Chemistry program

Undergrad major Undergrad minor Teacher license Graduate degree

Discover new medications, monitor pollution, or meet the demand for energy-producing fuels.

Chemistry is great foundation for a wide range of career opportunities.

Chemistry education at UWL blends technical, hands-on research experience using modern equipment with practical skill development. Students are immersed in the process of science — designing experiments, collecting data and presenting results. They also learn soft skills to thrive in the workplace such as teamwork, communication and problem solving.

The chemistry faculty truly want students to succeed and prepare us for competitive positions in academia and industry. I will always be very grateful to Dr. Heather Schenck for teaching me to run kinetic studies on the NMR [Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometer] for my senior project and being an amazing mentor.

Taylor Hackel

What can you do with a chemistry degree?

Career possibilities in chemistry are wide ranging. They include positions in industry, research, education, engineering, health professions, public service and more. See industries with the highest concentrations of chemists. Even in times when unemployment rates are high, the chemist remains one of the most highly sought after and employed scientists. The median pay of chemists and materials scientists in 2021 was $79,760 per year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The American Chemical Society (ACS) College to Career page is a great resource to explore careers in chemistry. Also see the ACS page dedicated to Chemists in the Real World. Chemistry-related occupations and chemistry-related industries are projected to grow in the state, according to the Department of Workforce Development.

Careers in chemistry

Research chemist with the Centers for Disease Control
Government scientist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture
Industrial chemist managing pollution control
Science policy advocate for a non-profit organization
Chemistry professor (with further education)
High school science teacher (with teacher certification)

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Chemistry definition

Chemistry is the study of substances, their properties, energies, the ways they interact and combine and change. Traditionally, chemistry has been broken into five main sub-disciplines: Organic, Analytical, Physical, Inorganic, and Biochemistry. The field also includes a variety of applied disciplines. Chemistry is often referred to as the central science because it joins together physics and mathematics, biology and medicine, and the earth and environmental sciences.

What distinguishes UWL's chemistry program?

Accredited department

The UWL Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry is accredited by both the American Chemical Society-Committee on Professional Training (ACS-CPT) and the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB).This recognition acknowledges the quality program, staff and facilities of the department.

Student scholarships available

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry is able to award more than $30,000 in student scholarships annually to support returning undergraduate students in the major and graduates of the program who are entering a professional program in the basic sciences and/or health professions. Learn more about Chemistry scholarship opportunities.

Undergraduate research opportunities

Students have numerous opportunities to get involved in cutting-edge chemical, biochemical, and educational undergraduate research projects. In 2019-20, the Chemistry Department had the highest percentage of students participating in undergraduate research at UW-La Crosse. Learn about the research interests of faculty.

Hands-on with high-end instruments

Students will gain experience using high-end scientific instrumentation. This instrumentation includes: Imaging and Surface Analysis, Spectroscopy, Electrochemical and Electrical, Separations, Thermal Methods, X-ray, NMR, Radiation, Sample Preparation.

Preparation with technical and soft skills

Students are given broad preparation with both technical and soft skills. This leads to graduates who are flexible and creative problem solvers who can adapt and thrive as their career advances.

Prestigious ACS-certified degree offered, plus other options

The chemistry program is approved by the American Chemical Society (ACS) and offers a prestigious ACS-Certified bachelor's degree in chemistry for students who meet the required guidelines. The chemistry program offers several other bachelor’s degree and minor options. See the catalog for more information.