University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown
Chemistry and Biochemistry BS
Johnstown, USA
BSc
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
USD 27,134 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* full-time, two terms | for out-of-state residents
Fast-track counseling
By contacting the school, you'll get access to free priority counselling for any study and application questions.
Key Summary
The Chemistry Department offers Bachelor of Science degrees in Chemistry or Biochemistry as well as a minor in Chemistry. Students may also choose to double major in Biochemistry and Biology or Biochemistry and Chemistry. The department also provides advising and coursework for students interested in applying to pharmacy school. In collaboration with the Education Division, the department offers courses toward a Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education – chemistry and certification to teach high school chemistry. The chemistry program at the University of Pittsburgh Johnstown is ACS-approved, which means that the program meets the standards and guidelines put forth by the American Chemical Society. An approved program provides students with the knowledge and skills they need to be successful in their future careers. Students who complete the ACS-approved curriculum are eligible to receive a certified degree and electronic credentials from ACS to indicate that they have met these criteria. Additionally, the Department is a proud member of BeyondBenign’s Green Chemistry Commitment.
B.S. in Chemistry
Chemistry teaches students to understand the composition, properties, and reactivity of matter. Pitt-Johnstown's chemistry program prepares students for employment at the bachelor's degree level, for graduate study, and for professional programs in health-related areas. Chemistry majors are highly sought after by companies that produce products made from chemicals, including pharmaceuticals, paints, plastics, cosmetics, food, and green energy industries.
B.S. in Biochemistry
Biochemistry is a major that teaches students to understand the composition, structure, chemical reactions, and behavior of matter as applied to living systems. This program enables students to develop their knowledge of the natural world, while also developing critical thinking skills.
Pitt-Johnstown Financial Aid
Scholarship eligibility for incoming first-year or new students to Pitt-Johnstown will be assessed by the Admissions Office upon acceptance.
Process For Continuing Students
Each year, the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown’s Financial Aid Office awards numerous Gift and Endowed (G&E) scholarships, made available to deserving students through the generosity of many individuals, clubs, organizations, industries, businesses, and foundations.
The selection of scholarship recipients is based on specific criteria defined by the donor. A student’s academic performance and financial need may also be considered when deciding upon qualified candidates. Most G&E scholarships are geared toward continuing students; Pitt-Johnstown may require students to complete a scholarship application for consideration.
Completing the scholarship application does not guarantee selection, however, by completing the application, students are automatically considered for each scholarship that Pitt-Johnstown offers as well as several outside scholarships.
General Requirements
For consideration, students must:
- be enrolled for at least 6 credits in a degree-seeking program at Pitt-Johnstown.
- have successfully completed 12 credits as a degree-seeking student at Pitt-Johnstown.
- have earned a 3.0 cumulative GPA.
- complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by April 1 to be considered for need-based scholarships.
- be registered for the upcoming fall term by May 15.
- comply with Pitt-Johnstown's satisfactory academic progress standards for financial aid.
- not be in default on an educational loan or not owe repayment on a federal grant.
- not have earned a Bachelor’s Degree.
Scholarship Exclusions/Adjustments
Limited G&E funds are available to full scholarship recipients. Scholarship awards may be adjusted if Financial Aid determines a student is the recipient of a full tuition scholarship or tuition remission.
Any student who receives a scholarship and/or grant awards that total more than Pitt-Johnstown’s annual cost of attendance, as defined by the Financial Aid Office, will have one or more awards reduced or cancelled.
The Financial Aid Office awards G&E scholarships based upon the information available at the time of the award, including intended major or cumulative GPA, as well as any other possible variables. In the event that this information is inaccurate or changes, the Financial Aid Office has the right to reduce, change, or cancel the award.
