Chemistry
SPARK a FIRE Scholarship
Scholarship award up to $10,000 per year
Apply Now
Application for Fall 2024 will open on January 8, 2024.
Review of applications for Fall 2024 will begin April 1, 2024.
Applications will continue to be accepted and reviewed until funds are exhausted.
C-SURF Applications Now Open
Sophomores and Juniors, get paid for your summer research!
Earn up to $4000 ($15/hr).
Applications due February 12th.
See our webpage for full submission details.
Idaho LAUNCH
Idaho LAUNCH grants provide graduating high school seniors with an opportunity to have up to 80% of their tuition and fees covered, up to $8,000, for programs leading to in-demand careers, including Chemistry and Biochemistry. Additionally, students who receive Idaho LAUNCH grants have the option to combine them with other scholarships offered by Idaho State University.
Welcome to Idaho State Chemistry
The Department of Chemistry at Idaho State University is an American Chemical Society (ACS) accredited department, and our mission is to provide our students with the best possible education in chemical science. Through instruction in the classroom, teaching laboratories, and research laboratories, we are committed to providing a foundation in chemistry to students across multiple health, science, and engineering programs.
Through our undergraduate programs, we offer a Bachelor of Science (BS) and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degrees in Chemistry, and a BS degree in Biochemistry. In our graduate programs, students who want to take a faster path to achieve a BS and Master of Science (MS) degrees can do so through our accelerated BS/MS program. We also offer the more traditional, 2-year Master of Science program. Additionally, students majoring in other Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields can add a Chemistry minor to their degree.
Throughout the department, there is a focus on providing undergraduate research opportunities to our students, and faculty believe high-quality student-faculty collaborative research is a vital component in the education of a chemist. Undergraduate research experiences are valued or required by professional programs such as Pharmacy and Medical Schools for competitive applicants. During the school year, our faculty members hire students to conduct research in their respective labs for credit and/or pay. Over the summer, many internal and external full-time paid research opportunities exist, including the Chemistry Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (C-SURF), Idaho IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) Undergraduate Fellowships, Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI), and Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU). Faculty advisors help students receive scholarships, fellowships or internships, obtain jobs, and be admitted to professional or graduate programs throughout the year.
Beyond the classroom, our Pocatello campus is surrounded by the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, and students have ample opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, skiing, snowboarding, and more. Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks are just a short drive away.
We invite you to explore our website and schedule a visit with the Department of Chemistry to learn more about the program.
Research Areas
Chemistry of Life Processes (CLP)
Experimental and computational research that uses innovations in chemistry to study the molecular underpinnings of biological processes. The chemistry researchers working in this field are Dr. Caryn Evilia and Dr. Jeff Rosentreter.
Chemical Structure, Dynamics, and Mechanisms (CSDM)
Physical organic and physical inorganic chemistry research on the nature of chemical structure, chemical structure-property studies, chemical dynamics, and chemical mechanisms. The chemistry researchers working in this field are Dr. Andrew Holland, Dr. Courtney Jenkins, Dr. Leslie Nickerson, and Dr. Joshua Pak.
Chemical Theory, Models and Computational Methods (CTMC)
Research on theoretical and computational methods or models to address a range of chemical challenges, with emphasis on emerging areas of chemical research. The chemistry researchers working in this field are Dr. John Kalivas, Dr. René Rodriguez, and Dr. Joshua Pak.
Chemical Catalysis (CAT)
Experimental and computational research on the fundamental understanding of the chemistry of catalytic processes. The chemistry researchers working in this field are Dr. Andrew Holland, Dr. Leslie Nickerson, and Dr. Joshua Pak.
Chemical Measurement and Imaging (CMI)
Research on chemically relevant measurement science and chemical imaging, including analytical separation science, electroanalytical chemistry and spectrometry. The chemistry researchers working in this field are Dr. Lisa Goss, Dr. John Kalivas, Dr. René Rodriguez, and Dr. Jeffrey Rosentreter.
Chemical Synthesis (SYN)
Experimental and computational research on the development of new and efficient synthetic methodologies and on the synthesis of complex and/or challenging chemical structures. The chemistry researchers working in this field are Dr. Andrew Holland, Dr. Courtney Jenkins, Dr. Leslie Nickerson, and Dr. Joshua Pak.
Environmental Chemical Sciences (ECS)
Experimental and computational research in chemistry in order to understand environmental phenomena at the molecular scale. The chemistry researchers working in this field are Dr. Lisa Goss, Dr. Courtney Jenkins, Dr. Jeffrey Rosentreter, and Dr. Joshua Pak.
Macromolecular, Supramolecular and Nanochemistry (MSN)
Basic research on the chemistry of macromolecular, supramolecular, and nanoscopic structures. The chemistry researchers working in this field are Dr. Caryn Evilia, Dr. Andrew Holland, Dr. Courtney Jenkins, and Dr. Joshua Pak.
STEM Education
Research on strengthening STEM education. The chemistry researchers working in this field are Dr. Lisa Goss, Dr. Leslie Nickerson, Dr. Jeffrey Rosentreter, Dr. Courtney Jenkins, and Dr. Joshua Pak.
Graduate Schools
California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), University of California - Berkeley, Cornell University, University of Washington, University of Oregon, University of Utah, University of Wisconsin, University of California - Irvine, University of Arizona, Washington State University, Arizona State University, Rice University, University of Texas, and more.
Medical Programs
University of Michigan, University of Utah, University of Washington, Oregon Health Science University, Washington University St. Louis.
National Laboratories
Idaho National Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.
Industries
Micron Technology, Inc., ON Semiconductor, Simplot, Lockheed Martin, Dow-Dupont, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and Johns Hopkins Medical Center.