Undergraduate Study in Chemistry and Biochemistry

UAF offers four Bachelor of Science (B.S.) programs: Chemistry, Chemistry with a Biochemistry/Molecular Biology Option, Chemistry with an Environmental Chemistry Option, and a Forensic Chemistry Option. The Department also offers a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) program.  Details of the degrees and programs in Chemistry and Biochemistry may be found at the UAF General Catalog and in the Department's description of the curriculum (see the Student Handbook).

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry undergraduate programs are approved by the American Chemical Society's Committee on Professional Training. Programs are reviewed every five years by the CPT, and are required to meet standards of faculty contact hours, library facilities and online access, chemistry instrumentation, breadth and depth of chemistry coursework, and others. ACS approval carries national recognition that the department meets high standards in its faculty, facilities and curriculum. UAF has the only ACS approved chemistry program in Alaska. Link to ACS Committee on Professional Training website. Download the CPT 2008 Guidelines for Bachelors Degree Programs (1.01 mb pdf).

UAF Chemistry faculty members are committed to high quality instruction.
Professor Tom Clausen was the recipient of the 1998 Emil Usibelli Award for Excellence in Teaching and the 2005 UAF Outstanding Advisor Award.
Professor Lawrence Duffy was the recipent of the 2002 Emil Usibelli Award for Excellence in Research and the 2006 UAF Outstanding Advisor Award.
Professors John Keller and Marina Castillo have been recognized for outstanding teaching by the College of Natural Science and Mathematics (2007 and 2008 respectiviely).
Maggie Isbell, a 2001 Ph. D. graduate in the Environmental Chemistry program, was the 1999 recipient of the Robert Piacenza award in recognition of teaching excellence, outstanding work, and a commitment to students. The award is given annually by students in the UAF Honors Program.

Our undergraduate research students have achieved recognition of their high quality work in research. Shane Coleman (2000), Roger Rothschild (2001), Laurie Martin (2002), and Loda Griffeth (2003) were recipients of UAF's Brina Kessel Medal for Excellence in Science.

The small class sizes at UAF and the close interaction between students and faculty provide a type of environment often missing in larger universities. Students are encouraged to visit faculty and to become involved in research as early as possible. Most of the upper division chemistry majors work in the teaching or research program. We have had numerous undergraduates co-publish their research results (undergraduate publications) with faculty in the refereed scientific literature. This type of interaction, combined with a rigorous academic program, is responsible for the success of our students after graduation. We also have an excellent array of instruments available for undergraduate labs and undergraduate research.

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An Online Undergraduate Application is available at the Admissions home page.