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ACADEMIC PROGRAMSAbout this Program
The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry degree program provides students an in-depth study of the physical sciences, with an emphasis on chemistry.
This program equips students with the chemical knowledge required for pursuing a career as a chemist in industry or government, attending graduate school in chemistry, or attending a professional school such as medicine, pharmacy, or dentistry. Because MSU Denver is among the most affordable four-year universities in the nation, you can obtain your Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry without breaking the bank.
Concentration Option
The American Chemical Society (ACS) certification means that you have passed exams in every facet of Chemistry and in the instrumentation and techniques used in practical laboratories. With ACS certification, you will be considered immediately employable as a technical analyst in a wide range of industry careers!
Start your journey in...1, 2, 3!
Declare your Chemistry Major
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers real-world, relevant courses that set you up for success.
Get Started on your Declaration form
Get Rowdy Ready
Follow the semester-by-semester steps outlined in the CLAS Student Success Roadmap to ensure your success at MSU Denver.
Take me to the CLAS Student Success RoadmapExplore the Degree
Want more information on what courses you should be taking? Learn more about required courses for the major.
Chemistry Major, B.S. Course CatalogBenefits of Earning Your Degree at MSU Denver
The Chemistry degree program at MSU Denver program stands out against the competition! Studying at MSU Denver offers you opportunities that are unmatched compared to other Colleges and Universities. See yourself here!
Reasons to choose us:
We are Nationally Ranked
Check out our ranking as one of the Top 25 Best Colleges for Chemistry in the nation! According to GradReports, this list features the top 25 colleges that offer a bachelor’s degree in chemistry based on the median salary of students one year after graduation.
Learn more about this prestigious honor.
Unique Program Options
Not only do we offer the Chemistry, B.S., but we have other competitive programs that make us stand out:
- Biochemistry Major, B.S.
- Chemistry Major for ACS Certified B.S.
- Chemistry Major, B.A.
- Chemistry Major, B.S.
- Chemistry Major, B.A. with Secondary Science Teacher Licensure Concentration
We even offer competitive minors and certificates that can round out any program including, American Chemical Society Post-Baccalaureate Bridge Program (ACS-BP), Chemical Industry, National, and Government Laboratory Post-Baccalaureate Bridge Program (ING-BP) or Quality in the Chemical Industry Certificate.
Top Notch Facilities and Resources
Housed in the state-of-the-art Science Building on the Auraria Campus adjacent to downtown Denver, we have nine teaching labs, three research labs, a classroom/laboratory dedicated to the Criminalistics program and a microscope room that doubles as research space for the department’s faculty. The department has optimum instrumentation including the following:
- GC-FID, flame AA and ICP spectrometers
- fluorimeter and UV-Vis systems
- PCR thermocyclers, gel boxes and gel imaging systems
- Bruker 300 MHz NMR
- polarized light and comparison microscopes
- dedicated cold room
Hands-on Involvement Opportunities
Get the hands-on, practical lab experience you are looking for in the classroom. Then find other ways to get involved like completing an internship or become a teacher or prep assistant; participate in Undergraduate Research working along side your faculty and presenting at national conferences. We also have a student led Tri-Institutional Chemistry Club and student researchers in Biochemistry are in our ASBMB Student Chapter (American Society for Biochemistry & Molecular Biology).
Learn more about all of our involvement opportunities.
Career Opportunities for Our Graduates
An MSU Denver Bachelor of Science in Chemistry can take you to graduate school and/or springboard your career from analytical lab technicians to becoming a professor to food scientist. Work in research and development, quality control/regulatory, manufacturing, law and policy and academia and more!
Your Career Starts Here!
- Analytical lab technicians
- Pharmaceutical lead chemists
- Forensic scientists
- Food chemists
- Materials researchers
- Medical Doctors
- Professors
- Oil & Petroleum
- Public Health
- Public Information & Outreach
- Environmental Chemistry
- Geochemistry
- Hazardous Waste Management
- Health & Safety
- Human Resources
- Water Chemistry
- Laboratory Management
Featured Faculty
Get to know some of our outstanding and expert faculty. Our faculty are pioneers in their field, on the cutting edge of research and you have an opportunity to study with them.
April Hill
Associate Professor and Director of Criminalistics April Hill has collaborated with the Denver Museum of Nature & Science on several projects, including analyzing residues in ancient Mayan beer vessels to recreate an authentic Mayan beer and performing a demonstration of the Marsh Test for arsenic which was featured in the museums recent Poisons exhibit. Her development of an innovative method for teaching Chemistry to blind and low-vision students was awarded a ChemLuminary Award from the American Chemical Society and has been published in the Journal of Chemical Education.
Josh Martin
Associate Professor Josh Martin runs a research group focused on photochemical and photophysical properties of biologically relevant systems. They use both spectroscopic and theoretical techniques to examine the utility of intrinsic probes, the role of the local solvent environment, and photoinduced electron- and energy-transfer processes in peptides and proteins.
Alumni at Work
MSU Denver Chemistry and Biochemistry program alumni work in private, state and local laboratories and continue their studies across the nation.
MSU Denver Chemistry and Biochemistry alumni have been...
- Hospitals
- Research Labs
- Consumer Product Manufacturing
- Biotech & Pharmaceuticals
- HR Consulting
- Chemical Manufacturing
- Crop Production
- Health Care Services
- Health Care Products
- Energy & Utilities
- Architectural & Engineering Services
- Business Consulting
- National Agencies
- CU Anschutz
- Advanced Emissions Solutions
- NREL
- Children’s Hospital
- Colorado Dept of Public Health
- EPA
- Quicksilver Scientific
- Zynex Monitoring Solutions
- Solid Power Inc
- Coca-Cola Bottling Co.
- Hazen Research
- North Dakota State Crime Laboratory
- Salt Lake City Police Department
- Washington State Patrol Crime Laboratory
- Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
- Boulder County Coroner’s Office
- CoorsTek
- University of Colorado, Boulder
- University of Colorado, Anschutz
- University of Denver
- Regis University
- University of Utah
- Johns Hopkins University
- Colorado State University
- Washington State University
- University of Maryland Baltimore County
Program Accreditation
The MSU Denver Chemistry and Biochemistry curriculum is approved by the American Chemical Society (ACS) and follows the guidelines of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
Why Choose MSU Denver
Hispanic Serving Institution
MSU Denver has 36.7% Hispanic/Latinx students which the highest number of Hispanic/Latinx students among institutions of higher education in the state of Colorado.
Learn more about MSU Denver's Designation
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
MSU Denver is dedicated to diversity, equity and inclusion and has been named one of the Top Colleges for Diversity by Insight Into Diversity for 10 consecutive years.
Learn more about DEI at MSU Denver
Transfer Student Leader
50% of MSU Denver students are transfers. As the top transfer destination for Coloradans, our students make an immediate impact on our workforce and community.
Learn more about MSU Denver's ExcellenceConnect With Us
Have a question? We can answer it!
Whether you have a question about a prerequisite, need help registering for a course, or you would like to chat about one of our majors, we are here to help. Click below to send us an email!
Email UsPhone: 303-615-0277
Email: [email protected]
Office Location:
Main Office: Science Building Room 3062 (SI 3062)
Office Hours:
Monday-Friday
8:30am-4:30pm
Mailing Address:
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
Campus Box 52
P.O. Box 173362
Denver, CO 80217-3362