2026-2027
Chemistry
College of Humanities and Sciences
Concentration(s):
Biochemistry, Chemical Modeling, Chemical Science, Professional Chemist, Professional Chemist with Honors
Program description
The curriculum in chemistry prepares students for graduate study in chemistry and related fields and for admission to schools of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and veterinary medicine. It prepares students to teach in secondary schools or to work in chemical and industrial laboratories and in related fields of business and industry.
With the proper selection of electives, the degree satisfies admission requirements to most professional school such as schools of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and veterinary medicine.
The biochemistry concentration focuses on the biological aspects of chemistry, including molecular genetics and molecular biotechnology.
The chemical modeling concentration emphasizes areas of overlap between chemistry and the mathematical sciences and computer science. Students in this concentration will focus on learning the chemistry and computer technology for modeling the structure, properties and reactivity of molecules.
The chemical science concentration is tailored for the pre-professional study of the health sciences and other interdisciplinary areas where an emphasis on chemistry is sought. This concentration for the bachelor's degree in chemistry permits students to select more courses from other disciplines. With fewer requirements in mathematics, physics and chemistry, this concentration is one option for students planning to study medicine or dentistry.
The professional chemist concentration requires a greater number of chemistry courses, and is designed for students whose future studies or career plans involve chemistry as a central theme. With the proper combination of courses, this degree can be certified as meeting the requirements of the American Chemical Society.
The capstone requirement includes upper level lecture and upper level laboratory courses to include a research component.
Career opportunities
The employment pathways for chemical professionals can be divided into five main sectors: industry, academia, government, non-profit, and entrepreneurship. Within each of these sectors, areas of career opportunity include research and development, quality control/regulatory, environment and health, law and policy, manufacturing, education, military and law enforcement, and technical communication. Common skills include science, critical thinking, reading, active listening, mathematics, and both deductive and inductive reasoning. Technical skills are highly preferred in areas such as analytical/scientific software, computer aided design (CAD), databases/query software, graphics, and Office suite. With the proper selection of electives, the degree satisfies admission requirements to most schools of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and veterinary medicine.
Change of major requirements
VCU students in other programs who wish to declare chemistry as their major must complete, with grades of C or higher, CHEM 101, CHEZ 101, CHEM 102, and CHEZ 102 and have a minimum 2.0+ chemistry GPA.
Bachelor-level job titles
- Business Intelligence Analysts
- Chemical Technician
- Environmental Science and Protection Technicians
- Food Technologist
- Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
- Operations Research Analysts
- Quality Control Analysts
- Regulatory Affairs Specialists
- Secondary School Teachers
- Survey Researchers
- Technical Writers
Graduate and professional level job titles
- Chemist
- College Professor
- Material Scientist
- Research Director
Professional associations and resources
Degree requirements in Bulletin
Chemistry, Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with a concentration in biochemistry
Chemistry, Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with a concentration in chemical modeling
Chemistry, Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with a concentration in chemical science
Chemistry, Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with a concentration in professional chemist
Chemistry, Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with a concentration in professional chemist with honors
Plan of study in Bulletin
Chemistry, Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with a concentration in biochemistry
Chemistry, Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with a concentration in chemical modeling
Chemistry, Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with a concentration in chemical science
Chemistry, Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with a concentration in professional chemist
Chemistry, Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with a concentration in professional chemist with honors
Requirements
Highest level of math required
- MATH 201 or higher
Science required
- 5+ additional science courses
Foreign language requirements
- Yes
Additional tuition/fees
- Yes
GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)
- 2.0+ cumulative GPA
Transfer Maps
Contact information
Department name:
Department of Chemistry
Contact name:
Maryanne Collinson
Building/room location:
1001 West Main Street
Phone:
(804) 828-1298
Email:
chemistry@vcu.edu
Campus (where 75% of courses are taken):
Monroe Park
Major map
Explore
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor to start goal planning, and choose electives.
- Sharpen your study skills in Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) at the Campus Learning Center.
- Meet with a writing consultant to hone your writing skills.
- Take a virtual library tour to learn about library spaces, services, and research help.
- Map out a 4-year course plan in DegreeWorks' Student Educational Planner.
- Enroll in a student success course to connect with campus advisors and build community around your interests and goals.
- Complete CHEM 102 and MATH 201.
EXPAND YOUR COMMUNITY
- Get involved and meet new friends through the Student Government Association or one of over 450 student clubs and organizations (BSPS Student club, Chemistry, etc.)
- Create a profile on RamsConnect to explore student organizations and get involved, meet people, and develop your interests.
- Register to vote in Virginia and explore Richmond’s many museums and parks.
- Consider applying to the Honors College.
- Apply to live in a program-in-residence or a living-learning community.
- Connect with the Global Education Office to explore leadership and intercultural communication skill-building programs and review resources such as Global Learning's Major Advising Sheets and Rams Abroad 101 to explore studying abroad opportunities and other global learning opportunities.
- Get involved with the American Chemical Society's (ACS) student affiliate chapter at VCU and with the National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCChE).
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Review your Career Works 4 year career planning tool and start working on your milestones.
- Complete and activate your Handshake profile and opt-in to industry email lists.
- Consider applying for a federal work-study job on- or off-campus in Handshake.
- Attend one career event sponsored by Career Services.
- Seek research opportunities by checking out the Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry webpage.
- Learn more about potential careers by using Forage in the Navigate 360 app.
- Apply to be a Division of Student Affairs peer leader.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Explore What Can I Do With This Major? to learn about career paths, employers, and strategies for building experience related to your field of study.
