Lead innovation and improve the world around you by majoring in Chemistry. Participate in research, make discoveries, and turn your knowledge into action.
Undergraduate Bachelor of Arts, Undergraduate Bachelor of Science
Major, Minor
124
4 Years
Salem Campus
Marni Aosved BS '24 and Melissa Duncan BS '24 received multiple accolades and awards for their cancer research -- at conferences on back-to-back weekends.
The pair won Best Undergraduate Poster Presentation at the Oregon Bioengineering Symposium for their project "Understand the Effects of Modifications in Quadruplex Molecular Beacons." Melissa went on to receive a poster prize at the Murdock College Research Conference.
Our alumni find success, whether through prestigious fellowships, leading graduate programs, or influential careers. They've pursued meaningful research and helped change the world around us. Learn how our graduates are making an impact.
From Brookhaven to the Forefront of Nuclear Waste Solutions
Nate Rutter's summer at Brookhaven National Lab sparked his passion for researching sustainable nuclear waste disposal solutions. Now, he's poised to pursue a PhD and lead in the field, thanks to his experiences at Willamette and Brookhaven.
Advocating for Healthcare
Anna Ayala '19 aims to combine her passions for medicine and social change by becoming a doctor and advocating for healthcare equity at both individual and policy levels.
Our professors are conducting research, making discoveries, and inspiring students. They've mastered different areas of chemistry and are actively contributing to the scientific community. Build relationships through joint research projects and small classroom sizes.
Dr. D. R. Griffith is an environmental chemist whose research explores the fate of estrogen hormones in aquatic environments, using advanced analytical techniques to assess their impact on ecosystems and human health. His students benefit from his hands-on research opportunities and commitment to understanding and mitigating water contamination.
Dr. Karen Holman is an inorganic chemist whose research explores the chemical reactions of ruthenium-based anti-cancer drugs, focusing on their mechanisms of action. Through hands-on experience with advanced techniques, she fosters a learning environment that bridges chemistry, medicine, and real-world applications.
Dr. Cooper Battle is a bio-organic chemist specializing in supramolecular chemistry and biomimetic fluorescent sensors to study biomolecular assembly and early cancer detection. By integrating hands-on research with chemical education, he engages students in real-world applications and science outreach.
Explore chemical reactions and apply science principles to a variety of disciplines and problems. As a department approved by the American Chemical Society, students learn all branches of chemistry. Choose between a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Science, or a minor. We also have a BS option with a focus on biochemistry.
Learn about chemical analysis through a hands-on lab course. Conduct real-world experiments using advanced electrochemical and spectroscopic techniques, and sharpen your formal scientific writing skills.
Master chemical and biochemical analysis in our lab course. Conduct in-depth experiments on gene expression, protein function, and more using advanced electrophoretic, spectroscopic, and PCR techniques.
The Bachelor of Arts major requires 41-43 semester hours in Chemistry core classes and 4 semester hours in Mathematics.
The Chemistry track for the Bachelor of Science degree requires 47 semester hours in Chemistry, 4 semester hours in Mathematics, and 8 semester hours in Physics.
The Biochemistry Track for the Bachelor of Science degree requires 49 semester hours in Chemistry, 4 semester hours in Mathematics, 4 semester hours in Biology, and 5 semester hours in Physics.
To earn a degree, students must complete 124 credit hours.
The Chemistry Minor requires 16 semester hours of Chemistry courses and an additional 4 semester hours of Chemistry courses numbered above 300.
Our Chemistry program is open to first-year students, transfer students and international students. Learn more about Willamette’s undergraduate admissions process to get started.
Willamette University offers generous merit scholarships and financial aid to Chemistry majors, with no separate application required. All admitted undergraduates are automatically considered for scholarships starting at $26,000 per year. For students with financial need and a passion for STEM, our STEM Fellows Program provides up to $10,000 annually for first-year students. This program includes mentorship, field trips, tutoring, and more, helping students succeed in their STEM careers.
Willamette University