Undergraduate Programs

The UW Department of Chemistry runs one of the largest chemistry and biochemistry undergraduate degree program in the nation. We also offer a chemistry minor and serve many non-majors, with more than 3,000 undergraduates taking at least one introductory chemistry course annually. We have the largest undergraduate instructional laboratory program at the UW.

Learn more about our undergraduate programs at the links below:

Undergraduate News

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Involving undergrads in chemistry research

A Q&A with Prof. Ashleigh Theberge Undergraduate researchers are an important part of Ashleigh Theberge’s chemistry laboratory at the University of Washington. Theberge, UW associate professor of chemistry, is co-principal investigator of the Theberge Group lab, which invents bioanalytical chemistry tools to improve healthcare and advance knowledge of chemical mechanisms in the body. Theberge shares her thoughts about involving undergraduate students in the lab’s many research projects in… Read more
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Abby Burtner selected to be 1 of 16 Churchill Scholars

by Danielle Marie Holland UW senior Abby Burtner, ‘24, has been awarded the prestigious Churchill Scholarship in recognition of her outstanding achievements in the field of biochemistry. As a Churchill Scholar, Burtner’s next step is to complete a fully-funded master’s degree in pathology at Cambridge University. The Churchill Foundation selected 16 exceptional students as Churchill Scholars from a pool of 121 candidates this academic year. This year’s competition highlights the dedication,… Read more
Undergraduate Researcher Christine Wu works in the lab of Associate Professor Dan Fu with her graduate student research mentor, Robert Espinoza.

Donor supported undergraduate research

Twenty-one undergraduate researchers working with Chemistry faculty received a $2,000 stipend from donor supported departmental scholarship funds to continue their research during summer 2022. In summer 2023, eighteen undergraduate students received a total of $53,100 from donor supported departmental scholarship funds to begin or continue research in chemistry. The disbursement of these funds over the past two summers is the beginning steps to create research opportunities for more… Read more
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Four Biochemistry and Chemistry Students among 2023-24 cohort of Levinson Emerging Scholars

The Levinson Emerging Scholars Program supports talented and highly motivated UW juniors and seniors who want to pursue creative and advanced bioscience and related research. Each year, ten outstanding UW undergraduates are named Levinson Emerging Scholars and receive funding to support their original research for 2-3 quarters, including funding to present their findings at a professional conference. Four of the ten Levinson Emerging Scholars for 2023-24 are biochemistry and chemistry students… Read more
Abby Burtner gives a sheepish thumbs up after accidentally boiling a protein gel which exploded causing blue dye to splatter all over the fume hood.

Student Experience: Abby Burtner

Biochemistry major Abby Burtner traveled to Germany over the summer as part of the German Academic Exchange Service (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst or “DAAD”) Research Internships in Science and Engineering (RISE) program funded by the German Federal Foreign Office. RISE Germany offers undergraduate students from North American, British and Irish universities the opportunity to complete a summer research internship at top German… Read more
Three people sit at a table with a "cabbage chemistry" demonstration.

InCS mentors, conducts outreach, creates community

Featured Student Organization: Inclusion in the Chemical Sciences by Michaela Gustaitis, graduate student Inclusion in Chemical Sciences (InCS) had an exciting and eventful Academic Year 2022-23! As an organization, we hosted and attended numerous outreach and social events and had a great time engaging with different members of the community.Every summer, InCS organizes a mentorship network where incoming first-year PhD students are paired… Read more
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Dawg Daze Digest: Planetarium Shows, Art Tours, Trivia, Information Sessions and more!

Featured on UW College of Arts & Sciences News 
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Theresa Gozzo Recognized for Excellence in Teaching

Congratulations to Theresa Gozzo who was honored for her achievements in teaching, mentoring, and public service with an Excellence in Teaching Award at the 2023 Awards of Excellence ceremony on June 8. The Excellence in Teaching Award is among the highest teaching recognition at the University of Washington. Gozzo’s primary goal is to create more productive and positive learning experiences by establishing a classroom where students spend less time struggling alone. In this positive… Read more
Anna Finch with long brown hair and bangs, wearing a purple sweater, smiling at the camera, with a tree behind her.

Anna Finch named President's Medalist

The President’s Medal is presented annually by the University of Washington president to two graduating seniors who have achieved the most distinguished academic records in their class. One medal is given to a student who has completed at least three-fourths of degree requirements at the University. A second medal is awarded to a student who entered the University with at least 60 transfer credits from a Washington… Read more
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Scholarships, Awards & Honors: Undergraduate Students

A year in review of honors and achievements by UW Chemistry an Biochemistry undergraduate students. 2022-2023 Chemistry Scholarship and Book Award Recipients Jump to Top Scholars in Chemistry for the 2022-23 Academic Year Undergraduate Research Awards Rueben AllenDistinguished Research in Chemistry Donovan BahallDistinguished… Read more
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