Chemistry
Department Chair: Alicia Peterson
Faculty: Lisa Engstrom, Md Abul Fazal, Kate Graham, Henry Jakubowski, Brian Johnson, Elyse Krautkramer, Edward McIntee, Alicia Peterson, Annette Raigoza, Chris Schaller, Christen Strollo Gordon
A degree in chemistry, in addition to being an excellent preparation for industrial employment, graduate study or secondary teaching, also prepares students to apply for further study in the areas of medicine, forensics, environmental science, law, business administration, government service and agriculture science. To this end, the department offers a variety of introductory and advanced courses.
CHEM 125 is intended as an introductory chemistry course. It provides students with a comprehensive survey of chemical structure and ensuing chemical and physical properties that arise from structure. CHEM 125, together with the separate lab course, CHEM 201, fulfills the Common Curriculum Natural Science requirement. Courses at the 200-300 level are intended for the students seeking a major degree in chemistry or biochemistry, or a minor degree in chemistry; they also serve as supporting courses for students majoring in biology, natural science, or nutrition, and for pre-health profession students.
The Chemistry major consists of one introductory course (4 credits), five foundation courses (4 credits each), four separate lab courses (0-1 credits each), one in-depth Integrated Lab Course (4 credits each), and a series of half-semester in-depth courses (2 credits each).
Assessment
Each year, the Chemistry Department assesses its overall program and its students in a number of ways. For example, several courses employ standardized final exams for which there are national norms. All chemistry majors are required to take a nationally-normed exam (CHEM XXX) in the spring of their senior year. In addition, senior majors are asked to complete an anonymous survey to probe the extent to which they believe the department meets its stated goals and objectives. Assessment data is critical for periodic re-accreditation by the American Chemical Society. All of this information is employed to improve our program and ensure that the educational opportunities we provide are the best possible.
Acceptance to Major Requirements
Course Requirements: CHEM 125, 201, 202, 250, 251, and 255
Other Requirements: Courses must be either completed or in progress
Major (50-63 credits)
The Chemistry Department offers a single major in Chemistry with options for different concentrations and ACS certification.
- Students can major in Chemistry without a specific concentration (any 3 half-semester in-depth courses required) or they can choose to take a concentration in Chemical Biology, Environmental Chemistry, or Industrial/Materials Chemistry (4 in-depth courses from specific list required). Students with or without a concentration will be certified by the ACS if they take a total of six half-semester in-depth courses, an additional course in CHEM 306 and complete two credits of CHEM 330 laboratory research.
In addition, an interdisciplinary biochemistry major is available (see Biochemistry major page).
Concentrations will appear with the major on a student's transcript. The ACS certification will be noted below the major.
All majors must take the following chemistry courses:
- Introductory Course: CHEM 125;
- Foundation 4 Credit Courses: CHEM 250, 251, 255, 315 and 318
- Foundation 0 or 1 Credit Lab Courses: CHEM 201, 202, 203, and 205
- In-depth Lab Courses: CHEM 304, 306
- CHEM 349, CHEM 360 or CHEM 398, CHEM XXX.
In addition, all majors must take the following support courses:
- MATH 119, MATH 120; (MATH 124 or 239 recommended)
- PHYS 105 or 191; PHYS 106 or 200.
Majors must take the following 300 level 2 credit in-depth courses depending on their choice of concentration and ACS Certification.
No Concentration AND no ACS certification: Any 3 In-depth courses (CHEM 3XX,)
Chemical Biology Concentration AND no ACS certification: Chemical Biology (CHEM 347); Three additional 2 credit in-depth classes taken from the following: 355 (Analysis of Biomolecules), 353 (Xeniobiotic Metabolism), 348A (Molecular Design-Organic), the following CHEM 3XX courses: 358 (Biomacromolecules), 352 (Signal Transduction and Neural Chemistry), and Medicinal Chemistry, and specified topic courses approved for the concentration (321-326); 361 (Insight into Mechanics) 363 (Structure Elucidation) and 364 (Medicinal Chemistry), and specified topic courses approved for the concentration (321-326); BIOL 318: Molecular Genetics OR appropriate courses from other departments approved by the Chemistry Department may substitute for two credit in-depth course(s). BIOL 121 and BIOL 221 are highly recommended for this concentration.
Environmental Chemistry AND no ACS certification: Climate and Habitat Change (CHEM 343); Three additional 2 credit in-depth classes taken from the following: CH344A (Environmental Chemistry A: Atmosphere), 344B (Environmental Chemistry B: Soil and Water), 354 (Sustainable Energy), 357 (Separation Science), 361 (Insight into Mechanisms), 363 (Structure Elucidation), 348B (Molecular Design Inorganic) and specified topic courses approved for the concentration (321-326); Appropriate courses from other departments approved by the Chemistry Department may substitute for CHEM 3XX course(s).
Materials/Industrial Chemistry AND no ACS certification: CHEM 345 (Industrial and Engineering Processes) and 346 (Nanomaterials); Two additional 2 credit in-depth classes taken from the following: 343 (Climate and Habitat Change), 355 (Analysis of Biomaterials), 348B (Molecular Design Inorganic), 357 (Separation Science), 362 (Polymers) and specified topic courses approved for the concentration (321-326). Appropriate courses from other departments approved by the Chemistry Department may substitute for CHEM 3XX course(s).
ACS Certification:
Students taking any of the options above (no concentration or any of the concentrations) can be certified by the ACS if they take a total of six, 2 credit in-depth courses, an additional course in CHEM 306 and 2 credits of CHEM 330 (laboratory research).
Total Number of Credits for the Chemistry Major (including support courses):
Chemistry Major (No Concentration): 50-55
Chemical Biology, Environmental Chemistry, or Materials/Industrial Chemistry Concentrations: 52-57 credits
Chemistry Major with ACS Certification: 59-63
Minor (24-27 credits)
The minor is recommended for those students whose major interests are in other academic areas, which can be strengthened by a concentration in chemistry.
Required Courses:
CHEM 125, three of the foundation labs (CHEM 201, 202, 203 and 205), and 20 credits from chemistry courses numbered 250 or higher, except 316, 330, 349, 360.