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The team culture in the Rollins chemistry department encourages undergraduates to talk freely with professors starting your first year. With a faculty genuinely vested in the progress and success of each student, the chemistry program offers two degree tracks: one that’s certified by the American Chemical Society as the foundation for lab or tech careers and the other for students who envision going into pre-health, pre-law, or perhaps business.

Your lab, research, and internship experiences early on in your college career will help you determine what you want to pursue, and you’ll have personal guidance from faculty and advisors on each step of your journey.


Why Study Chemistry at Rollins

  1. 1

    Range of Expertise

    Each faculty member brings an interest in the subdisciplines of chemistry: nanotech, materials, medical, food, solutions, and others. You can narrow your focus according to your own interest.

  2. 2

    Transferable Skills

    Lab experiences are interactive to help develop life skills such as problem solving, critical thinking, and the ability to communicate your findings with scientists and laypeople alike.

  3. 3

    Relationships with Faculty

    Every professor knows you by name and career goals. They can advise coursework and internships tailored to your vision and write personalized recommendation letters for graduate schools.

Interested in Studying Chemistry at Rollins?

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Mutya Cruz portrait

“The level of mentorship I received in the chemistry department at Rollins greatly impacted my decision to pursue a graduate degree. The hours of help beyond the classroom ensured that I would reach my goals. As an undergraduate, I truly felt the entire department worked together to get me where I am today.”

Mutya Cruz ’15

PhD, Duke University


Rollins Chemistry Careers

Rollins chemistry grads are making tomorrow happen at some of the world’s most innovative companies and prestigious institutions. Learn more about careers in chemistry.

  • Self portrait of Shalini Allam.

    Shalini Allam ’13 MD

    Cardiology Fellow, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

  • Self portrait of Julian Grundler

    Julian Grundler ’18

    Yale University, Graduate Researcher

  • Self portrait of Carri Geer

    Carri Geer '13 PhD

    Senior Vice President & Chief Technology Officer, Novan, Inc.

  • Self portrait of Michael Kitchin

    Michael Kitchin ’17

    MD Candidate, NYU School of Medicine

  • Self portrait of Meagan Amick Tippens.

    Meagan Amick Tippens ’08

    Technical Lead-Chemistry Engineer, Lockheed Martin

  • Self portrait of Kevin Tucker

    Kevin Tucker ’05

    Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Southern Illinois University


Real World Experience

From internships to research, Rollins chemistry students hone their skills in the real world.

  • Merck
  • Proctor and Gamble
  • CVS
  • BASF
  • University of Florida
  • UNC
Rollins College students enjoying lunch by the Lakeside pool.

Apply By November 15

It’s never been easier or more rewarding to apply to Rollins. No app fee, formal essay, or test scores required. Apply by November 15 to receive priority consideration for admission and academic scholarships that range from $15,000 per year to full ride.

Start an ApplicationStart an Application

Popular Courses

Each class in chemistry is designed to prepare you for internships and research. You’ll use professional-grade lab equipment and access scientific literature to develop solutions to real-world problems.


A Day in the Life of a Rollins Chemistry Major

“The liberal arts education at Rollins really forced me to step outside my comfort zone, teaching me how to think outside the box and adapt to different situations and problems.”

Julian Grundler ’18

Yale University, Graduate Researcher

A professor and two students prep a water filtration system.

Beyond the Classroom

Prestigious Internships Chemistry students at Rollins have earned pre-health internships at the Mayo Clinic, Moffitt Cancer Center, and University of Virginia, and also in research-focused areas with law firms and the military.

Shadowing Opportunities By your sophomore year, you can spend time in a work environment to start determining firsthand if your vision for a career will meet expectations. This is a concrete way to identify your real passion.

Competitive Research Experiences Students can stay on campus for one-on-one research with a faculty member through the College’s Student-Faculty Collaborative Scholarship Program or take advantage of the pipeline created by alumni to research-intensive universities like Georgia Tech or the University of Michigan.



Dive Into Chemistry at Rollins

Explore more about what it will be like to major in chemistry at Rollins.

  • Facilities & Instrumentation

    Rollins’ Department of Chemistry is housed in the newly renovated Bush Science Center. Within our teaching and research laboratories, we have diverse equipment for studies in biochemistry and analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry.

  • What You Will Learn

    To fulfill its mission, the Department has designed a curriculum that combines a broad knowledge of chemical disciplines with a deep understanding of modern chemical principles.


Keep Exploring

Take a deeper dive into chemistry at Rollins by meeting your future professors, seeing our grads in action, and sitting in on a class.

STEM Hub in Bush Science Center

June 11, 2024

Full STEM Ahead

The Bush Science Center’s new STEM Hub fosters opportunities for learning, connection, and equity.

Full STEM Ahead
Chemistry students work with a professor in a lab.

July 06, 2023

Rollins Receives Scientific Equipment Grant

The Sherman Fairchild Foundation has awarded Rollins a grant that will enhance learning in the sciences and make biology and chemistry majors even more competitive for careers in STEM.

Rollins Receives Scientific Equipment Grant
Kasandra Riley and Brandon McNichol ’19 work together in a chemistry lab.

December 01, 2022

Rollins Receives Inclusive Excellence in STEM Grant

The six-year grant will support the College in its efforts to foster inclusivity and belonging for those who have been historically underrepresented in the sciences.

Rollins Receives Inclusive Excellence in STEM Grant

Expert Faculty

The research experience in the chemistry major at Rollins is rich because all faculty members are active in research too. Each instructor brings depth in a specific subspecialty, so students can choose an interest for targeted instruction.

Department of Chemistry

Bush Science Center
1000 Holt Ave. – 2743
Winter Park, FL32789

Telephone:407.646.2223

  • Pedro Bernal portrait

    Pedro Bernal, PhD

    Professor of Chemistry

    Research interests: Volumetric properties of water solutions and appropriate water-purification interventions

  • Marisa Fuse

    Marisa Fuse, PhD

    Lecturer in Chemistry & Health Professions Advisor

  • Laurel Habgood portrait

    Laurel Goj Habgood, PhD

    Professor of Chemistry

    Research interests: The use of transition-metal catalysts in organic reactions for potential use in the synthesis of fine and feedstock chemicals

  • Brian Mosby portrait

    Brian M. Mosby, PhD

    Associate Professor of Chemistry

    Research interests: The design and synthesis of hybrid materials with specific functions or interesting properties

  • Ellane Park portrait

    Ellane J. Park, PhD

    Associate Professor of Chemistry

    Research interests: The development of bioselective gold and polymeric nanoparticles that can serve as platforms for improved cancer therapeutics

    Visit website

  • James Patrone portrait

    James D. Patrone, PhD

    Department Chair, Associate Professor of Chemistry

    Research interests: Applying Fragment-Based Ligand Discovery (FBLD) in cancer research

  • Self portrait of Kasandra Riley.

    Kasandra J. Riley, PhD

    Associate Professor of Chemistry

    Research interests: Exploring the role of non-coding RNAs in bacterial and viral infections