Chemistry

With a spirit of exploration and engagement through rigorous laboratory research, chemistry majors are anchored in experiential learning opportunities that help them explore and create a new knowledge of molecular-scale phenomena.

Within a community of more than 450 scientist scholars from five different disciplines, our faculty are internationally recognized for their scientific expertise, published research, and innovative approaches to undergraduate education.

Wanek School of Natural Sciences

One University Parkway, High Point, NC 27268

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(800) 345-6993

[email protected]

Daily from 8:00am — 5:00pm.

Faculty & Staff

Michael Knippenberg

Chair and Associate Professor, Chemistry

[email protected]

(336) 841-9531

Meghan Blackledge

Associate Professor of Chemistry; Director of Natural Sciences Fellows

[email protected]

(336) 841-9317

Austin Dunn

Instructor, Chemistry

[email protected]

(336) 841-4509

Keir Fogarty

Associate Professor of Chemistry and Co-Director of Natural Sciences Fellows

[email protected]

(336) 841-9692

Chris Fowler

Associate Professor of Chemistry

[email protected]

(336) 841-9071

Grace Hamilton

Assistant Professor of Chemistry; Principal Investigator, Hamilton Lab

[email protected]

(336) 841-9311

Holistic Learning

The Department of Chemistry at HPU believes that new knowledge in the chemical sciences is only generated in the laboratory through research. Top programs of undergraduate education in chemistry utilize undergraduate research as the vehicle for the preparation of chemistry majors who not only attend highly competitive graduate and professional programs, but also are sought by these programs. The expectation is that the majority of graduates with this degree will attend graduate school in the chemical sciences or closely-aligned fields.

Chemistry majors will be relied upon to resolve many problems of the world such as green energy, eco-friendly food production, waste management and recycling.
Chemists are responsible for many of the life-saving drugs currently available.
Chemistry connects physical, life and applied sciences thus preparing you for a variety of career paths. Often considered a gateway science, chemistry is essential for understanding biology, geology, physics and astrophysics.
Chemistry as an undergraduate major allows you to explore many research projects before confirming your thesis or graduate school path.

All chemistry and biochemistry majors are strongly encouraged to apply for undergraduate research programs or internships. High Point University students have most recently presented research at the National ACS Meeting, SERMACS and the Big South Undergraduate Research Symposium. Students have also participated in the esteemed National Science Foundation sponsored Research Experiences for Undergraduate Summer Internships (NSF-REU).

Breakthroughs in the field of biochemistry have energized and revolutionized the fields of medicine and biotechnology and have transformed the study of biology and chemistry over the past 30 years. The study of biochemistry requires a student to be well-versed in a variety of disciplines, including math, physics, biology and chemistry. While the curriculum prescribes a demanding level of rigor and breadth, it also affords students the opportunity to tailor their choice of upper-level courses in biology according to their specific interests.

Course Requirements 2024/2025

Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry

Degree Requirements	Credits
Major Requirements	49
University Core Requirements	36-44
Electives	35-43
Total	128

Bachelor of Science in Chemistry

Degree Requirements	Credits
Major Requirements	68
University Core Requirements	36-44
Electives	16-24
Total	128

Requirements for B.A. in Chemistry

Course	Course Title	Credits
CHM 1010 or CHM 1510	General Chemistry I or General Chemistry I, Majors	3
CHM 1011 or CHM 1511	General Chemistry I, Laboratory or General Chemistry I Laboratory, Majors	1
CHM 1020 or CHM 1520	General Chemistry II or General Chemistry II, Majors	3
CHM 1021 or CHM 1521	General Chemistry II Laboratory or General Chemistry II Laboratory, Majors	1
CHM 2010	Organic Chemistry I	3
CHM 2511	Organic Chemistry I Laboratory, Majors	1
CHM 2020	Organic Chemistry II	3
CHM 2521	Organic Chemistry II Laboratory, Majors	1
CHM/BCH 2990	Research & Writing in Chemistry/Biochemistry	3
CHM 3030	Quantitative Analysis	4
CHM 3060	Instrumental Analysis	4
MTH 1410	Calculus I	4
MTH 1420	Calculus II	4
PHY 1510	General Physics I	3
PHY 1511	General Physics I Laboratory	1
PHY 1520	General Physics II	3
PHY 1521	General Physics II Laboratory	1
Two 3-credit chemistry electives at the 3000-level or higher (6)*
CHM 3110	Inorganic Chemistry	3
CHM 4010	Elements of Physical Chemistry	3
CHM 4020	Advanced Topics in Physical Chemistry	3
Course Descriptions

*CHM 4500 will not fulfill this requirement.

