B.A. in Chemistry

West Virginia University

When you understand chemistry, you begin to understand the extraordinary nature of the world down to its most basic particles. Chemistry is the science of the materials we use, the medicine we take, the environment we live in and the food we eat. Our Department gives you the opportunity to learn skills that will lead to tomorrow’s discoveries. Through in-depth instruction, hands-on research and independent projects conducted with award-winning faculty, you will learn to question, experiment and innovate. Students with an undergraduate chemistry degree pursue a variety of careers. Our graduates have successfully found jobs in industries like pharmacy, manufacturing, government and public service, and in government facilities. Basically, any career that benefits from a solid science background is an option. Many students go on to medical school or pharmacy school, and others earn graduate degrees in other STEM fields as well as journalism, law, public service and manufacturing. We offer a Bennett Careers for Chemists program every April to provide students with the perspective and advice of professionals in several careers. Recent graduates are pursuing doctoral degrees in traditional areas of chemistry, as well as neuroscience, pharmacology, toxicology, environmental science, radiochemistry, the biological sciences, geochemistry and immunology. Graduates who do not pursue graduate or professional school find employment in entry level positions as analytical chemists or chemical technicians in private industry.

Eberly College of Arts and Sciences