Welcome to the Department of Chemistry at WKU.  Chemistry is often referred to as the “central science” because it helps connect the physical sciences and life sciences.  Our department serves students across the college and university and provides chemistry and biochemistry majors with numerous opportunities for engaged learning.

We offer several tracks in our undergraduate chemistry major, serving students who are interested in becoming K-12 teachers, health professionals, professional chemists, or numerous other occupations that require a background in chemistry. Highly qualified and motivated undergraduates may also pursue a joint BS/MS degree in a rigorous 5-year JUMP curriculum (Joint Undergraduate-Masters Program).  Together with the Department of Biology, we jointly manage the biochemistry major for students interested in an interdisciplinary degree. 

Our graduate program offers a thesis-driven Master of Science degree with traditional and research-intensive tracks.  Graduate students gain in-depth experience through a combination of research, traditional coursework, and seminars; most of our full-time students receive financial assistance by serving as teaching assistants in our laboratory courses.

Both undergraduate and graduate students have the opportunity to work alongside of our faculty in unique research opportunities.  Students have the opportunity to share their research findings with the scientific community through publication and/or presentations at the local, regional, or national level.  Our faculty combine excellence in teaching and scholarship to provide students with outstanding education and mentoring.

If you have questions, we’d love to talk with you more about the Department of Chemistry.

Kevin M. Williams, Ph.D.

Professor and Chair

Department of Chemistry

 

Mission Statement

WKU Chemistry empowers students of all backgrounds to think critically about the molecular sciences and promotes a vibrant regional economy through training, public service, and industrial collaboration. We ignite a spirit of life-long learning through engaged classroom and laboratory instruction, hands-on experience in nationally-recognized research, and direct mentoring by faculty. This enables our students to define their own career path and to make an impact both locally and globally.