BS in Chemistry

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Tennessee

Program Overview

The BS in Chemistry provides a well-rounded chemistry education designed for students interested in applying chemistry across professional, scientific, and interdisciplinary settings, with opportunities to participate in undergraduate research and work with state-of-the-art equipment. Students study the major areas of chemistry while developing practical laboratory and scientific skills that can support careers in chemistry or progression to graduate and professional study.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Students establish their scientific foundation through introductory chemistry, mathematics, physics, and university requirements. The chemistry pathway begins with foundational subjects such as General Chemistry I and II and associated laboratory work, preparing students for more advanced study.

Second Year: Students progress into core chemistry concepts while strengthening their quantitative and experimental skills through subjects in areas such as organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, and laboratory chemistry. This stage builds the foundation needed for upper-level chemistry and research experiences.

Third Year: Students deepen their understanding of the major branches of chemistry through advanced coursework in areas such as organic, inorganic, analytical, and physical chemistry. Students can also begin connecting their coursework with the department's active research environment and undergraduate research opportunities.

Fourth Year: Students complete advanced chemistry requirements and use upper-level coursework and laboratory experiences to consolidate their scientific knowledge and professional preparation. The department's traditional B.S. is specifically described as a well-rounded curriculum suitable for careers in industry, education, and other fields, while undergraduate research can provide additional preparation for graduate study.

Focus Areas: Analytical chemistry, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, interdisciplinary chemistry, undergraduate research

Learning Outcomes: Chemical knowledge, laboratory techniques, experimental design, scientific analysis, quantitative problem-solving, research skills, scientific communication, professional chemistry skills

Professional Alignment (Accreditation): The University of Tennessee offers a separate B.S. degree in Chemistry certified by the American Chemical Society (ACS); the university describes its traditional BS in Chemistry as a distinct, well-rounded degree. Therefore, ACS certification is not stated for the traditional BS in Chemistry on the current departmental program page.

Reputation (Employability Rankings) : Not stated for the BS in Chemistry specifically. QS lists the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in its rankings database, but the current QS page retrieved does not provide a specific undergraduate Chemistry employability ranking for this program.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The B.S. in Chemistry at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville combines classroom study with hands-on laboratory work and opportunities to participate in active faculty research. Chemistry students can work with state-of-the-art equipment, earn course credit through undergraduate research, and present their research through the department’s annual Rocky Top Undergraduate Chemistry Research Symposium, giving them practical experience in experimentation, scientific analysis, and communicating research findings.

Students can build practical and research experience through:

Undergraduate research: Chemistry majors can participate in ongoing faculty research and conduct their own experiments, with the department offering opportunities to earn course credit for undergraduate research.
Research laboratories: Students can engage with research across traditional and emerging chemistry areas through the department's interdisciplinary and collaborative research program.
Biological and Small Molecule Mass Spectrometry Core: The facility houses eight mass spectrometers and computer workstations for data analysis, with services covering sample preparation through data interpretation.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Facility: The department operates five NMR spectrometers used for teaching and research, including 300 MHz, 500 MHz, and 600 MHz solution-state instruments.
Polymer Characterization Lab: Students involved in relevant research can work within a facility focused on investigating the properties of newly designed polymeric materials.
X-Ray and ICP-OES Facilities: These facilities support teaching and research through powder X-ray diffraction, single-crystal diffraction, and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES).
Computer-based data analysis: The Mass Spectrometry Core includes multiple computer workstations for data analysis, supporting the interpretation of experimental results.
Research presentations: Students participating in chemistry research classes at the 200, 300, and 400 levels can present their work through posters and oral presentations at the Rocky Top Undergraduate Chemistry Research Symposium.
Industry-connected research exposure: The annual research symposium includes a judging panel comprising current and retired faculty members and industry partners, giving undergraduate researchers an opportunity to present their work to both academic and industry audiences.
Scientific glassblowing and technical support: The department has a professional glassblower, as well as electronics and machine shops that support the maintenance, construction, and development of research equipment and devices.
New chemistry building: UT is developing the Charles & Julie Wharton Chemistry Building, planned with more than 25 research laboratories, three teaching laboratories, dedicated undergraduate research workspaces, a student collaboration and study room, a learning center, and a glass-blowing shop.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The BS in Chemistry at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville provides broad preparation for careers across chemistry, healthcare, biotechnology, environmental analysis, materials science, and related scientific fields. The university also supports progression into advanced study, including MS and PhD programs, for students seeking more specialized research or professional opportunities.

Typical career roles: Chemist, Chemical Technician, Quality Control Chemist, Environmental Science and Protection Technician.

Career progression is supported through:

Career coaching and employment services: UT’s Center for Career Development & Academic Exploration provides career coaching, internship and job-search support, interview preparation, career fairs, salary research, and access to Handshake for employment opportunities. Students can continue receiving career support during their first year after graduation, after which the UT Alumni Association provides ongoing alumni support.
Employer network: Handshake gives UT students and alumni access to more than 500,000 employers, while the university’s Employer Relations team facilitates employer recruiting and engagement with UT students.
Employment and salary outcomes: For the 2025 undergraduate graduating class across UT, 90.2% achieved a positive career outcome within six months, including 62.9% employed and 26.3% continuing education. The reported median undergraduate salary was $60,060; these figures cover all undergraduate majors rather than Chemistry specifically.
Chemistry industry connection: UT Chemistry has a specific research relationship with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). Through the SMaRT Internship Program, undergraduate students can undertake paid, 10-week internships involving ORNL-related research with a UT faculty mentor, with projects spanning areas such as Energy and Environmental Sciences, Neutron Sciences, Nuclear Science and Engineering, Physical Sciences, Computing and Computational Sciences, and National Security.
Industry engagement: The annual Rocky Top Undergraduate Chemistry Research Symposium gives undergraduate researchers opportunities to present posters or talks to panels that include current and retired faculty members and industry partners, creating a direct setting for students to communicate their research to professionals.
Long-term professional value: The traditional BS in Chemistry is designed as a broad degree for careers in industry, education, and other fields. Students who want a specifically ACS-certified chemistry credential can instead pursue UT’s separate BS Chemistry ACS track; the university states that this certified degree meets national coursework standards.
Graduation outcomes: UT’s career-outcomes system tracks employment, continuing education, military/service, and other post-graduation activities within six months. For the Class of 2025, the university recorded a 90.2% career outcomes rate and an 80.1% knowledge rate.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BS in Chemistry, students can continue into master’s or PhD study in chemistry at UT or pursue advanced study in related scientific and professional fields. UT Chemistry offers graduate study with concentrations in the five traditional chemistry subdisciplines, as well as chemical physics, environmental chemistry, and theoretical chemistry, providing routes into more specialized research and academic careers.