Chemistry @ IU :: Undergraduate Programs

Undergraduate Programs

Undergraduate Programs

Joseph Meisel

Class of 2009
Biochemistry B.S.

"I was first introduced to undergraduate research at Indiana University through the course CHEM-C107, 'Frontiers of Chemical Research.' Each week, a different professor would present his or her research and explain why it was important. Through my interactions with Professor Amar Flood in CHEM-C107, I became interested in his cutting-edge research on molecular devices and joined his research group that summer. By participating in undergraduate research in the Flood Group, concepts from the classroom have gained more relevance in their application to the problems I have experienced in the lab. In turn, being involved in research has provided me with additional knowledge I can bring to both the classroom as well as to my pursuit of a career in medicine."

Our department offers Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees in both Biochemistry and Chemistry, as well as an Associate of Arts (A.A.) in Chemistry and a minor in Chemistry. Both the BS degrees are certified by the American Chemical Society. Each year, our graduating seniors in chemistry and biochemistry go on to the best graduate schools in the nation including Caltech, Stanford, California-Berkeley, MIT, Harvard, Yale, Columbia and all of the Big-10 universities. Close to one-third of our seniors go immediately into industrial jobs. Our department facilitates the job searches of students by providing a placement service, in which industrial recruiters hold on-campus interviews within the chemistry building. Many of our graduating seniors are accepted into medical and dental schools, and a small number of students pursue combined M.D.-Ph.D. degrees in biochemistry and medicine.

Our faculty members show a strong commitment to undergraduate teaching by opening their laboratories for Undergraduate Research. Recently, a team of faculty has redesigned our first year chemistry courses to emphasize more current topics, such as biochemistry and polymers, that will better prepare our students for further study in modern laboratories and medical technologies. Developments in the curriculum and in teaching facilities are continuing on a regular basis.