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.

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.

  • Dr. Samantha Wilner and students are co-authors, recently published in the Journal Biomacromolecules “Aptamer-Targeted Dendrimersom...
    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.
    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 s...
    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.
    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.
    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 in 20...
    Prof. Ryan Walvoord received a Summer Research grant from Organic Syntheses to support an undergraduate research student in his lab in 2024 and 2025. 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.