Chemistry and Biochemistry

Rachel Hutcheson, Ph.D., chair

Faculty: Cantrell, Daoud-Kinzie, Hall, Hutcheson, S.G. Mayer, Morton, Taylor, Urnezius, Wood

Chemistry and biochemistry majors at the University of Portland have unique opportunities to serve the university and their community and to grow in their pursuit of knowledge and application of experimental techniques. The University of Portland’s American Chemical Society-certified chemistry program fosters active learning through hands-on experimentation and cultivates independent and critical thinking skills. The department maintains a large array of state-of-the-art facilities and instrumentation used for teaching and faculty-student research. The chemistry and biochemistry department is currently made up of ten full-time faculty members, all of whom are active scholars in their respective subdisciplines. Students pursuing a bachelor of science degree in chemistry or biochemistry each have two options. Both degrees and their options provide a solid preparation for professional practice in chemistry and biochemistry and a variety of related areas and for entrance to graduate school. Each requires 120 total credit hours. 

Scholarship Requirements

A grade of C- or better in the first semester is required for continuation to the second semester of all sequence science courses (for example: CHM 207-208 or CHM 325-326). A grade of C or higher is required in CHM 208 to continue into CHM 325. An average G.P.A. of 2.0 must be maintained in all science, mathematics, and engineering courses required for the major.