BSc in Applied Chemistry in Davis United States | University of California Davis

The Department of Chemistry provides two Bachelor of Science degree options within Applied Chemistry: Environmental Chemistry and Forensic Chemistry. These specialized B.S. programs differ from traditional chemistry degrees by incorporating substantial coursework from related disciplines. The Environmental Chemistry track equips students with skills to study chemical changes in ecosystems, detect environmental contaminants, and forecast chemical behaviors. The Forensic Chemistry program focuses on analyzing scientific evidence from natural and urban environments, often working with minute sample quantities.

Consider a suspicious parcel coated with unidentified powder, animal hair, and a tiny fiber - these traces become solvable puzzles for applied chemistry graduates. When a farmer suffers unexpected crop failures after a distant farm adopts genetically modified plants, applied chemists determine the cause as herbicide contamination. This practical problem-solving approach distinguishes applied chemistry from theoretical chemistry. Professionals in this field examine tangible evidence to address real-life challenges.