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.
Why should I major in chemistry at HPU?
- 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.
Experiential learning
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).
What can I do with this major?
Students with degrees in chemistry or biochemistry currently have careers as:
- 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
Number of jobs for chemists:
96,200 jobs
Median pay for all occupations: $34,750
Median pay for chemist: $73,060
Innovative study
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.
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 the development of a wide range of techniques that have found exciting applications in fields as diverse as criminology to prenatal screening, agriculture to cosmetics, and home healthcare diagnostics to tailored drug therapies. In the last eight years, a large majority of our majors have gone on to pursue graduate and professional studies at the following institutions:
- American University
- University of California –Riverside
- Campbell University (Pharmacy School)
- University of Charleston
- Clemson University
- Colorado State University
- Duke University
- Duquesne Pharmacy School
- East Carolina University
- University of Georgia
- Georgetown University (School of Medicine)
- George Mason University
- University of Kansas
- Massachusetts School of Health Sciences
- University of Virginia
- Cornell University
- Wake Forest University
- NASA Ames Research Center
- College of Wooster
- University of Maryland
- Rutgers University
- California Institute of Technology –Jet Propulsion Labs
- University of Bristol, United Kingdom
- North Carolina State University
- University of North Carolina (School of Pharmacy)
- Sherman College (Chiropractic School)
- Texas A & M University
- University of Pittsburgh
- University of South Carolina
- Vanderbilt University
- Virginia Tech
- Wake Forest University
- West Virginia University (School of Medicine)
- Wingate University (Pharmacy School)
Featured Graduate Outcomes:
Hailey Parry, ’17 – Pursuing her doctoral degree in Exercise Physiology at Auburn University’s School of Kinesiology in Auburn, Alabama
“HPU offers undergraduate research, which opened my eyes to what I wanted to do after graduation. I got involved with undergraduate research when I was a sophomore and was part of research involving both biomechanics and molecular physiology. The research at HPU gave me an edge when applying to graduate school by offering me the ability to learn laboratory techniques that are current in the scientific literature. Additionally, going to conferences gave me the ability to network with graduate schools.”
The Department of Chemistry offers the B.A. and the B.S. degrees in Chemistry. To graduate from High Point University with these degrees, students must complete the following:
B.A. in Chemistry
| Major Requirements |
49 credits |
| University Core Requirements |
50 credits |
| Electives |
29 credits |
TOTAL
|
128 credits
|
B.S. in Chemistry
| Major Requirements |
68 credits |
| University Core Requirements |
50 credits |
| Electives |
10 credits |
TOTAL
|
128 credits
|
Requirements for a B.A. in Chemistry (48 credits):
This degree will prepare students for chemical industry employment and for professional training in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, optometry, and other allied-health fields.
- CHM 1010. General Chemistry I (3) or
CHM 1510. General Chemistry I, Honors and Majors (3)
- CHM 1011. General Chemistry I, Laboratory (1) or
CHM 1511. General Chemistry I Laboratory, Honors and Majors (1)
- CHM 1020. General Chemistry II (3) or
CHM 1520. General Chemistry II, Honors and Majors (3)
- CHM 1021. General Chemistry II Laboratory (1) or
CHM 1521. General Chemistry II Laboratory, Honors and Majors (1)
- CHM 2510. Organic Chemistry I (3)
- CHM 2511. Organic Chemistry I Laboratory (1)
- CHM 2520. Organic Chemistry II (3)
- CHM 2521. Organic Chemistry II Laboratory (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) *NOTE: CHM 4500 will not fulfill this requirement.
Requirements for a B.S. in Chemistry (68 credits):
This degree, which will qualify students to attend graduate school in Chemistry, also prepares candidates in greater depth for a range of opportunities in industrial employment, professional schools, and the allied health professions.
- CHM 1010. General Chemistry I (3) or
CHM 1510. General Chemistry I, Honors and Majors (3)
- CHM 1011. General Chemistry I, Laboratory (1) or
CHM 1511. General Chemistry I Laboratory, Honors and Majors (1)
- CHM 1020. General Chemistry II (3) or
CHM 1520. General Chemistry II, Honors and Majors (3)
- CHM 1021. General Chemistry II Laboratory (1) or
CHM 1521. General Chemistry II Laboratory, Honors and Majors (1)
- CHM 2510. Organic Chemistry I (3)
- CHM 2511. Organic Chemistry I Laboratory (1)
- CHM 2520. Organic Chemistry II (3)
- CHM 2521. Organic Chemistry II Laboratory (1)
- CHM/BCH 2990. Research & Writing in Chemistry/Biochemistry (3)
- CHM 3030. Quantitative Analysis (4)
- CHM 3060. Instrumental Analysis (4)
- CHM 3110. Inorganic Chemistry (3)
- CHM 311x. Advanced Topics Lab (4)
- BCH 3220. Biochemistry I (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)
- Quantitative Capstone. Choose from one of the following: MTH 2410, CSC 1610, STS 2900, PHY 3500, PHY 2100 (4)
- PHY 2010. Fundamentals of Physics I (4)
- PHY 2020. Fundamentals of Physics II (4)
- One 3 credit chemistry elective at the 3000-level or higher (3) *NOTE: CHM 4500 will not fulfill this requirement.
