La Salle University
Students are members of a community of curious and knowledgeable lifelong learners. Implicit in our mission is a profound respect for the individual learner and an emphasis on the ethical responsibility of scientific inquiry towards the broader local, national, and global communities.
La Salle Chemistry has a long tradition of successful alumni. Our graduates have been accepted by Graduate, Ph.D., and Masters programs across the country including: the University of Pennsylvania, Johns Hopkins University, Michigan University, the Ohio State University, Temple University, Drexel University, Villanova University, Delaware University, and the University of Maryland.
Biochemistry and Chemistry students at La Salle are given ample research opportunities as undergraduates. Students are highly encouraged to perform independent research projects, which can include a broad array of topics such as renewable energy, environmental soil remediation, computational simulation of atmospheric chemistry and biomolecules, or syntheses of drug compounds. Students also have opportunities to present their research at conferences where they can connect with practicing scientific professionals from around the world.
The La Salle Chemistry and Biochemistry program also provides students hands-on experience with advanced chemical instrumentation, including a 400 MHz NMR, a Scanning Electronic Microscope, an FTIR, and GCMS, that will give them a step up in their future scientific careers.
Organic Chemistry is the study of compounds containing carbon. This course is focused on the structure, bonding, and stereochemistry of these compounds together with an introduction to reactions, reaction mechanisms, and synthesis. This course, as well as CHM 202, is intended for students majoring in chemistry, biochemistry, and biology as well as those pursuing a career in the health professions. The laboratory introduces techniques used in organic synthesis, separation, purification, and structure elucidation.
This course covers theoretical and practical aspects of chemical bonding, descriptive periodic trends, and molecular structure and symmetry of molecules. A special emphasis is given to the chemistry of the transition metals, including coordination and organometallic chemistry.
This course applies the principles of thermodynamics and kinetics to explain the behavior of gases, liquids, solids, and solutions. Topics include the elucidation of chemical equilibria, phase transitions, reaction mechanisms, and statistical ensembles of energy states.
The Chemistry department trains students to be critical thinkers and problem solvers. Our curriculum provides students with a solid background in the fundamentals of chemical science coupled with a broad-based education. Students are made aware of the interconnections of chemistry with the other sciences and also with the social sciences, business, and the humanities. Graduates leave La Salle as dynamic, adaptable, and prepared individuals ready for successful and fulfilling careers.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for chemists was $79,430 in May 2021. Overall, employment of chemists and materials scientists is projected to grow 6 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for other occupations.
On average, about 8,200 openings for chemists and materials scientists are projected each year over this decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force.