Chemistry (B.S.)

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Student Learning Outcomes for Chemistry major:

Students will be able to:

Recall, synthesize and apply chemistry concepts.
Effectively research (design, conduct and analyze) a chemical/biochemical problem or concept in accordance with accepted safety standards.
Effectively communicate chemical/biochemical information through written and oral means.
Develop skills in working as a member of a team.

The Chemistry major offers three concentrations: the American Chemical Society Approved Professional Chemistry curriculum, the Chemistry Management curriculum, and the Chemical Physics curriculum.

All Chemistry majors must take:

CH 105 - NPS Fundamentals of Chemistry: Introduction to Molecular Science 4.00 credits.
CH 113 - Organic Chemistry I 4.00 credits.
CH 201 - Laboratory Methods in Chemistry 2.00 credits.
CH 213 - Organic Chemistry II 3.00 credits.
CH 214 - Chemical Instrumentation 4.00 credits.
CH 216 - Synthesis Lab 2.00 credits.
CH 242 - Physical Inorganic Chemistry 3.00 credits.
CH 343 - Physical Chemistry I 4.00 credits.
CH 395 - Chemistry Seminar I 1.00 credit.
CH 396 - Chemistry Seminar II 1.00 credit.
MA 121 - MA Calculus I 4.00 credits.
MA 122 - Calculus II 4.00 credits.
PHY 201 - College Physics I 4.00 credits.
PHY 202 - College Physics II 4.00 credits.

American Chemical Society (ACS) concentration:

The American Chemical Society (ACS) concentration prepares the student for graduate school or for a career in industrial or government laboratories. The ACS-approved curriculum requires:

CH 323 - Biochemistry I 3.00 credits.
CH 326 - Techniques of Biochemistry 2.00 credits.
CH 455 - Integrated Chemistry Laboratory I 2.00 credits.
CH 495 - Chemistry Seminar III 1.00 credit.
CH 496 - Chemistry Seminar IV 1.00 credit.
BIO 111 - Molecules, Cells, & Animal Systems 4.00 credits.
BIO 112 - Principles of Evolution, Ecology, and Diversity of Life 4.00 credits.
(recommended for pre-health professions students only)

Four courses from among:

CH 324 - Biochemistry II 2.00 credits.
CH 402 - Advanced Inorganic Chemistry 2.00 credits.
CH 414 - Advanced Instrumental Analysis 2.00 credits.
CH 421 - Advanced Organic Chemistry 2.00 credits.
CH 344 - Physical Chemistry II 2.00 credits.

Four credits from among:

CH 491 - Research in Chemistry Variable (1.00 to 4.00) credit(s).
CH 492 - Research in Chemistry Variable (1.00 to 4.00) credit(s).
CH 490 - Independent Problems in Chemistry Variable (1.00 to 4.00) credit(s).

First Year Suggested Courses:

FYS 100 - First-Year Seminar 4.00 credits.
EN 100 - PLE First Year Writing 4.00 credits.
BIO 111 - Molecules, Cells, & Animal Systems 4.00 credits.
CH 105 - NPS Fundamentals of Chemistry: Introduction to Molecular Science 4.00 credits.
CH 113 - Organic Chemistry I 4.00 credits.
MA 121 - MA Calculus I 4.00 credits.
MA 122 - Calculus II 4.00 credits.
One Power of Language: Other Core course (4 credits)

Chemical Physics Concentration:

The Chemical Physics curriculum is a foundation for work at the interface between chemistry and physics. In addition to the courses listed for the Chemistry major, this curriculum also requires:

CH 344 - Physical Chemistry II 2.00 credits.
CH 455 - Integrated Chemistry Laboratory I 2.00 credits.
CH 495 - Chemistry Seminar III 1.00 credit.
CH 496 - Chemistry Seminar IV 1.00 credit.
MA 222 - Calculus III 4.00 credits.
PHY 203 - College Physics III 4.00 credits.

