• Learn from a faculty of recognized scientists who provide opportunities for students to conduct independent research and present work at national meetings. Chemistry majors are required to participate in research.
• WSU’s chemistry department is one of the premier research programs in nuclear and radiochemistry.
• Faculty publish their research in journals and attract more than $6 million in external funding each year.
• The department has produced several winners of the prestigious national Goldwater Scholarship.
• Graduates have a high success rate in landing employment and being accepted into recognized graduate and professional schools.
• The department is nationally known for its excellent undergraduate preparation and state-of-the-art lab facilities.
• Students can join a math, science, and engineering residence hall and share classes with neighbors, study together, and use the hall’s computer lab.

A variety of state, federal, and university-sponsored programs are available to help students with educational costs.

For all students at WSU

Washington State University awards millions of dollars in financial aid and scholarships to students every year based on financial need, academic merit, or a combination of the two.

To get all the financial help WSU can provide, you'll need to do these two things:

• Complete the University's general scholarship application so you can be eligible for scholarship consideration, including departmental awards.
• Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) so WSU can consider you for aid (scholarships, grants, loans, etc.) based on financial need. Get started here.

Click here for more info about about WSU scholarships and financial aid

For students in chemistry

The College of Arts and Sciences awards more than $50,000 in scholarships each year. For more information, see the CAS scholarships page.

The Department of Chemistry awards tens of thousands of dollars each year in departmental scholarships to our undergraduate students. The department also hires many work-study students to work in laboratories.

The active undergraduate chemistry club—sponsored by the American Chemical Society—provides student mentoring, sponsors social events, and develops programs for high school and junior high school students.

Recommended preparation for college chemistry:

• Essential high school preparation includes writing, mathematics, and science through the chemistry level.
• Calculus and advanced chemistry are highly recommended.
• Students should take two years of a foreign language in high school, which will also meet a WSU graduation requirement.

Learn more about chemistry

To learn more about chemistry, visit the American Chemical Society website.

What you can do with a degree in Chemistry

• Medical professions

• Science teaching

• Chemical engineering

• Industrial research and development

• Research chemistry

• Industrial sales, marketing, and technical service

• Government laboratory chemistry

• Forensic science

• Science writing

• Medical and pharmaceutical sales and research

• Local, state, federal, and international law enforcement

Skills you can market with a degree in Chemistry

• Mathematical and analytical skills

• Problem-solving skills

• Ability to operate scientific equipment

• Attention to detail

• Awareness of the ethical implications of science

• Strong mathematical skills

• Time management and organization skills

• Written and oral communication and ability to share research findings via written reports and oral presentations

• Ability to assimilate scientific theories and arguments for discussion and debate

• Ability to systematically record chemical properties

• Ability to use computer software/models for processing data