Chemistry | Winthrop University

Chemistry

Bachelor of Science

Winthrop’s biochemistry and chemistry program offers a private school-caliber experience at a public-school price. Winthrop provides a comprehensive infrastructure of chemistry instrumentation that is widely used in industry as well as government, industrial, environmental, biotech and forensic laboratories throughout the nation. Larger schools cannot and do not offer comparable two-year research experiences for all their undergraduate students. This gives graduates of Winthrop’s program the upper hand when applying for opportunities in industry, medicine and graduate school.

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Potential Employers

Some of the graduates of this program have gone on to work for:

  • 3D Systems Corporation
  • AudIT3, LLC
  • Biogen
  • BridgeBio
  • British American Tobacco
  • Canada Health Infoway
  • Ingevity
  • K. Hovnanian® Homes
  • Martinez Refining Company LLC
  • National Cancer Institute (NCI)
  • National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
  • Possehl
  • Red Ventures
  • S.C. Department of Health & Environmental Control
  • Sarasota Memorial Health Care System
  • Schaltbau North America
  • Sonora Quest Laboratories/ Laboratory Sciences of Arizona
  • Stepan Company
  • The Menninger Clinic
  • Vertex Pharmaceuticals

Career Paths

Graduates of this program have gone on to become:

  • Account Executive
  • Application Scientist
  • Associate Medical Director
  • Associate Scientist 2
  • Business Owner
  • Chemist
  • Clinical Director of Toxicology/Clinical Mass Spectrometry
  • Clinical Pharmacy Specialist
  • Head (VP) of Scientific Regulatory Engagement, Legal & External Affairs
  • Manager, Environmental Affairs
  • President
  • Project Manager
  • Quality Control Chemist
  • Region President - Ohio
  • Research Chemist
  • Research Scientist
  • Sr. Project Manager / Relationship Management
  • Sr. Scientist
  • Staff Scientist
  • Vice President and Medical Director

Top Industries

Many of the graduates of this program find themselves working in:

 

  1. Higher Education
  2. Chemicals
  3. Hospital & Health Care
  4. Biotechnology
  5. Retail
  6. Education Management
  7. Financial Services
  8. Pharmaceuticals
  9. Real Estate
  10. Chemical Manufacturing

Curriculum and Learning Opportunities

Students majoring in chemistry can select one of five programs of study to tailor their curricula to meet their long-term professional objectives.

Students who wish to prepare for application to medical school should acquire a broad foundation in the natural sciences, mathematics, humanities, and the social sciences. Chemistry is a popular major for such students since it allows them to complete the premed requirements without taking a large number of courses outside the major. In addition, the percentage of chemistry majors applying and being accepted to medical school is higher than observed for most other majors. Medical schools generally require two semesters of each of the following courses:

  • Inorganic Chemistry
  • Organic Chemistry
  • General Biology
  • Physics
  • Mathematics
  • English Composition and Literature

Biochemistry, anatomy and physiology, genetics, and microbiology are strongly recommended. All of the courses listed above can be used to fulfill requirements necessary for a major in chemistry.

    Students major in chemistry to pursue industrial or graduate opportunities in medicine, environmental science, computational molecular modeling, forensics, plastics, chemistry, textiles, health sciences, materials science, energy production, biotechnology, chemical engineering, pharmaceutical sciences, ceramics, environmental engineering, or toxicology. Chemists represent the largest group of industrial scientists in the United States; approximately 50% of all research and development positions in this country are filled by professionals with chemistry or chemical engineering backgrounds. The ACS chemistry degree track meets American Chemical Society (ACS) requirements for a professional certification in chemistry.

    Curriculum

    The ASBMB Biochemistry track was the nation's first American Soceity for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB)-Accredited program.

    Curriculum

    The Health and Chemical Sciences degree track is designed for maximum flexibility to meet a broad array of student interests or needs. Because it allows students to count math and science elective courses toward the chemistry degree, it is ideal for students interested in health professions that do not require undergraduate research, as well as for double-majors and transfer students.

    Curriculum

    The Pre-Engineering-Physics and Forensic Chemistry degree tracks prepare students for technical or management positions with government or industry.

    Curriculum

    The Pre-Engineering-Physics and Forensic Chemistry degree tracks prepare students for technical or management positions with government or industry.

    Curriculum

Why Winthrop?

Students in lab

Substantial Opportunities

More than 85 percent of biochemistry and chemistry students have comprehensive research experiences.

Student using microscope

Continued Success

86 percent of recent graduates have matriculated into graduate schools or entered technical positions.

student using a microscope

Nationally Accredited

The biochemistry program was the first in the nation accredited by the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.


Hear From Our Students and Faculty


Beyond Graduation

Carra Lyons

Carra Lyons
Chemistry, Class of 2018
Medical Student


"Winthrop changed me. I am not the same since I attended there. I was well trained to begin medical school. The education I gained was invaluable. However, the most impactful was my experience there and the professors that taught me and spent time to educate and train me. I became a much better person after my experience there… Education is only one part of the Winthrop experience. If you let them, these professors will make you into a better person than you knew you could be."

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