Concentration - Chemistry

Chemistry is an interdisciplinary subject based on physics and mathematics. Course work at the advanced and upper division levels in chemistry is divided into five sub-areas of the field: Organic, Inorganic, Physical, Analytical, and Biochemistry. Students wishing to pursue graduate work in chemistry should have a minimum of two courses in organic, physical, and analytical chemistry and at least one course in inorganic or biochemistry. Analytical chemistry should include a course in instrumentation with a laboratory. These requirements exceed the Charter Oak concentration requirements, but are strongly suggested for students planning graduate study in Chemistry. This concentration requires minimum of 39 credits.

Concentration Requirements:

Requirement	Credits
Introductory Chemistry with laboratory	8 credits
Organic Chemistry with laboratory (not upper level)	8 credits
Inorganic Chemistry with/without laboratory	3 or 4 credits
Physical Chemistry with/without laboratory	3 or 4 credits
Instrumental Analysis	4 credits
Calculus	6 to 8 credits
Physics	4 credits
Capstone - CHE 499 (Culminating course in concentration)	3 credits
TOTAL	39

Notes:Only grades of C of higher may be included in the concentration. At least one upper level course in addition to instrumentation must include a laboratory (physical, inorganic, advanced organic or biochemistry. An optional method of establishing a Chemistry concentration: The GRE Subject Test in Chemistry evaluated at 24 credits (15 lower, 9 upper), plus at least 12 additional credits. Because the GRE does not include a laboratory component, students who use this option are required to complete two upper level laboratory courses; at least one these should be a laboratory course in instrumentation unless the student meets this outcome through job experience, plus the 3 credit capstone.

Student Learning Outcomes

Students who graduate with a concentration in Chemistry will be able to:

1. demonstrate thorough knowledge of general and organic chemistry, calculus, and physics to support upper level courses;
2. demonstrate upper level knowledge in at least three of the five areas of chemistry to provide a broad understanding of the fields;
3. demonstrate laboratory skills in at least two different upper division areas of chemistry, in addition to those in basic organic chemistry;
4. demonstrate skills in instrumentation;
5. utilize information literacy skills to find and read articles in chemical literature;
6. demonstrate skills in technical writing and oral communication through lab reports, research papers, and oral presentations of their work; and
7. apply ethical principles in implementing decisions.