Chemistry

Spotlight on Brooklyn Chemistry

May 2022. The Department of Chemistry mourns the loss of Dr. David Sahn, an alumnus of Brooklyn College who worked in pediatric cardiology and was a pioneer in medical research. Find more information on his remarkable life and achievements.
March 2022. Assistant Professor Mariana Torrente gives a talk at the American Chemical Society Spring 2022 Meeting.
March 2022. Congrats to Ph.D. student Samantha Cobos (Torrente Lab) on receiving both the Pollet Award from the Chemistry Department and a Dissertation Year Award from the Graduate Center.
February 2022. The Chemistry Department congratulates doctoral student Javier Lopez-Hernandez (Contel Lab) who has been selected as an American Chemical Society Bridge Career & Professional Awards winner for Spring of 2022.

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Chemistry considers the nature of matter, its transformation, and its interaction with energy. The discipline provides the foundation for modern biology and is a cornerstone to such emerging fields as material science and nanotechnology. The department has particular strength in biochemmistry and medicinal chemistry, and departmental research has led to patents and commercial technologies. The Brooklyn College Department of Chemistry offers a bachelor of science degree and a bachelor of arts degree in chemistry, as well as minors in chemistry and biochemistry.

You can find advice on choosing the right chemistry course for your needs, as well as a look at the degree options offered by the Department of Chemistry here.

A Degree in Chemistry Can Open Doors to Career Paths in Law, Medicine, and Management as Well as Traditional Careers in Chemistry

Are you thinking about a career in medicine or law?

You might want to consider a bachelor of science degree in chemistry. A B.S. in chemistry can take you far beyond the test tubes and beakers of traditional labs (although our programs will make you highly qualified in that setting, too). Dr. Mohammed Alsaidi, MD, a neurosurgeon at Pennsylvania State College of Medicine and a Brooklyn College alumnus, writes about his experiences at Brooklyn College and the day-to-day life of a physician in an exciting and demanding field.

A chemistry degree is also vital for anyone who wants to practice patent law, for instance, or conduct research in state-of-the-art medical labs. You will train to work at the forefront of scientific and medical research in industry, government, and academia. You will join our alumni who are employed as chemists across a range of fields—from government labs testing food, air, and water quality to private industries seeking new sources of energy. Your degree can also lead to positions in areas such as environmental law or managerial positions in fields relying on science and technology. Visit the advisement section and the American Chemical Society College-to-Career site to discover the range of opportunities.

Awards and Fellowships Available to Chemistry Students