Program Description
The Department of Chemistry shares Winston-Salem State University’s mission of student success by providing excellence in teaching, scholarship and service. Courses in the major program, along with those in the General Education, provide opportunities for students to develop skills required for success in the work world and in graduate/professional schools. Chemistry majors participate in hands-on research experiences involving state-of-the-art instrumentation. In 2015/2016 academic year, six majors were co-authors in peer-reviewed publications and eleven students presented their research at regional or national meetings. Chemistry majors and minors may join the American Chemical Society Student Affiliate (ACS, professional chemistry society) or Phi Lambda Epsilon (PLU, national chemistry honor society). In 2014/2015 year, the ACS Student Affiliate was awarded an Honorable Mention from the ACS for its activities.
Vision
The Department of Chemistry is focused on providing opportunities for students to develop academic and hands-on research skills to enhance their competitiveness in: 1) the global STEM workforce, 2) gaining admission into graduate programs in chemistry and advanced studies in forensic chemistry, and 3) gaining admission into professional programs including medical, pharmacy, dental and veterinary schools.
Mission
The mission of the Department of Chemistry is to offer relevant and vibrant major programs in Chemistry and minor programs in Chemistry and Physics. The Department also offers service courses in general chemistry, physical science, environmental science and physics for students in related areas and fulfills components of the general education core curriculum.
Departmental Goals
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To prepare students for graduate/professional school admission or entry-level professional positions.
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To provide effective advising and mentoring.
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To model effective teaching methods which promote student learning.
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To promote and facilitate faculty productivity in the scholarship of teaching, learning and research.
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To provide a variety of courses in chemistry, physical science, environmental science and physics as part of the core and service curricula.
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To provide service to the University and the community.
Student Learning Outcomes
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Students will demonstrate a comprehension of fundamental chemical and scientific principles.
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Students will be able to apply fundamental chemical and scientific principles.
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Students will be able to apply critical-thinking and analytical reasoning to identify and solve chemical problems.
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Students will be able to effectively and professionally communicate scientific findings.
Major Requirements and Courses
The Chemistry department offers a flexible BS Degree in Chemistry as well as a BS Degree in Chemistry with one of four concentrations: 1) General Chemistry, Non-ACS Certified; 2) Pre-Health Professions Concentration, Non-ACS Certified; 3) ACS Certified; and 4) Biochemistry Concentration, ACS Certified.
Students majoring in Chemistry must satisfy the General Education (GE) course requirements (60 cr. hrs.), complete the required courses as specified by the student’s chosen Chemistry degree track, and take electives for a minimum total of 120 semester hours. Courses noted by an asterisk (*) may also be taken as part of the GE requirements. Required major courses include 26 or 27 hours of Foundation courses, 11-18 hours of Breadth courses, CHE 4241 (Senior Seminar), and 6-21 hours of Depth courses in the selected Chemistry track.
A minimum grade of C- is accepted as a passing grade for individual courses in the major; however, students are required to attain an overall minimum GPA of 2.0 in chemistry courses. The C- or better also applies to courses that require prerequisites. Students are advised to check the catalog or chemistry webpage for prerequisites and/or co-requisites for courses before attempting to register for them.
Foundation Courses:
CHE 1313/1113 - General Chemistry I and lab*
CHE 1314/1114 - General Chemistry II and lab*
BIO 2301/2101 - General Biology I and Lab*
MAT 1401 - Precalculus and Trigonometry* or MAT 2317 - Calculus I*
MAT 2326 - Elementary Statistics* or equivalent.
