Undergraduate Programs

Undergraduate Programs

Mary Koors

Class of 2009
Biochemistry B.S.

"My experiences through IU Chemistry have been better than anything I could have asked for. I declared a major in biochemistry after discovering how much I loved the subject during my first chemistry course at IU. Later during my freshman year I joined Alpha Chi Sigma, the pre-professional chemistry fraternity, through which I have made a number of lifelong friends and have helped increase public awareness and interest in science. I have also gained valuable leadership and mentoring skills as a departmental organic chemistry tutor. I considered graduate school in biochemistry as I worked for a year in the Oakley Lab and, although I eventually decided on a different career path, the experiences I gained from undergraduate research proved invaluable. With guidance from the Department of Chemistry's faculty and staff, I have decided on a career in pharmacy and plan to attend pharmacy school after graduation. The professors and advising staff at IU Chemistry are great. They have helped me navigate through my undergraduate career and are a continual source of support and encouragement. "

Our department offers Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees in both Biochemistry and Chemistry, as well as a minor in Chemistry. Both the BS degrees are certified by the American Chemical Society. Each year, our graduating seniors in chemistry and biochemistry go on to the best graduate schools in the nation, including Caltech, Stanford, California-Berkeley, MIT, Harvard, Yale, Columbia and all of the Big-10 universities. Close to one-third of our seniors go immediately into industrial jobs. Our department facilitates the job searches of students by providing a placement service, in which industrial recruiters hold on-campus interviews within the chemistry building. Many of our graduating seniors are accepted into medical and dental schools, and a small number of students pursue combined M.D.-Ph.D. degrees in biochemistry and medicine.

Our faculty members show a strong commitment to undergraduate teaching by opening their laboratories for Undergraduate Research. Recently, a team of faculty has redesigned our first-year chemistry courses to emphasize more current topics, such as biochemistry and polymers, that will better prepare our students for further study in modern laboratories and medical technologies. Developments in the curriculum and in teaching facilities are continuing on a regular basis.

Announcements

New IU program offers fast track to teaching for math, science majors
Chemistry and math majors now have a more efficient path to earning both a master's degree in education and teacher licensure under a new agreement between the Indiana University College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Education.