2020-2021 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Chemistry and Biochemistry
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 Return to: Academic Departments and Degrees
Professors C. Anderson (cochair), E. Arnoys, D. Benson, C. Bruxvoort, H. Fynewever, M. Muyskens, K. Sinniah, D. Vander Griend (cochair)
Associate Professors B. Looyenga, C. Tatko
Assistant Professors R. Baker, L. Westrate
The department offers courses and programs for students interested in a career as a chemist or biochemist, for those interested in pursuing post-baccalaureate education (e.g., graduate, medical, dental, or other professional training), and for those interested in teaching chemistry at the secondary level. A concentration in chemical engineering is offered through the Engineering Department. Students who are majoring in environmental science with a chemistry focus should consult the entry under environmental science for a description of this program.
Prerequisite to a program of concentration in chemistry or biochemistry is a minimum grade of C (2.0) in CHEM 102 or CHEM 103 , CHEM 210 , and CHEM 240 or CHEM 241 . The Natural World physical science core requirement may be met by CHEM 100 , CHEM 101 , CHEM 103 or CHEM 160 . For general college students the recommended core course is CHEM 100 .
All students majoring in the department, with the exception of those in a secondary education program, must complete a capstone course during the senior year. Normally this course will be IDIS 310 - Science in Society . Other options for the capstone course are possible but must be approved by the student’s academic advisor.
Our degree programs are designed to provide breadth of instruction in the foundations of chemistry while allowing flexibility for students to pursue, in depth, specific areas of interest at the advanced level. Students are encouraged to select elective courses, in consultation with an academic advisor that will prepare them well for future employment or education. For example, the following combinations of electives for various career tracks may be considered:
- Forensics: CHEM 240 , CHEM 350 , CHEM 321 /CHEM 322 , CHEM 310 , and CHEM 324L ; BIOL 325
- Synthesis: CHEM 241 /CHEM 242 , CHEM 351 /CHEM 352 , CHEM 340 , and CHEM 330
- Materials: CHEM 241 /CHEM 242 , CHEM 351 /CHEM 352 , CHEM 340 , and CHEM 330 ; MATH 132 ; PHYS 133 /PHYS 235
- Environmental Chemistry: CHEM 241 /CHEM 242 , CHEM 270 , CHEM 310 ; ENST 210
- Food Science: Chemistry CHEM 321 /CHEM 322 , and CHEM 310 ; BIOL 207 or BIOL 336 ; STAT 143 ; HE 254
- Pre-medicine: CHEM 350 , CHEM 321 /CHEM 322 ; BIOL 321 , BIOL 325 , or BIOL 336
- Chemical or Medical Technology: CHEM 320 , CHEM 324L , and CHEM 310 ; BIOL 325
Group Science Majors
A group major in science and mathematics meets the needs of some students, particularly those in professional programs. These majors are not normally appropriate for students who anticipate attending graduate school and cannot be taken by students in teacher education programs. Such group majors require twelve courses in the sciences and mathematics, ten of which must be from two departments with no fewer than four from either, with the remaining two courses chosen from a third department. At least two 300-level courses in one discipline must be included in the ten-course component of this group. The chairs of the three departments involved must approve each program of this type.
American Chemical Society Certification
Besides the standard majors in chemistry and biochemistry, the department offers versions of each major that are officially certified by the American Chemical Society (ACS). These versions require two additional chemistry electives as well as providing a research experience that culminates in a formal report and presentation.
Chemistry & Biochemistry Neuroscience Concentrations
The neuroscience concentration in chemistry or biochemistry seeks to provide students with an interdisciplinary understanding of neuroscience, giving them a deep understanding of the chemical sciences and integrating this knowledge with subject areas as diverse as psychology, biology, physics, computer science, and philosophy. This training prepares students for graduate school in neuroscience and professional fields (e.g., medicine, dentistry, clinical psychology, veterinary medicine, physical therapy), as well as careers in biotechnology firms, government laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, education, law, and business.
ProgramsMajorMinorOther ProgramsCoursesChemistry: General College Courses
These introductory courses satisfy the Physical World core requirement. Non-science majors are encouraged to enroll in CHEM 100 or CHEM 160 . Science majors must enroll in CHEM 101 and CHEM 102 , or CHEM 103 . Students having a strong chemistry background are encouraged to enroll in CHEM 103 .
Chemistry: Foundational Courses
These courses provide foundational instruction in the sub-disciplines of chemistry.
Chemistry: Advanced Courses
These courses build on prerequisite foundational course work, integrating and investigating foundational concepts more thoroughly.
Chemistry: Seminars, Capstone, and Research CoursesChemistry: Off-Campus Courses
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