Chemistry BS, (Pre-Professional Specialization)

College of Arts and Sciences
Degree BS, Chemistry
Department Chair Anna Fedor, PhD

Faculty

Nicola Y. Edwards, Assistant Professor of Chemistry/Biochemistry, BA Rice University; PhD University of California, Los Angeles

Anna Fedor, Assistant Professor of Chemistry, BS Pennsylvania State University; PhD Syracuse University

Beth Leverett Haas, Assistant Professor of Chemistry/Biochemistry, BS Indiana University of Pennsylvania; MS, PhD University of Michigan

Charles Saladino, Jr., Professor of Chemistry, BA, MA Hofstra University; PhD Iowa State University

Frank Yepez Castillo, Assistant Professor of Chemistry/Biochemistry, BS Universidad Simón Bolívar; PhD The University of Oklahoma

Chemistry has been called the “central science” because it has applications in so many fields. Graduates with a major in chemistry can select from a variety of jobs in the chemical industry, in government laboratories, or in medical or agricultural research. In addition, they are prepared for graduate studies in chemistry or biochemistry and, with the proper selection of elective courses, for professional studies in medicine, veterinary medicine, and related fields.

At the end of their sophomore year and thereafter, chemistry majors must have and maintain a GPA of 2.5 in courses required for the major in order to remain in good standing in the program, and a GPA of 3.0 to be recommended for graduate or professional schools. Students must earn three credits doing either a summer internship during their junior year [CHM 490 ] or by taking research [CHM 460 ] in (or before) the first semester of their senior year.

Program Goals and Outcomes

The following are program goals for the Chemistry major:

1. To prepare students in the area of chemistry and biochemistry for careers in industry or for study in graduate or professional programs.
2. To teach students to solve problems, to think critically, and to interpret and report data with the use of technology.
3. To familiarize students with chemical literature in multiple formats, including print and electronic references and chemical databases.
4. To help students develop skills for independent and collaborative laboratory practices, including lab safety, analytical instrumentation, chemical synthesis, and quantitative analysis.
5. To promote students’ understanding of professional, ethical, and social responsibilities in the practice of chemistry and biochemistry.
6. To prepare students to communicate effectively through written reports and oral presentations, including preparation of professional quality visual aids.

The Chemistry major program goals are realized in the following student learning outcomes:

1. Demonstrate proficiency in laboratory techniques in lower-level courses and proficiency in reporting advanced research in upper-level courses.
2. Demonstrate proficiency in researching, completing, and reporting advanced disciplinary research.
3. Demonstrate proficiency in laboratory techniques and in preparing formal laboratory reports.
4. Illustrate professional, ethical, and social responsibilities in the practice of chemistry and biochemistry in advanced disciplinary research.
5. Present advanced disciplinary research in paper, poster, and oral presentation to the university’s consortium group.

The Pre-Professional Specialization curriculum is the same as the B.S. in Chemistry degree with the following exceptions:

1. The students interested in pursuing post-graduate professional studies should, at minimum, maintain a GPA of 3.0 (a “B” average) or better in order to be recommended to these programs.
2. Students are required to take CHM 354 Biochemistry II  .
3. Students are not required to take any chemistry electives.
4. As part of their specialization, students must complete at least 14 credits of biology major electives.
   1. Students are required to enroll in the following courses as their first biology major electives: BIO 111 Evolution, Genetics and Ecology ; and BIO 112 Cell and Molecular Biology  
   2. Students must complete a minimum of six credits of biology major electives from the following list: BIO 243: General Microbiology; BIO 251 Comparative Anatomy ; BIO 301 Gross Anatomy ; BIO 346 General Physiology ; BIO 346 General Physiology ; BIO 435 Cell Biology ; BIO 441 Molecular Genetics