At least three courses (8 credits) from among:

CH 402 - Advanced Inorganic Chemistry 2.00 credits.
CH 414 - Advanced Instrumental Analysis 2.00 credits.
CH 421 - Advanced Organic Chemistry 2.00 credits.
MA 201 - Linear Algebra 4.00 credits.
MA 321 - Differential Equations 4.00 credits.
MA 351 - Theory of Probability 4.00 credits.
MA 425 - Complex Variables 4.00 credits.
Approved 300- or 400- level Physics courses

At least four credits from among:

CH 491 - Research in Chemistry Variable (1.00 to 4.00) credit(s).
CH 492 - Research in Chemistry Variable (1.00 to 4.00) credit(s).
CH 490 - Independent Problems in Chemistry Variable (1.00 to 4.00) credit(s).

First Year Suggested Courses:

FYS 100 - First-Year Seminar 4.00 credits.
EN 100 - PLE First Year Writing 4.00 credits.
CH 105 - NPS Fundamentals of Chemistry: Introduction to Molecular Science 4.00 credits.
CH 113 - Organic Chemistry I 4.00 credits.
MA 121 - MA Calculus I 4.00 credits.
MA 122 - Calculus II 4.00 credits.
Two Core courses (8 credits total)

Chemistry Management Concentration:

The Chemistry Management option is preparation for sales or management positions in chemical and related industries. The chemistry management curriculum requires:

CH 323 - Biochemistry I 3.00 credits.
CH 326 - Techniques of Biochemistry 2.00 credits. or
CH 455 - Integrated Chemistry Laboratory I 2.00 credits.
CH 495 - Chemistry Seminar III 1.00 credit.
CH 496 - Chemistry Seminar IV 1.00 credit.
One additional Chemistry course, excluding internship or research
BIO 111 - Molecules, Cells, & Animal Systems 4.00 credits.
AC 101 - Introduction to Accounting 4.00 credits.
MKT 215 - Principles of Marketing 4.00 credits.
BA 265 - Management and Organizational Behavior 4.00 credits.
BA 330 - Legal Environment of Business 4.00 credits.
FIN 325 - Corporate Finance 4.00 credits.
MKT 416 - Marketing Management 4.00 credits.
EC 101 - SSC Principles of Macroeconomics 4.00 credits.

First Year Suggested Courses:

FYS 100 - First-Year Seminar 4.00 credits.
EN 100 - PLE First Year Writing 4.00 credits.
CH 105 - NPS Fundamentals of Chemistry: Introduction to Molecular Science 4.00 credits.
CH 113 - Organic Chemistry I 4.00 credits.
BIO 111 - Molecules, Cells, & Animal Systems 4.00 credits.
MA 121 - MA Calculus I 4.00 credits.
MA 122 - Calculus II 4.00 credits.
One Core course (4 credits total)

Notes for all Chemistry curriculum:

These courses begin a highly structured and coordinated program of study, and if not successfully completed in the first year, may lead to delayed graduation or rigorous academic schedules.

There is a strong correlation between students’ performance on the math portion of the SAT/ACT and CH 105, likely a result of quantitative thinking and analytical reasoning skills. To promote student success, when a student has low entrance exam scores, it may be advisable to delay BIO 111 rather than enrolling the student in both CH 105 and BIO 111 during the first semester. These students are encouraged to meet with the program advisor to discuss a modified four-year plan.

Math placement will be determined by the Mathematical Science program. For the Chemical Physics track, competency must be through the MA 222 level. For the other tracks, competency must be through the MA 122 level. MA 121 is a prerequisite for PHY 201 which is normally taken in the spring semester of the sophomore year.

EC 101 is a requirement for students pursuing the chemistry management option.

If not completed in the fall, EN 100 or EN 150 must be completed during the spring semester.

A grade of C- or better must be earned in CH 105 to advance to CH 113 and a C- or better in CH 113 is necessary to advance to CH 213.

Students planning to apply to medical school or other health related professional schools should plan on taking BIO 112 during the second semester of the first year.

Accreditation

The BS in Chemistry Program with the ACS concentration is on the approved list of the American Chemical Society Committee on Professional Training.