Lake Superior State University

Date: Apr 11 2008
Major: Chemistry (This Major's Salary over time)
I am currently enrolled in a PhD program at a major university. The chemistry department at LSSU has excellent instrumentation (I challenge you to find a similar university with a better analytical capability - I haven't encountered one yet). The faculty is knowledgeable and helpful. Many of the faculty focus their research on environmental chemistry, and as a result, they are able to offer strong programs in the environmental sciences as well as the traditional chemistry degree. They also collaborate with the strong criminal justice program at LSSU to offer an undergraduate forensic chemistry degree.

The department offers rigorous degrees, most requiring the full chemistry core. Labs in courses such as instrumental analysis are typically capped at 10 students, so that each student has adequate access to the instruments. This is a particular strength of the program. Most small universities don't have the instruments to start with, and most larger universities have 20-30 students in each lab sections, if they are allowed to use the instruments at all. Also, the course selection is pretty good (though some are only offered every other year so you have to plan your schedule ahead). The senior thesis looks very good on your resume, whether you're applying for jobs or graduate programs. The aquatic research lab(ARL)is also a very nice facility, and the biology faculty collaborate extensively with the chemistry faculty on research projects.