Skip navigation

Chemistry

Availability: Hattiesburg Options

Chemistry, a central science, brings solutions.

Chemistry is called a “central science” for a very good reason. It encompasses the widest areas of science from quantum mechanics to gene expression. Chemistry provides the fundamentals for a molecular understanding of materials, be they organic, inorganic or biological. Chemistry’s unique perspective also presents a variety of different career options to students. These include careers in medicine as well as the pharmaceutical, textile, polymer, cosmetic, paint, food, petrochemical and agrochemical industries.

A wide range of career options in the chemical and biochemical sciences can be found from places like the American Chemical Society (ACS) and Zippia

Request info Apply

3degree emphases: Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemistry Licensure
12program-specific undergraduate scholarships
1required research experience

What Will I Learn?

There are five broad areas of chemistry. 

  • Inorganic Chemistry – chemical aspects of all elements and their reactivities
  • Organic Chemistry – foundation of life processes and chemical synthesis of new molecules
  • Analytical Chemistry – foundation for qualitative and quantitative aspects of chemical reactions
  • Physical Chemistry – physical basis for molecular reactions
  • Biochemistry – connection to living organisms

Licensure majors learn pedagogical skills applicable every day in their classrooms.

In addition to classroom learning, you will perform cutting-edge research. There are nine faculty with active research agendas in various sub-disciplines who present wonderful opportunities for undergraduates to obtain valuable research experience, which immensely helps students in advancing their future careers.

“Nano around you” and "Community college" student outreach programs

Dr. Song Guo, a recipient of a prestigious NSF CAREER award, is running an outreach program called, “Nano around you.” As a part of this program, in addition to providing research experience for undergraduate and graduate students, he periodically conducts High School Polymer Nanowhisker Workshops, which are high school student research experiences with a particular emphasis on lower income students.

Dr. Julie Pigza, a recipient of a prestigious NSF CAREER award, is hosting outreach programs focusing on transfer student success. These initiatives will provide authentic research experiences, workshops, and skill-building activities to students who traditionally are not exposed to laboratory research at their community college.

Availability

  • Medicine (MD/PhD)
  • Engineering (Materials, Polymer, Food, Chemical)
  • Science (MS/PhD)
  • Pharmacy (Pharm D)
  • Forensic science (Crime lab)
  • Cosmetics industry
  • Krista Bowman, 1988
    PhD at Emory University, postdoc at Stanford University, now Senior Scientific Manager at Genentech
  • Lacy Harris, 2009
    Associate professor of orthodontics at University of Texas Health Science Center and a practicing orthodontist in Houston
  • Shamika Hudson, 2005
    Pediatrician in Ridgeland, MS
  • Christopher Anderson, 1995
    Chief of Transplant Surgery at University of Mississippi Medical Center
  • Andrea Marshall, 2008
    Postdoctoral research scholar at University of Iowa
  • Hannah Roberts, 2015
    Medical student at University of Mississippi Medical Center