Chemistry Major

Learn by doing in Drake’s Chemistry program, where you’ll engage with faculty and participate in research from the start.

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College of Arts & Sciences | On-Campus

What You'll Learn

A Chemistry degree is a gateway to careers as diverse as environmental consulting, drug discovery, and forensic science. Drake University’s Chemistry program lets you explore these and more possibilities hands-on, guided by faculty who create new scientific knowledge.

Lab work begins from day one, turning textbook concepts into real-world experiences. As interactive lessons introduce you to reactions, interactions, and theory applications, internships and job shadowing opportunities at leading companies illuminate all the paths you could take through this dynamic field.

As a Chemistry major, you’ll build your skills in state-of-the-art laboratories equipped with the same tools used by professionals. Even more critically, though, you’ll learn from award-winning faculty researchers who are committed to your success. Small classes mean your professors get to know you and your goals, and provide the kind of guidance that can help you achieve them.

And they invite you to participate in their research, which includes work in art conservation, biochemistry and protein studies, green chemistry, and advanced organic synthesis. We even specialize in computational chemistry—unusual for an institution the size of Drake.

About the Chemistry Major

Begin conducting research as early as your first year.
Present findings at the Drake University Conference on Undergraduate Research in the Sciences (DUCURS), as well as regional, national, and international conferences.
Join our peer mentoring program to help students while building teaching experience.
Drake Chemistry graduates have attended graduate schools such as Duke, the University of Iowa, the Mayo Clinic, Northwestern University, Notre Dame, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and the University of Washington.
Work with $1 million of research-grade instrumentation in our Biochemistry, Organic Chemistry, and General Chemistry labs.
98.8% of Drake Chemistry graduates find employment or enter graduate school within six months of receiving their degrees.
Drake’s Chemistry program is certified by the American Chemical Society.

Program Facts

On-campus
3–4 years to completion; part-time study available
B.A.: 41 credit hours
B.S.: 61-63 credit hours

B.A. in Chemistry

The Bachelor of Arts degree prepares students for careers in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, and fields outside chemistry.

B.S. in Chemistry

The Bachelor of Science degree prepares students for graduate study in chemistry or a career in chemistry or an allied area such as environmental science, chemical engineering, or biochemistry.

Chemistry Minor

Students in any major can declare a minor in Chemistry. The minor requires 31 credits, 24 in chemistry and seven in calculus and physics.

Pre-Medical Studies

Start with an understanding of chemical and molecular processes to prepare for medical school and a career in patient care or medical research. Toward this goal, you’ll meet with faculty mentors and advisors to select courses and experiences that strengthen your application.

3+2 and 4+2 Chemistry/Engineering Dual-Degree Programs

Drake’s affiliation with Washington University in St. Louis allows undergraduate Chemistry majors to additionally pursue an engineering degree. In these combined programs, you’ll complete three or four years at Drake before entering Washington University.

Arts and Sciences and Law 3+3 Program

Drake’s Chemistry program establishes a rigorous, research-intensive foundation for law school. If approved for this track, you’ll start classes at Drake Law School following your junior year, earning both a bachelor’s and J.D. in six years.

Dr. John Gitua

Professor, Chemistry; Department Chair, Chemistry

Dr. Gholam Mirafzal

Windsor Professor, Chemistry

Dr. Matthew Zwier

Associate Professor, Chemistry; Department Chair, Physics

Dr. Andrea Van Wyk

Assistant Professor, Chemistry

Dr. Mark Vitha

Windsor Professor of Chemistry

Ryan Sturms

Assistant Professor, Chemistry

A faculty member instructs two Drake Chemistry majors in fluid measuring principles in a campus research lab

Faculty Research

Our faculty orchestrate studies on the binding of oxygen to heme proteins; ionic liquid synthesis; microwave-assisted organic reactions; analytical methods for art authentication and restoration; the molecular origins of color; and how best to teach and learn chemistry. You’re invited to join and can even earn course credit or a stipend for participation.

Drake Chemistry students practice using the Bruker Ascend 500 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance system

Internships

See classroom lessons come to life and build professional skills through internships with area organizations such as Kemin, Corteva Agriscience, The Nature Conservancy, and Des Moines Water Works.

For a research project, a Drake Chemistry student wears a face shield and gloves to examine samples in a light box

Summer Research Opportunities

Spend your summer working in a lab on Drake’s campus or at a large research institution as part of the National Science Foundation-funded REU program. We’ll help you identify opportunities that match your interests and goals.

In a campus lab, two Drake Chemistry Majors calculate the pace of liquid dripping into a flask below

Colloquium and Mentorship

We’re focused on your next steps. Faculty mentors will steer you toward research that fits your interests, while our Chemistry Colloquium series puts a spotlight on chemistry-related careers in a variety of fields.

A Drake Chemistry student wearing safety glasses handles a test tube containing a blue liquid

Student Awards

Every year, we recognize some of our best Chemistry students with awards and scholarships. Drake students also routinely receive recognition from the prestigious Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program.

A Drake Chemistry student releases blue liquid from a syringe into an empty graded beaker as a classmate looks on

Student Organizations

Meet other Chemistry majors, participate in community service initiatives, and build your professional network by joining Drake’s Chemistry Club or becoming a student affiliate member of the American Chemical Society or the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

Careers & Skills

Committed to the environment? You can use a Chemistry degree to monitor air and water quality. Driven to cure disease? A Chemistry degree allows you to discover new compounds or use computers to understand how they interact with other drugs. Or you can pursue dozens of other possibilities with your knowledge, whether in related fields such as chemical manufacturing, biochemistry, and molecular biology, or through additional training in law, medicine, allied health, or education.

And no matter which path you take, Drake’s extensive, globe-spanning network of alumni and industry professionals is eager to bring you on board.

Employers

3M
Department of Criminal Investigation (DCI) labs
Eli Lilly
Kemin Industries
Corteva Agriscience

Skills

Scientific knowledge and experimental skills.
Critical thinking, practical expertise, and independence through research.
How to use research-grade instrumentation.
An expansive intellectual foundation.
Teamwork and collaboration.

In a campus lab, a Drake Chemistry student uses a syringe to draw liquid from a beaker they're holding

Salary & Growth Outlook

Median salary for chemists and materials scientists in 2024. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)

“My time as a Bulldog gave me the experience and knowledge I’ll need for the next part of my journey. Thanks to the incredible opportunities and guidance I’ve had at Drake, I was one of about 10 applicants selected to be part of the Medical Scientist Training Program at Northwestern, through which I will receive my M.D. and Ph.D.”

Molly Frey, AS‘14
BCMB and Chemistry

Take the Next Step

Craft, catalyze, and grow your career with a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from Drake.

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A Drake Chemistry student practices drawing samples from a tray for analysis in a campus laboratory