Chemistry

As a chemistry major at Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky, you’ll become skilled at problem solving, develop a strong foundation in all areas of chemistry and gain an excellent foundation for graduate studies or a scientific career.

We give each student a lot of attention at Transylvania, and in a field like chemistry that’s really important.

Bob Rosenberg, professor of chemistry

A chemistry degree prepares you for a career in biochemistry, chemical engineering, environmental science, medicine and other health care areas. If you’re interested in pursuing an advanced degree in chemical engineering, you may want to consider Transylvania’s engineering options.

Transylvania students have hands-on access to a variety of instruments, including a high-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometer, mass spectrometer, gas chromatograph, ultraviolet and Fourier-transformed infrared (FTIR) spectrophotometers, high-performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC), atomic absorption (AA) spectrometer and Raman spectrometer. At larger universities, undergraduate students may not have access to this variety of equipment.

Our students have taken advantage of summer research experiences at Stanford, Harvard, the Mayo Clinic, the University of North Carolina, the University of Kentucky and Texas A&M University.

Students may also choose the biochemistry track, focusing on the chemistry of living systems. Graduates have gone on to professional research in fields including bioethics and immune systems. Or they can major in teaching chemistry, which when paired with an education minor can earn certification to teach high school chemistry.

Where Our Graduates Have Worked

Bioanalytical chemist, Eli Lilly
Senior chemist, Parke Davis and Company
Medical doctor, University of Louisville Medical School
Professor, University of Michigan
Mass spectroscopist, Pfizer Research and Development
Research toxicologist, Shell Oil
Quality control, Buffalo Trace Distillery

Opportunities in the Major

American Chemical Society student affiliate
Research experiences both on and off campus
Regional and national research conferences

Courses of Special Interest

Environmental Chemistry
Forensic Chemistry
Nuclear Chemistry
Quantitative Analytical Chemistry
Design Molecules by Computer
Advanced Experimental Techniques

Where Our Graduates Have Studied

Indiana University
Harvard University
Stanford University
University of Arkansas
Vanderbilt University
Virginia Tech
University of Wisconsin
University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill

Possible Career Options

College professor
Laboratory technician
Medical researcher
Pharmaceutical sales representative

Semester Study Abroad Opportunities

Australia I
Australia II
Colombia
Fiji
Ireland
Italy
New Zealand
South Korea

These GlobalTransy programs have at least two courses related to the major.

Interested in studying abroad for a summer? Take a look at our summer study abroad opportunities.

Contacts

Robert Rosenberg, Professor of Chemistry; Program Director
Phone: (859) 233-8279

Laura Ray Warren, Administrative Assistant, Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
Phone: (859) 233-8228

Brandon Bailey, Chemistry Lab Coordinator
(859) 233-3614

Address:
Transylvania University 
300 North Broadway 
Lexington, KY 40508-1797

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