Chemistry and Biochemistry at Providence College

Why Study Chemistry at Providence College?
Chemistry is the “central science” — it’s the air, the oceans, the earth. Chemistry is a foundational scientific discipline that is critical to solving many of the world’s most pressing problems. At Providence College, we provide our students the tools to satisfy their natural curiosity about the world and explore wherever their interests lead them.

Our department is accredited by the American Chemical Society, and our specific biochemistry program is accredited by the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

What you'll study

Chemistry
The bachelor of science program in chemistry is designed to provide in-depth training in all areas of chemistry for those students with a strong interest in research or graduate school. The bachelor of arts program in chemistry is extremely flexible, offering a wider scope of elective course opportunities to allow students to tailor a program to meet their individual needs.

The bachelor of arts program in chemistry/secondary education is designed to provide training in all areas of chemistry for those seeking careers as high school chemistry teachers. The combination of chemistry and education courses has been approved by the Interstate Certification Compact and allows the student to meet the certification requirements of the State of Rhode Island and most other states.

Biochemistry
The bachelor of science program in biochemistry combines the chemistry courses required for the bachelor of arts in chemistry program with selected courses in biology and biochemistry. The program is excellent preparation for students interested in medical and dental school, as well as students interested in graduate school in biochemistry or molecular biology.

Selected Courses

Billion Dollar Molecules
Biochemistry
Medicinal Chemistry
Chemistry of Materials
Contemporary Environmental Chemistry
Organic Analysis
You Are What You Eat

Faculty

Our faculty members don’t just impart knowledge; they mentor and partner with students in the pursuit of new discoveries through research projects funded by the National Science Foundation and other prestigious organizations. Our faculty:

come from diverse backgrounds and hold degrees from some of the finest institutions in science and research, including Cornell, Brown, Penn State, University of Virginia, University of Pennsylvania, and Michigan;
are actively engaged in research across a wide variety of subject areas, including medicinal chemistry, chemical biology, chemical interfaces, organic chemistry, and nutritional biochemistry; and
have their work published in leading scientific journals and nationally recognized publications, including:The Journal of the American Chemical Society, Journal of Virology, Chemical Physics Letters, Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry Letters,and The Journal of Physical Organic Chemistry.

ENGAGED LEARNING

Our program offers students a multitude of opportunities to put knowledge learned in the classroom into action. Our students:

take part in independent, group, and faculty-led research projects;
are eligible to participate in unique programs, such as the NASA Student Airborne Research Program and the Clare Boothe Luce Undergraduate Scholarships in Chemistry, Applied Physics, Mathematics, or Computer Science for exceptional senior female students;
present research with faculty members at local and national meetings and conferences; and
are eligible to qualify for a guaranteed paid summer research experience.

Outcomes

100%

of 2015-2018 chemistry and biochemistry graduates are employed and/or attending graduate school

50% are employed only
31% are attending school only
19% are employed and attending school

Selected Places of Employment/Service

CVS Pharmacy
Massachusetts General Hospital
Momenta Pharmaceuticals
Scribe Partners
University of Emergency Medicine Foundation

Selected Graduate Schools

California Institute of Technology
Columbia University
Northwestern University
Providence College
Stanford University
The University of Texas at Austin
Tufts University Sackler School of Biomedical Sciences
University of Wisconsin-Madison