The Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Chemistry are both Purdue University degrees offered in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology.
With a chemistry degree from IUPUI, you'll be ready to take on the world, whether as a research chemist in industry or academia, or in fields such as medicine and law where the analytical and technical skills you learn as a chemistry major are highly valued.
You'll be a part of a supportive environment with innovative teaching methods such as Peer-led Team Learning (PLTL), which provides a unique opportunity to become a leader by teaching others. Through mentoring programs like PLTL, you can expand your subject knowledge while developing the team-building, leadership, and problem-solving skills that will be an asset wherever your major takes you.
Our chemistry majors often cross over into other fields with great success. It’s easy to double-major to create the best academic path to meet your future goals.
Undergraduate students are encouraged to do research that allows them to work one-on-one with world renowned faculty in a laboratory environment as early as the freshman year! Students who do research benefit from personal attention, and our faculty assist with academic and career advising.
The Bachelor of Arts integrates science with the arts and humanities. It is designed to prepare students for careers in fields such as business; environmental science; and policy, law, medicine, or other allied health fields. The Bachelor of Arts offers a broader-based education with more required humanities and liberal arts courses.
The Bachelor of Science prepares students for graduate study, careers as research chemists, or admission to profession schools, like medical school. The Bachelor of Science generally requires more science hours. You can compare the required courses for each in the IUPUI academic bulletin.
Concentration in Biochemistry
The Bachelor of Science option offers a concentration in Biochemistry. The Biochemistry concentration provides a rigorous and comprehensive foundation in chemistry by placing emphasis on science and mathematics. The program carries certification by the American Chemical Society Committee on Professional Training. It is designed for students planning to attend medical or dental school, to do graduate work in biochemistry, or to seek employment in industry.
Concentration in Medicinal Chemistry
The medicinal chemistry option provides a basic understanding of the key features of the rational design and development of new medicinal agents. The drug discovery process requires teamwork with input from disciplines such as chemistry, biochemistry, biology, pharmacology and computing. This major is designed for students planning to attend medical, dental or pharmacy school, to do graduate work in medicinal chemistry or biochemistry, or to seek employment in industry.