| SEARCH: | ||
| HOME | GATEWAYS | ACADEMICS | ADMISSION | DIRECTORIES | VISIT | MyESF | SITE INDEX | ||
| Home | Gateways | Academics | Admission | Directories | Site Index | SEARCH: |
- Department Links ▼
- Undergraduate Programs ▼
- 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
- Degree Requirements:
- MS and PhD Degree Requirements
- MPS Program Information and Degree Requirements
- Prospective Students:
- Admission Information
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Current Students:
- Helpful Information
- Chemistry Awards
- Meet Your Fellow Students
- Careers and Alumni ▼
SUNY-ESF Chemistry Bachelor of Science Degree
The chemistry curriculum builds a strong foundation in the traditional areas of chemistry (analytical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry) then adds strength in one of three options leading to the bachelor of science degree:
- Biochemistry and Organic Natural Product Chemistry
- 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 research, quality control 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.
 |
Students in Neal Abrams lab make dye-sensitized solar cells |
Why Study Chemistry at ESF
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.
Chemistry Undergrad in Antarctica
Chemistry Professor David Kieber researched chemical and biological transformations in Antarctica, along with grad students George Westby and Jordan Brinkley, and undergrad John Bisgrove. Read more!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.
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
“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!”
University of Colorado at Boulder
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? - 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
