Beverly K. Fine School of the Sciences
Associate Dean: Ellen Roskes, Ph.D.
Description
Chemistry is one of the three basic areas that form the foundation of all science and is essential for a complete understanding of the physical world. Focusing on the study of matter, the field of chemistry includes a wide variety of basic areas ranging from the study of atoms, the chemical bond, and basic chemical reactions to the exploration of applied topics, including biochemistry, medicinal and drug chemistry, forensic science, physical and quantum chemistry, and instrumentation.
Stevenson University's chemistry program, planned in accordance with the requirements of the American Chemical Society (ACS), offers a broad selection of courses for students in chemistry and provides an excellent background for any scientific or technological career. Laboratory work and research are emphasized throughout the curriculum. With modern instrumentation and laboratory facilities, students develop excellent laboratory and analytical skills, preparing them for employment in the chemical industry, graduate study in chemistry, or a career in a variety of professional arenas, including pharmacy, medicine, and dentistry.
Outcomes
Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, graduates will be able to:
- Apply knowledge of chemical principles to the understanding of the world at a molecular level.
- Plan, design, safely execute and interpret scientific experiments using the scientific method.
- Communicate scientific knowledge in clear notebook entries, laboratory reports and oral and poster presentations.
- Evaluate scientific discovery for its scientific merit and in terms of its ethical, societal and global implications using knowledge of chemical principles.
- Exhibit behaviors consistent with the professional and ethical standards of the discipline.
Policies
Students must earn a minimum GPA of 2.00 in the major. The lowest acceptable grade is a "C" in all courses listed in the catalog under "Program Requirements" for the major, including both courses in the major and SEE courses required by the major. No student, regardless of major, will be permitted to take a science or math course* unless they earn a grade of "C" or better in all prerequisite courses.
A student must maintain a science and math GPA of 2.0 or better in each semester in order to remain in good standing within the major. Grades are reviewed each semester and students are notified in writing of their academic status in the major, as appropriate:
- Probation: The student who earns a science and math GPA less than 2.0 in one semester will be notified, in writing, by the Department Chair that they are on probation in the Fine School of the Sciences. Students who are on probation will be required to meet regularly with their Success Coach/Academic Advisor for at least one full semester after being put on probation.
- Dismissal: The student who earns a science and math GPA less than 2.0 for a second semester will be notified, in writing, by the Department Chair that they are dismissed from the applied mathematics, biochemistry, biology, biomedical engineering, chemistry, or environmental science major.
* Science and mathematics courses are defined as courses with the designation: BIO, BIOCH, BME, CHEM, ENV, FSCI, MATH, PHYS, or SCI.
Requirements
The courses listed below are required for completion of the bachelor's degree in chemistry. Students must also complete the requirements for the Stevenson Educational Experience (SEE). Specific pre- and co-requisites for each course are listed in the course descriptions.
Major Requirements:
| FYS 100 | First Year Seminar | 1 credit |
| BIO 112 | Principles of General Biology | 3 credits |
| | or | |
| BIO 113 | General Biology I: Cell Biology and Genetics | 3 credits |
| BIO 113L | General Biology I Laboratory: Cell Biology and Genetics | 1 credit |
| BIOCH 327 | Biochemistry | 3 credits |
| BIOCH 345L | Integrative Laboratory I | 2 credits |
| CHEM 114 | General Chemistry I with Problem Solving | 3 credits |
| | or | |
| CHEM 115 | General Chemistry I | 3 credits |
| CHEM 115L | General Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 credit |
| CHEM 116 | General Chemistry II | 3 credits |
| CHEM 116L | General Chemistry II Laboratory | 1 credit |
| CHEM 210 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 credits |
| CHEM 210L | Organic Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 credit |
| CHEM 211 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 credits |
| CHEM 211L | Organic Chemistry II Laboratory | 1 credit |
| CHEM 213 | Digital Information Literacy for Chemistry | 1 credit |
| CHEM 221 | Inorganic Chemistry | 3 credits |
| CHEM 310 | Analytical Chemistry | 3 credits |
| CHEM 313 | Career Connections in Chemistry | 1 credit |
| CHEM 346L | Integrative Laboratory II | 2 credits |
| CHEM 431 | Physical Chemistry: Quantum Mechanics | 3 credits |
| CHEM 432 | Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics | 3 credits |
| CHEM 470 | Capstone Internship | 3 credits |
| | or | |
| CHEM 471 | Capstone Internship | 6 credits |
| CHEM 475 | Capstone Seminar | 3 credits |
| MATH 220 | Calculus I | 4 credits |
| MATH 221 | Calculus II | 4 credits |
| PHYS 215 | General Physics I with Calculus | 4 credits |
| PHYS 216 | General Physics II with Calculus | 4 credits |
| SCI 215 | Writing in the Sciences | 3 credits |
Note: Students choosing to take the 6-credit Capstone Internship (CHEM 471) can take one Chemistry elective.
