Chemistry is important, both as an area in liberal education and as a professional field. Fisk's Chemistry Department is on the approved list of the American Chemical Society (ACS)__a rare accomplishment for small institutions. Its faculty members are active in research in different areas of chemistry, in especially biomedical, computational, and environmental research. Students often collaborate in these projects.

The Chemistry Department offers both undergraduate and graduate programs. The department's undergraduate offerings are designed to be serve three types of students: those who intend to pursue chemistry as a profession or to do graduate work in chemistry; those who need training in chemistry as part of their preparation for professional fields such as medicine, dentistry, nursing, and secondary school teaching; and those who wish a knowledge of chemistry as part of a liberal education. Students intending to major in chemistry should consult with a member of the chemistry faculty regarding a program of study.

The Chemistry Department has the following goals and objectives:
1. To provide a challenging curriculum with effective methods for teachers to teach and students to learn chemistry.
2. To prepare students for graduate study, professional training or careers in industry, education and government through study and research.

Students who complete the chemistry major will be able to demonstrate:
1. Working knowledge of chemistry, including inorganic, organic, physical, analytical and biochemistry, in chemistry research concepts and chemical topics found on standardized examinations.
2. Knowledge of the integration of chemistry with other sciences and in everyday life. This objective will be accomplished through participation in interdisciplinary projects performed during and outside of class.
3. Practice and knowledge of technical and safety skills in the laboratory that will increase the awareness of chemistry in everyday life.

Departmental honors in Chemistry are awarded to exceptional graduating seniors. In addition to Fisk University's requirement for a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.3 in Chemistry courses, Chemistry majors must also have participated in Senior Research in CHEM 355 and/or 356 and must be examined on an honors thesis based on this research. Chemistry major programs are designed to meet American Chemical Society standards, which do not permit reduced credit hours in Chemistry. Consequently the Chemistry Department does not enter into joint major agreements with other disciplines.