Programs of Study
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry, a minor in Chemistry, and a Masters in Materials Science & Engineering. Within the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, we offer three tracks/concentrations: a general Chemistry track; a Pre-Med Professions track, and a Materials Chemistry track. Students wishing to pursue a biochemistry focus should major in Biochemistry, a stand-alone degree program within Chemistry.
We encourage students in any concentration to seek research study with one or more of our professors as a component of their undergraduate experience. Our faculty members believe that undergraduate students contribute significantly to the development of research directions and results, and seek to include them in their explorations. The partnership between faculty and students can lead to journal publications or presentations at scientific meetings and conferences, and also contribute strongly to opportunities to obtain supporting grants and funding to continue on-going research. For more information, please visit our undergraduate research page.
The Bachelor of Science degrees in Chemistry and Biochemistry are accredited by the American Chemical Society (ACS). This means that the degree is nationally recognized as being of high quality and the graduate is suitable for employment in any type of chemical industry. Employers look at applicants that have ACS-accredited chemistry degrees first. More information about possible careers in chemistry is located on the ACS website.
Choosing Your Degree
- BA Chemistry
- BS Chemistry
- BS Biochemistry
Students interested in studying chemistry or biochemistry at the University of North Florida have the option to pursue either a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Chemistry or a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Chemistry or a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Biochemistry. Each degree offers unique opportunities and is tailored to different career goals and academic interests. This guide is designed to help you determine which degree is the best fit for you.
Flexibility in Degree Selection
One of the advantages of our chemistry programs is the flexibility they offer. In almost all of our tracks and degrees, students can switch between the BA and BS programs within the first 1–2 years without delaying graduation. This allows you to explore your interests and make informed decisions about your academic and career paths.
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry
ACS-Accredited Program
Our BS degrees in Chemistry is approved by the American Chemical Society (ACS). ACS approval is a mark of excellence, ensuring that the program meets rigorous standards in curriculum, laboratory experience, and faculty qualifications. Graduating from an ACS-approved program can enhance your resume, especially for those planning to:
- Apply to graduate school (M.S. or Ph.D. programs) in chemistry, biochemistry, or related scientific fields
- Pursue careers in chemical or biochemical research and development
- Work in industrial, pharmaceutical, or government laboratories
- Attend professional schools (e.g., medical, dental, pharmacy) with a strong science foundation
The BS degree is highly recommended for students planning to pursue advanced degrees in the sciences. This degree is offered in three distinct tracks (General Chemistry, Pre-medical Professions, and Materials Chemistry).
- General Chemistry Track: This track is designed to provide a thorough background in chemistry with coverage of all the major areas of chemistry, as well as electives to gain breadth and depth of knowledge. The track provides all of the prerequisites for entry into most chemistry graduate programs, professional positions in the chemical industry, and medical schools and related professions.
- Pre-medical Professions Track: This track is designed to give flexibility and a solid grounding to students wanting to pursue in-depth training with a biological focus. The track is suited to students interested in pursuing a variety of medical professional programs, such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, podiatry, veterinary medicine, physician's assistant or optometry to mention a few. It is designed to provide a broad background in chemistry with an interdisciplinary emphasis by including courses in biology.
- Materials Chemistry Track: This track is designed to provide a broad background ideally suited to careers in research or industrial pursuits usually in the application of physical and chemical principles leading to the design and characterization of materials. The track acquires an interdisciplinary emphasis by requiring courses in mathematics, computer science, and physics. It provides all of the prerequisites for entry into most chemistry graduate programs.
Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry
ACS-Accredited Program
Our BS degrees in Biochemistry is approved by the American Chemical Society (ACS). ACS approval is a mark of excellence, ensuring that the program meets rigorous standards in curriculum, laboratory experience, and faculty qualifications. Graduating from an ACS-approved program can enhance your resume, especially for those planning to:
- Apply to graduate school (M.S. or Ph.D. programs) in chemistry, biochemistry, or related scientific fields
- Pursue careers in chemical or biochemical research and development
- Work in industrial, pharmaceutical, or government laboratories
- Attend professional schools (e.g., medical, dental, pharmacy) with a strong science foundation
The BS degree is highly recommended for students planning to pursue advanced degrees in the sciences. This degree is designed to prepare students who wish to pursue careers in biochemical and/or biomedical research including such specific areas as pharmaceutical sciences, disease diagnostics, drug development, DNA-based forensics, proteomics, and clinical chemistry. This program of study fulfills the prerequisite courses required by most chemistry graduate programs. Students will gain a deeper and broader understanding of biochemical principles and techniques through the emphasis on biology and biochemistry courses found within this track. Upon completion, students will be better prepared to pursue STEM careers that do not fall within the traditional confines of chemistry or biology degree programs
Example Career Paths for a BS in Chemistry or Biochemistry:
- Research Scientist
- Pharmaceutical Chemist
- Environmental Chemist
- Quality Control Analyst
- Pharmaceutical Sales
- Marketing
- Regulatory Affairs Specialists
- Science Writer
- Data Analysts
- ... and many more.
For more information on careers in Chemistry/Biochemistry, visit American Chemical Society (ACS) Careers.
