Chemistry

Majors & Minors
Chemistry

Chemistry

"I like how UL Lafayette is a big enough ŷ��Ƭ to have a variety of programs and research, but is also small enough that you are a person — rather than a number — to your professors. I truly feel supported and that they care about my education."

Meet chemistry major Megan Broussard

You should major in chemistry if:

You have a deep curiosity about how science works at its basest level.
You’re interested in how matter is created, acts, and reacts.
You enjoy working independently, tweaking formulas, running experiments, and reviewing results.
You follow procedure and are mathematically minded.

Chemistry bridges physics with other natural sciences, such as geology and biology.

As a chemistry major, you will learn about matter and its changes and the physical aspects of predicting and measuring these properties.

You will explore material properties and the ways they interact, combine, and change — and learn how to use these processes to form new substances.

Indulge your curious nature as you seek answers through research and lab experiences.

Chemistry at UL Lafayette

What's Chemistry Like?

Lab work & research
Group work & collaboration
Theory
Internships
Presentations
Math

We have the largest undergraduate chemistry program in Louisiana while maintaining relatively small classes. This combination gives you a wide range of opportunities with personalized instruction.

Life as a Chemistry Major

UL Lafayette students and professor in lab

Student Research

Our students collaborate with faculty in ongoing research. We have active research projects in analytical, environmental, biological, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry.

Community Outreach

We share our passion for chemistry and all science through student-led events, including Chemistry Week, Science Day, Science Olympiad, and Science and Engineering Fair.

Dual Degree Option

Chemistry and chemical engineering – this is a perfect way to study the intricacies of chemistry while learning how to utilize them in applied industries.

Technology & Labs

Our hands-on labs include highly specialized modern instrumentation and the most specially equipped computers on campus.

Choices in Chemistry

ACS Certified

Our American Chemical Society (ACS) Certified Degree is a more intensive program that exceeds the ŷ��Ƭ’s minimum degree requirements. This degree prepares you for a career as a chemist in medicine, energy, forensics, food and nutrition, and materials. With an ACS Certified Degree, you are a more competitive candidate for industry jobs and graduate schools.

Non-ACS Certified

The Non-ACS certified degree gives you flexibility. You'll take a wider variety of classes in addition to the fundamentals of chemistry. This degree is designed for students who plan to attend medical school, law school, an MBA program, or a variety of professional degrees.

Pre-Pharmacy

Our two-year pre-pharmacy program combines your chemical curiosity with your passion for healthcare. You’ll work with an advisor to identify the classes you need to transfer into a pharmacy program at ULM, Xavier, or out of state.

Chemistry According to Students

Freshman Year Sophomore Year Junior Year Senior Year

CHEM 115: General Chemistry Lab

with Dr. Owuor

We learned all about the basic material from General Chemistry I and II and actually applied it to the real world. My favorite part of the class was seeing how I became a scientist when I put on the lab coat and goggles.”

Joel Alonso, chemistry major

CHEM 231: Organic Chemistry I

with Dr. Ryan Simon

In high school, I was told organic chemistry would be the hardest and worst thing I would ever take. I went into it, and I had a great instructor, and I loved it. I like to draw, I’m a very visual person, so I think just drawing the structures was so satisfying. Organic chemistry is essentially learning another language while also doing a puzzle. I liked how you had to think, but there was no math. It’s beautiful – it’s so fun."

Nadia Turki, psychology major

CHEM 430(G): Instrumental Analysis

with Dr. Hui Yan

This class teaches a higher level of analytical chemistry, dealing with special instruments used for highly accurate quantitation of analytes, sources of error for those instruments, how to correct those errors, how to choose instruments, and more. The lab for this class is built into the course, which I think is an advantage in learning the applications of the information learned in the lecture alongside it."

Carley Oliver, chemistry major

Careers in Chemistry

Alexandra Arcement

“In the chemistry program at UL Lafayette, I learned everything necessary to excel in my field. I learned how to use various instruments that I now use in my present career, and I collaborated directly with chemical engineers for critical thinking and troubleshooting.”

Chemistry '19

Chemistry laboratory technician for Coastal Chemical LLC.

Learn more about Alexandra

Jobs in Chemistry

Biochemist
Forensic Chemist
Laboratory Manager
Medicinal Chemist
Inorganic Chemist
Quality Control Manager
Analytical Chemist
Chemical Consultant
Chemistry Professor or Teacher
Food Chemist
Environmental Chemist
Pharmacist
Laboratory Analyst

Program Requirements

Admissions Requirements

To major in chemistry, you must meet the ŷ��Ƭ's admissions requirements.
See the full admission requirements.

Graduation Requirements

Chemistry majors are required to maintain a grade of “C” or better in each major course and a cumulative GPA of 2.3 or better to graduate. All chemistry majors must also complete a minor of 18 credit hours.

To earn a minor in chemistry, you will need to complete 21 credit hours comprised of the following course requirements:

General Chemistry I (CHEM 107)
General Chemistry II (CHEM 108)
General Chemistry III (CHEM 115)
7 credits at the 200, 300, or 400 level. 1-2 credits must be from laboratory courses
6 credits at the 300 or 400 level. A maximum of 3 credits can come from laboratory courses (including Undergraduate Research I, CHEM 362, or Undergraduate Research II, CHEM 462)

Resources

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Chemistry

Meet chemistry major Megan Broussard