Chemistry & Biochemistry Program
Why Chemistry & Biochemistry?
Chemistry is the science of substances - their composition, structure, properties, and interactions. Chemistry helps explain the world and its workings; chemists have contributed a great deal to the technical advances of society and have made many important contributions to modern life. Everything is made from one or more chemical elements that occur in nature.
Chemists use different kinds of chemical processes to make the elements found in nature more useful, and they create countless products that make our lives healthier, easier, and more enjoyable. There are as many specializations as there are areas of application of chemical principles.
Dr. Marie Daly
"Courage is like — it’s a habitus, a habit, a virtue: you get it by courageous acts. It’s like you learn to swim by swimming. You learn courage by couraging".
Dr. Marie Daly on the bravery required to push the frontiers of science and equality
Student Research
Interested in conducting original research while studying at the undergraduate level? There are many opportunities available to you!
The Undergraduate Research Academy encourages students to expand their education beyond the classroom through participation in research and creative projects mentored by UCCS faculty.
Through the opportunity, students gain valuable experience working in real lab settings as research assistants and attending monthly seminars. If selected, awards cover budget requests for student pay, project-related supplies, travel, and a faculty honorarium.
Graduate Research Resources
The Graduate Research Academy Fellows are selected each year and receive a $5,000 stipend plus additional travel funds to help them kick-start their early research careers.
Madison Fox
Class of 2022Since her experience working under faculty mentor Dr. Kovacs through the Undergraduate Research Academy, former biochemistry major Madison Fox has gone on to conduct virology research on HIV and COVID-19 under Dr. Anthony Fauci. Read more about her experience as a URA member here .
Where can my degree take me?
Curious about where you can find work with a degree from the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry at UCCS?
Recent graduates from our department are now working at organizations such as US Airforce Academy, the University of Notre Dame, KND Labs, and more,
Student Outcomes
Check out the schools below to see where recent graduates from the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry are attending graduate and medical school:
- Montana State University
- Case Western Reserve University
- CU Boulder
- The University of Arizona
- Western University of Health Sciences
- University of Nebraska- Lincoln
- CU Denver
- University of Miami
- New York University
- Hebert Wertheim College of Medicine - Florida International University
- University of Colorado- Colorado Springs
- University of Florida
- Colorado State University
- Arizona State University
- University of South Florida
- University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
- University of Michigan
Meet Our Faculty
Our faculty is student-focused and devoted to student success and professional development. This means that as students navigate their education and career goals, they are receiving the support and mentorship they need to meet and go beyond these goals.
If you are interested in the Master of Science - Research Track, click here to find out more about our Research Faculty Advisors.
Check out Our Current Faculty & Staff page!
Undergraduate Degree Program Options
B.S. in Chemistry
The ACS -accredited B.S. in Chemistry is designed for students wishing to pursue careers as professional chemists or attend graduate schools in chemical science.
B.S. in Biochemistry
The B.S. in Biochemistry is designed for students to pursue careers as professional biochemists or attend graduate schools in biochemistry.
General Option
The B.A. in Chemistry with the general option is designed for students who wish to major in chemistry but is limited to fewer credit hours in chemistry, physics, and mathematics than the B.S. in Chemistry. Students may be interested in a more general degree and will elect significant coursework from another department.
Pre-Health/ Interdisciplinary Science
The B.A. in Chemistry Pre-Health/Interdisciplinary Science Option is designed for students who are interested in a degree in chemistry and who have multiple interests and professional goals beyond being a professional chemist.
Secondary Education
The B.A. in Chemistry secondary education option is designed for students wishing to be high school chemistry teachers.
General Option
The B.A. in Biochemistry with the general option is designed for students who wish to major in biochemistry but is limited to fewer credit hours in chemistry than the B.S. in Biochemistry. Students may be interested in s more general degree and will elect significant coursework from another department.
Pre-Med
The B.A. in Biochemistry pre-med option has been designed specifically and carefully for students who are interested in a career in medicine. This option satisfies the latest course requirements of most medical schools, provides the breadth of classes needed to prepare students for the MCAT, and allows candidates to develop strengths in critical thinking and communication that lead to success.
Secondary Education
The B.A. in Chemistry secondary education option is designed for students wishing to be high school chemistry teachers.
B.I. in Chemistry
The B.I. degree in Chemistry combines academic studies and professional training to prepare students for a variety of careers in chemical sciences. The degree is structured so that students gain a depth of understanding in chemistry and a breadth of humanities, other sciences, business, and entrepreneurship. The major is composed of a Chemistry core, Auxiliary requirements, Innovation core, Cross-discipline core, and LAS and Compass Curriculum courses.
Minor in Chemistry
A student may complete a minor in chemistry by completing the following coursework with grades of "C" or higher.
Minor in Biochemistry
A student may complete a minor in biochemistry by completing the following coursework with grades of "C" or higher.
Graduate Degree Options
We welcome your interest in the Master of Sciences programs in Chemistry and Biochemistry at UCCS! We offer the MSc–Chemistry option and MSc–Biochemistry option. For both options, a student can fulfill the requirements of the research track with completion of a thesis or complete the requirements of the course track (non-thesis).
Anonymous Quote
The extraordinary support and mentorship I received as an undergraduate researcher made it feel like a community of scientists helping each other grow. I knew then that UCCS was the place to help cultivate my love for science into a career, so I chose UCCS to pursue a Master of Sciences in Biochemistry.
-Anonymous
An MSc in Chemistry or Biochemistry is a great option for students who:
- Want to pursue leadership roles in the industry
- Desire to strengthen critical thinking and writing skills before applying to professional programs in medical, dental, or pharmacy school
- Are interested in pursuing a Ph.D. one day but are not ready to make the commitment to a 4+ year-long doctoral program, but know the value of graduate education
- Serve as secondary-education teachers and desire to strengthen the depth and breadth of their training in chemistry or biochemistry
- Are interested in teaching at the college level
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