Learn More About the Program

As a chemistry major, you can focus on courses (or even declare a double major) in biochemistry & molecular biology or physics, pursue a track designed for students interested in pre-medicine or health, or combine chemistry with your interests in teaching, the humanities, arts, or social sciences. Interested students can earn a B.S. in chemistry and engineering with our Engineering 3+2 program.

Student working in chemistry lab

Today’s Experience. Tomorrow’s Success.

Research and application are integral to the chemistry major. Be part of our Research First program for incoming first-year students, working side-by-side with faculty on real-world problems the summer before your semester starts.

Labs You’ll Love

You’ll take most of your classes in our state-of-the-art Neidig-Garber Science Center. Advanced instrumentation includes mass and infrared spectrometers—and you’ll learn from faculty at the top of their field.

Professional Preparation

Our one-credit Industrial Laboratory Sciences courses give students insight into the expectations of a non-academic laboratory environment, being a group member, and demonstrating a working knowledge of laboratory safety and safety documentation. Practice the use, care, preparation, calibration, and troubleshooting of essential glassware, equipment, and liquid-handling devices, along with the principles of proper documentation, producing data summaries, and performing data review. 

17
teaching and student-research labs in Neidig-Garber
$1+ million
in grants received from organizations including the NSF, Merck/AAAS, Research Corporation, and more
50%
of chemistry majors go on to complete graduate or professional study
90%
graduate and professional school acceptance rate of LVC pre-health professions students

In Their Words

Some of the benefits—aside from having the opportunity to learn about the thing you are researching—are the skills you learn to do the research usually not taught in a classroom environment. This also allowed me to realize I wanted to continue in this field of science, giving me a sense of belonging and a path to set myself on to continue in this field of chemistry.
Bruno Mochi ’23, ACS Chemistry
At LVC, I had the opportunity to be a summer intern at Hershey. I was just amazed that so much science and effort went into developing and designing new products. So when I entered the first time into one of our industrial kitchens and labs and saw them creating new flavors, I thought, ‘Wow.’ Why wouldn’t I want to be here?
Shawn Houser-Fedor ’94, Senior Director, Chocolate and Packaging Research & Development, The Hershey Company
LVC challenged me every day. No professor ever closed their door, or turned me away, regardless of the hours it may have taken to help me understand complex chemical reactions or mathematical equations.
Dr. Diane Ford 96 veterinarian
90%
graduate/professional school acceptance rate of pre-health professions majors

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