Associate Dean and Chair: 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.
Objectives
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.
Requirements
Major Requirements:
| SCI 100 | School of Sciences New Student Seminar | 1 credit |
| 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 |
| 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 | Electronic Literature Searching | 1 credit |
| CHEM 221 | Inorganic Chemistry | 3 credits |
| CHEM 304 | Third Year Chemistry Seminar | |
| CHEM 310 | Analytical Chemistry | 3 credits |
| CHEM 431 | Physical Chemistry: Quantum Mechanics | 3 credits |
| CHEM 432 | Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics | 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 |
CHEM 304: Course under development
Select two of the following three integrative laboratory options:
Senior Capstone Experiences (Select One):
CHEM 450, CHEM 460 or CHEM 460H Sr. Research Capstone in Chemistry
CHEM 455, CHEM 465, or CHEM 465H Sr. Internship Capstone in Chemistry
++ Students choosing one of the 9-credit senior capstone options can take one less upper level chemistry elective
Chemistry electives
| BIOCH 427 | Advanced Biochemistry | 3 credits |
| CHEM 330 | Advanced Organic Chemistry | 4 credits |
| CHEM 340 | Medicinal and Drug Chemistry | 3 credits |
| CHEM 365 | Independent Laboratory Research in Chemistry | 3 credits |
| CHEM 410 | Instrumental Analysis | 4 credits |
Policies
Students must earn a minimum GPA of 2.00 in the major, and the lowest acceptable grade is a "C" in all major and Stevenson Educational Experience (SEE) courses. No student, regardless of major, will be permitted to take a science or math course unless he/she earns a grade of "C" or better in all prerequisite courses.
A student may not earn a grade of “C-” or lower in any science or math course more than three times during the program. If a fourth grade of “C-” or lower is earned in any science or math course, the student will be automatically dismissed from the chemistry major.
Probation: The student who earns any combination of two grades of “C-” or lower in a science or math course will be notified, in writing, by the department chair that he or she is on probation in the School of the Sciences.
Final Probation: The student who earns any combination of three grades of “C-” or lower in a science or math course will be notified, in writing, by the department chair that he or she is on final probation in the School of the Sciences.
Dismissal: If a fourth grade of “C-” or lower in any science or math course is earned, the student will be notified, in writing, by the department chair that he or she is dismissed from the major.
Minor in Chemistry
A minor in chemistry is available. A student wishing to take any chemistry course for the chemistry minor must meet the prerequisite(s) for the particular course. Student must take six courses that count in the chemistry major, excluding seminar and one or two credit courses. Students majoring in biochemistry may not earn a minor in chemistry. Please see the chair of the Department of Chemistry for more information. Specific information regarding minor requirements may be found in the Academic Information section of the catalog.
Other Options
BS/MS Option: The BS/MS 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 sciences in the chemistry or crime scene investigation 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/MS 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 Sciences 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.
Articulation Agreement: University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. The Department of Chemistry has an articulation agreement with the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. This is for a dual-degree undergraduate-professional program (3+4) leading to a bachelor's in chemistry from Stevenson University and a Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of MD School of Pharmacy. Under the conditions of this agreement, students attend Stevenson for three years taking courses specified by the articulation agreement. Then, if they are accepted into the pharmacy program at the University of Maryland, several of the courses in their first year at the School of Pharmacy will substitute for Stevenson courses. This will allow the students in this program to get a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Stevenson when they complete their first year at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. Please see the chair of the Department of Chemistry for more information.
Course Descriptions
See Chemistry Course Descriptions