Department of Chemistry and Physics

College of Arts and Sciences

About the Department Department of Chemistry and Physics

We offer foundational and advanced courses in Chemistry and Physics. Students may obtain one of two undergraduate degrees: the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry or the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with specialization in Biochemistry. In addition, those in other degree programs may earn a Chemistry or Physics minor.

Barry's department of Chemistry and Physics prioritizes hands-on mentorship from accomplished and approachable faculty, ensuring that our graduates have every opportunity to realize their academic and career ambitions. 

Our graduates have an exceptionally high success rate of admission to graduate or professional school. Our pre-professional specializations are gateways to great careers, and include:

  • Pre-medical
  • Pre-dental
  • Pre-pharmacy
  • Pre-veterinary

Additionally, many of our graduates enter the workforce as industrial or analytical chemists in a variety of scientific careers.

Quick Facts

You'll be captivated by the many doors a degree in Chemistry can open for you!

Department Highlights

class

Small class sizes

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Hands-on Experience

Facilities

Exceptional Facilities

Student Centered Program

Student Centered Program

  • class

    Small class sizes

  • person-arrow-star

    Hands-on Experience

  • Facilities

    Exceptional Facilities

  • Student Centered Program

    Student Centered Program

Mission

Derived from the liberal arts tradition, the study of physical sciences supports inquiry, exploration, and a lifelong appreciation for learning in the disciplines of physics, chemistry and biochemistry. In keeping with the University’s core mission, the study of the physical sciences emphasizes:

  • Analytical and critical thinking skills
  • Personal growth in both individual and collaborative work
  • Ethical and responsible research and lab practices
  • Hands-on experience with modern instrumentation
  • Exposure to a broad curriculum that is inclusive of most sub-disciplines of chemistry and physics
  • Preparation for graduate study or workforce entry
  • Commitment to service through local and global community outreach

Our Programs

  • Chemistry (BS)

    Offering a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, with the opportunity to specialize in biochemistry. The degree prepares student for pre-professional specializations which include pre-medical, pre-dental, pre-pharmacy and pre-veterinary.

Our Minors

Department of Chemistry and Physics Internships and On-campus Employment

The Department of Chemistry and Physics provides our students with opportunities to apply for internships in academia, government, and industry. Paid internships as well as those taken for a credit are offered throughout the academic year and over the summer. 

 

Email Us On-campus Employment

Alumni Testimonials

  • Medical student at Stanford University School of Medicine Peter Nwokoye, MPhil

  • Laboratory Technician, Kaycha Labs Gabriela Paola Torres Frontánez

  • PhD student in Chemical Biology, Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Jakub Ettrich

  • MS student in Public Health: Global Health Epidemiology and Disease Control Lana Sumner-Borema

  • Senior Advisor Medicinal Chemistry DCRT at Eli Lilly and Company Susana Sorina Lopez, PhD

News

Top Stories

  • Breaking Through the Frontiers of Physics March 30, 2023

    Earlier this month, our very own Barry students presented at the annual American Physical Society Meeting in Las Vegas. Bringing together some of the most renowned scientists and students from across the world, this meeting fosters collaboration and networking in the scientific community.

  • Physics Seminar on Wednesday, September 7 September 07, 2022

    Dr. Marco Fedele, of the Karlsruher Institute for Theoretical Physics (Germany) will give the talk: “An overview of hot topics in the world of Particle Physics”.

  • National Science Foundation awards grant for Dr. Fornal and his team! May 30, 2022

    Celebrating a successful grant proposal for the Department of Chemistry and Physics at Barry University

  • Chemistry Grads Shine In The Pharmaceutical Field July 06, 2021

    Finding your perfect job in the pharmaceutical field is all about chemistry — literally!

  • Biology And Chemistry Alum Peter Nwokoye, Class Of 2016, Earns Prestigious Gates Cambridge Scholarship April 22, 2021

    As a Chemistry and Biology double major at Barry University, Peter Nwokoye got his first taste of biomedical research as a student assistant analyzing the impact of embryonic alcohol exposure.

Experiential Learning Engagement

The Department of Chemistry and Physics believes that community engagement is an important part of a professional scientist’s training.

That’s why we offer many opportunities to connect and share our knowledge and love of science with the greater community.

Service-Learning Courses

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    Senior Seminar (CHE 490)

    This course equips our graduating seniors with the skills they need to succeed as a scientist, including technical communication of scientific results.
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    Instrumental Analysis (CHE 421)

    Hone your research skills and impact your community by launching your own service-learning or research project during this analysis-driven course.

Engagement Projects Community Outreach and Campus Involvement

Some of us express ourselves easily; some of us, quite the contrary. But education helps us all find our way to being the person we want to be, both in and out of the classroom. With that in mind, we encourage students to really get involved in extracurricular activities.

Our Chemistry and Physics Tournament for high school students, Chemistry Club demonstrations at local elementary schools, and participation in the C.O.A.C.H. program for hands-on education of under-resourced students are just some of the ways undergraduates in our department can become involved with the community.

Undergraduate Research Program

The Department of Chemistry and Physics in congruence with the mission of Barry University strongly believes that undergraduate research must be an integral part of the chemistry and physics curriculum for preparing students for graduate and professional programs. Chemistry students are encouraged to enroll in undergraduate research under the supervision of a faculty member with expertise in the areas of organic, inorganic, analytical, and physical chemistry, biochemistry and physics. 

The department is uniquely well-equipped with newly acquired state-of-the-art instrumentation. Conveniently located in the instrumental laboratory, these instruments provide students with qualitative, quantitative and structural experimental data that can be used to determine the purity of a substance, elucidate the structure of an organic compound and to follow the progress of a chemical reaction. Undergraduate students also have the opportunity to present research posters at national conferences and co-author research manuscripts with mentors for publication.

Summer Research Opportunities Instrumentation

Students may choose to do research with the faculty member whose topic of investigation most interests them.

  • Dr. John Boulos: Synthesis of novel bitopic muscarinic agonists and antagonists for Alzheimer, Schizophrenia, Parkinsons, Substance Abuse and Overactive Bladder Syndrome
  • Dr. Conrad Fischer
  • Dr. Bartosz Fornal
  • Dr. Maurizio Giannotti
  • Dr. Tamara Hamilton: Mechanochemical Synthesis of Porphyrins
  • Dr. Zuzana Zajickova: Preparation and characterization of organo-silica monoliths for applications in liquid chromatography
View Student Research

Department of Chemistry and Physics Faculty & Staff

The odds are definitely in your favor at Barry University. Our student-faculty ratio is only 15:1. That means you get personal attention and guidance, and nobody gets lost in the shuffle. Even more impressive, over 80 percent of our faculty hold a PhD or the highest degree available in their field of expertise. Two of our faculty are Fulbright Scholars.

We seek out professors who are not only great teachers, but who love what they do. Their passion, enthusiasm, and inspiration are contagious, and there's no better way to keep young minds excited about learning and discovering. Beyond each teacher's area of expertise, our faculty is committed to promoting equality, social justice, altruism, diversity, and humility. Through education, everyone can have a voice.

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