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Chemistry
Flexible and Interdisciplinary
The BA in Chemistry offers a more flexible curriculum with fewer required science and math courses than the BS degree. While it does not carry ACS approval, it is an excellent option for students who:
- Are interested in careers in education, science communication, law, policy, or business
- Plan to pursue secondary education certification in science
- Wish to double major or minor in another field such as biology, psychology, public health, communication, or political science
- Are considering professional schools (e.g., medical or dental) but want more flexibility in their undergraduate experience. However, you should discuss this with the pre-health professional advisor (https://www.unf.edu/coas/biomed/advising.html). A BA in Chemistry meets most medical/dental school pre-requisites.
Example Pathway:
A student pursuing a BA in Chemistry could add a Criminal Justice minor to focus on Forensic Science, preparing for careers in crime laboratories or law enforcement agencies.
Example Career Paths:
- High School Chemistry Teacher
- Science Communicator or Technical Writer
- Environmental Policy Analyst
- Patent Examiner or Intellectual Property Consultant
- Regulatory Affairs Specialist
- Forensic Technician/Scientist
- Sales Representative for Scientific Equipment
Need Help Choosing?
If you're unsure which degree is best for your goals, please schedule a meeting with your academic advisor, faculty member, or the Department Chair in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. We're here to help you succeed and find the path that aligns with your passions and professional ambitions.
Suggested Course Sequence (My Osprey Map)
To determine the proper sequence of courses, students should speak with an academic advisor and refer to the Osprey Map (Course Sequence Guide).
- To schedule an appointment with a College of Arts and Sciences academic advisor, please call (904) 620-2797.
- The "Osprey Map" can also be found under the "Student" tab in myWings by clicking "Student Self Service" (under "My Records"), and then clicking "Osprey Map". The Course Scheduling Matrix should also be used in designing your course of study. It can be found under "Course Information" on this website.
- Chemistry Track
- Biochemistry Major
- Pre-Medical Professionals Track
- Materials Chemistry Track
- MS Program in Materials Science and Engineering
- Chemistry Minor
Chemistry Track
This track is designed to provide a thorough background in chemistry with coverage of all the major areas of chemistry, as well as electives to gain breadth and depth of knowledge. An interest in how and why things work is often the driving force motivating students to seek an education in the sciences, and often it leads to chemistry. As a central science, chemistry plays a pivotal role in the most basic physical, biological, and allied health disciplines. Bachelor's degree chemists can choose from many diverse paths for their short-term and lifetime careers, including graduate study leading to advanced degrees and research in a variety of programs, rewarding employment in industry or government labs, professional or law schools, or much-needed teaching service in high schools. All are supported by a degree in chemistry. The track provides all of the prerequisites for entry into most chemistry graduate programs, professional positions in the chemical industry, and medical schools and related professions.
Biochemistry Major
Our Biochemistry major is designed for students interested in bio-medically related research careers. Students will gain a deeper and broader understanding of biochemical principles and techniques through the emphasis on biology and biochemistry courses found within this track. Upon completion, students will be better prepared to pursue STEM careers that do not fall within the traditional confines of chemistry or biology degree programs. Biochemistry is the study of biological systems on a molecular level. Competency in the field of biochemistry requires an in-depth understanding of chemistry, a fundamental knowledge of biology, and the ability to recognize the interconnections between the two disciplines. This track is designed to prepare students who wish to pursue careers in biochemical and/or biomedical research including such specific areas as pharmaceutical sciences, disease diagnostics, drug development, DNA-based forensics, proteomics, and clinical chemistry. This program of study fulfills the prerequisite courses required by most chemistry graduate programs. Contact Dr. Bryan Knuckley for more information about the track.
Pre-Medical Professionals Track
Our Pre-Med track is designed to give flexibility and a solid grounding to students wanting to pursue in-depth training with a biological focus. The track is suited to students interested in pursuing a variety of medical professional programs, such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, podiatry, veterinary medicine, physician's assistant or optometry to mention a few. It is designed to provide a broad background in chemistry with an interdisciplinary emphasis by including courses in biology. The track provides all of the prerequisites for entry into most graduate programs in chemistry and research. You can read more about this area in the official program of study.
Materials Chemistry Track
The track is designed to provide a broad background ideally suited to careers in research or industrial pursuits usually in the application of physical and chemical principles leading to the design and characterization of materials (e.g. inorganic solids, polymers, and nanoscale materials). The track acquires an interdisciplinary emphasis by requiring courses in mathematics, computer science, and physics. It provides all of the prerequisites for entry into most chemistry graduate programs. Careers in Materials Chemistry vary widely although graduates will be well-suited to pursue employment in the chemical and related industries focusing on energy and the environment, pharmaceuticals, nano- and biotechnology, chemical engineering, geo-chemistry, catalysis, optical materials and all manner of electronic devices, and related fields. You can read more about this area in the official program of study. Contact Dr. Michael Lufaso for more information about the track.
MS Program in Materials Science and Engineering
Chemistry Minor
The minor is designed to provide a student with a broad general overview of the chemistry discipline. It allows a student to extend the scope of their major through the selection of a complementary subject, or balance it out by choosing an area of interest far outside the realm of their major. Regardless of the direction, a minor increases a student's marketability and prepares him or her for employment and/or further study in many areas.