About the Department of Chemistry

The University of Alaska Fairbanks Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers programs leading to an American Chemical Society accredited 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 also offers 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.

After a first year of introductory chemistry, all chemistry majors take lecture and laboratory courses in analytical, biochemistry, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry. See the Chemistry Student Handbook for detailed requirements and study plans.

B.A., B.S. Chemistry — In-depth fundamentals of chemistry related to modern technology and analysis.

Biochemistry/Molecular Biology Option — Adds advanced coursework related to cell biology and biological macromolecules to the Chemistry B.S. degree.

Environmental Chemistry Option — Adds environmental research, and possible coursework in geology, atmospheric science, or related areas to the Chemistry B.S. degree.

Forensic Chemistry Option — Designed to prepare chemistry majors for a career in forensics and law enforcement.

In addition to formal lecture and laboratory courses, the department offers a wide variety of research opportunities. Students in the chemistry and environmental chemistry options have investigated areas such as green house gases, natural products, computational chemistry, organic synthesis, Arctic haze, industrial pollution, and the fate of hydrocarbons in the environment. Students in the biochemistry/molecular biology option have performed research in the areas of stroke, obesity and aging, environmental health, enzyme structure and mechanism, and comparative biochemistry. Forensic chemistry students have refined techniques to detect blood at crime scenes.