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Chemistry
At a Glance
Delve into chemistry and work with faculty mentors and state-of-the-art instrumentation to develop theoretical knowledge and practical skills. You can tailor your education to your goals with a flexible curriculum of seminars, research opportunities, and multiple degree options and specializations. Our programs are rigorous, supportive, and designed to the standards of the American Chemical Society to build a strong foundation for pursuing your career or graduate study.
Undergraduate Program Options
MAJORS
Chemistry, BS (American Chemical Society certified)
for students pursuing a research-focused experience
Chemistry, BS (non-ACS certified)
for students interested in pursuing chemistry and related fields
Chemistry Secondary Education, BS
New Jersey teacher certification in grades 6–12
SPECIALIZATIONS
MINOR
Accelerated/Dual-Degree Program Options
Get a jumpstart and enter the workforce with a master’s or professional degree. Accelerated options get you there faster and more affordably through fewer semesters of classes. Dual degrees offer a streamlined path to earning two degrees, often with direct admission to the graduate portion.
MEDICINE
Chemistry + Medicine, BS/MD — NJMS
First-year applicants can gain direct admission to New Jersey Medical School in this Seven-Year Medical Program (3+4).
PHARMACY
Chemistry + Pharmacy, BS/PharmD
First-year applicants and first-year students can apply to the Jefferson College of Pharmacy in this 8-year (4+4) dual-degree program.
You’ll Benefit From:
- Dedicated support and student-centered classes to help you succeed
- A flexible curriculum with your choice of specializations, concentrations, or tracks
- State-of-the-art technology and facilities as well as specialized software
- The option to complete a degree in chemistry secondary education in four years
- A nearly 100% placement rate for job-seekers within six months of graduation
- A high acceptance rate for PhD, medical/osteopathic, dental, pharmacy, and law programs
- Opportunities for faculty-mentored research, internships, and student groups
- Extensive preparation for career-readiness or entry into graduate programs
- Strong faculty advising and access to TCNJ’s robust alumni network
- An ideal location near many regional chemical companies who look for applicants with chemistry degrees
- Guidance on premedical and allied health paths from the Medical Careers Advisory Committee
Careers
As a chemistry major, you can choose to enter the chemical profession, pursue graduate work, or launch a career in chemical education. TCNJ is located in the middle of New Jersey’s “Pharmaceutical Alley,” home to many potential employers ranging from flavor and fragrance manufacturers and cosmetic companies to materials manufacturers and chemical/environmental testing companies.
The vast majority of recent graduates have chosen to enter professional schools (dentistry, medicine, optometry, or podiatry), studying at top institutions.
Recent Employers
- Bristol Myers Squibb
- Dow Chemical
- ExxonMobil
- International Flavors and Fragrances
- L’Oreal
Recent Graduate Schools
- Johns Hopkins University
- Rutgers University
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- University of Pennsylvania
- Yale University
Why Study Chemistry at TCNJ?
As a TCNJ chemistry student, you will learn the art and science of chemistry in an environment of high expectations and strong personal support. Our faculty members are teacher-scholars. They don’t just teach chemistry — they also practice it, publishing their research in national and international peer-reviewed journals. What’s more, you might have the chance to collaborate with them, as more than 80% of our students engage in undergraduate research under the mentorship of a faculty member. Combine this with state-of-the-art teaching laboratories and exceptional scientific instrumentation, and you have a recipe for successful careers in science, industry, the health professions, and education.
American Chemical Society (ACS) Certification
The Department of Chemistry offers both an American Chemical Society-certified BS degree and a non-ACS-certified BS degree, each requiring a rigorous program in the five subdivisions of chemistry as well as physics and math. Students entering TCNJ as chemistry majors are initially enrolled in the standard BS program but may transfer to the ACS-certified program after faculty advisement and department approval based on interests.
Undergraduate Research Opportunities
You are strongly encouraged to engage in independent research during the academic year through independent study courses (CHE 493) and during the summer through the Mentored Undergraduate Summer Experience (MUSE). You can participate in research programs with faculty members in each subdiscipline of chemistry in well-equipped research laboratories. Some projects have multidisciplinary aspects and involve collaborations within and outside the department.
State-of-the-Art Facilities
One of the biggest advantages to studying chemistry at TCNJ is the access you’ll have to state-of-the-art lab facilities starting on Day One. Our faculty will train you to become an independent scholar by incorporating hands-on practice with exceptional instrumentation into coursework and research.
Faculty
Chemistry faculty members pride themselves on prioritizing regular interaction and engagement with each student. Faculty advisors will meet regularly with you to assist in defining educational paths that best align with your career goals. They also provide assistance through a comprehensive seminar program that incorporates discussions of the roles and responsibilities of chemists in today’s society and introduces you to the “tools of the trade.”