I. Required Chemistry Courses
- CHEM 0111 - General Chemistry 1
- CHEM 0112 - General Chemistry 2
- CHEM 0113 - General Chemistry Laboratory 1
- CHEM 0114 - General Chemistry Laboratory 2
- CHEM 0231 - Organic Chemistry 1
- CHEM 0232 - Organic Chemistry 2
- CHEM 0233 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory 1
- CHEM 0234 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory 2
- CHEM 0325 - Analytical Chemistry
- CHEM 1131 - Inorganic Chemistry
- CHEM 1133 - Synthesis & Characterization Lab
- CHEM 1321 - BIOCHEMISTRY 1 or
- CHEM 1324 - Fundamentals Of Biochemistry
- CHEM 1327 - Instrumental Analysis
- CHEM 1341 - Physical Chemistry 1
- CHEM 1342 - Physical Chemistry 2
- CHEM 1344 - Physical Chemistry Laboratory
II. Additional Required Courses
- MATH 0221 - Analytic Geometry And Calculus 1
- MATH 0231 - Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2
- MATH 0241 - Analytic Geometry and Calculus 3
- PHYS 0150 - Physics 1
- PHYS 0152 - Physics 2
- PHYS 0151 - Physics Laboratory 1
- PHYS 0153 - Physics Laboratory 2
III. Nine elective credits in Chemistry
(See division handout for specific courses.)
- CHEM 1322 - Biochemistry 2
- CHEM 1323 - Biochemistry Laboratory
- CHEM 1332 - Medicinal Chemistry
- CHEM 1351 - Green Chemistry And Sustainability
- CHEM 1371 - Undergraduate Research (up to 4 credits)
- CHEM 1331 - Polymer Chemistry
- CHEM 1360 - INDEPENDENT STUDY up to 4 credits
- PHYS 0225 - Optics
The Chemistry Department offers the following courses for non-majors
Chemistry for non-science majors:
- CHEM 0080 - Chemistry, Man, And Society
- CHEM 0085 - Drugs And the Human Body
Health Related Professions:
- CHEM 0190 - Chemistry For the Health Professions
- CHEM 0192 - Chemistry For Health Professions Laboratory
For Biology and Psychology majors:
- CHEM 0230 - Fundamentals Of Organic Chemistry
- CHEM 0235 - Fundamentals Of Organic Chemistry Lab
For Chemical Engineers
- CHEM 0150 - General Chemistry 1 Engineers
- CHEM 0151 - General Chemistry 2 For Engineers
- CHEM 0236 - Organic Chemistry I Engineers
- CHEM 0237 - Organic Chemistry 2 Engineers
- CHEM 0238 - Organic Chem Lab Engineers
B.S. in Chemistry
Graduates have gone on to work as:
- Product Development Researchers
- Formulation Chemists
- Biotechnologists
- Process Chemists
- Quality Assurance Specialists
- Quality Control Specialists
- Teachers and Professors
- Sales and Marketing Professionals
- Patent Lawyers
- Government Researchers
B.S. in Biochemistry
A degree in biochemistry will create a tremendous opportunity for various career paths including:
- Medical Doctors
- Pharmacists
- Health Care Fields
- Chemical Industry
- Biotechnology
- Food Science
- Academia
- Pharmacology
- Drug Development
- Cancer Biology
- Toxicology
- Clinical Chemistry
Student Focused Learning
Small class sizes and a low student-to-faculty ratio allow direct interactions between students and professors that enable students to gain hands-on experience with analytical methods, organic and inorganic synthesis, biochemical methods, and state-of-the-art instrumentation. Faculty are dedicated to ensuring that students are progressing toward their career goals through quality advising, mentoring, and research experiences. Many of our students participate in internships at local and national institutions. Because of highly trained and versatile faculty, multiple faculty-mentored research projects are available in a variety of disciplines. Students, as early as freshmen, participating in research have been published in professional journals and have presented at local and national conferences. These opportunities help prepare students through real-world experiences by creating competitive resumes. Students can also join the Chemistry Society Club, where they can meet other students and participate in monthly events such as movie nights, bowling, trivia, community outreach and service activities, and professional development events.