Chemistry
Chair Karin Ruhlandt, 1-014 Center for Science and Technology, 315-443-4109.
Faculty Tewodros Asefa, John E. Baldwin, Philip N. Borer, Mark S. Braiman, Joseph Chaiken, Arindam Chakraborty, John D. Chisholm, Daniel Clark, James C. Dabrowiak, Robert P. Doyle, Teresa Freedman, Jerry Goodisman, Bruce S. Hudson, James Kallmerten, Timothy M. Korter, Yan-Yeung Luk, Mathew M. Maye, Laurence A. Nafie, Karin Ruhlandt, James T. Spencer, Michael B. Sponsler, Nancy I. Totah, Gershon Vincow, Jon Zubieta
Chemistry, the science concerned with the composition, structure, properties, and reactions of matter, especially of atomic, elemental, and molecular systems, is taught through courses in analytical, biological, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry and through direct participation in original research.
Undergraduate majors in chemistry may elect one of three programs, two leading to a B.A. degree, with an emphasis in either chemistry or biological chemistry, and one to the B.S. degree. Either B.A. degree program requires fewer credits in chemistry than the B.S. option, and yet provides a foundation in the discipline adequate for either immediate professional engagements or for graduate studies. Students studying for a B.S. degree in chemistry gain a more extensive background as they fulfill a broader range of requirements; they must file a petition with the department chair indicating their intent to secure the B.S. degree before it can be awarded.
Students interested in a B.S. degree in biochemistry should see the biochemistry section of this catalog.
For information about certification to teach chemistry at the secondary school level, see Education/Arts and Sciences (dual program) in this section of the catalog.
B.A. DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
(Chemistry Track)
Requirements include 36 credits in chemistry core courses, 32 of which are taken in specific courses. Each student’s course of study includes the following:
- CHE 106,116 or CHE 109,119; CHE 107,117 or CHE 129,139; CHE 275,276,325,326,346,347,356,357; and CHE 335 or FSC 444.
- At least 4 credits chosen from CHE 411,422,427,436,467,546,575 or selected graduate courses with the instructor’s approval.
- One year of calculus (MAT 285,286 or MAT 295,296) and PHY 211,212,221,222.
Students are encouraged to gain some research experience by enrolling in
CHE 450, which may be substituted for a 3-credit course listed in (2) above by petitioning the department.
Students with a score of 5 on the AP chemistry exam who complete
CHE 275/
276 during their first semester at SU, and who also take all of their required CHE courses numbered 300 or above at SU, are exempt from the requirement to take
CHE 106/
107 and
CHE 116/
117 (or their Honors equivalents).
B.A. DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
(Biological Chemistry Track)
Requirements include 21 credits from chemistry core courses, 6 credits from the list, (2) below, of approved biology/biochemistry core courses, and 9 additional credits from an approved list for a total of 36 required credits. Each student’s course of study must include the following:
- CHE 106,116 or CHE 109,119; CHE 107, 117 or 129,139; CHE 275,276,325,326,474.
- BIO 475 or CHE 477/BCM 477 and BIO 575 or BIO 576.
- At least 9 credits chosen from CHE 335, 411,412,422,427,436,467,546,575,FSC 444 or selected graduate courses with the instructor’s approval.
- One year of calculus (MAT 285,286 or MAT 295,296) and PHY 211,212,221,222.
Students are strongly encouraged to take
BIO 326 and BIO 327 Genetics and Cell Biology. Students are also encouraged to take
BIO 465 Molecular Biology Laboratory.
Students may also gain some research experience by enrolling in
CHE 450, which may be substituted for a 3-credit course listed in (3) above, by petitioning the department.
Students with a score of 5 on the AP chemistry exam who complete
CHE 275/
276 during their first semester at SU, and who also take all of their required CHE courses numbered 300 or above at SU, are exempt from the requirement to take
CHE 106/
107 and
CHE 116/
117 (or their Honors equivalents).
B.S. DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
At least 45 credits in chemistry are required for the B.S. degree. Each student’s course of study should include the following:
- CHE 106,116 or CHE 109,119; CHE 107, 117 or CHE 129,139; CHE 275,276,325,326, 346,347,356,357,411,422,450 (at least 3 credits);CHE 335 or FSC 444,CHE 474 or BIO 575.
- At least 3 credits in a lecture course chosen from CHE 427,436,546,575 or selected graduate courses with the instructor’s approval.
- One year of calculus (MAT 295,296) and PHY 211,212,221,222.
If taken in an appropriate area of research, additional credit in
CHE 450 beyond the 3 credits required in (1) above may be substituted for up to 4 laboratory credits with the department’s approval.
Students with a score of 5 on the AP chemistry exam who complete
CHE 275/
276 during their first semester at SU, and who also take all of their required CHE courses numbered 300 or above at SU, are exempt from the requirement to take
CHE 106/
107 and
CHE 116/
117 (or their Honors equivalents).
DEGREE WITH DISTINCTION
Distinction in Chemistry is awarded by the chemistry department upon completion of the chemistry major and a high-quality chemistry thesis. The thesis will be evaluated and judged by a committee consisting of the research advisor and two other chemistry faculty members. Other requirements include a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.4 by the end of the senior year, and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.4 in chemistry department courses. See the chemistry department undergraduate advisor for additional requirements.
Minor in Chemistry
The minor in chemistry is offered to provide students with a basic understanding of the structure and behavior of matter at the atomic and molecular level. Increasingly, the control of matter at the level of individual molecules is becoming the key ingredient in sweeping technological advances such as genetic engineering, micro and molecular electronics, advanced materials, and nanotechnology. A minor in chemistry offers a strong complement to major areas of study such as biology, physics, geology, psychology, engineering, pre-medicine, and pre-professional degree programs.
General Requirements:
To complete a minor in chemistry, students take 20 credits carrying a CHE or BCM prefix, including courses that meet requirements A and B below. No part of the minor requirements may be met with transfer or AP credits, nor with independent study (
CHE 290,
490), research (
CHE 450,
BCM 460), or experience credits (
CHE 470).
A. Lower-division courses must include either of the following groups:
CHE 106(109), 107(129), 116(119), 117(139) (8 credits); or
CHE 275/
276 (5 credits).
B. Upper-division courses must include 12 credits of CHE and BCM courses numbered above 299, including at least one lecture course from among the group
CHE 325,
CHE 346,
CHE 411; and at least one course with an instructional laboratory component. Examples of courses that satisfy the instructional laboratory requirement, and that mesh well with other requirements of the minor, are:
| CHE 326 |
Organic Chemistry Laboratory II |
| CHE 335 |
Chemical and Biochemical Analysis with Lab |
| CHE 347 |
Physical-Analytical Chemistry Laboratory |
| CHE 422 |
Inorganic Laboratory Techniques |
| CHE/BCM 477 |
Preparation and Analysis of Proteins and Nucleic Acids |