Interested in earning a degree in chemistry? We have the answers to all your questions.

Advisement

Are considering taking a chemistry course?

Here is advice on how to choose your first course in chemistry
Here are maps of the introductory chemistry course sequences. Make sure to look at pre-/co-requisite requirements.

Are you considering majoring or minoring in chemistry?

The Department of Chemistry offers the following degrees: bachelor of science, bachelor of arts, and bachelor of arts: chemistry teacher.

The bachelor of science is the most rigorous course of study and is intended for students whose careers will be as chemists, including those planning further study in graduate school in chemistry or biochemistry.
The bachelor of arts degree is advised for prehealth professionals, as it leaves time to pursue the necessary course work in biology required for professional programs. Students interested in medical or other professional schools are strongly advised to discuss their plans with the campus pre-professional adviser Dr. Steven Silbering.
Students interested in teaching high school should consider the bachelor of arts: chemistry teacher program, offered in collaboration with the School of Education to meet all New York State certification requirements.

Before you declare your major or minor, have a look at the specific degree requirements, given below:

A full description of each course can be found in the Courses page. Consult also the schedule of courses for the upcoming semesters. After reviewing the information, please see the undergraduate adviser, Assistant Professor Aneta Mieszawska, to declare your major.

American Chemical Society (ACS) Degree Accreditation

The Brooklyn College Department of Chemistry is an ACS-accredited program authorized to grant ACS-accredited B.S. degrees to students. The requirements for ACS certification amount to completing a B.S. in chemistry at Brooklyn College and completing a specific set of elective courses. ACS accreditation is not necessary either for a career in industry or for graduate work. However, it does serve to reassure prospective employers about the background of a prospective employee if they are unfamiliar with the program. While Brooklyn College (and CUNY generally) has an excellent reputation in the northeastern United States, those considering working elsewhere in the country or internationally may want to consider acquiring ACS accreditation.

The requirements to obtain a Brooklyn College American Chemical Society-accredited B.S. degree are slightly different from those in the Brooklyn College Bulletin. This document explains the complete requirements, and this document explains how they differ from the requirements in the Bulletin.

Transfer Credits Evaluation

If you are a transfer student and need to have credits evaluated, bring a copy of your transcript, the syllabi, and descriptions of the courses you wish to have evaluated, and the Brooklyn College Office of the Registrar's Transfer Evaluation Credit form to the undergraduate adviser, Assistant Professor Aneta Mieszawska, for evaluation.

Chemistry Undergraduate Advisers

The general undergraduate adviser for the Department of Chemistry is Associate Professor Laura Juszczak. She is best contacted by e-mail; be sure to include your name and CUNYfirst EMPLID number, if available.

General advising office hours with Associate Professor Juszczak for the fall 2021 term are as follows:

Tuesday: 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. and Thursday: 3:30 - 4:30 p.m., 359 Ingersoll Hall Extension (Chemistry Department Office)

Walk-ins are welcome and will be processed on a first-come-first-served basis.

For advisement and registration assistance for specific courses, contact:

General Chemistry: Lecturer Joann Mathias
Organic Chemistry: Assistant Professor Guillermo Gerona-Navarro

Advisers are best contacted by e-mail. Indicate your name and CUNYfirst EMPLID number, if available, to set up an in-person appointment or ask a question.

Careers in Chemistry

Are you wondering about the value of a chemistry degree for postgraduate education and in the professional job market?

General information about the chemistry degree:

For medical professions:

The Chemistry Major and Medical School (pdf)

For scientific professions:

For legal and business professions:

The Chemistry Major for Business and Law (pdf)

Contact the chemistry undergraduate adviser and the prehealth professionals adviser, Dr. Steven Silbering, to learn more about how a degree in chemistry can help you stand out in the professional world.

Awards and Fellowships Available to Chemistry Students

For Undergraduate Students

Chemistry Scholarships and Awards. Visit the application page and fill out the relevant information. 2021 deadline: April 8.
Undergraduate Chemistry Summer Research Awards. Submit this form to apply. Several awards are available. 2021 deadline: April 23.
CUNY Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) summer research support
Cancer research opportunities at Dana Farber and John Hopkins. Available to Brooklyn College students. Both provide funding of up to $7,500 for students, which is provided by Brooklyn College alumnus Bernie Garil and his wife, Ethel. Deadline to apply for either is February 22.
Stacey Garil Womack Memorial Summer Internship Award for Students Considering a Career in Cancer Research.
Michael Garil Memorial Summer Internship at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for Students Considering Careers in Cancer Research.
Paid summer externship list and database at the Magner Career Center.
MARC Program. For students wishing to enter Ph.D. programs for careers in research (other than clinical medicine).
The CASE program at Brooklyn College
American Chemical Society Nichols Award for summer research
NSF summer undergraduate research awards
Barry Goldwater scholarships
Hertz Fellowships (Physical, Biological, Engineering Sciences)
Soros Fellowships for New Americans
Fulbright U.S. Student Award Program