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Environmental Chemistry | Major

About the program

This major provides students with a strong foundation in chemistry and in the environmental sciences. As an environmental chemist, you’ll monitor what is in the air, water, and soil to study the effects chemicals have on our environment.

Environmental chemistry majors take courses in a variety of disciplines and are prepared to work in this rapidly growing, interdisciplinary field. The liberal arts education you'll receive at Thiel College ensures that you’ll possess the scientific literacy and problem-solving skills associated with all the main branches of chemistry.

Visit our Academic Catalog (2023-2024) for course listings.

Major Features

1. Demonstrate competency in conducting an internal or external research project.
2. Possess scientific literacy and problem solving skills associated with the main branches of chemistry: analytical, biochemistry, inorganic, organic, physical and environmental.
3. Be able to solve problems dealing with soil, water and atmospheric chemistry, toxic chemicals and waste disposal.
4. Possess practical field skills including environmental sampling and analysis.
5. Demonstrate competency in conducting a trace analysis.
6. Be able to critically analyze current environmental issues from a scientific standpoint.
7. Be prepared for employment in environmental chemistry or admission into an environmental or chemistry-related graduate or professional program.

Scholarship Opportunities

Thiel College offers scholarships to students for reasons such as academic success, community service or involvement, exemplary leadership and more! The scholarships available to environmental chemistry majors are:

• Marion G. Resch Science Scholarship at Thiel College
• Bennett-Heald-Safford Endowed Scholarship Fund
• Dr. Florence West Tribute to Dr. Bly
• The Dr. Judith A Crissman '64 Endowed Scholarship Fund
• The William B. Frank Minority Scholarship in the Physical Sciences
• Emil A. Lucas Chemistry Scholarship
• The Maenpa Family Biotechnology Endowed Scholarship Fund at Thiel College
• Elizabeth McElhaney Scholarship
• J. Scott Morrison Endowment for Science and Religion
• Paul H. Ralston Chemistry Award Fund
• Charles E. Rogers ’36 and Ruth G. Rogers Education Scholarship
• The Charles ’57 and Edna Semroc Scholarship Fund
• Arthur E. Smith Scholarship Fund
• Ruth Staudenmayer, R.N. Memorial Scholarship
• TWC Amelia Earhart Scholarship
• Irene Wintersteen Memorial Science Scholarship

Visit our Financial Aid page to learn more about the types of aid available to students.

Clubs & Organizations

It's easy to get involved on campus! Joining a student club or organization is an excellent way to meet others and gain leadership experience. An environmental chemistry major might be interested in the following clubs and orgs:

• American Chemistry Society
• Alpha Psi Omega (American Chemical Society)
• Sigma Xi (Scientific Research Society)

Visit our Campus Life page to see a full list of student clubs and organizations.

Alumni & Careers

Environmental chemists are at the forefront of conserving our resources and safeguarding our environment. In business, government and academia the need for them is growing and with a B.S. in environmental chemistry from Thiel College, you’ll be ready to find your place in this important work.

Environmental chemists earn a median annual salary of $61,700* and are working in many different fields, such as:

• Federal, state, and municipal governments
• Colleges, universities and private research institutes
• Biotechnology firms, pharmaceutical companies and forensic labs
• Waste management firms and agro-chemical companies
• Environmental conservation organizations and consulting firms
• Oil, gas and mining companies

*Job and salary information from www.academicinvest.com/science-careers/environmental-science-careers