Chemistry

The Chemistry Major

The Chemistry major is designed to guide students to an understanding of the principles underlying the composition, structure, and properties of substances — both natural and man-made — and of the transformations they undergo. The program emphasizes helping students become knowledgeable observers and independent, imaginative problem-solvers, using state-of-the-art equipment in the laboratory setting.

Both Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees are available in chemistry. The B.S. is designed primarily for students who will pursue graduate studies within the chemical sciences or seek employment in the chemical industry. Students planning to enter health-allied professional schools may choose either the B.S. or B.A. degree. The B.A. degree is also suited for students who want to enter the teaching profession. In order to be certified by Lyon College to teach chemistry, a student must obtain either a B.A. or B.S. in chemistry and must take SCI 360, Methods in Teaching Science.

There are many fine colleges and universities in the country where one can learn chemistry. Why study at Lyon? Primarily, we offer a very solid chemistry program that provides education in all of the main areas of chemistry; analytical chemistry, biochemistry, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry and physical chemistry. We also encourage you to round out your scientific training with appropriate courses in math, physics, biology and computer science.

However, being a good chemist and a good scientist is more than just technical competence. Employers and lab directors want scientists with excellent communication skills (both written and verbal) and the ability to interact with people in a positive and productive fashion. To succeed in the "real world," one needs an understanding of people,which does not come strictly from taking science courses. This is the uniqueness of the Lyon experience. The science curriculum is nestled within a fundamental liberal arts education. Your chemistry degree include courses in non-scientific fields of study. Our graduates often tell us that taking "all those other courses in the humanities and social sciences" seemed at bit unrelated to their career aspirations at the time, but later became crucial in their ability to function in the job world.

The Chemistry Minor

The Chemistry minor is a course of study designed as a second field for students who wish to develop an understanding of the scientific investigation of the composition, structure, properties, and transformation of natural and man-made substances.