Dec 08, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Chemistry, B.S.


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Programs of study leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science with a major in chemistry are as follows:

  1. Professional focus - option A.
    This program provides the academic foundation for students who may wish to continue their studies in graduate chemistry, chemical engineering, or biochemistry. Students completing this program with 3 additional advanced chemistry hours and a chemistry GPA of 2.5 or better will be certified by the Committee on Professional Training of the American Chemical Society.
     
  2. Interdisciplinary focus - option B.
    This program provides the academic foundation in chemistry for students who may wish to reinforce their degree with a background in biology, business, computer science, chemical engineering, or other areas.
     
  3. Biochemistry/Pre-Professional focus - option C.
    This program provides the academic foundation for students who wish to continue their studies in biochemistry at the graduate level or in professional schools of optometry, physical therapy, pharmacy, physician’s assistant, medicine, dentistry, or veterinary medicine.  Students will also be able to matriculate into the Research and Development areas of industry and areas of forensic science. 
     
  4. Pre-Pharmacy focus - option D (this option not meant for continuing to graduate school in chemistry).
    This program provides the academic foundation for students who wish to focus their studies for matriculation into a pharmacy program. This focus is meant to prepare the student with the scientific background to do well in a pharmacy program. Matriculation into a pharmacy program is dependent on the students GPA and PCAT scores as well as shadowing and community service.
     
  5. Water Chemistry - option E (this option not meant for continuing to graduate school in chemistry).
    This program provides the academic foundation for students who wish to focus their studies in the water chemistry industry. Water treatment and reuse is essential for our growing population. Whether it is in an industrial setting or a water treatment plant this major option will help students focus on future water careers in the job market.                                                                                                              

For advancement as a pre-professional student seeking to gain admission to professional school (Medical, Dental, Veterinary Medicine, Physician’s Assistant, Pharmacy, etc.), it is expected that students in options A - E will gain experience, formally or informally, in how these practices are run.  This experience can be gained through employment, paid or unpaid internships, volunteering, or other instances where students can observe the various aspects of a professional practice.

The requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Science with a major in chemistry are as follows:

Academic Foundations and Core Curriculum - 42 semester hours


(See Academic Foundations and Core Curriculum - 42 semester hours )

Major


Additional Advanced Courses - 4 hours


Three additional advanced hours in chemistry, exclusive of CHEM 3504 .

One additional advanced laboratory hour in chemistry is required, exclusive of CHEM 3504 .

Note:


Must maintain an overall GPA of 2.5 or better for certification.

(Those students who wish to continue their studies in graduate biochemistry should take CHEM 4242  and CHEM 4253 .)

American Chemical Society Certification–With Honors


This designation will be awarded to students fulfilling the following:

  1. All regular requirements for the Bachelor of Science with a major in chemistry (Option A) and all the requirements for certification by the Committee on Professional Training of the American Chemical Society.
  2. Minimum GPA: 3.0 overall; 3.3 in chemistry courses.
  3. A minimum of 4 semester hours must be earned in independent research (CHEM 4911 , CHEM 4922 , CHEM 4933 ); this should be commenced in the junior year or earlier.
  4. Acceptance of a B.S. research paper (covering the undergraduate independent research project) by the chemistry faculty and the chair of the Honors committee.
  5. Presentation of a public lecture on the research paper to the chemistry faculty.

Optional Minor


Option A


Professional Chemistry:

Mathematics  (See the Chemistry Program Advisor for specific course requirements.) OR
Physics  (see the Chemistry Program Advisor for specific course requirements); OR
Other (see the Chemistry Program Advisor for specific course requirements)

Option B


Biology Emphasis - Biology ; OR
Business Emphasis - Business Administration ; OR
Computer Science Emphasis - Computer Science 
Others (See your academic advisor.)

Option C


Pre-Optometry, Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Physical Therapy, Pre-Medical, Pre-Dental, or Pre-Veterinary - Biology - (See Biology  and the Health Professions Advisor for specific course requirements.)
Others (See your academic advisor.)

Option D


Biology Emphasis (See Biology  and the Health Professions Advisor for specific course requirements.)
Others (See your academic advisor.)

Option E


None suggested (see your academic advisor for questions.)

Additional Requirements:


Requirements common to all optional degree plans:


*16 hours Advanced Biology


* Suggested classes for 16 hours of Advanced Biology for Option C are (see advisor when choosing classes):

*4 courses from Advanced Biology


*Suggested classes of Advanced Biology for Option E are (see advisor when choosing classes):

*4 courses from Geosciences/Environmental


*Suggested classes of Advanced geosciences/environmental for Option E are (see advisor when choosing classes):

Electives


Additional hours as needed to total a minimum of 120 semester credit hours with a minimum of 33 advanced.

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