PHY 1321/1121 - College Physics I and Lab*
PHY 1322/1122 - College Physics II and Lab*
ACS Certified tracks only
MAT 2317 - Calculus I* and MAT 2318 - Calculus II*
PHY 2331/2131 - General Physics I and Lab*
PHY 2332/2132 - General Physics II and Lab*
The following general education courses are suggested:
PHS 1307 - Environmental Science
CHE 1325 - Intro to Scientific Research*
BIO 2303 - Scientific Writing
Breadth Courses::
Students must take the following areas of breadth courses depending on their concentration:
I. CHE 2321/2121 - Quantitative Analysis and Lab
II. CHE 2326 - Organic Chemistry I
III. CHE 3311/3111 - Physical Chemistry I and Lab (pre-requisite: MAT 2317*)
IV. CHE 3346/3146 - Biochemistry I and lab
V. CHE 3313 - Inorganic Chemistry
VI. CHE 3301 - Biophysical Chemistry
VII. CHE 3305/3106 - Environmental Chemistry and lab
Depth Course:
CHE 4241 - Senior Seminar
BS Chemistry Concentration
Students are strongly encouraged to begin the General Chemistry sequence, CHE 1313/1113 and 1314/1114, in the first semester of the freshman year. In addition to Foundation courses, take breadth courses I, II, III (or VI), and CHE 4241 and a minimum of an additional 12 cr. hrs (choose from additional breadth courses and/or the following depth courses, with a minimum of 6 cr. hrs. of depth courses):
CHE 2327/2230 - Organic Chemistry II and Lab (CHE 2126 and CHE 2127 may be taken in place of CHE 2230)
CHE 3322/3222 - Instrumental Analysis and Lab
CHE 3311/3111 - Physical Chemistry II and Lab
CHE 4243 - Synthetic and Analytical Methods Lab
CHE 4244 - Directed Research I
CHE 4245 – Directed Research II
CHE 4346/4246 - Biochemistry II and Lab
BS Chemistry (Pre-Med Professions Concentration)
Students are strongly encouraged to begin Pre-Med courses with the first-year Chemistry sequence, CHE 1313/1113 and 1314/1114. As recommended by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), students should complete at least breadth courses I, II, III (or VI), IV, BIO 2302/2102 - General Biology II and Lab*, and the following courses:
CHE 2327/2230 - Organic Chemistry II and Lab (CHE 2126 and CHE 2127 may be taken in place of CHE 2230)
CHE 3322/3222 - Instrumental Analysis and Lab
CHE 4346 - Biochemistry II
Other Pre-Med coursework as recommended by the AAMC should include the following disciplinary courses:
Computer Science
Genetics
Behavioral Science
Psychology
Social Sciences
BS Chemistry (ACS-Certified Concentration)
Students should complete breadth courses I-V, BIO 2302/2102 - General Biology II and Lab*, and the following depth courses and at least one elective course:
Depth courses:
CHE 2327/2230 - Organic Chemistry II and Lab (CHE 2126 and CHE 2127 may be taken in place of CHE 2230)
CHE 3312/3112 - Physical Chemistry II and Lab
CHE 3322/3222 - Instrumental Analysis and Lab
CHE 4243 - Synthetic & Analytical Methods Lab
Advanced Electives:
CHE 4314 - Quantum Mechanics
CHE 4315 - Advanced Analytical Chemistry
CHE 4316 - Advanced Organic Chemistry
CHE 4317 - Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
CHE 4346 - Biochemistry II
CHE 4244/4245 - Directed Research I & II qualified external research resulting in a comprehensive written report.
BS Chemistry (ACS-Certified with Biochemistry Concentration)
Students should complete breadth courses I-V, BIO 2302/2102 - General Biology II and Lab*, BIO 3231/3232 - Microbiology and Lab, and the following depth courses:
Depth courses:
CHE 2327/2230 - Organic Chemistry II and Lab (CHE 2126 and CHE 2127 may be taken in place of CHE 2230)
CHE 3312/3112 - Physical Chemistry II and Lab
CHE 3322 - Instrumental Analysis
CHE 4346/4246 - Biochemistry II and Lab
Four hours of Research in Biochemistry or a Special Topics course in Biochemistry or qualified external research in biochemistry resulting in a comprehensive written report. A grade of C- is accepted as a passing grade for individual courses in the major; however, students are required to attain an overall minimum GPA of 2.0 in chemistry courses.
Minor Requirements and Courses
Chemistry Minor
A minimum of 20 semester hours of chemistry coursework are required for a chemistry minor.
Required Courses:
CHE 1313/1113 - General Chemistry I and Lab
CHE 1314/1114 - General Chemistry II and Lab
CHE 2326 - Organic Chemistry I
Elective Courses:
Nine (9) CHE SCH from the list of courses below:
CHE 2327/2230 - Organic Chemistry II and Lab (CHE 2126 and CHE 2127 may be taken in place of CHE 2230)
CHE 2321/2121 - Quantitative Analysis and Lab
CHE 3311/3111 - Physical Chemistry I and Lab
CHE 3346/3146 - Biochemistry I and lab
CHE 3313 - Inorganic Chemistry
CHE 3301 - Biophysical Chemistry
CHE 3305/3106 - Environmental Chemistry and Lab
Physics Minor
A minimum of 19 semester hours in physics are required for physics minor.
PHY 1321 - College Physics I PHY 2331 - General Physics I
PHY 1121 - College Physics I Lab or PHY 2131 - General Physics I Lab
PHY 1322 - College Physics II PHY 2332 - General Physics II
PHY 1122 - College Physics II Lab PHY 2132 - General Physics II Lab
PHY 4301 - Modern Physics I
PHY 4301 - Modern Physics I Lab
PHY 4302 - Modern Physics II
PHY 4302 - Modern Physics II Lab
3 Credit Hours in PHY above College Physics II/General Physics II
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