BS in Chemistry

The B.S. in Chemistry at the University of Michigan–Ann Arbor combines advanced chemistry coursework with substantial laboratory experience, giving students opportunities to develop experimental and analytical skills using departmental teaching laboratories and sophisticated instrumentation. Students can also pursue CHEM 399 undergraduate research, including research for credit, and the department offers a Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) involving a minimum 10-week full-time research commitment with Chemistry faculty.

Students can build practical experience through:

• Advanced chemistry laboratories: The curriculum includes advanced laboratory courses such as CHEM 216, CHEM 436, CHEM 462, CHEM 482, and CHEM 483, allowing students to develop practical skills across different areas of chemistry.
• Undergraduate research: Students can undertake CHEM 399 research with faculty, with research completed over at least two terms for the B.S. Chem. degree. Research can culminate in a written report, while Honors students can use their research toward a CHEM 499 Honors thesis.
• Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP): Chemistry majors in their freshman, sophomore, or junior year can participate in a minimum 10-week, full-time research equivalent working in a Department of Chemistry laboratory with Chemistry research faculty.
• Teaching laboratories: Instructional facilities include laboratories for biochemistry, analytical chemistry, physical chemistry, and advanced synthesis, with teaching-lab support covering chemicals, glassware, equipment, instrumentation, and laboratory safety.
• Analytical instrumentation: Students receive hands-on exposure to equipment and instructional resources including FTIR, UV-Vis spectrometers, Digimelt melting-point apparatus, pH meters, balances, hotplate stirrers, and TLC equipment.
• Research instrumentation and technical facilities: The Chemistry Department maintains specialized facilities for mass spectrometry, NMR, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, atomic absorption analysis, bio-mass spectrometry, and X-ray/microporous materials characterization, supported by dedicated technical services.
• Research cores: University-wide research infrastructure accessible to the scientific community includes the BioNMR Core, Chem NMR Service, Mass Spectrometry, X-Ray Crystallography, AFM-IR, and X-Ray & Microporous Materials Characterization facilities.
• Authentic research projects: Some chemistry teaching incorporates active research questions; for example, CHEM 125/126 has incorporated semester-long snow-chemistry research involving hypothesis development, data collection, data processing, scientific-literature interpretation, manuscript writing, and a public poster symposium.
• Research preparation and professional skills: Students seeking research positions are encouraged to prepare a resume and transcript, identify faculty research interests, and participate in research-group activities; research projects may involve lab meetings, laboratory notebooks, weekly reports, presentations, and research papers depending on the project. 

 The B.S. in Chemistry at the University of Michigan prepares students for careers across chemistry, biochemistry, pharmaceuticals, materials, energy, government, science communication, and technical consulting, while also providing a strong foundation for graduate and health-professional education. The department specifically notes that chemistry majors pursue employment in chemical industries and research/testing laboratories, as well as further study in chemistry, medicine, and related fields.

Typical career roles: Chemist, Pharmaceutical Researcher, Materials Scientist, Laboratory Researcher.

Career development and progression are supported through:

• Career Center: University of Michigan’s Career Center provides career advising and resources for resumes and professional preparation; Chemistry also directs students seeking undergraduate research positions to the Career Center for resume support.
• CHEMcareers: The Chemistry Department has a student-led CHEMcareers group focused on job seeking and career exploration, with activities including workshops, interview panels, and mock interviews.
• Industrial recruiting: U-M Chemistry hosts industrial recruitment sessions open to chemistry students at all levels, where company representatives discuss research, career paths, open positions, networking, and potential interviews.
• Employment and salary data: U-M’s official LSA First Destination Profile reports an average annual salary of $56,626 for full-time employment among the LSA graduates represented in the published profile. This is an LSA-wide figure, not a Chemistry-specific salary, so a Chemistry-specific salary should not be inferred from it.
• University–industry partnerships: U-M has a long-standing research partnership with Dow, including sponsored research projects and activities involving LSA Chemistry; U-M reports 10 active Dow research projects across areas including LSA Chemistry and Chemical Engineering and 230+ U-M alumni currently employed at Dow based on self-reported data.
• Industry exposure: U-M Chemistry has also used industry-focused activities involving companies such as Dow, Pfizer, and Janssen, giving students exposure to industrial research and career pathways.
• Accreditation: Not stated on the current official U-M Chemistry undergraduate pages reviewed as an ACS-certified/accredited B.S. Chemistry program; therefore, no additional accreditation claim is made here.
• Graduation outcomes: U-M Chemistry states that graduates progress into graduate programs, the chemical industry, health-related careers, government positions, education, science communication, and technical consulting. The department also notes that graduate work is necessary for students intending to pursue college/university teaching or industrial research.

Further Academic Progression: After the B.S. in Chemistry, students can continue into graduate programs in chemistry and related sciences, professional health programs such as medical school, or interdisciplinary graduate study. Students interested in research can build on the degree through U-M’s undergraduate research pathway, while the department also offers an Honors in Chemistry route involving undergraduate research and an honors thesis.