The Chemistry Department offers courses and programs suitable for majors, minors and graduates in biochemistry and chemistry, and for students in other areas needing chemistry cognates and electives. The program for majors at the undergraduate level is designed for students planning professional careers in chemistry and related fields, and in the teaching of chemistry. There are several program options available at the advanced undergraduate level depending upon the career interests of the student.

The American Chemical Society’s approval and periodic reviews of the department’s capability to offer complete programs to prepare students for professional work in chemistry attest to the continuing academic soundness of the department’s entire undergraduate program and to its ability to serve the diverse needs and interests of a generation in times of rapid change.

The department offers programs leading to either the bachelor of arts degree or the bachelor of science degree. The programs consist of a basic core of courses plus several options at the advanced undergraduate level depending upon the curriculum being followed. The Chemistry Department also provides advisement for students interested in pre-pharmacy. See Pre-professional Programs section of this bulletin.

The biochemistry major prepares students for entry into graduate programs in biochemistry and related disciplines. The program serves those students interested in biochemistry as a career or students pursuing pre-professional programs in the health sciences. The biochemistry curriculum includes the credit hour equivalent of a major plus a minor; therefore, no minor is required.

Students who plan to pursue graduate level work in chemistry or to work in the chemical industry should plan to meet the minimum standards set forth by the Committee on Professional Training of the American Chemical Society. Those standards may be met by following this curriculum.

Students in the ACS certified major and chemistry major may satisfy the minor subject requirement in either of two ways:

1. Complete the sequence of courses listed as an academic minor in another department or

2. Complete the group science minor.

The chemistry major is suitable for students preparing for further work in areas outside pure chemistry such as the biological sciences, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, engineering, material science, pollution control or ecology. The major consists of a basic core of courses plus electives.

The environmental science program is an interdisciplinary approach offered jointly by the departments of Biology, Chemistry, Geography and Political Science. See the Environmental Science Program section of this bulletin for more information.

Students desiring certification as a secondary school teacher in chemistry follow this curriculum. Students in this program must select an academic minor in another department. A minor in physics education is recommended.

The water science major includes the credit hour equivalent of a major plus a minor. This program is for students interested in pursuing an advanced degree in oceanography, limnology, water chemistry, aquatic biology or environmental science. The program also prepares students for state, federal and industrial positions related to water pollution and water quality. Students can select an advisor from either the chemistry or biology department.

Students enrolled in a chemistry laboratory must pay the cost of replacement for glassware or equipment broken in excess of one dollar. Records of student breakage are maintained in the chemistry stockroom, and students are notified of any amount due after the last laboratory meeting. The breakage fee is not applicable to CH 490, CH 491, CH 589 or CH 599.

Only those chemistry courses passed with a grade of "C-" or better apply to the biochemistry, chemistry and Chemistry ACS Certified majors.