Chemistry, B.A./B.S.

Professors: Arlene Courtney, Pete Poston
Associate professors: Patricia Flatt, Rahim Kazerouni

Mission

Provides preparation for professional work in chemistry or forensic science; graduate work in chemistry or forensic science; or pre-professional training in the health sciences or secondary education. Coupling the program with an appropriate minor prepares students to enter related fields such as biochemistry, oceanography, pharmacy, toxicology and the environmental or atmospheric sciences. Through the study of general, organic, analytical and physical chemistry, students gain an understanding of the world around them.

Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate an understanding of major concepts, theoretical principles and experimental findings in chemistry.
Employ critical thinking and quantitative analytical skills to solve problems and evaluate scientific data.
Use and application of laboratory methods and scientific instrumentation to investigate a scientific hypothesis, conduct experiments, analyze data and interpret results.
Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills including the ability to transmit complex scientific or technical information in a clear and concise manner.
Gather, comprehend, apply and communicate credible information on scientific and technical topics and recognize the proper use of scientific data, principles and theories to assess the quality of stated conclusions.
Demonstrate ethical awareness and conduct with regards to: (1) honesty in data reporting; (2) the safety of practitioners, test subjects and the local community/environment; and (3) their social responsibility to recognize the impact that our actions have on the natural and human world.

Formal admission is required for all students seeking a chemistry or chemistry-forensic chemistry concentration degree. Typically, application for admission will be made at the end of a student’s sophomore year by completing a degree plan with the adviser. Prior to admission, the student should have completed the set of courses below.

Chemistry major prerequisites:

PH 211 , 212 , 213 (traditional chemistry major)

PH 201 , 202 , 203 or PH 211 , 212 , 213 (forensic chemistry major)

MTH 251 , 252

Additional information regarding these requirements should be obtained from the division. Limited courses taken at other institutions may be transferred to the program based on the course and grade obtained.

Core Courses

CH 221 General Chemistry Credits: 5
CH 222 General Chemistry Credits: 5
CH 223 General Chemistry Credits: 5
CH 312 Quantitative Analysis Credits: 4
CH 313 Instrumental Analysis Credits: 4
CH 334 Organic Chemistry Credits: 3
CH 335 Organic Chemistry Credits: 3
CH 336 Organic Chemistry Credits: 3
CH 337 Organic Chemistry Lab I Credits: 1
CH 338 Organic Chemistry Lab II Credits: 2
CH 350 Chemical Literature Credits: 1
CH 407 Seminar Credits: 1 Credits: 1

Traditional Chemistry

Complete the Traditional Chemistry requirements listed here or one of the Concentrations listed below.

CH 440 Physical Chemistry I Credits: 3
CH 441 Physical Chemistry II Credits: 3
CH 442 Physical Chemistry III Credits: 3
CH 461 Experimental Chemistry Credits: 2
CH 462 Experimental Chemistry Credits: 2
CH 463 Experimental Chemistry Credits: 2
MTH 251 Calculus I Credits: 4
MTH 252 Calculus II Credits: 4
MTH 254 Multivariate Calculus Credits: 4

Upper Division Elective Credits: 6

Upper division chemistry electives.

Choose One Concentration (Optional)

Total Credits: 70-104

Note:

Preparation for a prospective chemistry major includes high school chemistry, physics and a minimum of three years of mathematics including a minimum of MTH 111 equivalency. The B.A. requires MTH 252 , CS 161 and completion of the third term of the second year of a modern language course. The B.S. requires a combined total of 12 credit hours of coursework in mathematics and computer science including MTH 252 and CS 161 .

The B.S. and B.A. require completion of the cultural diversity and writing intensive requirements. For this major the six credits of writing intensive coursework should come from CH 350W, CH 407W, CH 461W and CH 462W. The sequence PH 211 , PH 212 , PH 213 is to be completed as the LACC science requirement.

Chemistry majors are required to maintain a C average in their major. Forensic chemistry majors are required to maintain a C average in both major and minor.

If a chemistry major selects mathematics as a minor, the calculus sequences MTH 251 , MTH 252 and MTH 254 are to be replaced by PH 211 , PH 212 , PH 213 .