Since many career paths are open to chemists, students should consult with academic advisers to determine which degree is most appropriate for their particular interests and abilities. Some typical careers of our graduates include the health professions (all branches), graduate school, teaching in the public schools (teacher licensure program), and direct entry into the workforce (government or industry).

The chemistry program is located on the third level of Dougherty Science Center. Major equipment holdings include atomic absorption, inductively coupled plasma (ICP), chromatographs (gas and HPLC), diode laser (with optics and oscilloscope), electrochemistry, nuclear magnetic resonance (90 MHz FT), spectrophotometers (UV-VIS, FTIR with library search, fluorescence), and mass spectrometers (GC and HPLC). Labquest™ is used in a number of labs for data collection and analysis (temperature, pH, electrochemistry, UV-Vis spectrophotometry, etc.). Additional major equipment shared with the department of biology for the biochemistry major includes centrifuges (preparative and ultracentrifuges), preparative and analytical chromatographic systems, gel electrophoresis, electroblotting, fluorescence imaging, microscopy and fluorescence microscopy, DNA sequences, biosensor, autoclaves, data analysis equipment (scanners, digital cameras, computers), cell culture (hoods, incubators, reactors), ultracold freezers, walk-in cold room and freezer.

Some departmental scholarship money is available, particularly to junior and senior chemistry majors. A $30.00 lab fee is required for all laboratory and externship courses in the department.

AP Credit

To obtain AP credit for CHEM 103 and 104, students must score 4 or 5 on the AP exam and serve at least once as a teaching assistant for the lab portions of both CHEM 103 and 104 (cannot receive pay or credit for CHEM 300).

Majors

Chemistry (BA) (optional emphasis)
- Health Professions
- Teacher Licensure 6-12. Students must meet state- mandated requirements.
Chemistry (BS)
The BS degree in chemistry requires at least 39 hours of chemistry and additional requirements as follows: No more than eight (8) hours of chemistry electives may be counted toward the 120-hour requirement for graduation. Since some of the supporting courses in math and physics also meet Liberal Arts Core Requirements, the student may have additional elective hours available for other studies. BS majors must serve as a laboratory assistant for at least one lab for one semester. The student may receive course credit (CHEM 300) or receive pay for this at the current rate established by the University.
Biochemistry
The BS degree in biochemistry requires a total of 48 hours, including 4 hours of electives; some additional courses are strongly recommended. BS majors must serve as a laboratory assistant (CHEM 300) for at least one lab for one semester. The student may receive course credit (CHEM 300) or receive pay for this at the current rate established by the University. All chemistry majors must complete a minimum of 12 semester hours of 300 and/or 400 level chemistry courses at Carson-Newman University. All chemistry majors must have a minimum GPA of 2.0 in chemistry. A maximum of 6 hours research (CHEM 491-494) may be counted toward a degree in chemistry.