Nov 25, 2024  
2017-2018 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
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2017-2018 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Chemistry, American Chemical Society Certified Curriculum in Biochemistry Concentration, B.S.

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
Concentration II: American Chemical Society Certified Curriculum in Biochemistry

This program meets the recommended undergraduate degree requirements of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology for a major in biochemistry. All ACS Certified Programs require a minimum of 400 hours of laboratory and research. Students completing concentration II must complete the courses below in addition to core courses.

Degree and Major Requirements

Degree Requirements

Required Courses

  • General Education  41 Credit Hours 1
  • Quantitative requirement (in addition to General Education ) 3 Credit Hours 2
  • Scientific Literacy requirement (in addition to General Education ) 3-4 Credit Hours 2
  • Major requirements and electives 70-74 Credit Hours
Total: 120 Credit Hours
Footnotes

1 The General Education program  contains a set of requirements each student must fulfill. The number of credit hours necessary to fulfill these requirements may vary. Some courses that are required for this major will meet General Education  requirements.
2  The quantitative and scientific literacy requirements are met by courses required in the major.

Additional Information

Students must complete all course work in one of the six concentrations listed to earn a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. The credit hours for major requirements will vary based on the chosen concentration.

Core Requirements for all concentrations

Total: 34 Credit Hours

Required Cognate Courses for all Concentrations

Total: 16-18 Credit Hours

Footnote

1 CHEM 131L  and CHEM 131L-132L  may be substituted.

Electives

The well-prepared student is encouraged to take as many of the additional departmental offerings as possible as electives with attention being given to junior and/or senior research projects.

Three credits of undergraduate research (CHEM 390A, B /497A, B, C /499 ) may be used to satisfy chemistry elective requirements if the research project is completed with the same faculty mentor over multiple semesters.

Required Courses

This program meets the recommended undergraduate degree requirements of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology for a major in biochemistry. All ACS Certified Programs require a minimum of 400 hours of laboratory and research. Students completing concentration II must complete the courses below in addition to core courses.

Total: 31 Credit Hours

Recommended Schedule for Majors

First Year

Total: 30-31 Credit Hours

Second Year

Total: 30 Credit Hours

Third Year

Total: 30 Credit Hours

Fourth Year

Courses in the concentration, General Education  or electives 29 Credit Hours

Total: 29 Credit Hours

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.