Dec 11, 2024

2021-2023 Undergraduate Catalog

2021-2023 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Chemistry Major, BS

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

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. 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

To prepare students for graduate/professional school admission or entry-level professional positions.
To provide effective advising and mentoring.
To model effective teaching methods which promote student learning.
To promote and facilitate faculty productivity in the scholarship of teaching, learning and research.
To provide a variety of courses in chemistry, physical science, environmental science and physics as part of the core and service curricula.
To provide service to the University and the community.

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates will demonstrate knowledge of fundamental chemical and scientific principles in 4 areas (Inorganic, Organic, Analytical, Physical, Biochemistry) of chemistry (5 for ACS-certified degrees).
Graduates will demonstrate an ability to apply fundamental chemical and scientific principles to identify and solve original chemical problems.
Graduates will demonstrate an understanding of and ability to independently operate, collect and analyze data using a variety of modern instrumental and computational techniques while abiding by laboratory safety protocols.
Graduates will demonstrate some experiential professional skills including effective communications (written and oral), proficiency in obtaining and utilizing scientific information, and knowledge of ethical scientific practices.

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-Med/Pharmacy Concentration, Non-ACS Certified; 3) ACS Certified; and 4) Biochemistry Concentration, ACS Certified.

Students majoring in Chemistry must satisfy the general education course requirements (60 CH), 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 general education requirements. Required major courses include 29 hours of Foundation courses, 18-27 hours of Breadth courses, CHE 4341 - Capstone Experience , and 9-20 hours of Depth courses in the selected Chemistry concentration.

A minimum grade of “C-” is required in the major/concentration required courses; The “C-” or better also applies to courses that required prerequisites. Students are advised to check the chemistry website for prerequisites or co-requisites for courses before attempting to register for them.

Foundation Courses

CHE 1313 - General Chemistry I /CHE 1113 - General Chemistry I Laboratory *

CHE 1314 - General Chemistry II / CHE 1114 - General Chemistry II Laboratory *

BIO 1313 - General Biology I / BIO 1113 - General Biology I Laboratory *

MAT 2317 - Calculus I *

MAT 2318 - Calculus II *

MAT 2326 - Elementary Statistics or equivalent statistics*

PHY 1321 - College Physics I /PHY 1121 *

PHY 1322 - College Physics II / PHY 1122 - College Physics II Laboratory *

ACS Certified tracks only

PHY 2331 - General Physics I /PHY 2131 - General Physics I Laboratory *

PHY 2332 - General Physics II / PHY 2132 - General Physics II Laboratory *

The following general education courses are suggested:

PHS 1307 - Environmental Science

CHE 2020 - Study Abroad in Chemistry

Breadth Courses

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

CHE 2321 - Quantitative Analysis and CHE 2121 - Quantitative Analysis Laboratory
CHE 2326 - Organic Chemistry I and CHE 2126 - Organic Chemistry I Laboratory
CHE 3311 - Physical Chemistry I and CHE 3111 - Physical Chemistry I Laboratory (pre-requisite: MAT 2318 - Calculus II *) or CHE 3301 - Biophysical Chemistry if offered (except ACS)
CHE 3346 - Biochemistry I and CHE 3146 - Biochemistry I Laboratory
CHE 3313 - Inorganic Chemistry

Depth Course

CHE 4341 - Capstone Experience

BS Chemistry Concentration

Students are strongly encouraged to begin the General Chemistry sequence, CHE 1313 - General Chemistry I /CHE 1113 - General Chemistry I Laboratory and CHE 1314 - General Chemistry II /CHE 1114 - General Chemistry II Laboratory in the first semester of the freshman year. In addition to Foundation courses, take breadth courses I, II, III, a minimum of an additional 12 CH (choose from additional Breadth courses and/or the following Depth courses, with a minimum of 6 CH of Depth courses), and CHE 4341 - Capstone Experience :

Depth Courses:

CHE 2327 - Organic Chemistry II / CHE 2127 - Organic Chemistry II Laboratory

CHE 3322 - Instrumental Analysis /CHE 3122 - Instrumental Analysis Laboratory

CHE 3312 - Physical Chemistry II /CHE 3112 - Physical Chemistry II Laboratory

CHE 4243 - Synthetic and Analytical Methods Lab

CHE 4244 - Directed Research I

CHE 4245 - Directed Research II

CHE 4346 - Biochemistry II /CHE 4146 - Biochemistry II Laboratory

BS Chemistry (Pre-Med/Pharmacy Concentration)

Students are strongly encouraged to begin Pre-Med courses with the first-year Chemistry sequence, CHE 1313 - General Chemistry I /CHE 1113 - General Chemistry I Laboratory and CHE 1314 - General Chemistry II /CHE 1114 - General Chemistry II Laboratory . As recommended by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), students should complete at least breadth courses I, II, III, IV,BIO 1314 - General Biology II /BIO 1114 - General Biology II Laboratory *, the following Depth courses, one (1) 3 CH Depth elective, and CHE 4341 - Capstone Experience

Depth Required:

CHE 2327 - Organic Chemistry II /CHE 2127 - Organic Chemistry II Laboratory

CHE 3322 - Instrumental Analysis CHE 3122 - Instrumental Analysis Laboratory

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, the following Depth courses and at least one Advanced elective course and CHE 4341 - Capstone Experience :