The Department of Chemistry offers five areas of concentration for completing the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry: chemical science, professional chemist, professional chemist with honors, biochemistry and chemical modeling. With proper selection of electives, the degree satisfies admission requirements to most schools of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and veterinary medicine.

The professional chemist concentration requires a greater number of chemistry courses, and is designed for students whose future studies or career plans involve chemistry as a central theme. With the proper combination of courses, this degree can be certified as meeting the requirements of the American Chemical Society.

Learning outcomes:
  • Structure: Students will demonstrate understanding of the relationship between molecular structure and function.
  • Descriptive chemistry: Students will be conversant with common chemical phenomena both symbolically and sensorially.
  • Measurement and numeracy: Students will perform calculations needed to describe and model common chemical phenomena.
  • Communication: Students will develop written and oral communication skills needed to explain chemical phenomena to novices and experts.
  • Literacy: Students will search, read and assess scientific literature.
  • Laboratory skills: Students will develop and practice laboratory bench and instrumentation skills.
  • Information processing: Students will interpret tables, graphs, drawings and models.
  • Critical thinking: Students will practice critical thinking and problem solving.