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  • Options:
  • Biochemistry and Organic Natural Product Chemistry
  • Natural and Synthetic Polymer Chemistry
  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Chemistry Awards
• Graduate Programs ▼
  • Graduate Program Overview
  • Current Graduate Students
  • Programs of Study:
  • Biochemistry
  • Chemical Ecology (with EFB)
  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Organic Chemistry of Natural Products
  • Polymer Chemistry
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  • MS and PhD Degree Requirements
  • MPS Program Information and Degree Requirements
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  • Internships in Chemistry

SUNY-ESF Chemistry Bachelor of Science Degree

• Download the Chemistry Bachelor of Science brochure (PDF)

• Biochemistry and Organic Chemistry of Natural Products
• Environmental Chemistry
• Natural and Synthetic Polymer Chemistry

Each option offers an advanced course of study beyond the usual courses of a traditional undergraduate chemistry curriculum. All options are excellent grounding for professional work after graduation or for advanced graduate study. Recent graduates have careers in government or the chemical/pharmaceutical industries in roles as varied as biotechnology, forensic chemistry and new process development. Other graduates have gone on to advanced graduate study (M.S., Ph.D.) in chemistry and related fields or have pursued careers in medicine or law.

The department’s home is the 71,000 square foot, Edwin C. Jahn Laboratory, which was completed in October, 1997. In addition to normal classroom and laboratory instruction, students perform cutting-edge research. Students at all levels are encouraged to become involved with research, and two out of three students do so before their senior year. All seniors must perform an independent research project. Students commonly present their research results at local and even national scientific meetings.

A Rigorous Education

Chemistry faculty bring their expertise in cutting edge research to the classroom, providing an education that is grounded in the latest knowledge and real-world examples. Also, in addition to the usual chemistry courses, undergraduates take three introductory graduate level classes, which looks very attractive to employers.

Employers value the education our students receive—ESF Chemistry undergrads have been highly successful in gaining employment or acceptance into graduate or medical schools soon after earning their degrees.

Personal Attention

Upper-level courses for chemistry majors usually have enrollments of only 5-15 students, so chemistry majors get personal attention from the professors. All courses are taught by professors, not graduate students.

• Students in Neal Abrams lab make dye-sensitized solar cells (VIDEO)

Improving the World

Many students were drawn to ESF due to the way chemistry is used in our varied specialties to find ways to improve our world:

• Finding better ways to generate energy.
• Discovering new, useful natural and synthetic materials.
• Making better use of our natural resources.
• Finding new medications and ways to deliver medicines.
• Understanding natural processes and the impacts of human activities on our environment.

Undergraduate Programs

The Department of Chemistry offers three options leading to the bachelor of science degree: biochemistry and natural products, environmental chemistry, and natural and synthetic polymer chemistry. Each option offers an advanced course of studies beyond the basic courses of the classical undergraduate chemistry curriculum. All options are excellent grounding for professional work at the B.S. level or for advanced graduate study.

• Undergraduate Chemistry Courses at SUNY-ESF
  This link takes you to ESF Chemistry courses that have their own web pages and as well as brief descriptions of the other ESF Chemistry courses.
• List of professional electives for chemistry students (PDF)
• The Alchemist Society
  This organization of chemistry students travels to local schools to show off the magic of chemistry to young people.

SUNY-ESF and SU Class Schedules

• Current Academic Calendar
• ESF Catalog

Some Additional Choices/Possibilities for Undergraduates

• Chemistry Minor
  Open to students who have taken one year of both general chemistry (with lab) and organic chemistry (with lab)
  
• The ESF Honors Program
  Open to juniors who have completed at least 60 credit hours with a cumulative GPA of 3.5.
  
• Certification in Science Teaching
  A joint program with the Syracuse University School of Education leading to New York State certification in chemistry and general science teaching for grades 7-12
• Advising for Preprofessional Programs
  Interested in professional careers in medicine, dentistry, veterinary science and law?

“I have been meaning to write to Dr. Hassett (Chemistry faculty chair) to tell him how grateful I am to the chemistry department at ESF. There have been so many times in the last two semesters that I have silently thanked one professor or another for some specific skill I learned there. I had a really good experience there; it is a very, very good place to learn!”

Katherine Kitney, graduate student in physical chemistry
University of Colorado at Boulder
• Summer opportunities in chemistry and biochemistry
  Numerous research opportunities are available on campus at ESF. Contact individual professors to see what's available.
• Summer research opportunities with the US DOE Global Change Education Program
• Jobs
• Internships at government research laboratories
• Internships in Chemistry

ESF Chemistry Facts

• ESF Chemistry graduates find outstanding employment opportunities all over the country and right here in Central New York.
• ESF Chemistry students participate in cutting edge research leading to co-authorship of papers in leading scientific journals.
• ESF Chemistry graduates are accepted at top graduate schools and medical schools such as MIT, Yale, Cal Tech, and Cornell campuses in chemistry and related fields.
• ESF Chemistry graduates go on to leadership roles in industry, government, and academia.

Contact us for more information:

Gregory L. Boyer, Chair

David J. Kieber, Associate Chair for Undergraduate Laboratories

Theodore S. Dibble, Associate Chair for Graduate and Undergraduate Programs

Mark Teece, Undergraduate Curriculum Coordinator

Department of Chemistry
Jahn Laboratory
SUNY-ESF
1 Forestry Drive
Syracuse, NY 13210
315-470-6855
315-470-6856 (fax)
chemistry@esf.edu