Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers a variety of programs, research, and internship opportunities. Our small lecture and laboratory classes offer a quality learning experience with our faculty. We offer chemistry, biochemistry, and chemistry/education degrees that are certified by the American Chemical Society. All interested students are invited to join our award-winning student chapter of the American Chemical Society.

We offer a wide selection of majors to choose from: Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biochemistry/Forensic Science, Chemistry/Business Minor, Chemistry/Computer Science, and Chemistry/Education.

What learning and research opportunities do Suffolk students have?

• Our small lecture and laboratory courses offer a quality learning experience. Most lab courses are restricted to 12 students so that students receive excellent one-on-one training and maximal exposure to instrumentation.
• Students can conduct research with Suffolk faculty on a wide variety of exciting projects including:
- Development of spectral, physical and optical databases  and application of multivariate statistics for the investigation of trace evidence materials
- Investigation of the molecular components of the bacterial mating machinery
- Study of the reaction mechanisms involving the reaction of organic and organometallic species with hydrogen using parahydrogen induced polarization
- Use of ionic liquids in the synthesis of transition metal complexes
- Assessment of environmental contamination from common industrial pollutants in urban environments
- Study of the processes that cleave silicon-hydrogen (Si-H) and silicon-carbon (Si-C) bonds of synthetic polymers
• Many students receive National Science Foundation fellowships to participate in summer research programs. Recent students conducted research at Boston University, University of Oregon, University of North Dakota, and University of Connecticut Health Center.
• Students may also intern at the many companies, universities, forensic crime labs, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and medical schools located in Boston.

Our alumni

• Employers of our alumni include: Acceleron, Biogen Idec, Boston Police Department Crime Laboratory Unit, Calloway (Toxicology) Laboratories, Harvard University, Mass General Hospital, and Novartis
• Health professional schools enrolling our graduates include: New England College of Optometry, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, and Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS)
• Graduate  programs enrolling our graduates include: Tufts University, University of British Columbia, Vanderbilt University, University of Southern California, University of Rhode Island, and Harvard School of Public Health

Please become a member on our Facebook page to meet the faculty, students, and alumni.

For more information, contact Dr. Martha Richmond, Chair, Chemistry and Biochemistry Department.