Requirements for B.S. in Chemistry

Course	Course Title	Credits
CHM 1010 or CHM 1510	General Chemistry I or General Chemistry I, Majors	3
CHM 1011 or CHM 1511	General Chemistry I, Laboratory or General Chemistry I Laboratory, Majors	1
CHM 1020 or CHM 1520	General Chemistry II or General Chemistry II, Majors	3
CHM 1021 or CHM 1521	General Chemistry II Laboratory or General Chemistry II Laboratory, Majors	1
CHM 2510	Organic Chemistry I	3
CHM 2511	Organic Chemistry I Laboratory, Majors	1
CHM 2520	Organic Chemistry II	3
CHM 2521	Organic Chemistry II Laboratory, Majors	1
CHM 3030	Quantitative Analysis	4
CHM 3060	Instrumental Analysis	4
CHM 3110	Inorganic Chemistry	3
CHM 311X	Advanced Topics Laboratory	4
BCH 2990	Research & Writing in Chemistry/Biochemistry	3
BCH 3010 or BCH 3510	Biochemistry I or Biochemistry I, Majors	3
CHM 4010	Elements of Physical Chemistry	3
CHM 4011	Laboratory in Physical Chemistry	1
CHM 4020	Advanced Topics in Physical Chemistry	3
CHM 4990	Seminar in Chemistry and Biochemistry	1
MTH 1410	Calculus I	4
MTH 1420	Calculus II	4
PHY 2010	Fundamentals of Physics I	4
PHY 2020	Fundamentals of Physics II	4
Choose one course from the following:
PHY	Any 2000 or higher level physics (PHY) course	4
STS/CSC 1600	Introduction to Data	4
CSC 1610	Introduction to Programming for Data Analytics	4
CSC 1710	Introduction to Programming	4
CSC 1705	Python Programming	4
STS 2910	Introduction to Statistical Analysis	4
STS 3005	Probability and Statistics for Engineers	4
MTH/PHY 2050	Mathematical Methods in Engineering and Physics	4
MTH 2410	Calculus III	4
Select one 3-credit chemistry elective at the 3000-level or higher (3)* Course Descriptions

*CHM 4500 will not fulfill this requirement.

Career Opportunities

Students in the chemistry and biochemistry programs at High Point University have gone on to many wonderful careers after college. The interdisciplinary nature of the subject has led to outcomes as diverse as criminology to prenatal screening, agriculture to cosmetics, and home healthcare diagnostics to tailored drug therapies. The number of jobs for chemists is 96,200. Median pay for all occupations is $34,750. Median pay for chemists is $73,060. Students with degrees in chemistry or biochemistry currently have careers as/in:

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Chemical Engineers
Crystallography
Industrial Management
Laboratory Management
Pharmaceutical Sales
Public Health Consultant
Chemical Health and Safety Manager
Toxicologist
Hazardous Waste Management
Regulatory Affairs
Human Resources
Forensic Chemist
University Instructor
High School Chemistry Teacher

Student Outcomes

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Here’s a quick glimpse at one of many impressive outcomes HPU graduates achieve. Name: Alyssa Lovallo, Class of 2027 Hometown: Medford, New Jersey Major: Chemistry; double minor in Mathematics…

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Here’s a quick glimpse at one of many impressive outcomes HPU graduates achieve. Name: Laura Sarafinas; Class of 2025 Hometown: Downingtown, Pennsylvania Major: Chemistry; minor in Mathematics Post-graduation plans:…

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Here’s a quick glimpse at one of many impressive outcomes HPU graduates achieve. Name: Madison Hill, Class of 2026 Hometown: Long Valley, New Jersey Major: Chemistry and Physics; minor…

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Here’s a quick glimpse at one of many impressive outcomes HPU graduates achieve. Name: Maximilian Chisolm, Class of 2027 Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina Major: Biology; minor in Chemistry Internship…

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Name: Maggie Salley Hometown: Lexington, South Carolina Major: Biology with a minor in chemistry Post-graduation plans: Salley is an EMT with the Henderson County Rescue Squad in Hendersonville, North Carolina. She responds to 911…

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Name: Stephanie Mera Hometown: Millburn, New Jersey Year: Class of 2025 Major: Chemistry with a minor in psychology Internship: Mera is a pharmacology and toxicology intern at Rutgers University for an undergraduate research experience funded…

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HPU graduates are leading prestigious career paths around the world at Fortune 500 companies, international service programs, public school systems, top-tier law, medical and graduate school programs, and many other…

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HPU senior Grace Todd, a biochemistry major from Johnsontown, Ohio, was accepted to six medical schools and plans to attend Ohio University’s Heritage College of Medicine after graduation. She is pictured in the Wanek School of Natural Sciences, where orange, green and blue colors climbing the lobby’s walls represent the earth’s core, surface and atmosphere.

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HPU senior Grace Todd, a biochemistry major from Johnstown, Ohio, was accepted to six medical schools and plans to attend Ohio University’s Heritage College of Medicine after graduation. She is…

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Although commencement is just around the corner, High Point University graduates are already preparing to commence prestigious career paths around the world at Fortune 500 companies, international service programs, public…

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Name: Rebecca Ulrich Hometown: Troutman, North Carolina Major: Ulrich will graduate on May 5 with a B.S. in Biochemistry and a minor in Physics. Post-graduation plans: After being accepted to eight graduate…

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Summer Undergraduate Research Program

A special opportunity for faculty mentors and students to work together on undergraduate research projects for eight weeks on campus.

Instrumentation

The Department of Chemistry at HPU has partnered with Shimadzu Scientific Instruments to provide state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation.

Research and Innovation

HPU undergraduate students and faculty members presented their original research at the American Chemical Society (ACS) national meeting.

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