Chemistry, B.S.

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 - 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 - 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 - 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.

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-C 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:

General


(See General Requirements for all Bachelor’s Degrees)

Academic Foundations and Core Curriculum - 42 semester hours


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

Bachelor of Science


(see Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree)

Major


Option A, ACS Certification


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 4911CHEM 4922CHEM 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.

Option B


Additional Courses


Option C


Additional Courses


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.)

Additional Requirements:


Requirements common to all optional degree plans:


Option A


Option B


Option C


*16 hours Advanced Biology


* Suggested classes for 16 hours of Advanced Biology for Option C 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.