Dr. Linette M. Watkins, Department Head
Phone: (540) 568-6246
Email: watkinlm@jmu.edu
Location: Physics and Chemistry Building, Room 1186
Website: http://www.jmu.edu/chemistry
Professors
D. Amenta, K. Caran, T. DeVore, D. Downey, R. Foust, J. Gilje, G. MacDonald, B. Reisner, L. Watkins
Associate Professors
B. Boardman, C. Hughey, S. Lewis, D. Mohler, N. Wright, Y. Zhang
Assistant Professors
A. Baber, C. Berndsen, O. Kokhan, P. Raston, I. Sumner
Lecturers
D. Blumling, K. Funck, Q. Liu, D. Warnaar, D. Wilson
Mission Statement
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers the B.S. degree for a major in chemistry, with concentrations that meet the American Chemical Society Accredited Programs requirements for programs in biochemistry, materials chemistry and in chemistry/chemical education. In addition, the department offers a B.S. degree in biophysical chemistry. It also offers minors in chemistry, biochemistry and molecular biology, and materials science. The programs are designed to provide the theoretical and practical instruction in chemistry and related areas to prepare students for careers in chemistry, biochemistry, medicine, dentistry, paramedical areas, forensic sciences, chemical engineering and other technology based areas. The department also recognizes its responsibility to provide courses for non-chemistry majors who need a basic understanding of the principles of chemistry either for their chosen major or their general education.
Career Opportunities
- Graduate school in chemistry, biochemistry or related areas (ACS Certified Degrees preferred)
- Professional employment as a chemist or biochemist (ACS Certified Degrees preferred)
- Professional school (medical, dental, veterinary, pharmacy, business and law)
- Chemical engineering
- Environmental science
- Forensic science
- Immunology
- Industrial hygiene
- Pharmaceutical chemistry
- Pharmacology
- Production supervision
- Quality control
- Research assistant
- Scientific writing
- Some forms of development work
- Technical library science
- Toxicology
Co-curricular Activities and Organizations
- American Chemical Society Student Affiliate Chapter
- Alpha Chi Sigma Professional Fraternity (Coed)
- Iota Sigma Pi
Dr. Samuel Morton, Director
Phone: (540) 568-2723
Email: mortonsa@jmu.edu
Location: 901 Carrier Drive, MSC 4502
Website: http://csm.jmu.edu/materialsscience
Refer to the Materials Science Minor in Centers for Materials Science for more detailed information on this cross disciplinary program.
Credit by Examination
The chemistry and biochemistry department offers credit by examination for CHEM 131 and 132. General Chemistry I-II. Students who want permission to take the examination must apply to the department head. Details regarding approval to take the examination and examination dates will be provided when the application is received.
Teaching Licensure
Students interested in becoming teachers must meet specific curriculum requirements in their major as part of the undergraduate academic degree. Chemistry majors must also complete a course in biology and a course in geology.
In addition to the general education and academic major requirements, chemistry majors desiring secondary teacher licensure must be admitted to teacher education, complete the pre-professional program in secondary education at the undergraduate level and the graduate level Master of Arts in Teaching degree.
It is critical that students seeking licensure consult regularly with both their education adviser and their major adviser to support their progression through the programs. For a full description of the program in secondary teaching, refer to the Department of Middle, Secondary and Mathematics Education, in addition to the College of Education/Professional Education Unit section of the catalog.
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