Curriculum
The Chemistry Department, with the financial help of the National Science Foundation, is implementing a chemistry curriculum that will prepare students to learn and practice science in a modern world in which disciplinary boundaries are removed and collaboration and integration of disciplines is essential. Here are some of the innovative features of our curriculum, which has received approval from graduate, medical, DO and PT schools:
- An introductory, “atoms first” course which shows how chemical properties emerge from structure
- Integration of the five subdisciplines of chemistry into a series of innovative foundation courses
- A new model for a skills and techiques-based chemistry labs with use of advanced instrumentation
- A problem-based learning pedagogy
- Expanded student choice of concentrations and in-depth courses
Chemistry Major with Concentrations
We offer 3 concentrations in chemistry so that students can focus in areas of modern chemistry. One of the most compelling reasons to offer concentrations is to provide students with a modern but flexible curriculum that maximizes choice.
Chemical Biology
CHEM 347 required, and three Chemical Biology (CB) electives.
Note: BIOL 318 Molecular Genetics can count toward chemical biology elective.
Environmental Chemistry
CHEM 344 required, and three Environmental Chem (EN) electives.
Materials/Industrial Chemistry
Four Industrial/Materials (IM) electives.
ACS Certification
The American Chemical Society also provide a certification for students who complete a bachelor’s degree meeting the ACS guidelines. An ACS-certified degree signifies that a student has completed an integrated, rigorous program including introductory and foundational course work in chemistry and in-depth course work in chemistry or chemistry-related fields. The certified degree also emphasizes laboratory experience and the development of professional skills needed to be an effective chemist.
Chemistry Minor Requirements
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
- 20 credits from chemistry courses numbered 250 or higher
Total in minor: 24-28 credits
Note
The chemistry concentrations in chemical biology, environmental chemistry and material/industrial chemistry will be gradually discontinued beginning Fall 2023. Students who were enrolled at CSB and SJU prior to Fall 2023 will be able to continue in these concentrations and all appropriate opportunities will be available to them through Spring 2026. All students can continue to major and minor in chemistry and pursue concentrations in ACS certification.
Sample chemistry courses
4 credit courses:
- 125 Introduction to Chemical Structure and Properties
- 250 Reaction of Nucleophiles and Electrophiles I (Reactivity 1)
- 251 Reaction of Nucleophiles and Electrophiles II (Reactivity 2)
- 255 Foundations of Macroscopic Analysis
- 315 Advanced Reactions (Reactivity 3)
- 318 Foundations of Microscopic Analysis
0 or 1 credit lab courses:
Some recent publications about our curriculum:
- Chemical Structure and Properties: A Modified Atoms-First, One-Semester Introductory Chemistry Course - Journal Chemical Education, 2015, 92 (2), pp 237–246 (DOI: 10.1021/ed400839y)
- Developing and Implementing a Reorganized Undergraduate Chemistry Curriculum Based on the Foundational Chemistry Topics of Structure, Reactivity, and Quantitation. Journal Chemical Education, 2014, 91 (3), pp 321–328 (DOI: 10.1021/ed400336d)
College of Saint Benedict
Saint John’s University
Dr. Alicia Peterson
Chair, Chemistry Department
CSB Ardolf Science Center 123 and 246
320-363-5315