University of Alaska Fairbanks Environmental Chemistry Program

Environmental Chemistry

Environmental Chemistry is a diverse and highly interdisciplinary field that focus on the chemical processes influencing the composition and chemical speciation of natural systems (air, water and soils), the chemical fate and mobility of contaminants in the environment, chemical processes that affect the toxicity and bioavailabilty of contaminants, and chemical aspects of contaminant remediation and pollution prevention (green chemistry). The common link to all these areas of study is a focus on the underlying chemical structure, reactivity and mechanisms that dictate the extent and rates of environmentally important chemical reactions. Environmental chemistry is a challenging field, requiring core training in physical, analytical, organic and inorganic chemistry and an understanding of how these disciplines can be applied to complex environmental systems. It is also a highly rewarding discipline, as it provides a quantitative and fundamental approach to understanding the processes that influence the quality of the environment we live and work in.

The UAF Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Environmental Chemistry. The program provides education and research opportunities focused on the molecular scale aspects of Environmental Science. Our faculty are involved in a wide range of projects: from field studies of chemical transformation and transport, to laboratory and modeling studies of the basic mechanisms of environmental reactions, to the development of novel chemistry useful in contaminant remediation. The program is centered in the Natural Sciences Building on the UAF campus that houses state-of-the-art classrooms, laboratories and computer facilities to support education and research activities. Located in the "Heart of Alaska", UAF is home to numerous research institutes and centers that focus Arctic science and engineering, and provide great opportunities for collaboration and cross-disciplinary studies focused on the chemistry of polar and sub-arctic systems.

Bachelors Degree in Environmental Chemistry

The Bachelors degree in Environmental Chemistry prepares students for public and private sector jobs related to Environmental Science and Technology, or for graduate programs in Environmental Chemistry and related disciplines. The degree program is designed to provide students with core training in the chemical sciences, while providing exposure to a broad range of related disciplines. Students work with a faculty advisor to select required elective courses that best meets their interests and academic goals. Students are also required to enroll in research credits with a focus on an Environmental Chemistry topic. This provides an opportunity for students to gain first hand experience working on advanced topics that are generally outside of the scope of an undergraduate curriculum. A detailed description of the program requirements can be found in the UAF Catalog.

MS and PhD Degrees in Environmental Chemistry

The graduate program in Environmental Chemistry provides advanced training in the concepts and methods of Molecular Environmental Sciences. The MS degree prepares students for careers in Environmental Science and Technology sector as a specialist in the analysis and interpretation of Environmental Chemical data and/or for more advanced studies in Environmental Chemistry or related disciplines. The requirement of a Masters Thesis provides an opportunity for students to gain expertise in a particular sub-discipline and (more importantly) gain experience in research methods, presentation skills and critical thinking. The Ph.D. provides advanced training beyond the level of a Masters degree with the expectation that Ph.D. recipients will be acknowledged as an expert in their particular topic of study. This is accomplished primarily through the Ph.D. thesis, which is a body of independent research that presents new findings on forefront topics related to molecular processes in the environment. The Ph.D. degree in Environmental Chemistry prepares students for careers in academia or the public and private research sectors. Graduate (MS and Ph.D.) students in the Environmental Chemistry program are typically supported through teaching and research assistantships or fellowships. Program specifics are provided in the UAF catalog, additional details regarding the program policies may be found on the For Current Students page.

Students interested in the Environmental Chemistry program at any level should feel free to contact the program coordinators or faculty members.