Undergraduate Studies

The Chemistry program at Tulane prepares students for future graduate and professional education with an up-to-date curriculum and a wide variety of research opportunities.

Why Major in Chemistry?

• Chemistry can provide the foundation for interesting careers in medicine and the allied health sciences.
• Chemistry is one of a small number of college majors directly associated with industry; the chemical industry is a significant contributor to the US economy.
• Chemistry provides a strong background for people working in research and development in a broad range of areas—from plastics to foodstuffs to modern materials used in housing, transportation, and computer technology.
• The science of chemistry is highly interdisciplinary; virtually all the sciences, from geology to environmental science to cellular biology, are taught at the molecular level.

The chemistry curriculum combines broad based training in the major areas of chemistry (biochemistry, inorganic, organic and physical) with a firm foundation in mathematics and physics.

Students considering graduate school in chemistry or related sciences are strongly encouraged to participate in undergraduate research over a summer or during the academic year. The Chemistry Department at Tulane has a broad range of research programs for undergraduates including:

• Enzymology
• Organometallic Chemistry
• Organic Synthesis
• Photochemistry
• Applications of Lasers in Chemistry
• Polymer Synthesis/Novel Photonic Materials
• Quantum Chemistry/Statistical Mechanics