Welcome to the Department of Chemistry
The primary mission of the Department of Chemistry is to offer training, courses, and degrees in the Chemical Sciences to Citadel students, including those fulfilling core curriculum requirements and undergraduate Chemistry majors. The faculty in our department contribute to the discipline through scholarly and professional activity, and also to the community via participation in various service and outreach activities.
Students who are interested in pursuing a Chemistry major have multiple degree options within a Bachelors of Science (B.S.) degree or a Bachelors of Arts (B.A.) degree: The B.S. degree in chemistry is fully accredited by the American Chemical Society and prepares students for entry into elite graduate programs, medical schools or industry. Within the B.S. degree students may also choose to complete the biochemistry specialization. The B.A. degree provides a path for students who wish to combine chemical knowledge with specialized career training such a patent law, environmental and/or industrial regulation, clinical lab work, pharmacology, toxicology, dentistry or advanced medical training. Within the B.A. degree students may also choose to complete the Clinical or Environmental specialization.
Upcoming Lecture Series in Clinical Chemistry and Biochemistry
• 17 September 2024 | 6:30 p.m. | Open to Public
• Dr. Russell Norris presents Reshaping medicine through patient-led innovation
B.S. in Chemistry:
Chemists study substances at the atomic and molecular levels and analyze the ways in which substances interact with one another. They invent & develop new and improved products and/or they perform quality control analysis of manufactured goods.
Employment Opportunities
- Chemical Manufacturing
- R&D New Products & Medicines
- Laboratory Testing
- Gov. Research and Compliance
- Graduate School (Ph.D.)*
- Remediation & Waste Management
- All Other
33%
14%
10%
7%
5%
4%
32%
* Chemistry is one of the few disciplines where you will draw a salary in graduate school. The average salary of a Chemistry graduate student in 2021 was $46,357.
| Put Your Degree to Work – Chemist * | |
| 2019 Median Salary | $110,000 (PhD)• $85,000 (MS)˚ $80,000 (Bachelors) |
| Typical Entry Level Education | PhD, MS, BS |
| Number of Jobs in 2019 | 93,700 |
| Jobs Outlook through 2029 | +5% (Above Average) |
• From the Bureau of Labor Statistics
˚ Graduate school of typically a paid position for Chemists
B.A. in Chemistry:
The BA degree is ideal for students who want to combine scientific training with specific career goals. The BA degree is recommended for those students who intend to pursue advanced degrees in chemical engineering, patent law, pharmacology, toxicology, environmental science, clinical chemistry, any of the health professions and more.
B.S. in Chemistry: Biochemistry Concentration
A biochemist studies the chemistry of living things and how chemicals affect biological processes such as disease, cell development, growth, and heredity. Biochemists who do applied research are responsible for the development of new medicines and vaccines. Biochemists who do basic research expand our knowledge of the chemistry of living things.
Employment Opportunities
- Pharmaceutical Research Lab
- BioTech Company
- Medical Doctor
- Veterinarian
- Biochemical Engineering
- CDC
| Put Your Degree to Work – Biochemist | |
| 2020 Median Salary | $94,270 per year |
| Typical Entry Level Education | Doctoral or Professional Degree |
| Number of Jobs in 2020 | 34,600 |
| Jobs Outlook through 2029 | +4% (Average) |
B.A. in Chemistry: Environmental Concentration
Environmental chemists study the chemistry that occurs in natural spaces. Environmental Chemistry is a specialized area of Analytical Chemistry requiring a strong understanding of the fate of chemical species in the air, soil, and water and how these chemicals move through the environment and biosphere.
Employment Opportunities
- EPA (Federal Level)
- Dept. of Environmental. Quality (State Level)
- Industrial Compliance Officer
- Researcher
- Consulting
- Environmental Forensics
- Bioremediation
| Put Your Degree to Work – Environmental Chemist | |
| 2020 Median Salary | $73,230 per year |
| Typical Entry Level Education | Bachelor’s Degree |
| Number of Jobs in 2020 | 90,900 |
| Jobs Outlook through 2029 | +8% (Much Higher than Average) |
B.A. in Chemistry: Clinical Concentration
Clinical chemists conduct research and develop laboratory procedures that help physicians make earlier, more precise diagnoses and tailor therapy for patients. As technology develops in “hot” areas like molecular biology, vaccine development or transplant medicine, clinical chemists apply their knowledge to develop practical applications of these advances†.
† Adapted from the American Association of Clinical Chemists
Employment Opportunities
• Hospital Labs
• Research Labs
• Manufacturing facilities
• Pharmaceutical research labs
• Commercial Reference labs
• Federal Regulator
• Patent Law
• Academic Labs
• Research Foundations for specific diseases (for example; cystic fibrosis)
• Government Regulatory Agencies (for example; OSHA, CDC & FDA)
| Put Your Degree to Work – Clinical Chemist | |
| 2020 Median Salary | $54,180 per year |
| Typical Entry Level Education | Bachelor’s Degree |
| Number of Jobs in 2020 | 337,800 |
| Jobs Outlook through 2029 | +7% (Faster than Average) |
Tsuboi Agriculture is the winner of the 10th annual Baker Business Bowl and went home with a $10,000 check to start the business.
Brig. Gen. Harvey Schiller earned a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from The Citadel in 1960 and delivered a Greater Issues address in 2003.
The Swain School of Science and Mathematics welcomes nine new faculty members for the 2020-2021 academic year.