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EIU Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

The Chemistry and Biochemistry Department provides students with an excellent foundation in chemistry, encompassing both theoretical concepts and practical applications, and prepares them for the next step in their chosen career paths.

A chemistry background serves as a foundation for many careers in seemingly "nontechnical" areas, areas in which a technical background would give you a great advantage. For example, sales and management positions in the pharmaceutical industry or administrative positions in government laboratories would be attractive to individuals with both chemical and business training.

News from Chemistry and Biochemistry:

Please help us welcome Dr. Cesar Ortiz-Ledon to our Department, as a new tenure-track analytical chemist. Dr. Ortiz-Ledon earned his BS in Chemistry from Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juarez and his PhD from University of Texas-Austin after starting at New Mexico State University. Most recently he was a postdoctoral researcher at University of Wisconsin. He will be teaching our analytical courses as well as general chemistry/general education chemistry, and his research will focus on studying electrochemical interfaces at the nanoscale level by coupling electrochemistry with other analytical techniques.

Dr. Michael Beck (Chemistry/BioChemistry) just secured a major NIH R15 grant for $300,000 to study human drug metabolizing enzymes called carboxylesterases. This grant also provides funds for new equipment and paid research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. Congratulations, Dr. Beck!.


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Why Choose EIU for Chemistry and Biochemistry

Small Classes

Chemistry and Biochemistry is a small, close-knit department where students get significant one-on-one mentoring by full-time faculty. We celebrate the success of our students in being accepted into high-quality graduate school (PhD programs) and medical and professional schools or getting started immediately on careers in industry or high school teaching.

Active Faculty

All 15 faculty members in the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department have active research programs that welcome undergraduate student collaborators as early as freshman and sophomore years. Research projects include analysis of the gases evolved in the use of biomass for fuel, precise measurements of the actual forces involved when two single molecules collide, advanced photovoltaics (solar energy conversion), the biochemistry of disease development, organic synthesis of molecules with particular properties (light-sensitivity) or with targeted structures, control of reactions between single molecules in solid crystals, the construction of chemical sensors, and projects related to chemical education. The department also has an active summer research program right here on campus but also encourages students to pursue internships in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries.

Modern Instrumentation

Our students enjoy the use of modern instrumentation and a dedicated chemistry student computer lab for both laboratory and research classes. The department also houses a regional X-ray diffraction facility which students can be trained to use. (X-ray diffraction can be used to actually build a 3D image of single molecules in crystals.) In addition, the department has an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) which can map the molecular contours of solid surfaces.

Academic Choice

  • BS Chemistry and BS Biochemistry Degrees with choice of concentrations:
    • Chemistry (great preparation for MS and PhD programs)
    • Biochemistry (a smart choice for pre-med and pre-pharmacy or graduate school preparation)
    • Management (if you like business and management but need a technical background)
  • BA Chemistry Degree offering flexibility to pair with another major (double major)
  • BS in Science with Teacher Certification (Chemistry and Biochemistry specialization) - to prepare future high school chemistry teachers.
  • Accelerated BS/MS Degree - get both a BS and MS degree in 5 years!
  • MS Chemistry Degree - a two-year research and thesis-based graduate degree.

Nationally Recognized

Our BS Chemistry and Biochemistry(Chemistry and Biochemistry Concentration) and BS Chemistry and Biochemistry(Biochemistry Concentration) degrees are American Chemical Society (ACS) approved curricula. We also have a nationally recognized chapter of the Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society, a professional, service-oriented, and fun organization!

Concentrations

Biochemistry

Students in this program take courses in biology in addition to advanced work in biochemistry. This course of study is attractive to students interested in understanding the chemistry of living systems leading to employment in the biotechnology industry or further study in medicine, dentistry, or graduate school. Click here for more information on this program.

BS with Teacher Certification

Students interested in teaching high school chemistry earn a Bachelor of Science with Teacher Certification, Chemistry and Biochemistry Specialization. The aim of this program is to train and certify students to be excellent high school science teachers with a specialty in chemistry. Click here for more information on this program.

Chemistry

This is an American Chemical Society (ACS)-approved program, chosen by many students interested in employment in industry or government, as well as by those students pursuing advanced degrees (M.S. or Ph.D.) in chemistry. Click here for more information on this program.

Management

This concentration prepares students for positions in sales or management within the pharmaceutical or chemical industry where often both chemical and business skills are required. This program includes foundation courses that are required for many MBA programs. Click here for more information on this program.

Medical, dental, or pharmacy school

Students interested in going on to medical, dental, or pharmacy school after obtaining their B.S. in Chemistry and Biochemistry should consider either the Chemistry and Biochemistry or Biochemistry Concentrations and take appropriate courses from the Biological Sciences department. Click here for more information on this program.

Meet our Faculty

Don't take our word for it

"I felt as though I received one-on-one attention from the majority of my professors, who sought to ensure the best possible education for all of their students. Despite coming from a smaller school than many of my peers here in Chicago, I feel as though I received a very solid foundation for many concepts and subjects that were further expanded upon in medical school."

Lena F Elmuti, Chemistry Concentration (2013)

"The Chemistry and Biochemistry Department at Eastern gave me a wide variety of class and lab experiences. The professors were also available to help me have a good grasp on the material. All of this has given me a better understanding of the material I am teaching, which helps me teach it to my students in a way they can understand it!”

Tayler C Kuenneth, Teaching Concentration (2014)

"I think the EIU chemistry department did a great job of helping me learn a good foundation in science and even more importantly I gained critical experience in evaluating often very difficult problems. Both the junior and senior seminars that we were required to give allowed me to really understand critically evaluating basic and clinical science research. "

Scott Keller M. D., Biochemistry Concentration (2010)

"I also got lab experience in the EIU Chemistry and Biochemistry Department. Working in a biochemistry lab I learned important lab practices and techniques that I still use almost every day in my PhD research!”

Ann E Egan, Biochemistry Concentration (2012)

Related Pages

Alumni College of Sciences MS in Chemistry and Biochemistry Research in Chemistry and Biochemistry Major Instrumentation

Contact Information

Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry Chair:
Dr. Edward M. Treadwell

600 Lincoln Avenue, Charleston IL 61920 Physical Science, Room 3150
217-581-5906
emtreadwell@eiu.edu


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