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Chemistry and Biochemistry degrees at FLC

A student holds up a sample to analyze it.

The Chemistry & Biochemistry Department at Fort Lewis College offers hands-on, research-driven education for students pursuing careers in chemistry, biochemistry, medicine, biotechnology, environmental science, engineering, and education. With small class sizes and close faculty mentorship, you’ll develop the lab skills and scientific knowledge that top graduate programs and employers are looking for.

Top-ranked in Colorado and nationally accredited

Recognized as a Program of Excellence by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education, our department is considered one of the best in the state. Fort Lewis College also ranks among the top 10 colleges in the NSF Mountain Region for graduates who go on to earn PhDs in chemistry—proof that our programs open doors. With an ACS-certified Chemistry degree and one of only two ASBMB-accredited Biochemistry degrees in Colorado, our students graduate with a competitive edge for internships, jobs, and graduate school.

Why study Chemistry or Biochemistry at FLC?

Our students receive individualized instruction and mentoring from award-winning faculty. With an open-door policy and a commitment to student success, we support you in reaching your goals—whether that’s graduate school, medical school, or a science-focused career. Our graduates are well-prepared for what comes next. Many enter medical, graduate, or professional schools, while others launch directly into rewarding careers in the sciences.

Research opportunities from day one

All students gain hands-on experience with advanced lab equipment—over $1 million in scientific instrumentation, more accessible to undergraduates than at many large universities. Every student completes faculty-mentored research, and many go on to pursue paid summer research through the NSF's Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) program.

By the numbers: FLC Chemistry & Biochemistry Department

96%

of department graduates are in related post-secondary programs or jobs

$75k

in student scholarships available annually

$70 - 100k

starting salaries chemistry and biochemistry graduates

Where are they now?

Many of our graduates launch successful careers with leading organizations across various fields, where their Chemistry or Biochemistry degree provides a strong foundation. From national laboratories to top technology companies and research institutions, our alumni are highly sought after for their expertise and skills.

"I cannot speak highly enough of the Chemistry Department; I wouldn’t be who I am today without it. The level of education you get is phenomenal, and you learn how to make mistakes and problem-solve when it doesn’t go according to plan. I owe where I am in my educational and career journey to that department."

Gabby James

Class of '19

FLC Chemistry & Biochemistry Department news

Claire Stellick takes temperatures in the layers of a snow pit during a class by FLC professor Julie Korb’s Forest Ecology. Courtesy of Claire Stellick.

FLC grad Claire Stellick finds adventure and purpose as a USDA hydrologist

Just four years after graduating from FLC, Claire Stellick is now working as a hydrologist exploring Utah’s backcountry—often on a snowmobile or skis—in a career that combines science, adventure, and environmental stewardship.

Professor Joslynn Lee, Ph.D, inspires the next generation of Native scientists

Bridging science and tradition, Professor Lee inspires Native American and underrepresented students to explore data science and scientific computing while studying the mining impacts on the San Juan Watershed.

Natalie Joe

Alumna Natalie Joe (Cellular & Molecular Biology and Chemistry-Biochemistry, '16) was inducted into the Johns Hopkins Bouchet Society.

PHDs

Ph.D. graduates from the University of Colorado Boulder are migrating southwest to teach undergraduate students at Fort Lewis College. FLC students considering graduate school are already benefiting from this unique partnership, with the CU Boulder Ph.D. graduates stepping in as mentors as well as educators.

Chemistry & Biochemistry Department Fort Lewis College