Chemistry, Bachelor's , Minor
Overview
As a chemistry major at DeSales, you’ll gain comprehensive, in-depth knowledge in the areas of inorganic, organic, analytical, physical, and biological chemistry.
One of the biggest advantages of a DeSales education is the hands-on experience you’ll get in our laboratories. Our Hurd Science Center is equipped with a full range of modern analytical instruments. You won’t just learn how to use them; you’ll gain a complete understanding of each and every one.
Still want more? There’s always plenty to do outside the classroom, including faculty-guided research, teaching and industrial internships, and the Natural Science Club. Or, share your love of science with kids by joining our Chemistry Demonstrations Program
Make your degree go further:
The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with a Concentration in Forensics meets all of the requirements for a B.S. in chemistry while preparing you for a career in forensic science. You’ll use your electives to take additional courses in molecular and cell biology, forensic psychology, forensics and criminal investigation, toxicology, antisocial behavior, and statistics.
With the Teacher Certification in Chemistry for Secondary Education, you’ll graduate with a B.S. in chemistry while also having the skills you need to teach. You’ll use your electives to take additional courses in basic educational foundations, curriculum and instruction, educational psychology, teaching science, introductory biology, chemistry values seminar, and a supervised student teaching experience.
Admissions Requirements
At DeSales, we not only look at your past academic achievement but also your potential for future growth to determine your admission.
We find that students who have demonstrated significant achievement within a demanding curriculum are best suited for academic life at DeSales. Quality of academic performance plays a critical role in the admissions decision making process. This helps indicate a student's potential for academic growth going forward. We welcome applications from all qualified students regardless of race, religion, sex, national, or ethnic origin.
Application Checklist
- Application Fee: None
- Transcripts: Official High School Transcript
- Standardized Tests: Test-optional, however, an Admissions Interview may be requested
- Recommendations: Completed Guidance Counselor Form and Teacher Recommendation Form
- Please refer to the Program Specific Requirements section for any requirements specific to this program
All materials can be mailed to:
DeSales University Admissions Office
2755 Station Ave.
Center Valley, PA
* SAT scores are highly recommended for students applying for the Nursing and Health Science programs. Please refer to the Program Specific Requirements section for any requirements specific to this program.
Additional recommendations
High School Academics - Remember, there is no single preferred high school academic program, but a college preparatory course of study is highly recommended. Here's an example:
- Four years of English
- Three or four years of college preparatory mathematics
- A minimum of two years of modern, foreign, or classical language
- At least two laboratory science courses
Visiting DeSales - A personal, on-campus interview is strongly recommended, but is not required. We encourage you to visit so that you'll have a chance to learn more about DeSales, and we'll have the opportunity to learn more about you, too.
Learn more about Undergraduate Admissions & Aid
When to Apply
We encourage you to apply early in your senior year. We use a rolling admissions system, which means you will be notified promptly about your admissions status—usually within four weeks of our receipt of your completed application.
Priority deadline for scholarship consideration is December 1 of your senior year.
Curriculum
The DeSales Chemistry program delivers broad knowledge and understanding in analytical chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, inorganic chemistry, and biochemistry.
Laboratory experiments and exercises, undergraduate research projects, and internships provide students with opportunities to develop their critical and analytical thinking skills, their problem-solving skills, and their written and oral communication skills.
The department fully supports the University mission to develop the Christian humanist, an individual “in whom the ideals of truth and love find intimate union and meaningful expression.” Majoring in chemistry can, we believe, contribute powerfully to a Christian understanding of existence while preparing the student for a career both satisfying and beneficial to society.
Academic Catalog
Graduation Requirements
View the graduation requirements and example schedule for this programFaculty
Facilities
At DeSales, you will be immersed in labs that rival those of the nation’s top universities from your first day here.
The Priscilla Payne Hurd Science Center offers state-of-the-art teaching and research laboratories in chemistry, biology, and physics.
Campbell Hall houses our neuroscience major, general biology, ecology, environmental science, and field biology labs.
