Applied Chemistry

How do we use chemistry in our everyday lives? A mysterious package dusted with white powder, rodent hair and a small white fiber: these are clues that a chemist educated in applied chemistry can use to help identify potential dangers and their source. A farmer experiences dramatic crop losses after another farm 100 miles away shifts to a genetically modified crop. Applied chemists step in to identify the source of the crop damage as herbicide drift. This is what sets applied chemistry apart from the study of pure chemistry. Applied chemists analyze physical evidence and samples for clues to solve real-world problems.

Major Requirements

The Department of Chemistry offers two Bachelor of Science degree emphases under the heading of applied chemistry: environmental chemistry and forensic chemistry. The B.S. emphasis in applied chemistry fall outside of the classical chemistry degree and instead draw on significant course material from areas relevant to their particular fields.