Chemistry (B.S.)

Chemistry Major

Biochemistry Concentration

This concentration of the chemistry major provides a curriculum well suited for students with interests at the intersection of biology and chemistry. This concentration is distributive and sets forth a curriculum geared toward professional careers and prepares students for entry into the biotechnology workforce or for graduate school in the biomedical sciences. Preprofessional students (premedicine, predentistry, prepharmacy) are encouraged to follow this program.

Forensic Chemistry Concentration

This concentration is designed to meet the minimum requirements for a student to attend a graduate program in forensic science, or to apply for a position in the drugs/toxicology or ballistics/trace evidence division of a forensic science lab (although each program may have additional requirements). This concentration fulfills a growing need for students who desire to enter into the chemical and physical aspects of forensics, a career that utilizes a hearty combination of chemistry, biology, calculus, and physics. 

Students must complete an admission packet to apply to their senior year and then, upon acceptance, complete the senior courses listed in the curriculum of study.  Applicants must have a minimum overall GPA of 3.00 and an overall minimum GPA of 2.75 in science or related courses.  Application packets for the senior year will be made available in August of their junior year.  The application packet will consist of :  application; essay; coursework completion; official transcripts and references.  Notifications will be made to students in January.  Upon completion of the four-year program, a B.S. degree is awarded.

Forensic Biochemistry Concentration

This concentration is designed to meet the minimum requirements for a student to attend a graduate program in forensic science, or to apply for a position in the DNA/serology division of a forensic science lab (although each program may have additional requirements). This concentration fulfills a growing need for students who desire to enter into the biological aspect of forensics, a career that utilizes a hearty combination of chemistry, biology, calculus, and physics.

Students must complete an admission packet to apply to their senior year and then, upon acceptance, complete the senior courses listed in the curriculum of study.  Applicants must have a minimum overall GPA of 3.00 and an overall minimum GPA of 2.75 in science or related courses.  Application packets for the senior year will be made available in August of their junior year.  The application packet will consist of :  application; essay; coursework completion; official transcripts and references.  Notifications will be made to students in January.  Upon completion of the four-year program, a B.S. degree is awarded.

Chemistry with Teaching Licensure Specialization

Students who complete the prescribed courses are eligible to become licensed to teach chemistry and general science in grades 7-12. (Student teaching is required for licensure.) An additional science endorsement may be obtained with advisor approval.

Chemistry, ACS Certified

Students who complete the prescribed courses with a grade of “C” or better in each will be certified to the American Chemical Society (ACS) as having completed a course of study which is appropriate for a professional chemist and has been approved by the ACS. The maximum number of transfer credits in chemistry is 16 hours from a community college or four-year college without an ACS approved program, or 32 hours from a four-year college with an ACS approved program.

Accreditation

The Chemistry Department received accreditation by the American Chemical Society (ACS) in 1991 and continues its commitment to maintaining this accreditation.