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Chemistry

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OVERVIEW

The department of Chemistry offers Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees in Chemistry in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Graduates holding the B.S. degree in Chemistry qualify in many fields as teachers of Chemistry, supervisors in industry, technical sales personnel, and research chemists in federal, state, municipal, academic, or industrial laboratories. Students with high scholastic standing often continue with graduate work, where they may explore more thoroughly the specialized areas of chemistry in which they are interested. The B.S. degree is recommended for students who wish to pursue graduate studies or a research career in Chemistry.

The B.A. degree is useful for students who intend to pursue studies in parallel areas, such as secondary school teaching, to obtain additional majors, minors, or for pursuing professional school (such as medical, dental, or pharmacy school) outside of Chemistry.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon graduation students should:

  • Have firm foundations in the fundamentals and application of current chemical theories.
  • Be able to design, carry out, record, and analyze the results of chemical experiments.
  • Use modern instrumentation and classical techniques to identify and solve chemical problems as well as explore new areas of research.
  • Communicate the results of their work to chemists, as well as non-chemists.
  • Understand the ethical and environmental dimensions of problems and issues facing chemists.
  • Follow the proper procedures and regulations for safe storage, labeling, use of chemicals, and disposal of chemicals.
  • Be able to use chemical literature (perform searches for, read, evaluate, and appropriately cite publications.
  • Be skilled in problem solving, critical thinking, and analytical reasoning.

These skills may be applied to careers in education and industry; in professions such as law, medicine, environmental sciences, and forensic sciences. The curricula in Chemistry are approved by the American Chemical Society (ACS). Students who complete the program obtain an ACS certified baccalaureate degree provided they also take one Biochemistry course, typically BBMB 3010 Survey of Biochemistry, BBMB 3160 Principles of Biochemistry, or BBMB 4040 Biochemistry I and BBMB 4050 Biochemistry II.

Liberal arts majors who wish to transfer into Chemistry at the end of their second year may still complete all degree requirements and graduate within five years.