The Chemistry Department provides courses to serve a variety of students. The Chemistry major finds a curriculum designed to impart a broad competence in the traditional areas of chemistry. Sufficient flexibility remains to allow secondary concentrations in a wide variety of other areas, such as biology, mathematics, or foreign language. The university's general requirements in the General Education Curriculum guarantee a well-rounded, liberal arts education.
Interested in teaching grade 7-12 chemistry?
At St. Bonaventure you have two paths to initial certification:
- Earn your Bachelor of Science in Chemistry while completing requirements for initial certification as a chemistry teacher in grades 7-12. Learn more.
- Earn your Bachelor of Science in Adolescent Education with a concentration in chemistry, which also completes the requirements for initial certification as a chemistry teacher in grades 7-12. Learn more.
Our Chemistry graduates have been 100% successful in obtaining science-related jobs, entry into health professional schools, and chemistry graduate programs over the past five years. Our graduates have gone on to Johns Hopkins, SUNY Buffalo, and RIT chemistry graduate programs. Our majors have also gone on to medical school at SUNY Upstate Medical, University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, and Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Possible career goals include graduate school, medical school, dental school, law school, positions in the chemical industry, government, and teaching.
The Chemistry major provides excellent preparation for secondary school teaching. As highlighted above, a student has two Bachelor of Science options for obtaining their initial certification to teach chemistry in grades 7-12 in New York State. Alternately, a student may earn a traditional B.S. in Chemistry and remain at St. Bonaventure to complete a Master's in Adolescence Education.
Science students, who are not Chemistry majors, but take chemistry courses as part of their departmental requirements, develop an understanding of the fundamentals of chemistry to aid in the understanding of their major field.
In all cases, the emphasis is on personal interaction between students and faculty.
Ph.D. early acceptance & combined medical degree programs
St, Bonaventure's affiliation with colleges and universities offering Ph.D., pharmacy and medical degrees allows qualifying Chemistry majors at Ã山ǿ¼é an opportunity to reserve a seat in those programs upon completion of their undergraduate studies at St. Bonaventure.
- Students who earn a B.S. in Chemistry from St. Bonaventure with an overall grade-point average of 3.2 and a letter of support from the Chemistry program chair are eligible for automatic acceptance and immediate entry to the Ph.D. program in chemistry at the University of Rhode Island. Learn more.
- St. Bonaventure’s affiliation with the Lake Erie College of Medicine (LECOM) School of Pharmacy allows the possibility of a Chemistry major entering Ã山ǿ¼é with a reserved seat in LECOM’s Doctor of Pharmacy (D. Pharm) program. For details, please see the Ã山ǿ¼é-LECOM Combined Degree Program in Pharmacy page.
- Even more affiliations with Ã山ǿ¼é allow for reserved seating for Chemistry majors at medical schools through our Franciscan Health Care Program
STEM-designated program
This program meets the requirements for STEM designation, as determined by the United States Department of Homeland Security.
STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) careers are among the fastest-growing and highest-demand fields worldwide. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in STEM occupations is expected to grow by 10.4% from 2023 to 2033 — significantly faster than other professions.
For international students, St. Bonaventure offers unique advantages. Pursuing a STEM degree here qualifies F1 visa holders for Optional Practical Training (OPT), including the opportunity for a 24-month STEM OPT extension. This means you could gain up to three years of practical experience in the U.S., enhancing your career prospects in global job markets.
Learn more about STEM at St. Bonaventure
The Department of Chemistry offers a B.S. in chemistry, a B.S. in chemistry with grades 7-12 teaching certification, and a minor in chemistry.
Bachelor of Science in chemistry
The major in chemistry imparts a broad competence in the traditional areas of chemistry.
Bachelor of Science in chemistry with teaching certification
Earn a Bachelor of Science in chemistry while completing all requirements for initial New York state certification to teach chemistry in grades 7-12.
Program details and requirements
Chemistry minor
For non-majors, the chemistry minor provides an understanding of the fundamentals of chemistry to aid in the understanding of their major field.