Chemistry and Biochemistry Majors Experimenting in the lab

Chemistry, Biochemistry

School of Science

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Pursue Chemistry & Biochemistry Without Limitations

As a Chemistry or Biochemistry major at Marist, you will have access to unlimited resources designed to give you unmatched experience in your field, enhance your understanding of the physical world, and thoroughly prepare you for a successful career in your discipline. With extensive research opportunities, cutting-edge facilities, and expert faculty who care, you’ll have limitless opportunities for post-graduate success.
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Marist Announces Ambitious $100 Million Science and Health Initiative

Marist University is investing $100 million to launch a comprehensive Science and Health Initiative to expand academic programs, modernize facilities, and strengthen partnerships to meet growing student interest and workforce demand. Grounded in Marist's "and" not "or" philosophy, the initiative blends rigorous scientific training with the critical thinking, ethics, communication, and leadership skills that today's scientific and clinical professions demand.

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Choose a Major to Drive Your Goals

Marist University’s Chemistry program is approved by the American Chemical Society. Students gain extensive hands-on experience with modern instrumentation and develop strong communication and technological skills. Four degree options are available, each supporting different academic and career goals. Students who complete the required ACS curriculum may earn an ACS-certified degree.

BS in Chemistry

The BS in Chemistry provides a broad and rigorous foundation across the major areas of chemistry, including analytical, inorganic, organic, physical, and biological chemistry. Students gain extensive laboratory experience, work with modern instrumentation, analyze chemical data, and may participate in faculty-mentored research. The degree prepares students for careers throughout the chemical sciences and related industries, as well as graduate study in chemistry and other scientific fields.

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BS in Chemistry with Biochemistry Option

The BS in Chemistry with the Biochemistry Option combines a strong foundation in chemistry with greater emphasis on biological systems and the chemical processes of living organisms. Students study areas such as biological molecules, enzymatic reactions, metabolism, and molecular methods while developing laboratory, instrumentation, data-analysis, and research skills. The degree provides strong preparation for careers in the chemical, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and biomedical fields, as well as graduate study and health-professions programs.

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BA in Chemistry

The BA in Chemistry provides a broad foundation in chemistry with greater flexibility to pursue coursework in complementary areas such as biology, education, business, or computer science. The degree is well suited for students interested in health-professions programs, secondary-school teaching, or careers that combine scientific knowledge with communication, business, or other fields.

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BA in Biochemistry

The BA in Biochemistry combines the study of chemistry and biological systems with the flexibility to pursue additional coursework in areas such as biology, psychology, or other health-related fields. The degree provides strong preparation for health-professions programs and for careers or graduate study in biomedical, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and related fields.

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Extensive Hands-on Research Opportunities

As a student in the Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Physics at Marist, you are both the central focus and an integral part of the Department, working side-by-side with faculty who are enthusiastically committed to your success. You'll have the opportunity to complete original research projects that may culminate in a national-level presentation or publication. In addition to faculty research, we encourage collaborative research with students across a variety of academic disciplines, building on the benefits of a liberal arts education.

 

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Expert Faculty Who Care About Your Success

Time and time again, you’ll hear our faculty, at the top of their fields, express how much they care about their students. From close advising on your academic journey to hands-on collaborative research, our Chemistry and Biochemistry faculty are here to support and guide you with their decades of expertise in their respective disciplines. Browse a few faculty below, or view all faculty members > 

Neil Fitzgerald

Trained as an analytical chemist, Dr. Fitzgerald has published in the areas of atomic spectrometry, environmental analysis, and chemical education. A strong proponent of Study Abroad, he runs short-term programs in Environmental Chemistry to London, Edinburgh, and Dublin and co-teaches a Chemistry of Fine Art course with travel to London and Paris.

Jocelyn Nadeau

Having coauthored several peer-reviewed publications with her students, Dr. Nadeau enjoys sharing her research on the synthesis and characterization of complex organic molecules with emissive or electrochemical properties for molecular electronics applications.

Elisa Woolridge

Prior to Marist, Dr. Woolridge was a Research Scientist for International Paper Company where she developed and optimized process chemistry with emphasis on biotechnology applications. Her research aims to understand Mechanism and application of enzymes for biomass conversion.

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The highlights of my academic experience included the very tight-knit community I experienced in chemistry. There weren’t many students in this program, so we all knew each other quite well, and all of the professors knew us. In this way, we were able to get the individual attention and encouragement to succeed.

Kelly Henry

Chemistry Major

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I am a Research Specialist in the VelociGene Department, and my role includes a lot of molecular cloning techniques that I first learned at Marist. Marist is truly a special place. I owe these people a lot, and I appreciate their support through the years.

Terrence Turner

Chemistry Major, Biology Minor

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I cannot measure the value of my Marist education. The individualized attention I received from the professors in the Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Physics Department fostered my passion for chemistry. Beyond the chemistry lab, the Marist liberal arts education taught me to think critically while working in teams, an essential skill in industry.

Cathy Mulzer

Chemistry Major, Mathematics Minor

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When I took organic chemistry at Marist, everything changed for me. I absolutely loved all of the topics. You could say that I found my calling. My professor’s mentorship has meant everything to me. I’ve never felt so much control over my future or looked as far ahead as I do now.

Richard Monsky

Chemistry Major

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Limitless Opportunities in Chemistry and Biochemistry

You can expect an enriching environment at Marist that will inspire your academic pursuits. Here, you'll be empowered to choose "and," not "or " when it comes to your education by combining majors, minors, interdisciplinary coursework, and internships, with hands-on opportunities. Our Chemistry and Biochemistry students are prepared to enter the field with their specific career goals in mind. Take a look at the many career paths our students take below.

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Marist's Chemistry Degree / Biochemistry Degree Frequently Asked Questions

The BS in Chemistry provides the most extensive preparation in chemistry and is well suited for students planning careers or graduate study in the chemical sciences. The BA in Chemistry offers greater flexibility for students who wish to combine chemistry with coursework in another area, including biology, education, business, or preparation for a health-professions program.

A chemistry degree provides a broad foundation across the major areas of chemistry and prepares students for careers in the chemical sciences, industry, research, education, and related fields, as well as graduate or professional study.

A biochemistry degree, with emphasis on the chemistry of living systems, provides strong preparation for careers in chemical, pharmaceutical, and biomedical industries, as well as graduate studies or health-care fields.

A strong undergraduate chemistry program should offer:

  • Hands-on research opportunities
  • Faculty mentorship
  • Modern facilities with state-of-the-art equipment
  • Career and graduate school outcomes
  • A flexible curriculum that supports multiple career paths

Marist University's Chemistry and Biochemistry degree programs are designed around these pillars, offering small classes, opportunities to conduct original research alongside faculty, and experiences that support employment and graduate study.

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The Value of a Marist Education

Marist cultivates the intellectual growth and well-being of its students through unique and personalized combinations of coursework and experience in and out of the classroom. These experiences provide valuable personal growth and occupational expertise to reflect students' individual passions. 

94%

Employed or attending grad school 6 months after graduation

 

83%

Of Marist Graduates Participated in one or more internships

 

82%

Graduation rate, higher than the average for public and private colleges

 

#1

Marist study abroad is the national leader for academic year programs, per Open Doors Report.

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Top 10 Regional Universities-North

TOP25

Top 20 for Most Innovative Universities-North Region, per The Princeton Review.

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