Learning By Doing
Take the excitement you feel as you start an experiment and turn it into a wide range of career options. That’s what majoring in chemistry does for you.
In our Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Chemistry degree program, you study the behavior and properties of matter, which makes up, well, everything. Chemistry — known as the “central science” — connects physics and mathematics, biology and medicine, and the earth and environmental sciences.
This degree positions you for success in a variety of occupations. You could pursue graduate school, do research, or work as a lab technician. You could go to a professional school and pursue a career in dentistry, medicine, pharmacy, or physical therapy.
It’s up to you. We give you the educational foundation — built with our hands-on and personalized approach — and you’re prepared for whatever career pathway you choose.
Chemistry Major at Belhaven University
Affordability & Aid
Don’t let cost stand in the way of your educational goals. We’re committed to offering tuition rates that are affordable. Plus, you may benefit from ample financial aid resources, including grants and scholarships.
Great Internships
Earn internship opportunities with local chemical companies, medical centers, and research labs. These experiences build your resume and equip you with excellent skills.
Caring Faculty
As experts in their fields, our faculty members are dedicated to helping you learn complex subjects. They know you by name, and they push you to succeed at the highest level.
Christian Worldview
You are challenged to think critically and analytically about who God is — and who you are — as we equip you to fulfill your calling to glorify God and be a blessing to the world.
13:1 Student/Faculty Ratio
Small class sizes mean big opportunities
Green Chemistry
Our green science initiative includes environmentally friendly lab experiences
80% Female Students
Pursuing STEM education
Award Winning
Our ACS Student Chapter has received national recognition for service and community building
What Can I Do with a Chemistry Degree?
- Clinical health professions, including dentist, pharmacist, and physician
- Chemical and science education
- Chemical engineering and material science
- Chemical industry lab technician
- Environmental quality and management
- Natural resource conservation and exploration
- Research and development
- Scientific communications
You can also earn higher degrees of education, including master's and doctoral degrees.
Chemistry at Belhaven Teaches You How To…
- Appreciate the literature, philosophy, and history of science
- Understand complex subjects like analytical chemistry, biochemistry, classical and quantum physics, computational and theoretical chemistry, organic and medicinal chemistry, and physical chemistry
- Carry out chemical reactions in a safe environment
- Analyze chemical products and reactions with modern laboratory equipment in a hands-on learning environment
What Are Belhaven Grads Doing Now?
- Attending top-ranked graduate schools
- Serving on the medical mission field
- Teaching
- Treating patients as physicians, dentists, or nurses
- Working as lab technicians, in environmental quality and management positions, and in research roles for national labs and chemical companies
Our Motto: A Commitment to Service
The Belhaven University motto, “To serve, not to be served,” is adapted from Matthew 20:28. In these scriptures, Jesus establishes the concept of servant leadership. We follow His example by encouraging our students to live a humble life full of selfless service.
Chemistry: What You’ll Study
Chemistry Major
Applied Chemistry Major
- 4-Year Plan for Freshmen: Applied Chemistry (PDF)
- 4-Year Plan for Transfers: Applied Chemistry (PDF)
Chemistry Major with Biochemistry Concentration
- 4-Year Plan for Freshmen: Biochemistry Concentration (PDF)
- 4-Year Plan for Transfers: Biochemistry Concentration (PDF)
Chemistry Major with Chemical Physics Concentration
- 4-Year Plan for Freshmen: Chemical Physics Concentration (PDF)
- 4-Year Plan for Transfers: Chemical Physics Concentration (PDF)
Compare: Chemistry or Applied Chemistry?
The Traditional Degree Path
The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry degree at Belhaven is a traditional chemistry path that prepares you for a career in research, industry, or medicine. If you are interested in graduate school, professional school, or working in a national lab after Belhaven, this is the degree path for you.
You will take a deep dive into all areas of chemistry, including organic, analytical, physical chemistry, and biochemistry. This path requires a higher level of math curriculum as well. There is a focus on critical and analytical thinking.
Both degree paths explore what Christian faith integration looks like in chemistry. Science is the field of studying God's creation.
Preparing for the Lab
The Bachelor of Science in Applied Chemistry degree at Belhaven focuses on preparing you for a job as a chemistry laboratory technician. This path is ideal if you want to work in a lab immediately after college.
