Chemistry (B.S.)
At-a-Glance
Admission to major: No additional requirements beyond the prerequisites for the required courses
Minimum hours required for major with ACS Certification: 67
Minimum hours required for pre-professional major: 42
Minimum hours required for minor: 24
Special tracks/programs: American Chemical Society Certification, Pre-Professional Studies (pre-medical/pre-dental/pre-veterinarian or concentration in pharmaceutical sciences), Honors, Secondary Teacher Licensure programs
Advising: The Associate Chair for undergraduate programs serves as the adviser for all chemistry majors. A handbook, The Complete Chemistry Major, is available from the Chemistry Department office. Phone 216-687-2451.
Student organization: The CSU American Chemical Society Student Affiliates Chapter
Additional information: Honors General Chemistry (CHM 262H and 267H) is available to students selected by the director of General Chemistry. An honors track for Chemistry majors admitted to the Honors Program is also available. The Chemistry major may be completed in the evening. Senior Research (CHM 489) provides an opportunity in the senior year for independent research with department faculty. The department also has a vigorous seminar program.
Prerequisite Statement: It is important that the student pay particular attention to the prerequisites and corequisites in this catalog. These courses serve as essential background, and without them the student will experience significant difficulty. If a student has not satisfied the prerequisites and/or corequisites, the instructor may have the student de-registered.
Cooperative Education Program: In earning the Bachelor of Science degree with ACS certification, the Chemistry major may elect the Cooperative Education Program (see Special Programs Chapter) in order to supplement chemistry course work with employment in the chemical industry.
General Information & Schedule for Chemistry Placement Examination
Students wanting to enroll in CHM 261, General Chemistry I will need to fulfill ONE of the following pre-requisites:
- A minimum ACT score of 25 or SAT score of 550 on the Mathematics portion of those tests.
- Successful completion of CHM 251, College Chemistry I (or equivalent) or CHM, Preparatory Chemistry with a grade of C or better in either course.
- Take and successfully pass a standard American Chemical Society placement examination. Each student will have two chances to pass the exam, with a minimum two week interval required between attempts.
The General Chemistry I placement exam will be available, at no cost to the student, on a walk-in basis throughout the Spring and Summer semesters, Monday through Friday, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm at the Academic Services/Placement Testing, RTW 289, 216-687-2272
The placement exam is approximately one hour in length and is a pencil-and-paper exam (i.e., not computerized). To take the exam, each student will need a photo ID and two #2 lead pencils.
A student who does not pass the placement exam is strongly encouraged to enroll in CHM 161 Preparatory Chemistry. After completing of CHM 161 with a grade of C or better, the student may enroll in CHM 261.
For any further information, contact Dr. Jerry Mundell in the Department of Chemistry, 216-523-7310 or j.j.reedmundell@csuohio.edu.
Major-Field Requirements
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry - American Chemical Society (ACS) Certified Track
The program leading to the Bachelor of Science degree provides a strong foundation in the fundamentals of chemistry, physics, and mathematics, and meets the requirements for professional certification by the American Chemical Society. This program provides the broad fundamental knowledge most suited to students planning to become professional chemists or planning to pursue graduate training.
| First Fall Semester | Credits |
4 |
|
1 |
|
4 |
|
3 |
|
1 |
|
Total |
13 |
| First Spring Semester | Credits |
4 |
|
1 |
|
4 |
|
3 |
|
|
Elective |
3 |
Total |
15 |
| Second Fall Semester | Credits |
4 |
|
2 |
|
4 |
|
| 5 | |
Total |
15 |
| Second Spring Semester | Credits |
4 |
|
2 |
|
2 |
|
| 5 | |
|
Elective |
3 |
Total |
16 |
| Third Fall Semester | Credits |
4 |
|
4 |
|
2 |
|
3 |
|
|
Elective |
3 |
Total |
16 |
| Third Spring Semester | Credits |
4 |
|
3 |
|
4 |
|
2 |
|
Total |
13 |
| Fourth Fall Semester | Credits |
3 |
|
4 |
|
2 |
|
1 |
|
|
Elective |
3 |
|
Elective |
3 |
Total |
16 |
| Fourth Spring Semester | Credits |
3 |
|
3 |
|
1 |
|
|
Elective |
3 |
|
Elective |
3 |
|
Elective |
3 |
Total |
16 |
Electives are to meet General Education requirements for B.S. degree.
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry - Pre-Professional Studies Track
The B.S. program in chemistry for students who plan to continue graduate study in the medical sciences provides those courses required and strongly recommended by most medical schools and also affords an excellent base for students considering careers in medicine, medical research, dentistry, or veterinary medicine. This program does not lead to certification by the American Chemical Society.
