The Chemistry program is part of the Chemistry Department in the BGSU College of Arts and Sciences.   

Watch Video BGSU chemistry majors will spend a lot of time in the well-equipped Ohio lab facilities on campus, bringing lessons to life.
  • Minor Available
  • Bachelors Available
  • Minor Available
  • Bachelors Available

Chemistry

The Chemistry Department at Bowling Green State University offers a broad-based, rigorous chemistry education that provides students with intellectual, experimental and communication skills to become effective scientific professionals.   

Chemistry majors study matter at the molecular level and apply molecular principles to design and synthesize new materials and characterize and quantify their macroscopic properties.

Graduates go on to further education and careers in environmental research, biochemistry, forensic science, medicine and pharmaceutical industries. 

Small class size and research opportunities

Chemistry students benefit from small class sizes and close faculty attention. The faculty has extensive research experience and are leading experts in their fields.   

There are abundant opportunities for undergraduate chemistry majors to contribute to research projects and work with state-of-the-art laboratory equipment and instrumentation.

The Moseley Hall building on the BGSU Ohio campus houses an interdisciplinary science complex featuring flexible laboratory and classroom spaces. The chemistry labs were recently upgraded and feature cutting-edge equipment and facilities.

Stand Out in courses like

  • Organic Chemistry
  • Inorganic Chemistry
  • Physical Chemistry
  • Quantitative Chemical Analysis
  • Biochemistry
  • Forensic Chemistry
  • Calculus and Analytic Geometry II

Curriculum

The chemistry curriculum offers foundational chemistry courses designed to meet the needs of chemistry majors planning to focus on such disciplines as the physical sciences, life sciences, health professions and science education.

The BGSU chemistry curriculum includes courses in the major chemistry subdisciplines: analytical, organic, inorganic, physical, and biochemistry. Students in the chemistry major gain experience in these areas and learn to apply their training to solve problems in new situations. Students have the option of choosing a specialization in biochemistry or forensic chemistry.

The American Chemical Society (ACS) is the world's largest scientific society and the premier home of chemistry professionals. The bachelor of science in chemistry is eligible for certification by the ACS with appropriate selection of chemistry elective courses..



The Department of Chemistry at BGSU has an advanced research program with many faculty receiving grant funding from outside sources, including the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Energy.

Internships and Careers

Undergraduate chemistry students have the opportunity to conduct internships with faculty members and graduate students on research projects, which often lead to publications in professional journals and presentations at regional or national meetings.

Along with a Bachelor of Science in chemistry, BGSU offers a M.S. degree in chemistry and a Ph.D. in photochemical sciences.

Chemistry is at the heart of a broad range of modern industries, including 3D printing, product design and development, and art restoration. Regulating and monitoring the chemical industry’s impact on the environment is a vast undertaking that employs thousands and offers rewarding career options.  

The Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts that all careers for chemistry majors will grow above the national average.

Our graduates have been hired by companies such as NAMSA, Sherwin-Williams, Procter & Gamble, Wacker Chemical Corporation, ProMedica, Charles River Laboratories and the Bureau of Land Management.

What are good minors for chemistry majors?

If you have a clear idea of where you want to focus your career, you may have already decided on a minor. Many chemistry majors choose a minor in biology or physics. A general science minor is also a good option. A minor in math is applicable to a chemistry career as well.

Depending on your career goals, a non-science minor may be beneficial. A candidate with knowledge in business, economics, or communications may be a good prospect in some industries.

Average Starting Salary & BGSU Placement Rate

$42,403* - Chemistry graduates average starting salary according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers.  

100% of chemistry graduates report they're employed, in graduate school or starting a business within six months of graduation.

The U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks several careers in the chemistry discipline, such as chemical engineers, chemical technicians, biochemists and post-secondary chemistry teachers. According to the BLS, the 2020 average annual salary for those careers was $80,820.  

(*BGSU data compiled from students who completed the related questions on the graduation survey.)

Go Far in your career

  • Environmental protection
  • Criminal investigation
  • Disease prevention
  • Military research science
  • Agricultural research
  • Applied product development
  • Industrial chemistry
  • Dentistry
BGSU chemistry Professor Alexis Ostrowski also holds the Dr. Thomas Kinstle Professorship. Her lab team investigates photoresponsive materials.

BGSU Arts and Sciences white

The Chemistry program is part of the Chemistry Department in the BGSU College of Arts and Sciences.  

College of Arts and Sciences Admissions

Students planning to study chemistry or biochemistry should have taken a year of high school chemistry. They should also have a strong background in mathematics, including a year of calculus if possible.

Academic Investment in Math and Science (AIMS) scholarships and learning community

The AIMS program has two scholarship packages with distinct requirements. The AIMS Standard scholarship is traditionally awarded to women and students of color with STEM majors. The AIMS BOSEF scholarship targets Ohio residents majoring in the following majors: chemistry, physics, biology, geology, environmental science, applied mathematics, mechanical and manufacturing engineering technology and with career goals related to renewable energy.

There is also an AIMS Learning Community, a place to live and learn alongside peers who share your interest and enthusiasm for science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the baccalaureate degree, students in chemistry are expected to:

  • Exhibit a sound grasp of the basic ideas and the scope of modern chemistry, including newly evolving fields;
  •  Develop strong problem-solving skills, including logical, mathematical and computational techniques, as well as the use of models, to effectively plan projects and critically analyze experimental results;
  • Personally carry out laboratory procedures and develop modern laboratory skills, including proficiency in basic techniques and experience with a wide range of laboratory instruments;
  • Demonstrate critical professional and personal skills, including independent thinking, communication skills, the ability to work effectively within groups, and a commitment toward continuous learning.
Accreditation

Bowling Green State University [BGSU] is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.  BGSU has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 01/01/1916. The most recent reaffirmation of accreditation was received in 2012 - 2013. Questions should be directed to the Office of Institutional Effectiveness.

More information on accreditation

Professional Licensure

Bowling Green State University programs leading to licensure, certification and/or endorsement, whether delivered online, face-to-face or in a blended format, satisfy the academic requirements for those credentials set forth by the State of Ohio.

Requirements for licensure, certification and/or endorsement eligibility vary greatly from one profession to another and from state to state. The Chemistry program does not lead to professional licensure.

The chemistry degree is eligible for certification by the American Chemical Society with appropriate selection of chemistry elective courses.

More information on professional licensure

Gainful Employment

Under the Higher Education Act Title IV disclosure requirements, an institution must provide current and prospective students with information about each of its programs that prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation.

The Chemistry program is not a recognized occupation that requires a Gainful Employment disclosure.

Specializations
  • Biochemistry
  • Forensic Chemistry


* Job placement and salary information was compiled by the Office of Academic Assessment through the Graduation Survey from AY2015-2018. The data are gathered around the time of Commencement and a follow-up survey six months post Commencement. For the salary question, data for programs with fewer than fifteen responses are not included. Salaries for those programs are from the National Association of Colleges and Employers Summer 2019 Survey. For questions regarding the data, contact assessment@bgsu.edu.

Updated: 06/27/2022 08:54AM