Open House
Chemistry Program
College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Nursing
Shepherd University’s chemistry degrees offer a balance between the theory and application of chemical science with a liberal arts experience that employers and graduate and professional programs are seeking. In the navigation bar, you can view our current Faculty and Staff information and see more detailed information about the concentrations offered as well as suggested timelines for classes in the Chemistry Major/Minor link. The department maintains a Projected Course Offerings page with approximate semesters upper-level courses will be offered as well as information about Summer Research Opportunities, Student Awards, and the Chemistry Society.
Contact For More Information
Please contact Dr. Jacquelyn Cole, jcole@shepherd.edu, for more information or with any questions about the program.
Key Highlights of the Chemistry Department
- All full-time faculty have PhDs in chemistry
- Small class sizes, with lower level courses between 20-30 students, upper-level courses between 5-15 students, and labs between 10-25 students
- Students gain hands-on experience with modern instrumentation including NMR, UV/vis spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, HPLC, GC-MS, and LC-MS
- Biochemistry concentration is ASBMB (American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology) accredited
- Biopharmaceuticals concentration with a direct pathway into several pharmacy programs (3 years at Shepherd + 4 years at pharmacy school)
Choose a Concentration to Fit YOU
The chemistry program offers three comprehensive concentrations (Biochemistry, Biopharmaceutical, and Environmental) which are designed to prepare you to go directly into your career or graduate/professional school. Another option is our Traditional concentration which requires your choice of minor and allows for flexibility and individuality on your degree. Great minors include Crime & Society (for a career in forensics), Education (for a career in middle or high school), Art or Graphic Design (for a career in science illustration), English or Journalism (for a career in science writing), or Data Analytics, Mathematics, or Physics. Shepherd offers over 40 minors to choose from and for highly motivated students, you can take a comprehensive major and a minor, or the Traditional track and two minors.
Foundational Classes and Electives
Chemistry courses, whether taken at Shepherd or transferred into Shepherd, provide foundational knowledge of the theory and application as well as the historical and practical aspects of chemistry. Students are taught through lectures, in-class problem-solving, and group work both in class and lab.
Courses offered include:
- CHEM 207 – General Chemistry I & CHEM 209 – General Chemistry II
- CHEM 301 – Inorganic Chemistry
- CHEM 315 – Organic Chemistry I & CHEM 316 – Organic Chemistry II
- CHEM 321 – Analytical Chemistry & CHEM 322 – Instrumental Analysis
- CHEM 329 – Biochemistry I & CHEM 330 – Biochemistry II
- CHEM 340 – Physical Chemistry I & CHEM 440 – Physical Chemistry II
- BIOL 211 – Fundamentals of Biology I & BIOL 212 – Fundamentals of Biology II
- BIOL 302 – Microbiology & BIOL 305 – Cell Biology
- BIOL 344 – Genetics
- PHYS 201 – College Physics I & PHYS 202 – College Physics II
- MATH 207 – Calculus I & MATH 208 – Calculus II
- MATH 314 – Statistics
Electives offered include:
- CHEM 299 – Forensic Science I & Forensic Science II
- CHEM 311 – Pharmacology
- CHEM 333 – Environmental Chemistry
- CHEM 350 – Forensic Chemistry
- CHEM 436 – Advanced Protein Chemistry
- BIOL 404 – Immunology
- ENVS 342 – Limnology
- ENVS 362 – Soil Science
- GSCI 301 – Physical Geology
Successful Graduates
Our graduates have gone on to a variety of careers and programs after Shepherd.
- Careers include: Medical doctor/Doctor of osteopathy, Physician assistant, Pharmacist, Chemist, QA/QC scientist, Biotechnician, Instrument technician, Lab technician, Systems engineer, Occupational health, Safety coordinator, Medical technologist, Government research, Science research, Forensic toxicologist, Cybersecurity, Business, Lawyer, Manufacturing, Nurse, Teacher, Psychologist
- Programs include: Baylor University, Cornell University, Florida State University, George Mason University, Hood College, Marshall University, Penn State University, Shenandoah Pharmacy, Stevenson University, Syracuse University, University of Georgia, University of Maryland, University of Pittsburg, University of Texas, University of Vermont, University of Virginia, West Liberty University, West Virginia University