Chemistry is the core science—the study of the properties, composition, and changes that occur in matter. When you study chemistry, you analyze issues that influence every aspect of life on Earth. We offer two degrees, each backed by a strong curriculum that will give you the knowledge base you need to successfully pursue the discipline. Bachelor of Science – If you are targeting a career in industry or planning to attend a graduate program. Bachelor of Arts – If you are seeking work in medicine, dentistry, or secondary school teaching. Extensive laboratory work Throughout your courses, you will regularly work with the modern instruments in our campus laboratories. This equipment includes infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance, and atomic absorption spectrophotometers. Separations equipment includes capillary electrophoresis, gas chromatography, high pressure liquid chromatography, and fast protein liquid chromatography equipment. Detectors range from mass spectrometers, electron capture, and flame ionization to rapid-scan UV-Vis spectrometers. You will also learn modern skills in computation and presentation of data. Experiential learning and discovery While the theoretical training you’ll receive in lectures is important, you will also be encouraged to explore, discover, and ask questions in your laboratory training. Through integrated research questions and hands-on exploration in courses, you will be involved in discovering and contributing new knowledge to the scientific community. Become a scientific researcher Independent studies or full-time summer research is excellent preparation for real-world scientific or health-related work post-graduation. Explore the frontiers of chemistry with one of our research active faculty, stretch yourself with an internship in the Ventura County Crime Lab, Amgen, or a research experience off-campus. You will gain exceptional experience, explore the thrill of discovery, and engage with the larger community of scientists at research conferences and the Cal Lutheran Festival of Scholars. Our research labs are entirely staffed with student researchers to generate data that is published in international journals and presented at national conferences. Talk to us about whether there is an open project in our labs!

Our chemistry program has a 100% placement record into graduate schools, many of them being among the nation’s most-respected medical, dental, and graduate programs. Those not attending graduate school or becoming teachers begin their careers with jobs in such fields as environmental controls management, geochemistry, consumer products research, drug discovery, toxicology, and forensic chemistry. Career paths: Chemical Technician Chemist Production Associate Quality Control Analyst Quality Control Chemist Supervisor, Veterinary Clinic Teaching Assistant