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry for Premedical, Predental, and Preveterinary Students
| First Fall Semester | Credits |
4 |
|
1 |
|
3 |
|
3 |
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
Total |
13 |
|
|
|
| First Spring Semester | Credits |
4 |
|
1 |
|
3 |
|
3 |
|
1 |
|
|
Elective |
3 |
Total |
15 |
|
|
|
| Second Fall Semester | Credits |
4 |
|
2 |
|
| 5 | |
4 |
|
Total |
15 |
| Second Spring Semester | Credits |
4 |
|
2 |
|
| 5 | |
4 |
|
Total |
15 |
| Third Fall Semester | Credits |
4 |
|
2 |
|
2 |
|
3 |
|
3 |
|
| 1 | |
Total |
15 |
|
|
|
| Third Spring Semester | Credits |
3 |
|
1 |
|
3 |
|
1 |
|
Elective |
3 |
Elective |
3 |
Total |
14 |
|
|
|
| Fourth Fall Semester | Credits |
3 |
|
2 |
|
1 |
|
Chemistry Elective |
4 |
Elective |
3 |
|
Elective |
3 |
Total |
16 |
|
|
|
| Fourth Spring Semester | Credits |
Biology Elective |
3 |
Chemistry Elective |
4 |
Elective |
3 |
Elective |
3 |
|
Elective |
3 |
Total |
16 |
Electives are to meet General Education requirements for B.S. degree.
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry - Pre-Professional Studies Track - Concentration in Pharmaceutical Sciences
The concentration in Pharmaceutical Sciences provides pre-medical, pre-dental, or pre-veterinary students experience in the pharmaceutical part of their field prior to matriculation into a medical school. This program does not lead to certification by the American Chemical Society.
The B.S. Chemistry degree with a concentration in pharmaceutical sciences allows students to complete an undergraduate degree that would generally prepare them for medical school, graduate school in chemistry, or entry into a graduate pharmacy program following graduation. It differs from the NEOUCOP program, which does not issue students an undergraduate degree, but rather provides the prerequisites to qualify for the Doctor of Pharmacy program offered through NEOUCOP, through which they may become a licensed pharmacist.
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry for Premedical, Predental, and Preveterinary Students with Concentration in Pharmaceutical Sciences
| First Fall Semester | Credits |
4 |
|
1 |
|
3 |
|
3 |
|
1 |
|
1 |
|
Total |
13 |
|
|
|
| First Spring Semester | Credits |
4 |
|
1 |
|
3 |
|
3 |
|
1 |
|
|
Elective |
3 |
Total |
15 |
|
|
|
| Second Fall Semester | Credits |
4 |
|
2 |
|
| 5 | |
4 |
|
Total |
15 |
| Second Spring Semester | Credits |
4 |
|
2 |
|
| 5 | |
4 |
|
Total |
15 |
| Third Fall Semester | Credits |
2 |
|
2 |
|
3 |
|
3 |
|
Elective |
3 |
Elective |
3 |
Total |
16 |
|
|
|
| Third Spring Semester | Credits |
3 |
|
3 |
|
3 |
|
1 |
|
Chemistry/Biology Elective |
4 |
Total |
14 |
|
|
|
| Fourth Fall Semester | Credits |
3 |
|
Chemistry/Biology Elective |
3 |
3 |
|
2 |
|
|
Elective |
3 |
|
Elective |
3 |
Total |
17 |
|
|
|
| Fourth Spring Semester | Credits |
4 |
|
1 |
|
Chemistry/Biology Elective |
3 |
Chemistry/Biology Elective |
3 |
Elective |
3 |
Elective |
3 |
Total |
17 |
Electives are to meet General Education requirements for B.S. degree.
Certificate in Forensic Chemistry
The certificate program is designed for students who are interested in the application of scientific principles to solve problems that are related to the legal and regulatory systems. The program is interdisciplinary in nature and any person with the appropriate prerequisites for the necessary courses can earn the certificate. In order to earn a certificate in forensic chemistry, students need to complete the following courses:
- CHM 411* Instrumental Analysis (4 credit hours)
- CHM 417 Forensic Chemistry (3 credit hours)
- CHM 455 Biotechnology Techniques (4 credit hours)
- SOC 250 Introduction to Criminology (3 credit hours)
- CHM 496 Forensics Internship (3 credit hours)
*CHM 411 requires CHM 316 and a “C” or better in CHM 311 as prerequisites.
Honors Program
The Chemistry Department participates in the Honors Program at CSU by requiring honors students who are chemistry majors (available for all tracks) to register for research courses (either CHM 379H Independent Study or, with senior status, CHM 489H Senior Research) under the guidance of a professor who acts as mentor. Honors chemistry students are required to enroll in at least 2 credit hours of research coursework each semester, for a minimum of 8 credit hours by the time of degree completion. Students are required to begin enrolling in research courses upon declaration of a Chemistry major or upon acceptance into the Honors Program. By getting involved in scientific research as soon as possible, honors students will better understand chemistry's status as a bench science and have the opportunity to participate in original, ground-breaking laboratory work.
Secondary Teacher Licensure
Students have the option of a single field licensure in chemistry, a dual field licensure in physical science and chemistry, or an integrated science licensure with a concentration in chemistry. All licensure programs require coursework from the College of Sciences and Health Professions and the College of Education and Human Services. Contact the Chemistry adviser for required science courses. Contact the Education Student Service Center for the education courses required for licensure or for information on the requirements for Post-Baccalaureate Secondary Teacher Licensure (216-687-4625 or Rhodes Tower 1401).
Chemistry Minor
Requirements for minor:
General Chemistry (CHM 261, 262 or 262H, 266 and 267 or 267H or 278) and 14 additional credits in chemistry courses numbered 300 or higher.
