B.S. in Chemistry
Overview
Biola’s chemistry degree offers preparation in all the core areas of chemistry: analytical, biological, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry. Our program provides rigorous coursework, hands-on-training with the latest chemical instrumentations, as well as a rich independent research experience from a Christian worldview. As a chemistry graduate, you will be fully prepared to pursue professional careers in industry or government, or to continue towards advanced degrees in chemistry and molecular sciences. Our graduates work in a variety of places, including the biomedical field, government agencies, environment and sustainability fields, and the food technology industry.
In addition to its strong curriculum, expert faculty members and biblical integration, Biola’s chemistry program offers several key advantages:
- Green Chemistry training will train you to work with chemicals and materials by applying the 12 principles of green chemistry. Learn more about the Green Chemistry Commitment on the Department of Chemistry website.
- Small class sizes will enable you to benefit from professors who have the time to individualize programs and meet specific needs.
- Biola's location in Southern California — one of the world’s largest and most diverse metropolitan areas — is ideal for finding student employment and internships in local industry.
- Biola offers numerous summer mission projects that allow students to use their technical skills.
- Well-equipped laboratories and state-of-the-art instrumentation at the Lim Center offer hands-on experience and opportunities to put your learning into action.
- Be mentored by expert faculty who integrate their Christian faith into their lives as researchers, teachers and ministers in local or global communities. Students have opportunities to be involved in directed research with faculty, participate in presentations at various conferences and co-author peer-reviewed journal articles. Learn more about our faculty and student research.
Yes! Tell Me More!
Courses
What will I study as a chemistry major?
As a chemistry major, you will become part of a community of learners who love to analyze and evaluate data, think creatively, perform detailed analysis across may different sub-disciplines within chemistry, and who apply these skills to solve important problems, especially in the lab. Throughout the chemistry program, you will explore biological, inorganic, organic, physical and analytical chemistry from a Christian worldview. Learning topics and highlights include:
- Principles and theories of the structure and properties of matter
- Chemical kinetics, equilibrium, thermodynamics and electrochemistry
- Structure, properties and reactivity of carbon-containing molecules
- Chemical methods of analysis, including titrimetry, electrochemisty, spectroscopy and chromatography
- Introduction to computer-based drawing and searching tools
- Chemical methods of analysis including titrimetry and gravimetry
- Introduction to computer-based drawing and searching tools
- Fundamentals of experimental and instrumental design
- 12 principles of green chemistry, in order to reduce and/or eliminate the use or generation of hazardous substances
- Principles behind quality management in a professional chemistry lab
Bible and Theology Coursework
As part of Biola’s commitment to a biblically centered education, most undergraduate students complete 30 credits of biblical and theological studies as a part of their degree program. Learn more about our Bible and theology core.
Career Outlook and Preparation
What can you do with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry?
A degree in chemistry provides solid preparation for graduate work and for wide-range of careers in important fields such as medicine, law, biomedical, pharmaceutical, food or forensic science, government, chemical and resource management, environment and sustainability, and education. You can expect to influence and transform the world for Jesus Christ through your life and calling in professions such as:
- Pharmacist
- Educator
- Quality control specialist
- Dentist
- Surgeon
- Laboratory technologist
- Government science writer
- Forensic science technician
- Industrial or chemical engineer
- Biochemical or environmental chemist
In addition, many graduates of Biola's chemistry program pursue graduate studies, while others move into other scientific career-building opportunities. Professional highlights include:
- Food science technician
- Chemist in government laboratory
- Acceptance and matriculation into Ph.D. programs at highly acclaimed universities such as: University of California, Berkeley, Irvine, and Riverside; Texas A&M University; Cal State Long Beach
Explore the Biola Office of Health Professions Advising (BOHPA), a distinctive of Biola, that provides experienced advice for navigating your healthcare journey, resources for taking qualifying exams like the GRE and MCAT, mock interviews, clinical shadowing experiences with health professionals, and strategic advice for applying to postgraduate programs.
10% job growth
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth for chemical engineers is projected to be much faster than average between 2023 and 2033.
BLS projections are not specific to Biola University students or graduates.
If you are serious about science, Biola has what you need to pursue it for a career. If you want to sit in the intersection of science and faith, I beg you to come and learn that science is God's magic trick, in which we are continually discovering and being amazed by how he did it. If you are serious about Jesus Christ or perhaps trying to answer that question, then come and learn about the Nazarene.
Chemistry, B.S. '21
Studying Chemistry has allowed me to appreciate God's intricate design of the universe on a macroscopic scale, as well as on an atomic level.
Admissions
Admissions Process
Learn about Biola’s admissions requirements, steps to apply, application deadlines and more at our Undergraduate Admissions page.
Program-Specific Admissions Requirements
Students will be required to go through the chemistry and or physics placement process.
The Science Department suggests an SAT Math score of at least 500 (or ACT equivalent) to pursue this major. Deficiencies can be fulfilled with permission from the Department of Chemistry, Physics and Engineering.
Schedule a Visit
Learn more about this program by attending an upcoming event for prospective students and parents, or by scheduling a personalized visit.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Attaining a degree from Biola is more affordable than you might think — dramatically lower than the “sticker price” in most cases — with 100% of incoming undergraduate students receiving some form of financial aid.
Learning Opportunities
American Chemical Society (ACS) Club
Associated with the national society of the same name, the American Chemical Society (ACS) Club unites students who are interested in exploring chemistry outside of the classroom. Members are encouraged to participate in our field trips, demonstration team, research projects and science awareness days. Please email acs@gmail.com if you are interested.
Biola Health Careers Club
The Health Careers Club is a student-led group designed to bring together, educate and support Biola students pursuing future healthcare careers.
Research Projects
Atomic Force Microscopy Studies of Soft Matter Materials
Professor Xidong Chen – Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been a powerful tool in many areas of research that involve surface morphologies. The ability of AFM to examine biological samples in the physiologically native environment makes it an ideal tool to study cell structures. Currently, ciliary structures of tetrahymena and surface structures of cancer cells are being investigated. Experiments are carried out on an in-house AFM. Students are involved in this project.
Optical Fluctuation Microscopy Investigations into Polymers, Microorganisms and Aerosols
Professor Jessica Lu – The project will be to set up a new optical system in which the sizes of single nano- and micron-sized particles can be imaged and sized. The particles that we plan on sizing will include dust particles, pollen, soot particles, as well as organic aerosols. Spherical particles will be sized through collection of the elastically scattered light from the particles, while nonspherical particles will be sized through collection of the speckle pattern. Interested students are welcome to participate in this project by reaching out to Dr. Lu.