Chemistry ACS-Certified
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Chemistry Major in Pennsylvania
Messiah’s state-of-the-art teaching laboratories and research-quality technology and equipment attract some of the nation’s brightest young men and women to our chemistry degree. Earn your bachelor's in chemistry at one of the top private Christian universities in the U.S.
Study Chemistry at a Christian University
Investigate the world around you while also learning more about yourself and your Creator. The chemistry major at Messiah University, one of the top private Christian universities in the U.S., places special emphasis on the integration of the knowledge and methods of science with what Christian faith teaches us about people and their role in the universe. Often called the “central science,” chemistry relies heavily on theory from mathematics and physics, and then informs such diverse fields as ecology, agriculture, medicine, molecular biology, genetics, geology and food science.
As a program approved by the American Chemical Society, the department offers a rigorous education across all sub-disciplines of chemistry and biochemistry, providing you with the intellectual, experimental and communication skills necessary for preparation as a scientific professional.
As a chemistry major or minor at Messiah University, you'll be able to:
- Choose either a B.S. or B.A., whichever fits your particular goals.
- Take exciting and challenging courses in general, organic, inorganic and physical chemistry as well as chemical analysis.
- Perform research in green chemistry, protein engineering and design, nanoparticle synthesis, single-atom catalysis, natural products chemistry, materials synthesis and phytoremediation.
- Gain direct experience through internships at leading scientific institutions.
- Participate in the School of Science, Engineering and Health Spring Research Symposium.
- Work as a lab assistant, tutor or supplementary instructor.
- Join the Medical Awareness Society (pre-medical club), Sigma Zeta (national science and mathematics honors society) or the Messiah University student affiliate group of the American Chemical Society.
- Study with outstanding Christian faculty members who are not only highly qualified academically but also have extensive experience in their fields.
- Enjoy a close-knit department that promotes academic excellence and provides support for students who need additional help.
- Build strong mentoring relationships with expert faculty through small class sizes.
- Utilize state-of-the-art labs equipped with cutting edge instrumentation.
As a student pursing chemistry, you can choose from three chemistry degree paths. The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree with ACS Certification is the most rigorous. It includes introductory courses across all areas of chemistry, and incorporates undergraduate research as a required part of your coursework. This is the best option for you if you want to pursue a career in the laboratory or in research. The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree is a good choice if you want to pursue a career in the laboratory. It does not contain a required research component. The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in chemistry requires the fewest major credits and contains more elective options than either B.S. degree. This degree path was designed for students who might want to use chemistry as a platform for work in business, law, medicine or high school teaching.
When you graduate, you’ll be well prepared to continue your education in graduate school, medical school, an allied health field, or immediately enter a profession in the chemical or pharmaceutical industry, or teaching.
As a graduate of the chemistry program, you will be equipped to further pursue a career as a:
- Physician
- Chemical analyst
- Allied health professional
- Research scientist
- Lab technician
- Teacher
- Pharmacist
- Forensic scientist
For more information on career planning for the chemistry program, visit the Messiah University Career and Professional Development Center.
Chemistry majors compete well for summer research programs both on and off campus. A few of these include:
- Messiah's Steinbrecher Summer Research program
- Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center programs
- Summer REU (Research Experience for Undergraduate) programs. Recent students have been accepted to programs at the University of Pennsylvania, Kent State University, Cleveland Clinic, University of Utah, University of Georgia, University of North Texas, and MIT.
- Many Messiah University chemistry and biochemistry majors have had internships at Chemical Solutions, Ltd. in Harrisburg, PA.
Programs related to Chemistry
In the Chemistry program, you will take a selection of courses that successfully prepare you for a career in a related field. Hands-on experiences and classroom learning within the framework of Christian faith will give you the skills and knowledge to achieve your goals. Our programs offer a wide variety of courses that will not only help you excel in your future career, but challenge you to develop a deeper understanding of your field of study.
Course options for Chemistry:
Chemistry (B.S.) American Chemical Society (ACS) Certified
Chemistry careers and outcomes
Where our grads work
Graduates of the Chemistry program work in positions of leadership in their places of employment, using the tools and knowledge a Messiah University education prepared them with. Each year, eager employers and some of the nation's best graduate schools welcome Messiah graduates into their organizations.
Where they work
- ALS Environmental
- Centers for Disease Control
- Chemical Solutions
- Dow Chemical
- Doylestown Hospital
- DuPont
- East Penn Manufacturing
- Fischer Clinical Services
- Good Samaritan Hospital
- Haematologic Tech
- Harrisburg Hospital
- Johnson Matthey
- Lancaster Laboratories
- Lonza Laboratories
- Merck Laboratories
- National Cancer Institute
- National Institutes of Health
- Naval Air Systems Command
- Perll Diagnostics
- Pfizer Pharmaceuticals
- Pinnacle Health Systems
- Quest Diagnostics
- SC Johnson
- Test America Laboratories
- Tyson Foods
- United Healthcare
What they do
- Analytical Chemist
- Quality Assurance Lead
- Research and Development Chemist
- Process Engineer
- Associate Scientist
- High School Chemistry Teacher
Graduate school
- Arcadia University
- Clemson University
- Community General Osteopathic Hospital
- Iowa State University
- Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health
- Lehigh University
- Ohio State University
- Pennsylvania State University
- Temple University
- Thomas Jefferson University
- Tufts University
- University of California – Berkley
- University of California - Irvine
- University of Colorado
- University of Illinois – Chicago
- University of Illinois – Champagne/Urbana
- University of Maine
- University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill
- University of Pennsylvania
- University of Pittsburgh
- University of South Florida
- Villanova University
96% of the Class of 2022 respondents were employed or in graduate school within 6-9 months of graduation.
Our Alumni
Regional and national employers seek out Messiah graduates for their academic preparation, work ethic and personal character. The transformation you experience at Messiah readies you to transform the lives of others through your chosen career path.
Meet Alumni from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Research opportunities and hands-on learning
Almost all chemistry majors participate in undergraduate research while studying chemistry at Messiah. You’ll choose projects from across all the science departments, working closely with a faculty member, and can even begin some of these projects as early as your first year. You also have the opportunity to pursue summer research opportunities at major research universities, with the help of a strong letter of recommendation from Messiah University faculty.
There are opportunities for chemistry students to work as lab assistants, tutors, or as supplementary instruction leaders in the department.
You also have the opportunity to pursue summer research opportunities with a Steinbrecher Fellowship at Messiah University, or at major research universities, with the help of a strong letter of recommendation from Messiah University faculty.
Messiah's unique approach to hands-on learning
Learning in the classroom is important but actually applying that knowledge in a hands-on way can make all the difference. At Messiah University, the Experiential Learning Initiative (ELI) allows Messiah to take this hands-on learning to a new level by giving students the opportunity to apply what they have learned to various real world contexts--such as an internship/practica, service learning, off-campus program, holding a student leadership position, or participating in undergraduate research.