Chemistry (B.S.)

Concentration: Preprofessional Chemistry 1

Foundation courses: Course work in core areas of chemistry (analytical, biochemistry, inorganic, organic and physical)

Concentration: Preprofessional Chemistry 2

In-Depth Courses: Course work that build upon the foundations courses. These courses focus on a specific area within the chemical sciences or provide a modern chemistry perspective to an interdisciplinary topic.

Concentration: Preprofessional Chemistry 3

Laboratory Experiences: “hands-on” laboratory experiences that involve the synthesis of molecules and the measurement of chemical properties and phenomena; “hands-on” use of modern instrumentation and technologies. These experiences promote observation of phenomena, critical thinking, and interpretation of data by the students.

Concentration: Preprofessional Chemistry 4

Information and Literature Searching: Opportunities for students to search and use the primary and secondary chemical literature and scientific databases.

Concentration: Preprofessional Chemistry 5

Computational Chemistry: Computer modeling to understand and predict chemical properties and phenomena.

Concentration: Preprofessional Chemistry 6

Research: Opportunities for undergraduates to participate in the basic discovery process that leads to the creation of new knowledge as a means for students to apply their chemistry knowledge and skill. The undergraduate research experiences culminates with a comprehensive written report.

Concentration: Preprofessional Chemistry 7

Professional Skills: Development of the ability to work safely in a laboratory environment; effective oral and written communication; the ability to work effectively as a member of a team; the ability to ask questions, design enhanced leadership abilities; the capacity for lifelong learning; and the internalization of an intellectual framework leading to ethical scientific conduct.

Chemistry Major 1

Students graduating with a chemistry degree will have an established high level of content knowledge competency in all five foundational areas of chemistry (analytical, biological, organic, inorganic, and physical).

Chemistry Major 2

Students graduating with a chemistry degree will be safety-conscious and have demonstrated competency in general laboratory equipment use, glassware use, and basic laboratory techniques.

Chemistry Major 3

Students graduating with a chemistry degree will be able to demonstrate their curiosity, initiative, independence, and be able to reflect on their prior learning experiences. They will demonstrate how their knowledge, skills, and abilities transfer to their desired career pathways in an interviewing situation. Student in CHEM 2000 (Chemistry Sophomore Seminar) and CHEM 4000 (ChemistrySenior Seminar) will participate in a mock interview facilitated by a faculty member in the Department of Chemistry. Each student will be evaluated using the AAC&U Foundations and Skills for Lifelong Learning VALUE Rubric.

Chemistry Major 4

Students will demonstrate an understanding and comprehension of a chemistry research article. Sophomore-level students in CHEM 2000 (Sophomore Seminar) and senior-level students in CHEM 3610 (Physical Chemistry) will summarize the research experiments, data collected, and make conclusions regarding the results of the experiments from a chemistry journal article. The student summaries will be accessed using the AAC&U Written Communication VALUE rubric.

Chemistry Major 5

Students graduating with a chemistry degree will have the ability to effectively communicate in a clear and organized manner using a scientifically appropriate style. Student should be able to use communication technology such as PowerPoint® presentations, chemical structure drawing, and poster preparation.

Chemistry Major 6

Students graduating with a chemistry degree will have high personal standards and integrity, conduct themselves responsibly in Expected: the classroom and laboratory, and be aware of the ethical responsibilities of chemists.

Chemistry Major 7

Students participating in a study abroad experience will be able to make connections among experiences and ideas regarding how chemistry affects life experiences. Two groups of students in study abroad experiences led by chemistry faculty to London, England and to Iceland will write a reflection paper about their experience and will demonstrate an understanding and appreciation for how chemistry affects life experiences. The reflection papers will be accessed using the AAC&U VALUE rubric for Connection and Reflection. It is expected that 80% of students will score an average of 2.5 out of 3 on the rubric.

Concentration: Biochemistry 1

Students graduating with a chemistry degree will have an established high level of content knowledge competency in all five foundational areas of chemistry (analytical, biological, organic, inorganic, and physical).

Concentration: Biochemistry 2

Students graduating with a chemistry degree will be safety-conscious and have demonstrated competency in general laboratory equipment use, glassware use, and basic laboratory techniques.

Concentration: Biochemistry 3

Students graduating with a chemistry degree will be able to demonstrate their curiosity, initiative, independence, and be able to reflect on their prior learning experiences. They will demonstrate how their knowledge, skills, and abilities transfer to their desired career pathways in an interviewing situation. Student in CHEM 2000 (Chemistry Sophomore Seminar) and CHEM 4000 (ChemistrySenior Seminar) will participate in a mock interview facilitated by a faculty member in the Department of Chemistry. Each student will be evaluated using the AAC&U Foundations and Skills for Lifelong Learning VALUE Rubric.

Concentration: Biochemistry 4

Students will demonstrate an understanding and comprehension of a chemistry research article. Sophomore-level students in CHEM 2000 (Sophomore Seminar) and senior-level students in CHEM 3610 (Physical Chemistry) will summarize the research experiments, data collected, and make conclusions regarding the results of the experiments from a chemistry journal article. The student summaries will be accessed using the AAC&U Written Communication VALUE rubric.

Concentration: Biochemistry 5

Students graduating with a chemistry degree will have the ability to effectively communicate in a clear and organized manner using a scientifically appropriate style. Student should be able to use communication technology such as PowerPoint® presentations, chemical structure drawing, and poster preparation.

Concentration: Biochemistry 6

Students graduating with a chemistry degree will have high personal standards and integrity, conduct themselves responsibly in Expected: the classroom and laboratory, and be aware of the ethical responsibilities of chemists.

Concentration: Biochemistry 7

Students participating in a study abroad experience will be able to make connections among experiences and ideas regarding how chemistry affects life experiences. Two groups of students in study abroad experiences led by chemistry faculty to London, England and to Iceland will write a reflection paper about their experience and will demonstrate an understanding and appreciation for how chemistry affects life experiences. The reflection papers will be accessed using the AAC&U VALUE rubric for Connection and Reflection. It is expected that 80% of students will score an average of 2.5 out of 3 on the rubric.