Welcome to the UH Hilo Chemistry Department

Chemistry is the study of matter and energy and the changes that they undergo. Everything that is known in the physical universe is made up of either matter or energy and the rest is just empty space. Chemistry is often referred to as the central science. All other branches of the physical sciences touch upon the subject of chemistry and indeed, here at UH Hilo all majors in the Natural Sciences Division except for Mathematics and Physics are required to take courses in Chemistry. Chemistry will play an important role in your lives in many ways. Many of the political decisions about the environment today have their basis in chemically oriented questions. This is in part due to the integral role that chemistry plays in the development of modern high technology. It is also an essential part of everyday living. As you cook, eat, and clean in and around your homes, you are made aware of the many "chemicals" that are constantly in your daily life.

The Chemistry program at UH Hilo offers two distinct plans, the traditional Chemistry major with a Physical emphasis and another plan with a Biosciences emphasis. The first two years of both plans are almost identical, requiring the General and Organic Chemistry, Physics and Calculus. The next two years diverge. The Physical emphasis major requires more upper division courses in Chemistry while the Biosciences major requires upper division courses in Biology along with Chemistry courses. Both plans lead to a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry. Either plan prepares a student for the job market immediately after graduation or for further pursuing their education in graduate or professional schools. As the name implies, the Biosciences emphasis is designed for those students who are seeking careers in health-related fields such as medicine.

Our Degrees and Campus

Undergraduate

The Chemistry Program offers two majors and a minor designed to meet the differing needs of students.

B.S., Chemistry: A traditional curriculum with a strong physical science emphasis
B.S., Chemistry-Biociences: Combines the study of chemistry with 21 semester hours of selected biology courses
Minor in Chemistry

The University

The University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo is characterized as a comprehensive, diverse, regional university. Scholarship and research are an important part of faculty work and student engagement, but the primary focus is on providing high-quality baccalaureate and postgraduate education.

Why Study Chemistry

Chemists contribute in a myriad of ways to our society today and will continue to do so practically and theoretically. This notion becomes more apparent as we head into a future that is becoming more technologically oriented. Our lives are becoming more dependent upon what chemistry can do. The study of life itself can be approached as a question of chemistry. Chemistry is omnipresent and it can be overwhelming, however, it can also be enlightening and comforting to be able to have a better understanding of our physical universe by studying Chemistry.

Prospects for Chemistry Graduates

Either B.A. curriculum prepares the student for the job market immediately after graduation or for further education in graduate or professional school. As the name implies, the Biosciences emphasis is designed for students who are seeking careers in health related fields such as medicine. Chemistry majors who also complete the UH Hilo Teacher Education Program may apply for initial basic teaching certificates in elementary and secondary education in the State of Hawaiʻi.