Chemistry Electives:
Select two:
| BIOCH 362 | Independent Research Experience in Biochemistry | 2 credits |
| BIOCH 365 | Independent Laboratory Research in Biochemistry | 3 credits |
| BIOCH 427 | Advanced Biochemistry | 3 credits |
| BME 314/MATH 314 | Biostatistics | 3 credits |
| CHEM 203 | Environmental Chemistry | 3 credits |
| CHEM 206 | Herbal Medicines and Remedies | 3 credits |
| CHEM 362 | Independent Laboratory Research in Chemistry | 2 credits |
| CHEM 365 | Independent Laboratory Research in Chemistry | 3 credits |
| CHEM 435 | Special Topics in Chemistry | 3 credits |
| SCI 201 | Medical Terminology | 3 credits |
Suggested Course Sequence
2021-22 SCS Chemistry
2021-22 SCS Chemistry MFS Option
Minor in Chemistry
The minor in chemistry requires successful completion of a minimum of six courses and 18 credits with a CHEM prefix. For chemistry courses with a separate lab co-requisite, both the lab and lecture for the course must be taken; however, the lab does not count as a separate course toward the minor. Please see the chair of the Department of Chemistry for more information. General guidelines regarding minors may be found in the Minors section of the catalog.
Other Options
Chemistry Department Honors Requirements: Eligible students majoring in chemistry may elect to pursue honors within the Department of Chemistry. The intention to pursue Chemistry Department Honors must be declared before the start of their last semester before graduation. To declare the intent to pursue department honors, a student must have earned a science/math GPA of 3.50 or higher and a plan to finish the honors requirements outlined below.
Students graduating with Chemistry Department honors will have this distinction noted on their official university transcript. In order to graduate with department honors, the following requirements must be met:
- Completion of one research experience.
- Completion of a second research experience or a 300-400 level CHEM or BIOCH elective that is not being used to fulfill a degree requirement in the major.
- An oral presentation of the research experience to the department.
- A science/math GPA of 3.5 or higher at graduation.
BA Option: Students also have the option of completing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry. The student must fulfill all SEE requirements, program requirements, and complete two semesters of a foreign language from the point of placement or completion of 202 level.
BS/MFS Option: The BS/MFS option is available for students majoring in chemistry who wish to combine their bachelor's coursework with work toward a Stevenson University master's degree in forensic science in the chemistry track. Students choosing this option may earn their master's degrees in as little as one year after their bachelor's degree. Interested students must formally apply for entrance into this BS/MFS option in their junior year. Once admitted into this program, students develop an educational plan in consultation with their undergraduate and graduate advisors. Please see the Forensic Science section of this catalog for more information.
BS/MAT Option: The BS/MAT option is available for students majoring in chemistry who wish to combine their bachelor's coursework with work toward a Stevenson University master's degree in teaching. Please see Additional Enrollment Options in the Admissions section of this catalog for more information.
Course Descriptions
See Chemistry Course Descriptions