Dec 04, 2024  
2012-2013 Academic Catalog 
    
2012-2013 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Chemistry, B.A.


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Chemistry

    Member of the Division of Science

Chair(s):

Mark Levandoski

Faculty:

Andrew Graham
Heriberto Hernandez-Soto
Erick Leggans 
Leslie Lyons
Elaine Marzluff
Martin Minelli
Andrew Mobley
Lee Sharpe
Stephen Sieck
James Swartz
Elizabeth Trimmer

Chemistry, as pure science, seeks to describe and make comprehensible the nature and transformations of matter. As applied science, it provides society with knowledge and tools to achieve its material purposes. By coupling creative thought with experimentation, the study of chemistry contributes to a liberal education.

The Department of Chemistry recommends that students considering chemistry as a major begin coursework as first-year students. The starting point for those with no more than a year of secondary school chemistry is CHM 129 . (For students with AP/IB credit, starting with CHM 210  may be appropriate.)

The department emphasizes laboratory investigation in its curriculum. Students have excellent facilities for independent projects and study, and majors will get hands-on experience with modern instrumentation in several areas of chemistry. A variety of computers are used for data acquisition, simulation, and analysis in all courses. An active summer program provides further opportunities for intensive research.

A major in chemistry may lead to a career in chemical research or education. It also serves those who seek to enter the medical or engineering professions and those wishing to pursue graduate work in fields such as biochemistry, molecular biology, physiology, pharmacology, geology, environmental science, nutrition, and materials science, or for others, as a focus for liberal education.

To complete the major, mathematics through MAT 133  and physics through PHY 132  are needed and should be taken as early as possible. Students contemplating graduate work in science should consider taking two additional semesters of mathematics (MAT 215  and MAT 220 ) as well as related coursework in biology and physics, depending on personal interests and goals. The department recommends the study of a foreign language, because chemistry is an international discipline.

Major Requirements: A minimum of 32 credits


ACS Certification: The department’s program is approved by the American Chemical Society through its Committee on Professional Training and offers a certification program to students who meet requirements of both breadth and depth in their chemistry studies. The graduates who complete the following program meet the ACS certification standards:

Core Requirements: 24 credits


Advanced Electives: 8 credits


 Eight additional credits must be included from these courses:

Honors


To be considered for honors in chemistry, graduating seniors, in addition to meeting the College’s general requirements for honors, must be selected by the chemistry faculty. The criteria used to decide which students have achieved sufficient distinction and academic excellence to qualify for honors in chemistry are both objective and subjective in nature. Honors signifies an underlying commitment to the discipline as evidenced by participation in departmental affairs and activities (such as serving as a mentor), attendance at co-curricular activities such as departmental seminars and poster presentations both on and off campus, and other indications of strong interest above and beyond normal classroom participation and achievement. The faculty believes that honors signifies both academic excellence and an unusually high commitment and dedication to the discipline. Graduating with honors in chemistry should not be regarded solely as the culmination of previous accomplishments, but rather an expectation of future accomplishments in the discipline in the years ahead.

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