Chemistry
Chemistry is more than gaining knowledge. It’s making new discoveries.
The Department of Chemistry prepares graduates who think creatively and critically to find new answers to important questions. You'll be challenged to investigate the complementary relationship between science and faith in Christ as you work to reach your goals.
Majors, Minors, and Programs
Recent News
The Story of Quadruple—maybe Quintuple—Major Michael Opheim ’24
June 01, 2023 | 12:45 p.m.
Upcoming Events
OCT 10 2023
6 p.m. Boardroom
Come to learn about STEM job and internship opportunities!
OCT 16 2023
Chemistry Student-Alumni Mixer
5:30 p.m. The Underground
Come share your educational/career journey with our current chemistry students in an informal small-group setting!
One of the Top Chemistry Programs
Bethel has one of the top chemistry programs in the nation. It's about cutting-edge research, distinguished faculty, approval from the American Chemical Society, highly successful graduates, and an active science community—all within a Christian learning environment. It's about taking our faith in Christ and integrating it into everything we learn, into everything we do, so we can accomplish incredible things—in our careers, in our communities, and in our world.
Top 15%
of chemistry programs nationally
- Major Field Test results97%
of recent chemistry grads are employed or in graduate/medical school
Program Highlights
Research
Collaborate with professors on original research projects and present your findings at local or national conferences.
Faculty mentors
Build one-on-one relationships with professors who partner with and encourage you to pursue your professional goals and calling.
Job and grad school placement
Many alumni earn graduate degrees at universities and medical schools across the country. Others immediately enter careers in chemistry, biochemistry, and other scientific fields.
Alumni network
Our alumni come back to campus to connect with current students and offer advice.
Student community
Bethel chemistry students are passionate about what they do and they like hanging out together. Our ChemClub goes on camping trips, hosts networking nights, and plans other social events.
Versatile career preparation
We're proud of our research. But we're most proud of the fact that our students are equipped to succeed in whatever they choose to do.
Christian worldview
In our coursework, we explore how our Christian faith relates to our scientific studies and inspires our desire to make a positive impact in the world.
I’m not doing this because I want to save the world one heart valve at a time, but because I get to impact students who then impact others.
Angela Stoeckman ’97Associate Professor of Chemistry
Bethel chemistry students not only receive a world-class education, but also training that incorporates the beauty of God's creation in every aspect of learning.
Brent Kobielush, Ph.D. '04Current job: U.S. Regulatory Affairs Manager at Cargill, Inc.
I’m going to graduate from Bethel having done things that I would have never thought I could do, and research was a big one.
Maria Pecoraro ’19University of Minnesota Medical Center
What can I do with a chemistry degree?
Chemistry students prepare for professional careers in many different industries and graduate programs in fields ranging from medicine to chemical engineering to forensics.
Careers
Chemistry graduates are:
- Chemical engineers
- Industrial chemists
- Research scientists
- Teachers
- Pharmaceutical researchers
- Forensic scientists
- Materials scientists
- Biomedical researchers
- Physicians
- Doctors of osteopathic medicine
- Product developers
- Lawyers
- Technical writers
- Dentists
- Physician assistants
- Ophthalmologists
Graduate Schools
Our alumni attend:
- Yale
- Stanford
- Notre Dame
- Vanderbilt
- Purdue
- William Mitchell College of Law
- University of Minnesota
- University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Northwestern
- Penn State
- Michigan State
- Virginia Tech
Graduate Fields
Our alumni study:
- Medicine
- Physicians assistant
- Dentistry
- Pharmacy
- Optometry
- Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Genetics
- Physical chemistry
- Forensic science
- Public health