Chemistry is often referred to as the central science because of its strong connections to the other natural sciences and mathematics. Chemistry is therefore an area of study that allows students vast opportunity to explore the unknown and to address some of human society’s most pressing scientific problems. Professional chemists are employed in a number of diverse fields: governmental policymakers, pharmaceutical/industrial chemists, intellectual property attorneys, high school teachers, and physicians.

Undergraduate training in chemistry at South Dakota State University provides students with enhanced critical thinking skills and problem-solving abilities, attributes which are highly desired in the modern workforce. The chemistry major is also excellent preparation for professional study in medicine, dentistry, business, and law. The American Chemical Society (ACS), in recognition of the quality and rigor of the curriculum, certifies the B.S. degree in chemistry offered by the department. In addition to completing the degree requirements listed below, students engage in independent research projects in collaboration with departmental faculty; this capstone experience affords students a means to apply the knowledge of the discipline to questions for which the answers are unknown.

Upon completing a B.S. in Chemistry, graduates will demonstrate the following capacities:

• Possess a foundational knowledge of the contemporary theories of chemistry;
• Apply the foundational knowledge of the field toward answering unknown questions;
• Effectively communicate scientific information in written and verbal formats;
• Safely handle chemicals and chemical equipment;
• Become proficient in the design and execution of experimental procedures;
• Use a variety of techniques to evaluate experimental outcomes;
• Develop the human skills to work effectively and efficiently in a team setting;
• Efficiently search the relevant chemical literature;
• Develop an understanding of the career opportunities within and outside of the field;