Liberal Arts

& Sciences

Quick Facts

• Small classes after introductory-level courses give students an opportunity to know faculty and to receive individual assistance and hands-on experience.
• The chemistry BS degree is “accredited” (certified) by the national American Chemical Society.
• Based on a recent survey of employers of our chemistry graduates, and advisors of ESU chemistry graduates (at in-state graduate schools, but also Florida, Maryland, and Northwestern University, for example), on a nine-point scale the overall employer rating was 8.00 for “would hire” an ESU chemistry graduate again, and the overall graduate rating was 8.57 for “would admit” an ESU graduate again.
• Our past graduates are very successful; several are "stars" in their fields and five have been recognized as distinguished alumni of ESU since 1969. The most recent distinguished alumnus, Randy Scott, was recognized in 1997 as “Silicon Valley Entrepreneur of the Year,” and in 2005 a company he founded (Genomic Health, Inc.) was honored as one of the “Top 100” private technology companies in North America.
• ESU chemistry students are well prepared and successful. For example, a 2008 graduate (Andrea Luthi) is doing nanotechnology research with an internationally recognized professor at Northwestern University. Rachael Lane (BS, 2009) was one of 29 recipients of an Environmental Protection Agency "Greater Research Opportunities Fellowship" in 2007, and is now in a PhD program in analytical chemistry at the University of Kansas.
• Chemists with a BS degree and some experience are commanding salaries in the upper $60,000 to $70,000 range. Careers for chemistry majors include agricultural scientist, biochemist, chemistry technologist, crime lab analyst, forensic chemist, food science technician, wastewater treatment chemist, and environmental health specialist. Within a given field, analytical chemists often receive the highest salaries.