Chemistry Major, BS

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. 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

1. To prepare students for graduate/professional school admission or entry-level professional positions.

2. To provide effective advising and mentoring.

3. To model effective teaching methods which promote student learning.

4. To promote and facilitate faculty productivity in the scholarship of teaching, learning and research.

5. To provide a variety of courses in chemistry, physical science, environmental science and physics as part of the core and service curricula.

6. To provide service to the University and the community.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Students will demonstrate a comprehension of fundamental chemical and scientific principles.

2. Students will be able to apply fundamental chemical and scientific principles.

3. Students will be able to apply critical-thinking and analytical reasoning in order to identify and solve chemical problems.

4. Students will be able to perform chemical laboratory techniques and procedures while being aware of laboratory safety.

5. 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  /CHE 1113    - General Chemistry I and lab*

CHE 1314    /CHE 1114    - General Chemistry II and lab*

BIO 1313    /BIO 1113    - General Biology I and Lab*

MAT 1401     - Precalculus and Trigonometry* or MAT 2317   - Calculus I*

MAT 2326     - Elementary Statistics* or equivalent.

PHY 1321    /PHY 1121    - College Physics I and Lab*

PHY 1322    /PHY 1122    - College Physics II and Lab*

ACS Certified tracks only

MAT 2317     - Calculus I* and MAT 2318    - Calculus II*

PHY 2331    /PHY 2131    - General Physics I and Lab*

PHY 2332    /PHY 2132     - General Physics II and Lab*

 

The following general education courses are suggested:

PHS 1307     - Environmental Science

CHE 1325     - Intro to Scientific Research*

BIO 1307     - Scientific Writing

Breadth Courses

Students must take the following areas of breadth courses depending on their concentration:

1. CHE 2321    /CHE 2121    - Quantitative Analysis and Lab
2. CHE 2326    / CHE 2126    - Organic Chemistry I
3. CHE 3311    /CHE 3111    - Physical Chemistry I and Lab (pre-requisite: MAT 2317    *)
4. CHE 3346    /CHE 3146    - Biochemistry I and lab
5. CHE 3313    - Inorganic Chemistry
6. CHE 3301    - Biophysical Chemistry
7. CHE 3305    /CHE 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    /CHE 1113    and CHE 1314  /CHE 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    /CHE 2127    - Organic Chemistry II and Lab

CHE 3322    /CHE 3322    - Instrumental Analysis and Lab

CHE 3311   /CHE 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    /CHE 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    /CHE 1113    and CHE 1314    /CHE 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 1314    /BIO 1114    - General Biology II and Lab*, and the following courses:

CHE 2327    / CHE 2127    - Organic Chemistry II and Lab (CHE 2126    and CHE 2127    may be taken in place of CHE 2230    )

CHE 3322    /CHE 3222    - Instrumental Analysis and Lab

3 SH of CHE at 3000 level or higher

 

Other Pre-Med coursework as recommended by the AAMC should include the following disciplinary courses:

CHE 4346     - Biochemistry II

Computer Science

Genetics

Behavioral Science

Psychology

Social Sciences

BS Chemistry (ACS-Certified Concentration)

Students should complete breadth courses I-V, BIO 1314    /BIO 1114    - General Biology II and Lab*, and  the following depth courses and at least one elective course:

Depth courses

CHE 2327    /CHE 2127   - Organic Chemistry II and Lab

CHE 3312    /CHE 3112    - Physical Chemistry II and Lab

CHE 3322    /CHE 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    /CHE 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 1314    /BIO 1114    - General Biology II and Lab*, BIO 3231    /BIO 3232    - Microbiology and Lab, and the following depth courses:

Depth Courses:

CHE 2327    /CHE 2230    - Organic Chemistry II and Lab (CHE 2126    and CHE 2127    may be taken in place of CHE 2230    )

CHE 3312    /CHE 3112    - Physical Chemistry II and Lab

CHE 3322     - Instrumental Analysis

CHE 4346    /CHE 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    /CHE 1113    - General Chemistry I and Lab

CHE 1314    /CHE 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    /CHE 2230    - Organic Chemistry II and Lab (CHE 2126    and CHE 2127    may be taken in place of CHE 2230    )

CHE 2321    /CHE 2121    - Quantitative Analysis and Lab

CHE 3311    /CHE 3111    - Physical Chemistry I and Lab

CHE 3346    /CHE 3146    - Biochemistry I and lab

CHE 3313     - Inorganic Chemistry

CHE 3301     - Biophysical Chemistry

CHE 3305    /CHE 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 4101     - Modern Physics I Lab

PHY 4302     - Modern Physics II

PHY 4102     - Modern Physics II Lab

3 Credit Hours in PHY above College Physics II/General Physics II