Chemistry
Undergraduate Major & Minor College of Natural Sciences
Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts
Opportunities for chemistry majors at PLU Transcription
[video: Outside sign reading “Rieke Science Center” with bushes in the background](upbeat music)
[video: Inside Rieke Science Center on the second floor, panning on the mural with a quote from PLU alumni William Foege: “So what is better than science? Better than science is science with heart, science with ethics, science with equity, science with justice.”] [video: Four short clips of Rebecca and Professor Munro in a chemistry lab, doing experiments and teaching, respectively. Rebecca heating using round bottom flask under a fume hood to look at the sample vial](upbeat music continues)
[video: Professor Munro is sitting in a chemistry classroom with a whiteboard and projector screen in the background. There is a front and side video angle. Text on the bottom of the screen reads,”Professor Andrea Munro, Assistant Professor and Chair of Chemistry”]Professor Munro: Well, one of the things that’s really great about PLU is we have a variety of programs that students can try as they’re figuring out their interests and what they most wanna do.
[video: Aidan is in a chemistry lab comparing the color and other properties of two chemical results in vials]– So we have a summer research program. We also have the CS STEM teacher program
[video: Professor Munro is discussing a chemical reaction equation with Rebecca using a classroom whiteboard; there are two video angles of the same action]– and a STEM education minor, where students can see if they might wanna teach science, in a K-12 setting.
[video: Professor Munro is sitting in a chemistry classroom with a whiteboard and projector screen in the background. There is a front and side video angle.]– We also have a great health sciences advising program for anyone interested in
[video: A student is measuring the volume of dodecanethiol in an Erlenmeyer flask in a chemistry lab]– medical school or optometry or vet school or dental school.
[video: Aidan is sitting in a chemistry classroom with a whiteboard and projector screen in the background. There is a front and side video angle. Text on the bottom of the screen reads, ”Aidan Hopson ‘24, Chemistry Major”]Aidan: One of the key things I looked at when deciding to go to Pacific Lutheran University
was the small class sizes.
– I thrive in an environment like that, usually.
[video: Rebecca is sitting in a chemistry classroom with a whiteboard and projector screen in the background. There is a front and side video angle. Text on the bottom of the screen reads, ”Rebecca Smith ‘24, Chemistry and Environmental Studies Double Major”]Rebecca: After high school, I was a little confused on what I wanted. I wasn’t quite sure.
[video: Rebecca is operating a microcentrifuge in a chemistry lab]– I had an environmental lean as well as a chemistry lean. And PLU allowed me to research both.
[video: Rebecca is sitting in a chemistry classroom with a whiteboard and projector screen in the background. There is a front and side video angle.]– I’m currently double majoring in both environmental studies and chemistry.
[video: Rebecca adds reactant to a reflux experiment using a dropper in a chemistry lab]– PLU offered me an opportunity to see things from different perspectives and from an interdisciplinary lens.
[video: Aidan is sitting in a chemistry classroom with a whiteboard and projector screen in the background. There is a front and side video angle.]Aidan: There was a lot of cool opportunities, and I saw actually this undergraduate research program,
[video: Aidan observes an experiment vial in a chemistry lab]– and I was like, oh, that’s something cool. But didn’t think I’d actually end up doing it.
[video: Aidan is sitting in a chemistry classroom with a whiteboard and projector screen in the background. There is a front and side video angle.]– But yeah.
[video: Aidan measures chemicals in a fume hood with graduated cylinders and funnel in a chemistry lab]Professor Munro: And so we really just have a variety of opportunities and support systems for students
[video: Professor Munro is sitting in a chemistry classroom with a whiteboard and projector screen in the background. There is a front and side video angle.]– who might not know quite what they wanna do, but they can try different things on, so they set themselves up for success.
About:
At PLU, you don’t just learn chemistry – you’ll live it in the lab. You’ll work side-by-side with professors who are experts in everything from biochemistry to polymers to analytical chemistry. From day one, you’ll get hands-on experience with real research and professional lab equipment (no waiting until your junior year). You can even earn a degree certified by the American Chemical Society – a major plus if you’re thinking about grad school or jumping straight into a science career.
PLU chemistry grads go in all kinds of directions: some pursue graduate school, while the rest start jobs in labs, teaching, forensic science, or other scientific fields. Wherever you’re headed, you’ll leave PLU confident and career-ready.
Skills you'll gain from this program:
- Scientific and Analytical Thinking — Strengthen your ability to think critically, interpret data, and use math and logic to solve real-world scientific problems.
- Strengthen your ability to think critically, interpret data, and use math and logic to solve real-world scientific problems — Work directly with advanced lab instruments and techniques used in research, forensics, and environmental science.
- Research and Problem Solving — Design and carry out experiments, analyze results, and share your findings through reports and presentations.
- Teamwork and Communication — Collaborate with classmates in labs and group projects, and learn to explain complex scientific ideas clearly and confidently.
- Applying Chemistry to the Real World — Use chemistry to tackle real challenges in health, energy, technology, and sustainability.
Certification:
The Bachelor of Science degrees can all receive the American Chemical Society certification.
Graduates from the last 5 years: Their jobs
- Quality Control Analyst, LGC Biosearch Technologies
- Environmental Lab Scientist, City of Tacoma
- Analytical Chemist, Clinical Laboratory of Hawaii
- Chemistry Teacher, Franklin Pierce School District
- Research Technologist, Bloodworks Northwest
- Laboratory Technician, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
- Clinical Research Coordinator, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Graduates from the last last 5 years: Their graduate programs
- PhD in Chemistry, University of California - San Diego
- PhD in Chemistry, University of Oregon
- Medical School, Georgetown University School of Medicine
- Dental School, University of Washington
- Doctor of Pharmacology, Cornell University
- Master of Science in Data Science, Eastern University
- Master of Science in Biotechnology, Johns Hopkins University
It’s FREE to apply to PLU
When you're ready, we're here. Apply now and fulfill your potential!
Get StartedTop 25% Best Colleges for Chemistry in America - Niche
Research
Chemistry students regularly participate in PLU’s Natural Sciences Summer Undergraduate Research Program, which involves working with PLU professors on research projects (and getting paid for it!).
100% of 2024 Chemistry graduates were either employed or accepted into graduate school within 6 months of graduating.
Get Involved
A favorite event on campus each year is the PLU Chemistry Club-hosted Mole Day Eve, with hands-on chemistry activities, demos, and periodic table of brownies!
