Chemistry

Chemistry is a science devoted to the creation and evaluation of compounds and materials. Chemists have: created well-known materials such as Nylon, Teflon, and Kevlar; developed and synthesized life-saving molecules for treating cancer, diabetes, and other diseases; and created new proteins to digest waste plastics in order to help build a more sustainable society.  Chemists are also involved in making measurements crucial toward determining the presence of hazardous pollutants in our environment and the safety of our food and water supplies. Chemistry is at the forefront in developing and advancing new technologies to solve problems in agriculture, electronics, energy, forensics, and medicine.

A student considering a career in chemistry should have a strong curiosity about the nature of how things work, good problem solving skills, and most important of all - a desire to learn. A strong background in mathematics and physics is beneficial as these subjects facilitate an understanding of chemistry, often called the Central Science, because of its importance in understanding both the physical and biological sciences. For this reason, chemists are employed in all phases of our economy - industry, government, and education.
 

The Department of Chemistry offers BS degrees in:

  1. Biochemistry (for students interested in medicine, pharmacy, and advanced studies or other careers in biochemistry/chemistry)
  2. Medicinal Chemistry (for students interested in pharmaceutical research, drug development, or pharmacy/medical school)
  3. Chemistry, with concentrations in:
  • American Chemical Society (ACS) Approved (for students interested in pursuing an advanced degree or career in chemistry, or teaching chemistry at the college-level)
  • Pre-Health/Pre-Law (for students interested in medicine, pharmacy, or law)
  • Secondary Teacher Certification (for students interested in teaching high school chemistry)
Students should contact Sheri Orr, Senior Academic Advisor, at sheri.m.orr@okstate.edu for questions about which degree is the best fit for their career goals and interests.