Wonder. Explore. Discover. Repeat.

Two chemistry students with safety googles on, holding chemistry instruments, next to a vent hood.

Chemistry is at the heart of real-world solutions, from medical breakthroughs to climate innovations. At Fort Lewis College, our Chemistry program is recognized as a Program of Excellence by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education and ranks in the top 20% nationally for graduates who go on to earn Ph.D.s in chemistry (NSF Mountain Region).

You’ll work side by side with expert faculty, dive into collaborative research, and use over $1 million in advanced scientific instrumentation. Follow the ACS-certified track to graduate with credentials that set you apart—whether you’re heading to graduate school or launching your career in science.

Real-world impact

By collaborating with organizations like the Powerhouse Science Center to teach children about the principles of chemistry, you’ll also learn how to translate complex scientific concepts into everyday language—a vital skill in any science career.

  • Chemistry Major
  • Chemistry Minor
Chemistry Major

ACS-Certified Track
Enhance your degree with ACS certification to demonstrate rigorous training in laboratory practices and chemical theory.

Hands-on laboratory experience
All classes are taught by faculty (no graduate student instructors), meaning you get direct mentorship from professors who conduct dynamic demonstrations and use real-world problem solving in every course.

Undergraduate Research
Work alongside faculty on graduate-level research, publish your findings, and present at conferences such as the American Chemical Society Conference.

Funding & instrumentation
Through grants and donations, our department regularly acquires new analysis instruments. In 2020 alone, we gained $831,000 worth of instrumentation for student use.

Graduate outcomes

FLC ranks in the National Science Foundation’s top 20% for the number of graduates who go on to earn a Ph.D. in chemistry.

Learn more about Chemistry Major requirements

Chemistry Minor

A minor in Chemistry complements a variety of majors, from Biology and Health Sciences to Environmental Studies and Engineering. Explore fundamental chemical principles and gain essential lab skills to broaden your career and research opportunities.

Learn more about the Chemistry Minor requirements

Researching to find a new cure for Leishmaniasis

 

 

Nat Prugh, Chemistry Alumni

"Students in the FLC chem department are supported by a network of amazing professors. The department has small class sizes, which ensures students get to develop relationships with professors. Students get research opportunities very early on, giving them experiences that inform them on what a career in chemistry might look like."

Nathaniel Prugh
Chemistry '25

The road ahead

Jars of liquid with hoses coming out the top, labeled with chemical notation--a common site when working on your chemistry degree

You’ll graduate ready to lead in science and research, with the technical expertise and problem-solving skills to make real-world impact. Whether you’re aiming for industry, grad school, or healthcare, your Chemistry degree opens doors.

Imagine yourself as a:

  • Cancer researcher
  • Process or medicinal chemist
  • Toxicologist
  • Water & air quality analyst
  • Forensic scientist
  • Doctor
  • Laboratory instrument technician

FLC alumni work at places like Los Alamos National Lab, Agilent, Intel, and the CDC—and many earn fully funded graduate placements at top universities nationwide.