The mission of each program in the Department is to provide students with an intellectual environment and a specialized body of knowledge that are conducive to their academic development, their proficiency in laboratory techniques, and their professional growth. As teacher-scholars equally devoted to both of their roles, members of the Department are committed to maintaining and improving the quality of instruction for students, establishing a research program that features the involvement of students, grant support and publications, and a service component that benefits the department, college, university, profession and community at large. 

Currently, the Department offers the BS and MS degrees in Chemistry and Biochemistry as well as a specialization in Polymer Chemistry at the MS level. The Department has also established multiple collaborations with the Institute for Environmental and Industrial Science and the Xiphophorus Genetic Stock Center (both housed within the Chemistry Department and which offer additional opportunities for students who have an interest in material science and molecular biology respectively.  

1. knowledge of the fundamentals of inorganic, organic, analytical, physical and biochemistry
2. the ability to perform both qualitative and quantitative laboratory procedures
3. the ability to synthesize, purify, and/or characterize a variety of chemical compounds
4. the ability to search the chemical literature and accurately cite published information
5. the ability to accurately and thoroughly describe experimental procedures
6. the ability to critically evaluate and report experimental results
7. the ability to interpret and solve chemistry problems
8. familiarity with the process of conducting research through directed study under the supervision of a chemistry or biochemistry professor