Chemistry Program Goals
Since a superior liberal arts education requires excellence in science education as well as in the humanities and social sciences and since a graduate in chemistry must be able to compete in the marketplace or in post-baccalaureate programs with students from a variety of educational backgrounds, the chemistry program strives to provide the following:
- The latest theoretical and applied body of knowledge that stresses scientific reasoning and analytical problem solving in the broad areas of the field including analytical, biochemical, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry.
- The students with the computational and laboratory skills necessary to perform a variety of analyses and operations which are expected of a chemistry graduate .
- The students with the professional skills required to succeed in graduate programs, industry, or other fields.
The program of study works to be consistent with standards established by the American Chemical Society .
Requirements for the Major
All students majoring in Chemistry are required to complete the following core courses:
In addition, each student must complete one of the following tracks:
Biochemistry Track:
Two additional courses from the following are recommended:
Professional Chemistry Track:
Select one elective from each of the following two groups:
Group 1:
Group 2:
Students that are interested in entering a career in chemical engineering are recommended to take CPSC 151 and the three courses in mathematics. Students interested in pursuing a career in forensics are recommended to take CHEM 108 and 255 and complete the minor in criminal justice.
Entering freshmen interested in chemistry should enroll in CHEM 101 and a mathematics course at the appropriate level. Students with Level II placement must take a Level II course immediately to prepare themselves for the mathematics concepts in CHEM 102. Programs for subsequent semesters must be decided in consultation with the faculty advisors for Chemistry. Students with Advanced Placement (AP) in chemistry should consult immediately with a chemistry faculty member in the department for placement in a course at the appropriate level. Additional courses in mathematics are strongly encouraged.
All courses in chemistry and all required courses in mathematics, biology, psychology, and physics must be taken for a letter grade.