Chemistry
The LHU Chemistry department has an interactive, hands-on approach to teaching, offering smaller advanced courses and laboratories that allow for extensive one-on-one instruction. Virtually every graduate in our program gains employment or enters graduate school immediately upon graduation.
What You'll Study
A degree in Chemistry from LHU will prepare you for a rewarding career as a chemist in industry, government, research institutes, technical sales, and for graduate studies in all fields of chemistry. By completing a research project with a faculty member and earning at least a 2.7 GPA in your chemistry courses your degree will be certified by the American Chemical Society.
Topics covered include:
- Biochemistry
- Analytical Chemistry
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Organic Chemistry
- Physical Chemistry
- Faculty-mentored independent research
The Biochemistry Track at LHU will prepare you for a specialized career as a biochemist in industry, government, research institutes, technical sales, and for graduate studies in the fields of biochemistry, pharmacy, or medicine.
Topics covered include:
- Foundational coursework in 4 of the 5 major areas of chemistry
- A Full year of biochemistry course and lab work
- Basic and advanced biology courses with laboratory (in place of courses in the area of inorganic chemistry)
- Faculty-mentored independent research is optional
The Forensic Chemistry Track at LHU combines specially selected courses from Chemistry, Criminal Justice, and Biology to prepare you for a career as an analyst in a government or private sector forensic laboratory.
Topics covered include:
- Foundational coursework in 4 of the 5 major areas of chemistry
- Biology courses as a foundation for DNA analysis
- Courses in Criminal Investigation and Procedure
The Nanoscience track combines a strong foundation of chemistry courses with additional courses and laboratory experiences in nanotechnology. All students take part in a nanotechnology-focused independent research project. You will be prepared for a career in chemistry with an emphasis in training in synthesis, fabrication, and characterization of materials on the nanoscale. You will also have the preparation needed to pursue graduate studies in chemistry.
Topics covered include:
- Foundational coursework in 4 of the 5 major areas of chemistry
- Tools and techniques in nanotechnology
- Application through advanced nanoscience research
- Faculty-mentored independent research
The Chemistry/Clinical Laboratory Science degree prepares students to sit for the licensing examination for clinical laboratory scientists. This program consists of three years of course work at Lock Haven University, followed by a year of clinical work at one of our partner locations.
Secondary education chemistry and physical science teachers are in high demand across the country. LHU’s renowned chemistry program and tradition of training great teachers provides the perfect combination of content knowledge and teaching methods to prepare you for a rewarding teaching career.
Program Highlights
- American Chemical Society Approval: The B.S. degree in Chemistry is approved by the American Chemical Society (ACS), which is the highest rating available for chemistry programs in the U.S.
- Facilities: The chemistry department has seven large teaching laboratories, each uniquely designed
for its specific purpose. There are also five smaller labs dedicated to faculty and
student research. Each teaching lab has a separate prep and storage room, and there
is a master chemical stockroom for use by all science departments. Major instruments,
all of which are hands-on for student use during labs and research include:
- Mass spectrometer (mass-spec)
- Gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-Mass Spec)
- ATR-FT infrared spectrometers (FTIR)
- Nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer (NMR)
- Atomic absorption spectrometer (AA)
- High pressure liquid chromatographs (HPLC)
- Gas chromatographs (GC)
- Scholarships: From honorariums to full-tuition waivers, scholarships exist to reward your hard work and dedication to the major. Find more information here.
- Research: At LHU you’ll have the opportunity to experiment and actively participate in independent study projects with LHU faculty. Working closely with a faculty research advisor, you may begin to work on chemistry research projects as early as your second year. Many chemistry majors complete more than one research project, and often with more than one faculty mentor.
- Internships: LHU chemistry students have obtained internships with numerous companies and organizations.
The Lock Haven community is home to several corporations perfect for acquiring professional
experience, such as:
- Avery Dennison
- Croda
- First Quality
- Lonza
- NSF Program: In addition, LHU chemistry students have had great success obtaining highly competitive
internships in the National Science Foundation Summer Research Experiences program. Under this NSF program our students have enjoyed fully paid internships
at such prestigious universities as:
- Harvey Mudd College
- SUNY Stony Brook
- Ohio State University
- Penn State University
- Virginia Tech
- University of Michigan
- Careers: Graduating with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from LHU will prepare you for a
career in a number of different industries including:
- Industrial Research and Development Labs
- Government Laboratories
- Pharmaceutical Laboratories
- Environmental Science
- Forensics
Virtually all chemistry majors seeking employment after graduation find jobs in the field of chemistry within a few months. Many are hired before they graduate. LHU students who pursue a graduate degree in chemistry have great success in gaining acceptance to prestigious institutions. Recent graduates report they are better prepared for advanced study than their peers from more expensive higher profile schools.
