Dedman College Majors

In fact, you’ll get to work with a research team as early as your first year and utilize the latest equipment. As you prepare for such careers as medicine or scientific research, you will have numerous opportunities to explore inorganic, organic, analytical, and physical chemistry via rigorous coursework. Pursue a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry if you desire a general and versatile grounding in the discipline; a B.S. in environmental chemistry if you wish to focus on environmental problems within the framework of chemistry; or a Bachelor of Arts in chemistry if you prefer to combine chemistry with a concentration in business, engineering, liberal arts, or another science. Whichever path you take, the exceptional laboratory and problem-solving skills gained at SMU will be a strong foundation for graduate work or a successful professional position.

Degree Highlights

B.S. in Chemistry
Minimum 44 term hours of courses within the department
(17 classes and 9 labs)

B.S. in Environmental Chemistry
Minimum 44 term hours of courses within the department
(17 classes and 9 labs)

B.A. in Chemistry
Minimum 26 term hours in chemistry and 14 hours in supporting courses
(11 classes and 6 labs)

Four-Year Combined B.S./M.S. in Chemistry
Recommended for exceptionally well-prepared students who wish to accelerate their studies in chemistry. Students complete their B.S. degree in three years and their M.S. degree in one additional year of study.

Minor in Chemistry
Minimum 17 term hours of courses within the department
(5 classes and 2 labs)

Related Majors and Minors

Chemistry majors who plan to pursue two majors can earn additional degrees in subjects such as geology, business administration, environmental science, biology, and physics.

Careers

Beyond graduate school, chemistry majors can find careers in such areas as medicine, government, and teaching. Exciting new opportunities exist in nanotechnology and biosciences.

Faculty

All chemistry majors are encouraged to join a faculty research group. Every faculty member engages undergraduates in research starting their first year, and all labs are taught by faculty. Undergraduates typically co-author over a dozen papers with instructors each year. Of all undergraduate chemistry departments in the nation, SMU faculty are among the most prolifically published; papers include research in such areas as development of new anti-cancer drugs, synthesis of polymers, and synthesizing new “hypervalent” molecules. Every instructor promotes strong interaction with students.

Internships & Study Abroad

Many undergraduates work each summer on paid stipends and research grants in research labs, which can lead to opportunities such as being published in peer-reviewed journals and presenting a paper at the American Chemical Society’s national meeting. Some exceptional students can work with faculty as lab teaching assistants. Dedman College students get paid internships through the Hegi Family Career Development Center. Students majoring in chemistry or environmental chemistry may be eligible to earn up to three (3) graded credits toward their degrees by enrolling for unpaid, faculty-directed internships through the Dedman College Internship Program. Several undergraduate chemistry majors have won national science scholarships for their work.

Chemistry majors can get an expanded perspective of the world through the SMU Study Abroad Program. Select from yearlong, semester, or summer programs. One opportunity that chemistry majors will find particularly valuable is SMU-in-Copenhagen.