Chemistry

Why a chemistry or biochemistry degree?

Why a chemistry or biochemistry degree? For students who want a broad natural science background that will prepare them for careers in medicine, law or related fields, LaGrange offers the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Chemistry. It's a major whose requirements are not so demanding that students cannot find time for nonchemistry electives.

The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) program in Chemistry is designed for students who intend to pursue graduate school in chemistry or chemically related fields such as chemical physics and environmental chemistry or work in research or industry as a bench chemist.

A Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Biochemistry is designed to prepare majors for professional school or further study in disciplines that bridge the chemistry and biological sciences. The requirements of this major are few enough to leave significant time for nonchemistry electives. 

Meet Chemistry majors:

Carl Kananda
Carl Kananda He's lived all over the world, but it was a powerful attraction to chemistry-and football-that brought Carl Kananda to LaGrange.

Carl was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, also called Congo-Kinshasa, located in Central Africa. Sadly, his home country has been devastated since 1998 by the Second Congo War-the planet's deadliest conflict since World War II.

Megan Sachs
Megan Sachs Megan Sachs of Knoxville, Tenn., is a firm believer in following where God leads.

A few months ago, Megan was playing in a volleyball tournament when she was spotted by Julie Moses, coach of LaGrange College's volleyball and lacrosse teams.

“She sent me a letter and said she was interested in me playing here,” Megan says. “I had never heard of LaGrange College, so I decided to check it out.”

Career Information:


According to the American Chemistry Council, chemistry directly generated 868,700 American jobs in 2006. Employment sectors with the greatest number of chemistry employees were:

  1. Industry (including chemical and pharmaceutical companies)
  2. Academic institutions
  3. Government laboratories

Agriculture, manufacturing, real estate, educational services, retail trade and healthcare contributed another five million jobs to the U.S. economy through their dependence on chemistry products.

Chemists discovered the tuberculosis vaccine, developed the iPod and the iPhone and helped the hybrid automobile become a reality.