Bachelor of Science in Chemistry

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Carnegie Mellon University

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at Carnegie Mellon University is designed for students seeking rigorous scientific training, combining foundational study in organic, physical, inorganic and analytical chemistry with research-focused, instrument-intensive laboratory experiences. It suits students aiming for graduate study or careers in research, development and analytical roles, while offering options to build interdisciplinary interests through areas such as biochemistry, computational chemistry, materials chemistry, environmental chemistry and polymer science.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Students begin with 09-105 Introduction to Modern Chemistry I or 09-107 Honors Chemistry: Fundamentals, Concepts and Applications, supported by 21-120 Differential and Integral Calculus and 33-121 Physics I for Science Students. The curriculum also introduces research early through 09-115 Introduction to Undergraduate Research in Chemistry, alongside communication and first-year courses such as 76-101 Interpretation and Argument and 38-101 EUREKA!: Discovery and Its Impact.

Second Year: Students move into more specialized chemistry with 09-219 Modern Organic Chemistry and 09-220 Modern Organic Chemistry II, developing their understanding of molecular structures, reactions and synthesis. Practical training becomes a major component through 09-221 Laboratory I: Introduction to Chemical Analysis and 09-222 Laboratory II: Organic Synthesis and Analysis, while 09-348 Inorganic Chemistry and 33-122 Physics II for Biological Sciences and Chemistry Students broaden their scientific foundation.

Third Year: The program develops advanced theoretical and quantitative skills through 09-231 Mathematical Methods for Chemists, 09-344 Physical Chemistry (Quantum): Microscopic Principles of Physical Chemistry, and 09-345 Physical Chemistry (Thermo): Macroscopic Principles of Physical Chemistry. Students also undertake advanced laboratory work through 09-321 Laboratory III: Molecular Design and Synthesis or 09-323 Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory, followed by 09-322 Laboratory IV: Molecular Spectroscopy and Dynamics and 09-331 Modern Analytical Instrumentation.

Fourth Year: The senior year provides greater scope for students to deepen their chemistry specialization through chemistry electives, while completing the remaining degree requirements and interdisciplinary coursework. Students can use this flexibility for areas such as computational chemistry, materials chemistry, environmental chemistry, polymer science, biochemistry or management, and can also pursue undergraduate research or the 09-455 Honors Thesis pathway where applicable.

Focus Areas

Biochemistry, Polymer Science, Colloids, Polymers and Surfaces, Computational Chemistry, Materials Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry, Management.

Learning Outcomes

Quantitative and computational reasoning, chemical theory and molecular modeling, interdisciplinary problem-solving, experimental design, laboratory techniques, data analysis, scientific communication, ethical and professional practice, integration of chemistry with biology, environmental science, sustainability, materials science, nanotechnology and engineering.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

Not stated on Carnegie Mellon University's official B.S. Chemistry program or department pages as a separate professional accreditation; therefore, no specific accreditation is claimed here. The department does, however, use ACS-style templates for undergraduate research papers and maintains connections with the American Chemical Society through its faculty and local chemistry activities.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

QS World University Rankings 2026: Carnegie Mellon University — #52 globally; this is a university-level ranking, not a Chemistry-specific employability ranking.

Graduate Outcomes: 83% employed or in graduate school six months after graduation, with an average salary of $75,845 for Chemistry graduates from the Classes of 2023–2025 according to Carnegie Mellon University's official Chemistry admissions page.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at Carnegie Mellon University is strongly practice-oriented, with students using modern instrumentation and completing laboratory courses in analytical chemistry, organic synthesis, molecular spectroscopy, and related areas. Students can begin research as early as their first year through 09-115 Introduction to Undergraduate Research in Chemistry and 09-116 Undergraduate Research Shadowing in Chemistry, then progress to faculty-mentored research, independent study, or an honors thesis.

Students can build practical experience through:

Undergraduate teaching laboratories: CMU's chemistry teaching laboratories in Doherty Hall provide hands-on training using tools and techniques relevant to modern research and industry, including quantitative analysis instrumentation, chromatography, kinetics, thermochemistry, acid-base chemistry, and transition-metal chemistry.
Required laboratory sequence: Chemistry B.S. students undertake dedicated experimental courses including 09-221 Laboratory I: Introduction to Chemical Analysis and 09-222 Laboratory II: Organic Synthesis and Analysis, developing practical skills in quantitative analysis, synthesis, separation, chromatography, spectroscopy, and laboratory reporting.
Early research exposure: 09-115 Introduction to Undergraduate Research in Chemistry introduces students to research and laboratory safety, while 09-116 Undergraduate Research Shadowing in Chemistry places students with a departmental research group for a half-semester experience.
Faculty-mentored research: 09-445 Undergraduate Research allows students to work with a faculty mentor for 3–18 units during the fall, spring, or summer and requires a formal research paper. Students can also undertake 09-435 Independent Study or complete 09-455 Honors Thesis research in their senior year.
Advanced analytical facilities: The Center for Molecular Analysis (CMA) provides access to high-performance mass spectrometry, liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry, and photon spectroscopy instrumentation, with training available for users.
NMR research facility: CMU's NMR Facility houses two Bruker 500 MHz NMR spectrometers supporting high-resolution multinuclear and multidimensional NMR studies, giving research students access to advanced molecular-structure analysis.
Research instrumentation: Chemistry research groups have access to specialized tools including EPR spectroscopy, surface plasmon resonance, calorimetry, DNA/RNA synthesis equipment, photoreactors, atomic force microscopy, SAXS, and solar-cell fabrication/testing equipment.
AI, computation and automation: CMU Chemistry is developing computer-controlled instrumentation, automated experiments, robotics, machine learning, and AI-enabled chemical research, giving students opportunities to experience the growing intersection of chemistry, computation, and automated experimentation.
Research centers and institutes: Students can engage with interdisciplinary research environments such as the Center for Nucleic Acids Science and Technology (CNAST), Center for Macromolecular Engineering, Institute for Green Science, Center for Molecular Analysis, and Center for Advanced Biological Imaging Solutions (CABIS).
Research funding and summer opportunities: CMU chemistry students can pursue Small Undergraduate Research Grants (SURG), Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF), and International SURF (iSURF) opportunities to support undergraduate research, including research with international collaborators.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at Carnegie Mellon University provides preparation for graduate study as well as employment in research, development, and analytical roles in industry, with practical training in modern instrumentation. CMU Chemistry reports that 85%+ of undergraduate chemistry students participate in research, while the department identifies pathways spanning academia and research, biotechnology and life sciences, government, and health professions.

Typical career roles: Chemist, Research Scientist, Analytical Chemist, Pharmaceutical/biotechnology Researcher.

Career development and progression are supported through:

Career & Professional Development Center (CPDC): CMU provides job and internship support including assistance with researching opportunities, applications and interviews, together with access to Handshake for jobs and internships.
Chemistry-specific career resources: Mellon College of Science provides chemistry students with employer and salary information, professional resources such as the American Chemical Society, and research opportunities outside CMU, including NIH, NSF REU, Department of Energy National Laboratories, DAAD RISE, and Air Force Research Laboratory Scholars opportunities.
Employment and salary outcomes: CMU's Chemistry undergraduate admission page reports 83% employed or in graduate school six months after graduation for the Classes of 2023–2025, with an average salary of $75,845. Recent employers listed by CMU include National Institutes of Health, PPG, Boston Children's Hospital, and Emerald Cloud Lab.
University-wide outcomes: For the 2025 graduating class, CMU reports 91% employed or continuing education within six months and an average starting salary of $116,882. These figures are for CMU graduates overall rather than Chemistry graduates specifically.
University–industry partnership: The PPG Scholar Teams Program provides a specific industry-supported research connection in Chemistry, with undergraduate and graduate students working collaboratively on projects ranging from wastewater treatment to potential medical treatments; the program is supported by a gift from the PPG Foundation and matching departmental funds.
Research-to-career preparation: Students can participate in CMU Chemistry research groups and develop experience in areas including biological chemistry, catalysis and energy, materials and nanoscience, atmospheric/green/environmental chemistry, and physical, analytical and theoretical chemistry.
Long-term professional value: CMU provides access to the American Chemical Society as a professional resource for Chemistry students; however, the official CMU sources reviewed do not state that the B.S. in Chemistry itself carries ACS accreditation/certification, so no specific accreditation claim is made here.
Graduation outcomes: Chemistry graduates have documented pathways into employment and graduate school, with CMU specifically reporting 83% employed or in graduate school six months after graduation for the Classes of 2023–2025. The department states that the B.S. is designed for both graduate study and employment in research, development, or analytical industry roles.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into graduate study in chemistry, including CMU's Ph.D. in Chemistry, or pursue advanced study in related areas such as materials science, biological chemistry, computational chemistry, biotechnology, and other interdisciplinary fields. CMU also offers an Honors B.S./M.S. Program in Chemistry, allowing eligible students to earn a B.S. in Chemistry with Departmental Honors and an M.S. in Chemistry, typically within four years.