Chemistry Student Resources & Opportunities
WSU’s Chemistry Department offers multiple student resources. From clubs, research opportunities, awards, and scholarships to internships, careers, and other online resources–our department is here to support you.
Campus Clubs & Organizations
There are many campus clubs and organizations that will give you the chance to learn outside of the classroom in a fun, friendly environment.
Apply your studies and get involved through the Chemistry Club, Pre-Dental Club, Pre-Medical Club, Women in Science and Engineering (WISE), and more.
Research Opportunities
Chemistry students are encouraged to pursue research that aligns with their personal interests, academic studies, and career goals.
That’s why WSU offers a variety of chemistry research opportunities both on and off campus, all year long.
Partner with a WSU faculty member to investigate a topic that you’re passionate about.
From analytical and physical to organic and inorganic, our faculty conducts research in every branch of chemistry
Learn more about the current faculty research projects and their specialties.
Find an area you can’t wait to dig into? Reach out to the faculty member and ask to join their team.
Many institutions across the U.S. also offer focused, short-term research opportunities during the summer. Some even include a stipend.
These are often called Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REUs) or Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURFs).
Check out the many opportunities available for off-campus research (and other) experience at the American Chemical Society (ACS) Get Experience site.
Student Awards
The Chemistry Department honors outstanding students from each branch of chemistry: analytical, biochemistry, general, inorganic, organic, and physical.
Learn more about our notable student awards and the recent winners.
Each year, the Chemistry Department nominates outstanding graduating students as academic, professional, and social leaders in their field.
2025:
- Dylan Wolfe (ACS Biochemistry)
- Meagan Kaufenberg-Lashua (ACS Chemistry)
2024:
- Allison Dunham (ACS Biochemistry)
- McKenna Lund (General Chemistry)
- Kaylee Beyer (ACS Materials Chemistry)
2023:
- Sylvia Chase (ACS Biochemistry)
- Jordyn Stasiak (ACS Chemistry – Teaching)
- Jenna Holst (ACS Environmental Chemistry)
- Alison Waterman (General Chemistry)
- Ben Carvell (ACS Chemistry)
- Elijah Kellner (ACS Materials Chemistry)
The American Chemical Society (ACS) awards graduating chemistry majors who plan to have a career in chemistry or a closely related field.
Includes a one-year ACS membership, ACS pin, ACS pen, framed certificate, and one banquet guest.
- 2025: Dylan Wolfe
- 2024: Taylor Pagel
- 2023: Elijah Kellner
The American Institute of Chemists (AIC) Student Award Program honors outstanding seniors as well as post-baccalaureate and post-doctoral students majoring in chemistry, chemical engineering, or biochemistry.
The awards recognize students’ demonstrated ability, leadership, and professional promise. Candidates are nominated and chosen by their faculty members.
- 2025: Alexander Charles
- 2024: Kaylee Beyer
- 2023: Jenna Holst
Scholarships
In addition to the general scholarships at WSU, students in the Chemistry programs can filter and apply for many scholarships from the WSU Foundation.
Apply for WSU Foundation ScholarshipsInternships
Our graduates have earned distinction in a diverse range of careers, including industrial research chemists, government agency heads, and college professors.
Many chemistry alumni have gone on to chemistry doctorate programs and professional schools, such as pharmacy and medical colleges.
Internships are an excellent way to prepare for graduate school, professional school, or a career in the chemical industry.
Check out additional internship opportunities through these resources:
Careers
The fields of chemistry and sustainability are in high demand, with new jobs being listed daily. Explore job openings with:
Links & Resources
Explore the Chemistry Databases (including all ACS journals, ChemVillage, CRC Handbooks, and Elsevier’s ScienceDirect).
- Health Sciences Library – UMN
- Food & Drug Administration (FDA)
- National Institutes of Health (NIH)
- National Cancer Institute (NCI)
- National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI)
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)
- National Library of Medicine (NLM) Free Medline Search
- Center for Disease Control (CDC)
- ChemIDPlus. New site from the National Library of Medicine provides detailed toxicity data for 139,000 common compounds. Also returns structure, molecular weight, and physical properties.
- eMolecules structure searching site – (the site formerly know as CHMOOGLE)
- Database of IR and Mass Spectra. NIST Chemistry WebBook
- Directory of chemical suppliers and database of chemicals for drug discovery
- Search the Aldrich Catalog: Sigma-Aldrich Product Search
- Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS): Avantor
- Reaxys and Molinspiration: Render 3D molecules and predict bioactivity.
- PubChem (Available only to the WSU Community)
- PubMed (Available only to the WSU Community)
Course Planning
Chemistry majors are required to take courses that may not be offered every year.
Students in the following programs should be aware when planning for their degree:
- Chemistry (ACS) majors are required to take CHEM 451 (Advanced Inorganic Chemistry II), which is offered every even-numbered spring
- Environmental Chemistry (ACS) majors are required to take CHEM 436 (Topics in Environmental Chemistry), which is offered every odd-numbered spring
- Materials Chemistry (ACS) majors are required to take CHEM 411 (Synthesis and Characterization of Materials), which is offered every odd-numbered spring