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Green Chemistry Undergraduate Certificate

Green chemistry focuses on understanding how chemicals affect human health and the environment. It constitutes the core chemistry contribution towards sustainability by guiding the design of chemicals and processes toward reducing or eliminating the use or generation of hazardous substances.

Visit the program website for more information.

Program Overview

The courses required for the certificate in green chemistry will enhance your understanding of sustainability and green, benign chemistry concepts. This certificate is a strong curricular addition to your degree.

Why Study Green Chemistry at Grand Valley?

  • Grand Valley State University offers one of the few green chemistry certificate programs in the country.
  • Access to state-of-the-art laboratory equipment.
  • One-on-one interaction with faculty members.
  • Opportunities for hands-on experience via internships and research opportunities available with faculty members and local businesses.
  • The Chemistry Department at Grand Valley received the 2009 Michigan Green Chemistry Governor Award for green chemistry education.
  • Grand Valley was among the first to sign the national Green Chemistry Commitment, June 2013, an agreement that states all chemistry majors, by the time they graduate, will have proficiency in green chemistry.

Career Insights

This tool shows an overview of potential career opportunities for this major. Actual salaries, employment opportunities, and job titles may change over time.

Admissions

For new students, visit the Admissions website for undergraduate requirements. Upon acceptance and for current students:

  • Declare your certificate via myBanner (Login to Banner Self-Service, click on Student, Student Records, Add a Certificate or Badge to your Program, Select the appropriate certificate from the drop down list, and click Submit)
  • Speak with the appropriate certificate coordinator to ensure criteria are being met (you will be able to track your progress toward the certificate in myPath as well!)
  • Once you are done with the requirements, apply to receive the certificate via myBanner.
  • Once the completion of your certificate has been verified, the certificate will be posted to your student record and will be viewable on your transcript. 

Location & Format

Undergraduate students in this program study at Grand Valley's Allendale Campus.

Format:
  • Face To Face

Coursework

Students are required to complete 13 to 14 credits, including research/lab experience. Coursework can include:

  • Synthetic polymers: life cycle and emerging sustainable technologies
  • Environmental pollution
  • Global environmental change
  • Green chemistry for sustainable environment
  • Introduction to geochemistry
  • Natural resource policy
  • Environmental and resource economics

For More Information

Chemistry Department

gvsu.edu/chem
312 Padnos Hall
(616) 331-3317
[email protected]

Admissions and Recruitment Office

gvsu.edu/admissions

 

“Being certified in green chemistry set me apart from others when I was building my resume and interviewing for jobs. I'm a chemist with a new sustainable skill set that the job market rarely sees.”

SHANE MCGRATH
M.B.A. AND GREEN CHEMISTRY STUDENT