Major in Chemistry
Become a chemist • Learn laboratory techniques • Impact your community
Chemistry is a technical field.
JBU will give you the tools you need.
In the chemistry major, you will have access to faculty and state-of-the-art labs to help you conduct and publish your research. At JBU you will get the training in lab equipment and safety you need to enter the workforce, and you will practice problem-solving and interacting with scientific research.
Bell Science Hall, located on the west side of campus, is the home to most chemistry classes and labs.
The lobby in Bell Science Hall is a common area for students to gather to study and hang out.
The Chemistry Department makes multiple lab environments available to students, including a General Chemistry Lab, an Organic Lab, an Instrumental Lab, and a research room.
All lab equipment is made available to students in the classroom and for undergraduate research.
What to expect as a chemistry student at JBU
Publish Research
Students can work with faculty on their research initiatives or conduct their own undergraduate research projects to ultimately publish in national scientific journals.
Work with Accessible Professors
JBU labs are capped at 20 students so that professors can provide students with focused guidance.
Use Trendy Tools
JBU labs use state-of-the-art technology and tools for research and exploration: an aquarium, a greenhouse, radioisotope lab, tissue culture lab, research lab, and an anatomy and physiology lab.
Work in the Cadaver Lab
Human anatomy students participate in cadaver dissection. JBU is one of only two universities in the state of Arkansas that make cadaver dissection available to undergraduate students.
Tailor Your Degree
JBU has two course tracks for students interested in the medical field: Pre-Professional Studies for areas of medicine, dentistry, optometry, veterinary medicine, etc., and Allied Heath for fields like nursing, physician's assistant, physical therapy, and occupational therapy.
Awesome Lab Experiences
Chemistry students can scuba dive in the Florida Keys, experiment on human and animal organ systems, and learn surgical procedures and experimental manipulation of live non-human vertebrate specimens.
Get Into Grad School
Over 75 percent of JBU students who apply to schools of health professions are accepted. The success rate approaches 100 percent upon reapplication the following year.
Alumni Profile
Jordan Rowe
Jordan Rowe graduated from the natural sciences department at JBU and is in the third year of pharmacy school at the University of Arkansas (Little Rock). She also works as a pharmacy intern in a community pharmacy. “My education at JBU helped me be prepared for the level of difficulty and the pace of pharmacy school,” Rowe said. “I was able to score well on the PCAT which gave me my pick of the pharmacy schools where I applied.”
What could you do with a chemistry degree?
Biotechnology
Biotechnology depends on the ability to alter chemical structures for materials and organisms like agriculture, livestock, pharmaceuticals, or other industries.
Chemical Information Specialist
This job requires managing technical chemical information for researchers, industry professionals, students, and professors.
Clinical Work
A degree in chemistry lays a solid foundation for any medical career. Students interested in further medical training have the option of joining one JBU's pre-medical studies tracks.
Research Specialist
Government agencies, private industries, pharmaceutical companies and independent researchers look for students with a solid science foundation.
Ecology
Forestry, environmental management, renewable energy or environmental research are all possible options for those interested in the field of ecology.
Community Development
Students can easily use their knowledge in chemistry for non-profit organizations that deal with agricultural, ecological, or environmental humanitarian work.
University Professor
Prepare to conduct research and educate others about chemistry. To teach chemistry on a collegiate level, an advanced degree is required.
Graduate School
Many students choose to continue their study in a particular field of interest with an advanced degree.
Meet the Chemistry Faculty