Research and the methodology of science are deeply integrated into our programs. You'll get more hands-on learning than at most other schools, and because all of our lab equipment is exclusively for undergraduate use, your independent research and course-related lab work will never take a back seat to graduate students.
Student laboratory experiences are intentionally designed to ensure that you actually work with the equipment and learn its operation rather than merely watching or reading about it. Our small numbers and close relationship between faculty and students make this an easy and natural process.
Careers & Internships
With a B.S. in chemistry, you’ll be able to work in a number of industries, including chemical, pharmaceutical, food (including breweries and wineries), medical, instrumentation, and insurance, as well as the government.
Our graduates have gone on to work for companies, including:
- Air Products
- Puritan Products
- DuPont
- Dow Chemical Company
- Merck
- Johnson & Johnson
- GlaxoSmithKline
- Kraft Foods
- Just Born
- Hershey’s
- B. Braun
- Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Chemistry majors are required to either complete either an internship or a undergraduate research project, supervised by a faculty mentor.
Recently, chemistry majors have completed internships at CVS Pharmacy, Lehigh Agricultural & Biological Services, Benchmark Analytics, Air Products & Chemicals Inc., and Puritan Products, Inc.
For more information about internships please contact Dr. Rodger Berg or the Career Development Center.
Tuition & Fees
DeSales can help make your college expenses affordable through a combination of grants, loans, student employment, and scholarship resources.
View a comprehensive list of financial aid forms and undergraduate program information sheets
Cost of attendance for undergrads for 2024-2025
Resident Students
Direct Costs
Tuition - $45,000
Room and Board - $13,800
Mandatory Fees - $1,800
One-time Orientation Fee for First-Year students and Transfers - $200
Total = $60,800 (including first-year/transfer fees)
Estimated Indirect Costs
Books/Supplies - $1,711
Personal Expenses - $4,605
Total cost for resident students: $67,116
Commuter Students
Direct Costs
Tuition - $45,000
Mandatory Fees - $1,400
One-time Orientation Fee for First-Year students and Transfers - $200
Total = $46,600 (including first-year/transfer fees)
Estimated Indirect Costs
Books/Supplies - $1,711
Personal Expenses - $4,605
Transportation Costs - $1,908
Living Expenses - $2,298
Total cost for commuter students: $57,122
Off-Campus*
Direct Costs
Tuition - $45,000
Mandatory Fees - $1,400
One-time Orientation Fee for First-Year students and Transfers - $200
Total = $46,600 (including first-year/transfer fees)
Estimated Indirect Costs
Books/Supplies - $1,711
Personal Expenses - $4,605
Transportation Costs - $1,908
Living Expenses - $9,192
Total cost for off-campus students: $64,016
*First-year students are required to reside on campus or commute from home.
Parking Fee - $100
View a comprehensive list of financial aid forms and undergraduate program information sheets
Dual Degree Undergraduate-to-Graduate Programs
If you are enrolled in an undergraduate-to-graduate degree program — for example a 5-year, 3+2, 3+3, program — the undergraduate tuition and fees apply only to the undergraduate portion of the program. As you progress into the graduate phase of your program, graduate tuition and fees apply. Please see your respective graduate program for more information.
The financial aid process may appear overwhelming at first glance, but don't worry, we'll help you through it.
Accepted students are automatically considered for scholarships upon receipt of a completed application and are awarded regardless of financial need. Funds for scholarships are limited, so we do encourage students to apply early.
Our comprehensive financial aid packages carefully explain the types and amounts of assistance —including federal, state, and institutional — that you may be eligible for to help cover education related expenses.
Total cost of attendance includes estimates for tuition, fees, room, board, books, and personal, transportation, and living expenses.
You can estimate your total cost of attendance with our Net Price Calculator
Our students use a fire-breathing dragon and a goblet of fire to introduce chemistry to younger students.
— Dr. Rodger Berg, Associate Professor
Career Preparation from Day One
We're passionate about helping our students and alumni explore major and career options, find experiential education, and achieve post-graduation success in an evolving global world.
Get Involved
There are many opportunities at DeSales to build your professional network, gain hands-on experience, and put your education to work to make a difference in the community.