This path adds additional courses in analytical chemistry and programming to give you a more well-rounded background to prepare you to work in a laboratory setting. Whether it's in environmental testing, pharmaceutical quality control, or hospital medical testing, this path will prepare you with a focus on hands-on experience.
Both degree paths explore what Christian faith integration looks like in chemistry. Science is the field of studying God's creation.
Compare: Chemistry or Applied Chemistry?
The Traditional Degree Path
The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry degree at Belhaven is a traditional chemistry path that prepares you for a career in research, industry, or medicine. If you are interested in graduate school, professional school, or working in a national lab after Belhaven, this is the degree path for you.
You will take a deep dive into all areas of chemistry, including organic, analytical, physical chemistry, and biochemistry. This path requires a higher level of math curriculum as well. There is a focus on critical and analytical thinking.
Both degree paths explore what Christian faith integration looks like in chemistry. Science is the field of studying God's creation.
Preparing for the Lab
The Bachelor of Science in Applied Chemistry degree at Belhaven focuses on preparing you for a job as a chemistry laboratory technician. This path is ideal if you want to work in a lab immediately after college.
This path adds additional courses in analytical chemistry and programming to give you a more well-rounded background to prepare you to work in a laboratory setting. Whether it's in environmental testing, pharmaceutical quality control, or hospital medical testing, this path will prepare you with a focus on hands-on experience.
Both degree paths explore what Christian faith integration looks like in chemistry. Science is the field of studying God's creation.
Double Major & Get Your 5th Year Free
Fuel your academic passions and expand your career options. Belhaven offers our freshmen a unique deal: double major, and we’ll pay the tuition if you need a fifth year in school. Double major in two arts programs, pair a business degree with a STEM major … the possibilities are endless!
Make the Most of Your Chemistry Major
Our student chapter of the American Chemical Society (ACS) was founded in 2013. Any student with an interest in chemistry is invited to join. As a member, you attend ACS events where you learn about new scientific developments, and you also have networking and research opportunities.
The Belhaven chapter — which was named an “Outstanding” chapter by ACS in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 — hosts a variety of events throughout the year. In addition to educational and social events, we host campus-wide celebrations of National Chemistry Week and Chemists Celebrate Earth Week.
For more information, contact Dr. Brandon Magers, faculty advisor, at bmagers@belhaven.edu.
If you plan to attend dental, medical, nursing, occupational therapy, pharmacy, or physical therapy school, advisors in the School of Science and Mathematics can help you get ready. Learn more about our pre-professional advisement offerings and prerequisites to attend these programs.
The “maker movement” — a celebration of creativity, curiosity, hands-on learning, and invention — is alive and well at Belhaven. As a STEM student, you’re encouraged to explore your creative side and build projects that solve real-world problems. We empower you with facilities ranging from robotics labs to sculpture studios.
We also promote collaboration, especially with students from our arts programs. By harnessing the power of art and science, there’s no telling what you can accomplish.
As a science or math major at Belhaven, you may apply for the Marion Davis Ridgway and Elise Davis Endowed Scholarship. This $1,000 scholarship is awarded once per academic year to a STEM student who is pursuing a pre-professional program in the health sciences.
The scholarship can be received multiple times. You must have a minimum ACT score of 29, be admitted to Belhaven, and complete an application and interview process. March 1 is the application deadline each year.
Engage & Be Recognized for Your Research
As a Belhaven Chemistry student, you have top-notch research opportunities. Our department is built on a solid research foundation, and our students are award-winning and recognized across the country for their efforts. You can travel to local, regional, and national conferences to present to the scientific community, and you can earn impressive accolades. Some of the events we attend include regional American Chemical Society meetings as well as biomedical and undergraduate research conferences.
Meet Our Faculty
Assistant Professor of Chemistry
Ariel Kelley
Assistant Professor of Chemistry
Professor and Chair of Chemistry and Physics and Faculty Fellow of Instructional Technology
Brandon Magers
Professor and Chair of Chemistry and Physics and Faculty Fellow of Instructional Technology
Assistant Professor of Chemistry
Rachel Roller
Assistant Professor of Chemistry
Contact Us
Office of Admission
Phone: 601-968-5940Mailing Address:
1500 Peachtree Street, Box 153
Jackson, MS 39202
For campus visit:
Jimmy Hood Welcome Center
855 Riverside Drive
Jackson, MS 39202
Fax: 601-300-2932
Verse of the Year
For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.
Psalm 100:5