Chemistry

G. A. Crundwell, Chair; J. V. Arena, T. R. Burkholder, N. M. Glagovich, Z. He, C. A. Jones, R. C. Troy, B. L. Westcott, Jr. (Dept. phone 832-2675)
 

The Department of Chemistry is committed to excellence in undergraduate instruction and to counseling students to help reach their personal and professional goals. The faculty have a variety of research interests and encourage student involvement in research projects. The department has been approved by the American Chemical Society (ACS) Committee on Professional Training.

The Chemistry Department provides undergraduate and graduate courses in the five major areas of chemistry (analytical chemistry, biochemistry, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, and physical chemistry). The Department offers the following B.S. degrees: Chemistry, certified by the American Chemical Society; an interdisciplinary degree in biochemistry (administered jointly with the Department of Biomolecular Sciences); and a degree in chemistry certifiable for secondary teaching.

The Department facilities are located in Copernicus Hall and include five instructional laboratories, three research laboratories, and two major instrument rooms. All research and many teaching laboratories are equipped with networked computers. Four large computer facilities are available for chemistry majors; all are equipped with state-of-the-art chemistry software packages, including chemical drawing and molecular modeling software.

Chemistry students are introduced to the major research instruments typically found in academic and industrial laboratories, including gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer, Fourier transform nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer; two Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometers; two UV/visible spectrophotometers; three high-performance liquid chromatographs; an atomic absorption spectrophotometer; a spectrofluorometer; an electrochemical analyzer; a petrographic microscope; three stand-alone gas chromatographs; a polarimeter; a single crystal x-ray diffractometer capable of powder, fiber, and low temperature data collection; and additional instrumentation. For more information, interested students should visit the department’s website at www.chemistry.ccsu.edu or contact the department’s secretary, Catherine Olson-Garuti, at 832-2675.

Major in Chemistry, B.S. (American Chemical Society accredited)

This program is designed for students wishing to go on to graduate-level studies in chemistry, or those who expect to enter professional chemistry at the bachelor’s level.

47 credits in Chemistry, as follows: CHEM 121, 122, 210, 211, 212, 213, 301, 313, 316, 321, 322, 402, 454, 460, and 461; two credits of CHEM 432 are also required for graduation. Students must also complete PHYS 125 and 126, and MATH 152 and 221. The student must also complete 8 credits from the following approved list: BIO 121 or higher, BMS 102 or higher, PHYS 220 or higher, ESCI 121 or higher, or MATH 222 or higher. Computer literacy and experience in the use of chemical literature are recommended. For students contemplating graduate study, a year of German or Russian is recommended. No minor is required.

Major in Biochemistry, B.S.

The B.S. program in Biochemistry provides a strong foundation in both chemistry and molecular biology and is based on faculty, facilities, and research resources in both the Department of Chemistry and the Department of Biomolecular Sciences. In addition to in-class laboratory instruction, this interdisciplinary program emphasizes independent student research carried out under the guidance of a faculty member from either department. This program is designed to prepare students for careers or advanced study in biochemistry, molecular biology, or health-related fields. For more information, refer to page 101 in this catalog.

Major in Chemistry, B.S. (Certifiable for secondary teaching)

This program is designed for those students seeking state certification for teaching chemistry at the secondary level and includes a student-teaching component in the senior year at an area school.

36 credits in Chemistry, as follows: CHEM 121, 122, 210, 211, 212, 213, 301, 321, 322, 402, and 460. In addition, students must take BIO 121 or BMS 102 and 190; PHYS 125 and 126; SCI 420; MATH 152 and 221; and 1 credit of science electives approved by the chair.

30 credits also must come from the following courses which require prior acceptance into the Professional Program in the School of Education and Professional Studies: SPED 315; EDTE 315; EDF 415; EDSC 425, 435; RDG 440; SCI 416, 417, 419.

For students contemplating graduate work, a year of German or Russian is recommended. Students who major in Chemistry are not required to complete a minor, but are urged to minor in General Science.

Minor in Chemistry (Non-Teaching)

21 credits in Chemistry, including CHEM 121, 122, 210, 211, 212, 213, 301, and one Chemistry elective selected from courses numbered 300 or above.

Minor in Chemistry (Certifiable for secondary teaching)

20 credits in Chemistry if the student majors in Biology, Biomolecular Sciences, Physics, or Earth Science, including CHEM 121, 122, 210, 211, 212, 213, and 301. In addition, students must take PHYS 121, 122; BIO 121 or BMS 102 and 190; SCI 417 and MATH 121 (or 119). For other majors, a certifiable minor in Chemistry requires 30 credits planned with the approval of the chair of the Chemistry Department.