About

Chemistry and Biochemistry majors at the University of Portland have unique opportunities to serve the university and their community and to grow in their pursuit of knowledge and application of experimental techniques. The University of Portland’s American Chemical Society-certified program fosters active learning through hands-on experimentation and cultivates independent and critical thinking skills. The department maintains a large array of state-of-the-art facilities and instrumentation used for teaching and faculty-student research. The Chemistry & Biochemistry Department is currently made up of twelve full-time faculty members, all of whom are active scholars in their respective subdisciplines. Students pursuing a bachelor of science degree in chemistry or biochemistry each have two options. Both degrees and their options provide a solid preparation for professional practice in chemistry and biochemistry and a variety of related areas and for entrance to graduate school. Each requires 120 total credit hours. 

Chemistry & Biochemistry Program Highlights:

• The Chemistry & Biochemistry program is accredited by the American Chemical Society (ACS), which means that our department graduates have an advantage in applying to graduate programs. Our students have pursued graduate degrees in such highly ranked programs as those at Caltech, Stanford, Duke, University of Chicago, University of Washington, UC Berkeley, UC San Diego, University of Pennsylvania, and University of Oregon.
  
  
• Students in Chemistry & Biochemistry can major in chemistry or biochemistry and these each have two tracks of courses, allowing them to pursue the areas of chemistry they find most engaging.
  
  
• Most chemistry and biochemistry students are engaged with faculty mentors in research that leads to presentations at local, regional, and national conferences as well as to co-authoring papers in peer reviewed chemistry journals.
  
  
• Chemistry & Biochemistry students win national post graduate fellowships and awards.
  
  
• Chemistry & Biochemistry students have the opportunity to become workshop leaders and teaching assistants.