Chemistry

The general educational objective of the chemistry major is the development by the student of a fundamental understanding of basic principles, concepts, models, and practices employed by chemists in characterizing the structure and behavior of matter.

The chemistry major is structured to ensure that this fundamental knowledge is based on experiences that include the four major divisions of chemistry (analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical). The chemistry program is designed to foster development of an understanding of (1) the nature of the underlying scientific processes employed in the acquisition of chemical knowledge, (2) the application of current principles and modern practices used in solving chemical problems, (3) the current state of chemical knowledge, and (4) the applications of the concepts of chemistry in addressing societal needs. The program is particularly well-suited to prepare students for careers in chemistry or related areas and for admission to graduate, medical, or other professional schools.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge in general, organic, analytical, inorganic and physical chemistry. (If ACS certified, biochemistry and chemical literature)
Understanding of the physical concepts underlying the above
Application of their chemical knowledge to problem solving
The maintenance of an acceptable laboratory notebook
Proficiency in the use of modern instrumentation
Effective and safe work in a laboratory
Effective searching of chemical literature
Effective communication of chemical concepts both orally and in writing

Degree Requirements for the Chemistry Major

General College Requirements

General College Requirements (see Curriculum section), including the following requirements to satisfy the major

Required Chemistry Core Courses (28 credit hours)

CHEM 106: General Chemistry II
CHEM 305: Quantitative Analysis
CHEM 311: Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 312: Organic Chemistry II
CHEM 405: Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM 451: Physical Chemistry I
CHEM 452: Physical Chemistry II

Required Cognate Courses

MATH 151: Calculus I
MATH 152: Calculus II
PHYS 141: General Physics I (recommended) or PHYS151 Fundamentals of Physics
PHYS 142: General Physics II (recommended) or PHYS152 Fundamentals of Physics

Elective Courses

Elective Courses: four credit hours selected from the following list of options:

Option 1: ACS-Certified Major

CHEM 325: Chem Literature
CHEM 420: Biochemistry I

Option 2: non-ACS-Certified Major

CHEM 306: Instrumental Analysis
PHYS 462: Quantum Mechanics
CHEM 425: Biochemistry II
CHEM 426: Advanced Biochemistry Lab
CHEM 480: Topics in Chemistry
CHEM 397, CHEM 399, CHEM 497, CHEM 499: Directed research/Independent study (as approved by the chemistry faculty)
PHYS 462: Quantum Mechanics

St. Mary's Project

Every chemistry major must complete a St. Mary’s Project. This project may be in chemistry or in another major discipline or study area. The guidelines established in the selected area apply. The project must be proposed to a mentor and to the chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at least three weeks before the last day of classes of the second semester of the student’s junior year, and it must be approved by the mentor and the department chair.

Minimum Grade and GPA Requirements

Students must earn a grade of C- or better in all courses listed in items 2-3 above, and maintain an overall GPA of 2.0 or better in these required courses.

ACS Certification

Students wishing to have their degrees certified by the American Chemical Society (ACS) must take Biochemistry I (CHEM 420), and Introduction to Chemical Literature (CHEM 325). If you elect to take the ACS certified track, you can also use CHEM 420 as your 4 credit hour elective course. The ACS certification is not a requirement for graduation.

Sequence of Study

First Year:
Core Curriculum requirements, CHEM 103 (or earned a 4 or 5 on the Chemistry AP exam) CHEM 106, MATH 151, and MATH 152
Sophomore Year:
Core Curriculum requirements, CHEM 311, CHEM 312, PHYS 141, and PHYS 142
Junior Year:
Core Curriculum requirements, CHEM 305, CHEM 405, CHEM 451, CHEM 452, and elective courses
Senior Year:
Mary’s Project, Core Curriculum requirements, and elective courses

Faculty

Geoffrey M. Bowers, Daniel T. Chase, Allan K. Hovland, Andrew S. Koch, Randolph K. Larsen, Pamela S. Mertz (Department Chair), Kelly Neilles, Amanda Schech, Troy Townsend