BSc Chemistry

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

American University of Sharjah

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Biochemistry at American University of Sharjah provides an integrated scientific education combining core chemistry and biochemistry principles with laboratory-intensive training. It suits students aiming for careers in research, healthcare, industry, analytical science, or further graduate study in chemistry and life sciences.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

Students build foundational science knowledge with General Chemistry I & II, Chemistry Laboratory Skills, Introduction to Biochemistry, Calculus for Sciences, and Physics for Scientists, establishing essential principles and laboratory techniques.

Year 2

In the second year, the focus deepens with Organic Chemistry I & II, Physical Chemistry I, Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry I, and associated labs, strengthening understanding of molecular structure, reactions, and quantitative analysis.

Year 3

The third year advances specialization with Physical Chemistry II, Instrumental Analysis, Biochemistry II, Inorganic Chemistry, and research-oriented practical work, enabling students to apply sophisticated techniques and analytical methods.

Year 4

In the final year, students engage with Advanced Topics in Chemistry and Biochemistry, undertake a Research Project, and complete a Professional Internship, applying theory to real-world laboratory research and professional settings.

Focus areas (in a string):

Organic, Inorganic, Physical and Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Instrumental Analysis, Laboratory Research, Scientific Communication

Learning outcomes (in a string):

Students will master core chemistry and biochemistry concepts, conduct advanced laboratory experiments safely, analyse data with modern instrumentation, and communicate scientific results effectively.

Professional alignment (accreditation):

The program is accredited by the UAE Ministry of Education / Commission for Academic Accreditation (CAA) and follows international science education standards.

Reputation (employability rankings):

American University of Sharjah is widely recognised in the UAE for strong STEM and sciences programs, with graduates well-placed in research, industry, and professional science pathways.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

This applied learning is delivered through specific, advanced resources and structured experiences:

Specialized Chemistry Laboratories: Students perform experiments in dedicated teaching labs for Analytical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, and Biochemistry. Each lab is equipped with modern apparatus relevant to its sub-discipline.
Advanced Instrumentation and Core Facilities: Students gain hands-on experience with research-grade instruments in the Central Analytical Laboratory (CAL), including Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectrometers, Mass Spectrometers (MS), Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectrometers, and Atomic Absorption/Atomic Emission spectrometers.
Industry-Standard Software: Students are trained in essential chemistry software for data analysis and molecular modeling, such as ChemDraw for chemical structure drawing, specialized spectral analysis software, and computational chemistry packages.
Capstone Undergraduate Research Project: A major senior research project is required, where students conduct original, independent research under faculty supervision, often utilizing the advanced instrumentation of the CAL or other research centers.
Mandatory Industrial Training (Internship): Students complete a professional training internship with partners in the UAE's chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, environmental testing, food technology, or materials science industries.
Field Trips and Site Visits: The curriculum may include educational visits to local industrial plants (e.g., refineries, water desalination facilities, pharmaceutical companies) to observe applied chemistry processes.
Research Institutes and Centers: Students can engage in cutting-edge research through UAEU's Center for Advanced Materials Research, the Petroleum Institute, or the Khalifa Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, depending on their interest.
Safety-Centric Training: All practical work is conducted with a strong emphasis on chemical hygiene, laboratory safety protocols, and responsible waste disposal.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of American University of Sharjah's (AUS) Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and Biochemistry develop expertise in inorganic, organic, physical, analytical, instrumental, and biological chemistry through a laboratory-rich curriculum. This prepares them for research, industry, healthcare, and advanced study, with graduates entering chemical manufacturing, forensic labs, agriculture, and global graduate programs.

Progression & Future Opportunities: AUS emphasizes practical research and professional development:

Laboratory-focused training builds skills in experimental design, data analysis, and scientific method application.
American Chemical Society Student Chapter provides networking, forensics speakers, leadership, and extracurricular events.
Graduates pursue careers in chemical industries, healthcare, research sectors, agricultural firms, and forensic laboratories across the UAE and worldwide.
Faculty-mentored research supports publications in major journals and presentations at international conferences.
American-style accreditation ensures global employability in teaching, industry, business, and cutting-edge development roles.

Further Academic Progression: The program equips students for MSc/PhD programs at top universities worldwide or professional paths like pre-med tracks. Integrated biochemistry focus supports advanced studies in chemistry, biochemistry, or interdisciplinary fields such as environmental sciences.