JMU is the only university in the state of Virginia to offer the Biophysical Chemistry major. This rigorous major allows the exceptional student to focus on a solid foundation in chemistry with a study of biological systems, emphasizing hands-on learning, and leading to a career in biochemistry, chemistry, medicine, and interfaces with other areas such as materials science and engineering. Students take foundational lecture and laboratory courses in all sub-disciplines of chemistry analytical, biochemistry, inorganic, organic, and physical as well as biology, calculus and physics. The major is capped by biophysical chemistry, a two semester sequence of laboratories and lecture.