2020-2021 Catalog

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Chemistry, BA, BS

Degree Requirements

Students can earn a Bachelor of Arts degree or a Bachelor of Science degree with this major

Major Requirements: 17 courses, 62-68 credits

Core Requirements (16 courses and corresponding laboratories where applicable, 58-64 credits)

CHEM-111General Chemistry I

3
CHEM-L111General Chemistry Laboratory I

1
CHEM-112General Chemistry II

3
CHEM-L112General Chemistry Laboratory II

1
CHEM-211Organic Chemistry I

3
CHEM-L211Organic Chemistry Laboratory I

1
CHEM-212Organic Chemistry II

3
CHEM-L212Organic Chemistry Laboratory II

1
CHEM-314Instrumental Analysis

3
CHEM-L314Instrumental Analysis Laboratory

1
CHEM-331Biochemistry I

3
CHEM-L331Biochemical Techniques Lab

1
CHEM-375Advanced Inorganic Chemistry

3
CHEM-L375Advanced Inorganic Laboratory

1
CHEM-411Physical Chemistry I

3
CHEM-L411Physical Chemistry Laboratory I

1
CHEM-412Physical Chemistry II

3
CHEM-L412Physical Chemistry Laboratory II

1
MATH-165Calculus I

4
MATH-166Calculus II

4
MATH-265Calculus III

4
PHYS-151University Physics I

3
PHYS-L151University Physics Lab I

1
PHYS-152University Physics II

3
PHYS-L152University Physics Lab II

1

Choose one of the following:

CHEM-428Research & Seminar I

1
CHEM-H428Honors Research & Seminar I

1

Choose one of the following:

CHEM-429Research & Seminar II

1
CHEM-H429Honors Research & Seminar II

1

Elective Requirements (1 lecture course and 1 lab, 4 credits)

Students are required to take one course of in-depth study, with an additional credit of laboratory. These courses are not offered every year, and careful consultation with an academic advisor is recommended.

Choose one of the following applicable lecture courses:
CHEM-332Biochemistry II

3
CHEM-355Environmental Chemistry

3
CHEM-453Introduction to Pharmacology & Toxicology

3
PHYS-153University Physics III

3
UES-410Marine Biogeochemistry

4

To satisfy the requirement for the one credit laboratory, students may either take the laboratory associated with the lecture course, when offered, or use one credit of independent study, which is a variable credit course.

Choose one of the following applicable laboratory courses:
CHEM-L332Advanced Biochemical Techniques and Research Lab

1
CHEM-L355Environmental Chemistry Lab

1
CHEM-L453Introduction to Pharmacology and Toxicology Lab

1
CHEM-510Independent Study

1
CHEM-H510
Honors Independent Study
PHYS-L153University Physics III Lab

1

Note: The curricula for the BA and BS degrees in Chemistry may satisfy the requirements for certification by the American Chemical Society. In order to satisfy the American Chemical Society Certification Requirements, students must conduct a research project for their senior seminar project.

Residency Requirement Policy:

In the College of Arts and Sciences, a two-course (8 credit) residency requirement must be satisfied for completion of a minor and a four-course (16 credit) residency requirement must be satisfied for the completion of a major.

Honors

To complete requirements for honors in the major, a candidate must:

  1. Graduate with a major GPA of 3.5 or higher
  2. Graduate with an overall GPA of 3.5 or higher
  3. Complete CHEM-H429
  4. Complete a final project involving original independent laboratory or field research and/or in-depth analysis that is approved by the major department and research advisor
  5. CAS Honors Program students only: Present work from the senior honors experience at the Honors Symposium or Pecha Kucha event

To become a candidate for honors in the major, a student must:

  1. Have a major GPA of 3.5 or higher
  2. Have an overall GPA of 3.5 or higher
  3. Apply to the departmental honors committee and an advisor(s) by submitting an independent project proposal for pre-approval by October of senior year

Chemistry Learning Goals and Objectives

Learning goals and objectives reflect the educational outcomes achieved by students through the completion of this program. These transferable skills prepare Suffolk students for success in the workplace, in graduate school, and in their local and global communities.

Learning Goals Learning Objectives
Students will... Students will be able to...
Know problem-solving and critical thinking - Define a problem clearly and develop a testable hypothesis
- Analyze data and perform calculations
- Draw conclusions
Know scientific information literacy - Retrieve information from library and journal search engines (e.g. SciFinder, PubMed, Google Scholar)
- Critically analyze and/or discuss literature
Know laboratory skills - Synthesize, separate, and characterize compounds
- Carry out an experiment precisely and accurately using the appropriate instrumentation
- Record results in a laboratory notebook
- Work safely in the laboratory
Know effective written and oral communication skills - Prepare and present a scientific poster
- Prepare and present formal oral scientific presentation
- Write a paper in the style of a professional scientific journal
Understand scientific ethics - Avoid plagiarism (including self-plagiarism)
- Cite scientific literature appropriately
- Follow ethical guidelines when keeping a laboratory notebook
Know the Fundamentals of Chemistry and Biochemistry - Demonstrate mastery of the fundamentals of inorganic chemistry (electronic structure, physical and chemical properties, bonding, inorganic chemical reactions and analyses, stoichiometric relations between reactants)
- Demonstrate mastery of the fundamentals of organic chemistry (structure and bonding in organic molecules; acid/base properties of molecules and how they affect reactivity; organic mechanisms, predict outcomes/routes; spectral analysis (IR, NMR, MS); green chemistry)
- Demonstrate mastery of the fundamentals of analytical chemistry (collect and analyze data from analytical instrumentation including spectrometric instruments (UV-vis, NMR, infrared ATR-FTIR, fluorometer); chromatographic instruments (GC); and electroanalytical instrumentation (potentiometry))
- Demonstrate mastery of the fundamentals of physical chemistry (quantum chemistry; molecular spectroscopy; statistical thermodynamics; laws of thermodynamics; spontaneity; chemical and physical equilibria; chemical kinetics; advanced theories of reaction rates)
- Demonstrate mastery of the fundamentals of biochemistry (structure/function of amino acids, proteins, enzymes, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids; protein folding, regulation; enzyme kinetics, inhibition, thermodynamics; bioinformatics)
Know advanced chemistry concepts - Apply advanced theories of bonding to the structural geometry and reactivity of coordination complexes