Chemistry Major

Overview

Chemistry, the study of structures and properties of matter, plays an important role i n both physical and biological sciences and holds a crucial position in our technologically advanced society.

The main objectives of the Chemistry/Environmental Chemistry program are:
To provide a well-rounded liberal arts education with an insight into the significance of chemistry in everyday life and the enhancement of the quality of our environment;
To provide a sound background in the basic fundamentals and techniques of chemistry; and
To prepare students to pursue careers in research, teaching, business, industry, medicine, or pharmacy.

The carefully-designed Chemistry program (major and minor) provides a solid background in general, organic, analytical, and physical chemistry. Seminar II (CH 402) provides students the opportunity to explore chemical phenomena through independent research projects, experimentation and computer data analysis.

The Environmental Chemistry (major) program is an extension of the chemistry major with a specific focus on environmental topics. In addition to the general, organic, analytical, physical, and biochemistry courses, the two courses on environmental chemistry (CH 204 and 390) will provide the students with an understanding of the complex nature of the environment and how to improve and maintain the quality of the environment.

Analytical chemistry (CH 308) helps students learn the use of various analytical instruments and computer data analysis.
Seminar II (CH 402) provides students the opportunity to analyze environmental pollutants in air, soil, and water through independent research projects.
Seminar I (CH 401) offers opportunities for both chemistry and environmental chemistry majors to learn the history and philosophy of chemistry and develop an understanding and appreciation for the environment.
Since chemistry is based on physics, biology and mathematics, students are required to take additional courses in these three areas.

Chemistry Major: 40 credits
Required courses for Major: CH 113, 114, 201, 202, 302, 307, 308, 310, 401, 402, 403, 404

Environmental Chemistry Major: 44 credits
Required courses for Major: CH 113, 114, 201, 202, 204, 302, 307, 308, 390, 401, 402, 403, 404
Minimum grade of C (2.0 GPA) is required for each course in the chemistry major/minor and the environmental chemistry major. If a student earns a grade lower than the minimum acceptable grade, he/she may repeat the course only once. If he/she receives a second unsatisfactory grade in any course in the major or minor, the student will be dismissed from the major or minor field.
Required auxiliary courses for both Chemistry and Environmental Chemistry Majors: PY 201, 202; MT 210, 211, BL 105 (Recommended), BL 106. A minimum grade of C (2.0 GPA) is required for each course.

Chemistry Minor: 23 credits
Required courses for Minor: CH 113, 114, 201, 202, 302, 307
Courses that satisfy core requirement: CH 101, 105, 107, 109; CH 113, 114, BL/CH 210, PY 150, 201, 202

Teacher Certification
The courses required for the chemistry major as listed above constitute the chemistry course sequence approved by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) for certification of secondary teachers of chemistry. A course sequence for Elementary (grades 1-9) Science Teaching minor certification is also available. Students preparing to teach at the elementary or secondary level must meet all curricular standards set by the DPI. In addition to the sciences and mathematics, all required courses in the Education sequence in preparation for teaching at the elementary or secondary levels must be completed. Please refer to the Education Department guidelines for further information.
Required courses in the Elementary Science Teaching Minor: CH 101, 109, 401; PY 150; BL 105, 106, BL/CH 210; for education courses required for certification, see Education.

Faculty

Susmita Acharya
Associate Professor-Natural Sciences/Chemistry
(414) 410-4140
sacharya@stritch.edu

Thomas S. Barnard
Assistant Professor-Natural Sciences/Chemistry
(414) 410-4139
tsbarnard@stritch.edu

Kathleen S. Bates
Adjunct Instructor-Natural Sciences/Biology/Chemistry
(414) 410-4138
ksbates@stritch.edu

Stephen S. Templin
Assistant Professor-Natural Sciences/Chemistry
(414) 410-4141
sstemplin@stritch.edu

Alumni

Heather Kaminski, ’06 – Biochemistry Ph.D. student, Medical College of Wisconsin (link to video)
Keith Naps, ’06 – Biology Ph.D. student, University of Minnesota
Shiela Coker, ’05 – Scientist, Industrial Biology Lab
Andrew Callan, ’04 – Quality Control Chemist, Fontarome Chemical, Inc.
Adrian Singh, ’03 – Chemistry Ph.D. student, University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee