A.B. in Chemistry

Harvard’s B.A. in Chemistry gives students direct access to laboratory-based learning through required and advanced laboratory courses, research-for-credit options, and faculty research groups. Students can work with modern analytical instrumentation through the Laukien-Purcell Instrumentation Center, while the FUEL (Foundational Undergraduate Experiences in the Laboratory) program provides structured research training and practical experience with professional scientific tools such as ChemDraw, NMR analysis, molecular visualization, and data-analysis software.

Students can develop practical and research skills through:

• Advanced chemistry laboratories: Students can undertake advanced laboratory courses including CHEM 100R, CHEM 135, CHEM 145, and CHEM 165, gaining practical experience beyond introductory chemistry.
• Research-for-credit: Students can participate in faculty-led research through CHEM 91R, CHEM 98R, and CHEM 99R, working within active chemistry research groups. Research can continue across multiple semesters, and qualifying students submit a quantitative and technical report for evaluation by their research supervisor.
• Faculty research groups: Undergraduate researchers work alongside advanced undergraduates, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and faculty members, providing an authentic collaborative research environment. Individual research projects can potentially lead to scientific publications.
• FUEL research program: The Foundational Undergraduate Experiences in the Laboratory (FUEL) program gives pre-concentrator students intensive hands-on laboratory experience, research training, professional-development workshops, and a capstone poster project. The program also includes a Lab Match Challenge connecting students with Harvard faculty and research groups.
• Scientific software and digital tools: FUEL participants receive practical experience with ChemDraw, mNova for NMR data analysis, Web of Science, SciFinder, Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre (CCDC), Mercury for 3D molecular visualization, Origin for data analysis and plotting, and Adobe Illustrator for scientific figures.
• Magnetic resonance instrumentation: The Laukien-Purcell Instrumentation Center provides access to NMR, EPR, mass spectrometry, infrared spectroscopy, and SQUID magnetometry equipment, including multiple 400–600 MHz NMR spectrometers. Instrument-specific training is required before users operate the equipment.
• X-ray crystallography: The Center for Crystallographic Studies provides experience and expertise in single-crystal diffraction, X-ray diffraction of thin-film and powder samples, and crystallography education, supporting advanced chemical research.
• Undergraduate Research Laboratories: Harvard’s Undergraduate Research Laboratories in Science and Engineering include a dedicated chemistry research space equipped with state-of-the-art fume hoods and equipment for organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry projects.
• Interdisciplinary research facilities: Chemistry undergraduates can also pursue research opportunities across Harvard research centers and institutes, professional schools, and Harvard-affiliated hospitals, allowing chemistry training to connect with broader scientific and biomedical research. 

The BA in Chemistry provides a foundation for careers in basic and applied research, biotechnology, chemical analysis, manufacturing, and related fields such as medicine, law, business, and environmental science. Harvard’s Chemistry and Chemical Biology Department also emphasizes research participation and interdisciplinary preparation, giving graduates routes into both employment and advanced academic or professional study.

Typical career roles: Chemist, Research Scientist, Biotechnology Researcher, Chemical Analyst.

Career development and progression are supported through:

• Mignone Center for Career Success (MCS): Harvard provides undergraduate career advising, job and internship counseling, career fairs, and approximately 300 programs to help students explore careers, prepare applications, and connect with employers.
• Student Employment Office: Students can access Harvard’s employment database for on-campus and off-campus opportunities, including research-assistant positions with faculty and research opportunities at institutions such as Massachusetts General Hospital.
• Employment outcomes: Harvard reports that 96% of Harvard graduates secured their post-graduation plans within six months of graduation in its 2025 admissions information materials. This is a Harvard-wide figure and is not specific to Chemistry graduates.
• Salary figures: Not stated for BA Chemistry graduates on the official Harvard Chemistry and Harvard College pages reviewed, so a Chemistry-specific salary figure should not be inferred.
• University–industry connections: Harvard CCB states that its faculty collaborate with entrepreneurs, industry researchers, discovery scientists, and research institutions. Current examples include CCB research receiving Harvard’s Frontiers of Innovation for Societal Impact funding to develop industry-supported work in areas such as molecular-glue drug discovery and clean-energy research involving global energy companies.
• Professional networking: In 2026, Harvard undergraduates launched an American Chemical Society (ACS) student chapter, designed to connect undergraduate chemists with the broader scientific community, including graduate programs, industry leaders, and researchers.
• Accreditation/professional recognition: ACS certification of the Harvard BA Chemistry program is not stated on the official Harvard Chemistry sources reviewed. The department does, however, now have an undergraduate ACS student chapter, providing a professional chemistry-community connection.
• Graduation and further-study outcomes: Harvard states that around 80% of Harvard students go on to earn a graduate or professional degree, while the College’s normal graduation rate is 98%. These are Harvard College-wide figures rather than Chemistry-specific outcomes.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BA in Chemistry, students can progress to graduate study in chemistry, chemical physics, biochemistry, chemical biology, and related scientific disciplines. Harvard’s Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology offers PhD programs in Chemistry and Chemical Physics, while the undergraduate Chemistry degree also provides preparation for professional pathways such as medicine, law, and business.