- Build a resume and LinkedIn profile with help from VCU Career Services, make at least 10 connections, and check out the VCU alumni career programs page.
- Access your free credit report and begin making responsible credit choices to prepare for your future.
- Make a 4-year affordability plan with your financial counselor.
- Connect with the Student Alumni Council to connect to VCU alumni.
- Design your personal brand.
Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Schedule an appointment with your major advisor to explore minors, certificates, and plan your required REAL experience.
- Get familiar with the research process with the VCU Libraries Research Basics Guide.
- Complete your plan of study with your academic advisor and include CHEM 398 and UNIV 200.
- Schedule an appointment with your advisor and plan to complete core and collateral coursework.
EXPAND YOUR COMMUNITY
- Discuss personal and professional interests with faculty.
- Take a service-learning class to get involved with local organizations while earning credit.
- Volunteer to address a social issue and check out Hands on Greater Richmond for opportunities.
- Investigate globally-focused courses in your major by pursuing language coursework or setting language proficiency goals with advisors and faculty and apply for the Critical Languages Scholarship. Register for the VCU Globe Program and begin tracking your global leadership growth!
- Join related professional organization such as the American Chemical Society or the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology or NOBCChE.
- Volunteer to lead CHEM 101 help sessions.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Complete a gap analysis with your career advisor to identify key skills required for your professional field.
- Seek out practical experience through independent skill-building, internships, shadowing, or part-time work.
- Build a professional resume and upload it to Handshake.
- Attend career and internship fairs and other professional development events.
- Pursue a digital badge to highlight the knowledge, skills, and experiences employers and graduate schools value.
- Select three potential career paths.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Connect with alumni on VCULink for career advice, industry contacts, and meaningful professional relationships.
- Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of professional interest.
- Ask a faculty or staff member to be your academic and professional mentor and to provide future letters of recommendation.
- Meet with a coach at the Financial Success Center to set financial goals, understand student loans, and create spending plans.
- Explore Career Pathways on VCU Career Services’ website.
Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Meet with your academic and career advisors to discuss graduation progress and career planning.
- Enhance your business, software, technology, and creative skills using LinkedIn Learning.
EXPAND YOUR COMMUNITY
- Design a community-engaged research project.
- Attend civic meetings, such as school board, neighborhood association, city council, or state legislative sessions.
- Make an appointment with the National Scholarship Office to explore post-graduate scholarship and fellowship opportunities.
- Motivate your peers by presenting at Leaders Unleashed: Student Leadership Conference or at TEDxVCU.
- Build language proficiency and cultural competence by carrying out your plans for study abroad, internships, and service-learning.
- Explore new cultures at one of Richmond’s wide array of festivals.
- Identify a leadership opportunity and join YCC, WCC, or the VCU affiliate chapter of the ACS.
- Attend at least two or three public talks or other events advertised by the department.
- Develop exceptional communication and interpersonal skills for future work on multidisciplinary teams.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Take advantage of mock interview opportunities through Big Interview or meeting with a career advisor.
- Update your ePortfolio.
- Apply for the Graduate School Mentorship Program to learn more about graduate school and the graduate student experience.
- Conduct independent undergraduate research. Consider attending a scientific meeting and presenting a poster with your research advisor.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Make a plan with your academic, career, and faculty advisors for applying to graduate school or land a micro-internship.
- Have a personal statement or cover letter reviewed by Career Services or the Writing Center.
- Study for and complete any standardized exams required for graduate school the summer before senior year.
- Prepare for job offer negotiation by researching salaries, benefits, and other opportunities for flexibility.
- Develop attention to detail and strong problem solving skills. Pursue advanced instrumentation and computer skills along with knowledge of statistics.
- Talk to advisors, faculty, and VCU Career Services about graduate school versus a job.
Excel
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
- Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor the semester before you graduate to ensure that all graduation requirements will be met.
- Apply to graduate for your undergraduate degree.
- Choose REAL electives to diversify your skillset and round out your degree.
- Seek extensive laboratory and research experience along with courses in quantitative, qualitative and instrumental analyses. Pursue experimental design, data interpretation and problem solving competence through coursework and research with professors.
EXPAND YOUR COMMUNITY
- Serve in a leadership role on campus in a local community organization.
- Attend professional association conferences that offer student rates or scholarships.
- Carry out globally-oriented research projects with multilingual faculty and international partners. Consider Peace Corps Prep, or scholarship opportunities through the National Scholarship Office.
- Read scholarly articles about internationalization in your field.
- Conduct at least one informational interview a month and strategically explore employment sectors in the governmental, private, and nonprofit industries.
- Develop exceptional communication and interpersonal skills for future work on multidisciplinary teams.
- Enhance your networking skills and practice your “elevator speech” when presenting.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
- Meet with your academic or professional mentor and identify examples of your experiential learning to share with employers.
- Apply for post-graduation programs like Peace Corps, Literacy Lab, or AmeriCorps.
- Publish your original research in Auctus: The Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creativity.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
- Prepare for graduation by making a plan to complete licensing exams, applications, and self-marketing activities.
- Single out prospective employers and create a job or graduate school search strategy at least 8 months before graduation.
- Connect with the Office of VCU Alumni Relations at Grad Fair, Grad Bash, and the VCULink Industry Network or alumni chapter.
- Fill out VCU’s First Destination Survey.
2026-2027
Chemistry
College of Humanities and Sciences
| MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING | EXPAND YOUR COMMUNITY | EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS | PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE | ||
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| Experience | Year 2 |
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| Excel | Year 4 |
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