The rapid introduction of chemical techniques in all branches of commerce and the creation of many synthetic products have caused substantial growth in the profession. In addition to the traditional employment opportunities in chemistry, well-qualified graduates find positions in the fields of environmental sciences, oceanography, biochemistry, neuroscience, and related interdisciplinary fields. Many recipients of chemistry master’s degrees continue their education to obtain Ph.D. degrees at UAF or other universities. The M.S. program also has concentrations in the departmental focal areas of biochemistry and neuroscience and environmental chemistry.

The department offers well-equipped laboratories housing instrumentation for nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry, infrared, ultraviolet/visible and atomic absorption spectrophotometry, mass spectrometry, gas chromatography, amino acid analysis and HPLC. Additional equipment for gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, X-ray diffractometry, electron microscopy and liquid scintillating counters is available in cooperation with other UAF departments and institutes.