A legacy of preparing high quality scientists for graduate school, pharmaceutical industry, and beyond.
The chemistry department at Ursinus College offers major tracks for those students whose interests are in advanced degrees in chemistry, the chemical or pharmaceutical industry, medical school and the allied health professions, or science teaching. You will take courses in all the major sub-disciplines of chemistry, organic, physical, analytical, inorganic and biological. In addition, you have the opportunity to operate research-grade instruments in both teaching and research laboratories.
Majors and Minors
Recognizing that students have different educational objectives, the chemistry department offers two majors along with several tracks leading to a major. Students wishing to combine a chemistry major with a major/minor concentration in another academic department may enroll in any one of the following programs in accordance with their career interests.
Our Signature Undergraduate Research Opportunities
Chemistry students work closely with faculty on research projects, throughout the academic year as well as the summer months, in areas such as organic or inorganic synthesis, physical chemistry, chemical separations, bio-inorganic chemistry, biochemistry, nanoparticles, chromatography, and spectroscopy. Our majors, with interests in areas outside chemistry, have the opportunity to complete double-majors or minors.
In addition, exciting opportunities are available to our students through our study abroad programs sponsored by the college and our internship programs coordinated by our Career and Professional Development Office.
-
Ursinus chemistry students studying small molecules have a state of the art tool at their disposal: a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectrometer. -
Dr. Samantha Wilner and students are co-authors, recently published in the Journal Biomacromolecules “Aptamer-Targeted Dendrimersomes Assembled from Azido-Modified Janus Dendrimers “Clicked” to DNA.” -
Faculty mentorship and student curiosity spark scientific breakthroughs in our chemistry department, where high-level research is the norm. -
After completing an immersive REU program in chemistry last summer at University of Kansas, Dylan Ford's ’25 research abstract was selected to be presented at the American Chemical Society National Meeting this spring in San Diego. -
Dr. Mark Ellison uses colorful, thought-provoking, and even explosive demonstrations to teach general chemistry and physical chemistry. -
Alexandra Bender '24 graduated and headed west to the University of Oregon to pursue a Ph.D. in Organometallic Chemistry. Margo Reed -
Prof. Ryan Walvoord received a Summer Research grant from Organic Syntheses to support an undergraduate research student in his lab. This past summer, he worked with Cael Milbourne '26 to synthesize and characterize new fluorescent molecules, which have applications in bioimaging.
Our Graduates excel in nationally ranked programs
Graduates of the Ursinus College Chemistry Department excel in nationally ranked graduate and professional programs across the country and work in a variety of rewarding careers in the chemical or pharmaceutical industry or in education.
Upcoming Events
Chemistry Seminar with Leah Seebald
Pfahler 208
Join us for the first Chemistry Seminar of the semester! More information coming soon...
Biotech Networking Expo
Bomberger Hall
Ursinus is hosting its first biotech networking event, offering students the chance to connect directly with industry experts, explore hiring trends and career opportunities, and gain deeper insight into biotechnology and the key conversations shaping the field today.
Graduate School Fair
Floy Lewis Bakes Center, Field House
ALL STUDENTS are invited to the 2026 Ursinus College Graduate School Fair. The Fair will begin at 11:00 a.m. in the Floy Lewis Bakes Field House and will end at 2:30 p.m.
