FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions

What do Chemistry majors do after they graduate?

About 75% pursue further education, primarily graduate school (nearly 100% acceptance) and medical school (acceptance rate over 95%).  Others find chemistry-related positions in companies and with government agencies, and a few pursue high-school teaching careers.

What kind of research experiences are available?

All chemistry majors are required to carry out both a junior and a senior research project under the supervision of a department faculty member.  Our seminar program provides students with the skills to begin to carry out independent research, and the senior project culminates in a presentation and written report, which is hard-bound for each student to keep.  Our teaching and research facilities are modern and well-equipped.

Internships and employment opportunities are available in local industries such as 3M and Medtronic, where students often work part-time during the school year and full-time during summers.

How large is the chemistry department?

We have nine full-time, Ph.D. chemists plus a half-time laboratory coordinator, and there are currently about 35 chemistry majors in the program.

What types of support are available for students?

In addition to academic services such as the Writing Center and the Science Tutor Lab (in which some of our students serve), teaching assistantships are available for sophomore chemistry students and higher.  The department regularly supports student travel to a professional meeting, and this year 8 students are attending an analytical chemistry conference in Orlando.  The chemistry department also awards several scholarships for sophomores, juniors, and seniors.

What types of activities are open to chemistry students?

Bethel Chemistry has an active ChemClub, which sponsors activities that generally revolve around food. ChemClub students this year have performed chemical demonstration shows in a local elementary school and have organized a broomball team.

So what is unique about Bethel Chemistry?

Bethel is an evangelical Christian college, which means that we are serious about honoring God in all areas of our lives. Very few colleges in the United States combine strong academics in chemistry (and science and math in general) with deep integration of the Christian faith.  We believe we honor God by serious study of chemistry and the liberal arts, and we strive to prepare our students to be people of faith and integrity.  We offer academic excellence in a supportive environment.

What majors does the Chemistry Department offer?

We offer the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees in Chemistry which differ in that the B.A. requires 9 chemistry courses and the B.S. requires 12 chemistry courses. The B.A. allows more flexibility to minor or major in another subject area, while the B.S. is strong preparation for graduate school or direct employment in the field.

The Chemistry and Biology Departments cosponsor the B.S. in Biochemistry/Molecular Biology, which is a very strong major for students interested in research, graduate school, or medical school.

The B.A. in Engineering Science, Chemical Engineering emphasis, is also supported by the Chemistry Department. In this program, students attend Bethel for three years and a school of engineering for two years, at the end of which they receive two degrees, the B.A. from Bethel and a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the school of engineering.

Finally, we support the B.A. in Chemistry Education, 5-12. This major is for those students interested in becoming high school teachers of chemistry.