With small class sizes and modern labs, you’ll build the scientific skills required for success in graduate school professional school or the workforce.

Why Study Chemistry?

The fundamental nature and extensive application of chemistry to other fields of science gives the chemistry graduate a variety of career choices and advanced study opportunities. Among these career paths are industrial chemistry, government service, sales or supervision, secondary school teaching and entry into graduate or professional schools. Our program’s degrees allow for maximum flexibility that can best serve this wide variety of potential interests by our students. Lander University’s faculty are determined to help students achieve their goals and ambitions.

Workforce Ready

Whether your future workspace is the lab, a classroom, a hospital or an office setting, a chemistry degree will get you where you want to go. Here are a few career options that are possible for our graduates:

• Forensic scientist, analyzing evidence related to crime
• Science writer, communicating scientific ideas to the public
• Toxicologist, studying the effects of chemicals on people and animals
• Chemical engineer, applying chemistry to design production processes
• Chemistry teacher, sharing science with future generations

Chemistry Honors Program

A student graduating from Lander University with the Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry may qualify for the Honors Degree in Chemistry if the following conditions have been met:

1. Upon graduation, the student must have at least a GPA of 3.5 in both overall coursework and chemistry program requirements. There can be no grade below a “C” in any chemistry coursework, including repeated courses.
2. In addition to the normal course requirements, the following courses must be taken: 
   
   1. Calculus: MATH 141 
   2. Chemistry elective: CHEM 260 or above
3. The student must complete a research project in which:
   1. The research is of sufficient quality to receive credit in CHEM 409 or CHEM 410;
   2. The results are submitted for publication in a scientific journal or presentation at a scientific meeting (such as the South Carolina Academy of Science or the Western Carolinas Section of the American Chemical Society);
   3. The results are presented in seminar format to the science faculty, students, and invited guests; and
   4. The project may be completed entirely at Lander or initiated off campus during a summer research program.