MTSU Chemistry: This is where you belong!

We have recently moved into a new, 256,000-square-foot, $147 million Science Building that is the finest teaching and research facility in the state. The building included over $3 million of new, state-of-the-art instructional and research equipment, all of which is used by undergraduates. For an up-close and personal tour of the facility, make plans to attend one of our Preview Days. If you would like to visit at a different time, let us know you’re coming (email chem@mtsu.edu) or schedule a campus tour, we will gladly show you around the building and answer any questions you may have about our programs.

Take a tour of the New Science Building with Dr. Greg Van Patten, Dean of MTSU CBAS.

View a photo gallery of the New Science Building

MTSU Department of Chemistry offers several degree programs that can prepare you for competitive careers, pre-professional schools, and graduate programs. Our B.S. in Chemistry is certified by the American Chemical Society , and we also offer a popular B.S. in Biochemistry which is accredited by the American Society for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology. Both of these degrees provide an excellent foundation for employment in the chemical industry or for pursuing graduate work in a Masters or Ph.D. program. Moreover, both of these degree paths serve as excellent preparation for professional schools (Medical, Dental, Pharmacy, PA.).  The Department of Chemistry is also involved in the Forensic Science B.S. interdisciplinary program, that prepares students for the growing field of forensic science and criminal justice. The Allied Health Science/Technology/General Science degree is designed for those pursuing 3+1 training programs that provide additional training outside MTSU and is not appropriate for those seeking a job doing chemistry because it lacks depth and laboratory hours without upper division coursework.

What makes the learning environment in the Chemistry Department at MTSU so special? First and foremost is our people. We have a large and diverse group of students, with over 275 Chemistry and Biochemistry majors. Our majors have included numerous high school valedictorians and winners of prestigious national and international awards like the Fulbright Fellowship and the Goldwater Scholarship. From year to year, we are consistently one of the leading institutions for Chemistry and Biochemistry degrees conferred in the state of Tennessee. We also have a distinguished faculty, renowned both for teaching and for research excellence. The small ratio of chem/biochem majors to faculty (10:1) means that all of our students can get involved in faculty-led research projects and/or instructional internships. These experiences fully engage students in their education and lead to high-paying jobs or graduate or professional study. 

Learn more about the majors and programs available in MTSU Chemistry.

MTSU Chemistry involves more chemistry and biochemistry undergraduates in cutting edge research than any other chemistry department in the state of Tennessee. In the field of chemistry, employers, graduate programs, and pre-professional schools all look for college graduates with research experience. This is because research equips students with technical expertise, critical thinking skills, and problem solving abilities that are unique to the research learning environment. Chemistry undergrads at MTSU are involved in a wide range of research, including drug discovery, nanotechnology, synthesis and testing of new materials, computational chemical modeling, environmental studies, and chemistry education outreach.

Explore the videos below to learn more about the research going on in the Department of Chemistry at MTSU.

MTSU Science Building Research Lab 3080Dr. Paul Kline, a Professor in MTSU’s Department of Chemistry, talks about the research going on in … [more]

MTSU Science Building Research Lab 3021Dr. Scott Handy, a Professor in MTSU’s Department of Chemistry, talks about the research going on in… [more]

MTSU Science Building Research Lab 3070Dr. Charles Chusuei, Associate Professor in MTSU’s Department of Chemistry, talks about the research… [more]

MTSU Science Building Research Lab 3021Dr. Keying Ding, Assistant Professor in MTSU’s Department of Chemistry, talks about the research goi… [more]

MTSU Science Building Research Lab 3007Dr. Kevin Bicker, Assistant Professor in MTSU’s Department of Chemistry, talks about the research go… [more]

The department promotes student success through extracurricular activities. Through the MTSU Chem Club, our students get introduced to the national community of chemists. A student affiliate organization of the American Chemical Society (ACS), the MTSU Chem Club has been recognized by the ACS as one of the top student chemistry organizations in the United States. The Chem Club conducts numerous outreach events, invites prominent chemists to present seminars on campus each semester, and hosts social events to help our majors stay connected. Another way we promote student success is through our Science Employment Workshop and Career Fair. The workshop brings to campus leading industry professionals to teach resume preparation, interviewing skills, and job hunting strategies. The Career Fair attracts an array of regional science companies who collect resumes and advertise employment openings.

One such company is Aegis Sciences Corporation, a Nashville company that is one of the leading forensic and drug testing firms in the nation. Aegis does analytical testing for athletic doping, for forensic analysis in criminal investigations, for employee drug testing, and for health monitoring. They have contracts with major professional sports organizations as well as over 150 universities. The Recruitment & University Relations Manager as well as the Technical Training Manager (a 2007 MTSU Chemistry Alumna) at Aegis recently indicated that this year alone they have hired more than 200 new associates, and their largest source of employees is—you guessed it—MTSU. The enthusiasm for hiring MTSU graduates at a thriving high-tech company like Aegis is a strong, positive indicator of our program’s strength. It demonstrates that MTSU students enjoy a competitive advantage that will pay dividends long after graduation.

An important consideration in selecting a college is cost. MTSU is, very simply, the best higher education bargain in the state. The combination of high quality programs, student resources, and low cost are unmatched in Tennessee. This year, the Tennessee Promise will influence a lot of post-secondary education decisions. In making your decision about where to study next year, I encourage you to look carefully at out-of-pocket expenses. Evaluate the cost of coming to MTSU and the financial aid available to MTSU students. I encourage you to do your own research on student outcomes. Before deciding to attend any institution, find out how well their students reach the goals that you have in mind. How many end up staying in school more than one year? More than two? What fraction earns a bachelor’s degree in four years? In five? In six? Are their students regularly selected for competitive positions in high-tech industry and in the best post-graduate schools? We think you’ll find MTSU Chemistry provides a high quality, affordable education that prepares you for life after college.

Wondering why you should come to MTSU?  Want to hear from other students majoring or minoring in chemistry related fields?  Watch the short videos below to learn more!