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Undergraduate Programs

Undergraduate Programs

Jenna Devare

Class of 2009
Biochemistry B.S.

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"I began biochemical research in the Walczak Lab (Medical Sciences) during the summer before my freshman year through the Integrated Freshman Learning Experience program, giving me very early exposure to the workings of a research lab. With continued research experience alongside the courses and funding from the Department of Chemistry, I feel confident conducting my own experiments, explaining the biochemistry behind each step, and presenting my research to others through papers and posters. Though the biochemistry degree has rigorous requirements, I still found time to study abroad in Paris, France without postponing graduation. While abroad, I had the opportunity to take all of my classes in French and live in a French home, as well as travel to the Netherlands, Belgium, Italy, Germany, the Czech Republic, and even Morocco. The study abroad experience was extremely rewarding and became the perfect complement to my science education. I would highly recommend it to anyone wishing to broaden cultural as well as self-perspective."

Welcome to the Chemistry Undergraduate website. 

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Indiana University currently has 34 full-time research faculty and 5 full-time teaching faculty who teach our undergraduate curriculum.    

Our department offers four degrees, a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees in both Biochemistry and Chemistry, as well as a minor in Chemistry.  Both B.S. degrees are certified by the American Chemical Society (ACS) and prepare students well for either graduate school or industrial positions.  Usually, the B.A. degrees is pursued by students wanting to pursue post-professional school.

Our office is located in the Chemistry Building (C021) and our office staff can be reached at (812) 855-2700.  If you are a prospective student or need to make an advising appointment, feel free to contact our chemistry advisor, Carly Friedman to set up an on-campus visit. 

Approximately one third of our graduating seniors in chemistry and biochemistry attend graduate school, where they are often recruited by the best graduate schools in the nation.  Approximately one third of our students enter the workforce in an industrial position.  Our department works with the Career Development Center on campus to facilitate student job searches, and their placement service helps industrial recruiters hold on-campus interviews. 

Finally, one third of our graduating seniors are accepted into the best post-professional schools (e.g. medical, dental, optometry, pharmacy, veterinary, physician’s assistant, chiropractor, and law schools), where a small number of students pursue combined M.D./Ph.D. degrees in biochemistry and medicine.

Undergraduates who wish to teach chemistry may wish to pursue our new B.S. Chemistry/M.S. Education duel degree that can be accomplished in five years. This degree is designed for students who wish to teach at either secondary schools or community colleges while providing a strong and versatile enough background to be employed in industry.

Furthermore, several students choose to pursue and earn two degrees in four years (e.g. B.A. Chemistry/B.A. Germanic Studies; B.A. Chemistry/B.A. Drama; B.S. Chemistry/B.S. Biology; B.S. Biochemistry/B.S. Neuroscience; B.S. Biochemistry/B.S. Mathematics).  Alternatively, students demonstrate their interests by earning minors in several areas.

Our undergraduate program provides several opportunities beyond the formal classroom:

• Research.  Students can pursue research with preeminent chemists on our faculty, often leading to publications after several semesters of research.  We encourage our majors to take C409: Chemical Research and G410: Chemical Research Capstone for credit toward graduation.  Students can apply for summer support every January for the following summer (applications in the UGO). 
• Overseas Study.  Although out students pursue a rigorous and challenging curriculum with smart decisions, several of our students can fit in an overseas studies opportunity (Office of Overseas Study) either in several weeks over the over the summer or in one semester.
• Internships.  Internships are usually arranged with local industries during the summer sessions and are designed to provide opportunities for students to receive credit for career-related, full-time work.
• Service Learning.  By taking G201: Service Learning in Chemistry, students find fulfilling experiences working within the community to foster interest, knowledge, and appreciation in the sciences.  Students prepare and execute demonstrations and in-class lessons at the primary and secondary school levels.  Students learn more about their discipline while providing mentoring for younger students in the community.
• Career Preparation.  G207: Chemical Scholarship & Presentation and G307: Chemical Career Planning provide a framework to prepare students for the workplace.  G207 involves the preparation of scientific oral presentations and poster presentations.  G307 focuses on writing resumes, personal statements, and cover letters, including interviewing skills, discussion of graduate programs and careers in chemistry, personal assessment, job searching strategies, labor market trends, and principles of career planning.
• Teaching.  A select number of our advanced students have the opportunity to serve as Undergraduate Teaching Assistants (G499: Internship in Chemical Instruction), providing valuable experiences in peer instruction the classroom.
• Volunteering.  Students have several opportunities to join student groups such as the Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Sociey (SAACS; professional chemistry society), Alpha Chi Sigma (AXE; chemistry fratenity), and the Timmy Foundation (timmyfc@indiana.ed; providing medical mission trips to developing nations). 

In fall 2005, a team of motivated faculty redesigned our chemistry curriculum to emphasize more current topics with a biochemical emphasis, a curriculum that will better prepare our students for further study in modern laboratories and medical technologies.  Our department is committed to students gaining chemistry knowledge and learning how to problem-solving throughout our curriculum, and we offer a range of courses and opportunities that provide this framework.  Curricular developments and teaching facility enhancements continue on a regular basis in our department.

If you have further questions about the majors, the minor, or our undergraduate program, please contact:

Carly Friedman, Chemistry Advisor, (chemadv), (812) 855 – 2700

Cathrine (Kate) Reck, Director of Undergraduate Studies, (creck), (812) 855 – 3972

Norman Dean, Director of Undergraduate Laboratories, (nsdean), (812) 855 – 5145

James Clark, Coordinator of Freshmen Laboratories, (clark95), (812) 855 – 1192

Becky Wilson, Scheduling Officer, (reawilso), (812) 855 – 2254

Amanda Ellis, Student Services Coordinator, (ammellis), (812) 855 – 2700

Chemistry Undergraduate Office (C021)

Indiana University

800 E. Kirkwood Ave.

Bloomington, IN 47405

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