The University of Alaska Fairbanks Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers undergraduate programs leading to an American Chemical Society approved B.S. degree in Chemistry. The curriculum of the chemistry degree offers four program options — chemistry, biochemistry/molecular biology, environmental chemistry and forensic chemistry. The Department has strong graduate programs of study leading to M.A. and M.S. degrees in Chemistry, M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Environmental Chemistry and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology as well as a Neuroscience Option. Faculty members within the department are associated with the Institute of Arctic Biology, the Geophysical Institute, the International Arctic Research Center and the College of Rural and Community Development. The department is centrally housed in a modern building that opened in 1995 and contains laboratories, classrooms, and offices.
Graduate Study in Chemistry and Biochemistry
For more information about our graduate programs and paid research opportunities, see our graduate program pages and/or fill in the pre-application inquiry form.
Employment in Chemistry
Employment picture for chemists remains strong relative to the rest of the economy, although salaries have dipped recently. See the full story at Chemical and Engineering News website.
New & Noteworthy
Environmental Chemistry Research Highlight
Professor Bill Simpson's group and collaborators studying Arctic Atmospheric chemistry were featured in an article in the 5 Dec 2011 issue of Chemical and Engineering News. The work connects air and sea ice.
Biochemistry Research Highlight
Professor Kelly Drew and her neurochemistry research group have successfully induced hibernation in animals for the first time. See the account of this research in the 22 Sep 2011 Popular Science article.
The 2011 AlasChemist has arrived! This is the Department's annual newsletter; check it out. View and download the 1.4 MB PDF file here.
New Organic Chem Lab course for 2012
♦ Organic Chemistry Laboratory C323 (3 cr), has been approved by Faculty Senate. This course is designed for non-chemistry science majors, and will place greater emphasis on bio-organic and biochemical topics. The existing organic lab course, C324W (4 cr), will be renamed Advanced Organic Chemistry Laboratory, and will remain a requirement for chemistry and biochemistry majors.
♦ Biology majors and others should enroll in C323, and chemistry and biochemistry majors in C324W.
♦ Initial offerings of both courses will be in the Spring 2012 semester. About 30 seats will be available for C323, and 10 seats for C324W. No organic lab will be given in Fall 2011.
♦ Enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis. No waitlists will be maintained.