Southern’s Chemistry and Biochemistry Department offers students a discovery-based education that provides them with a strong foundation as well as the ability to explore numerous sub-disciplines within the field. Students learn on state-of-the-art specialized instrumentation and laboratory equipment. Significant laboratory experience, faculty-mentored research, internships, and small class and laboratory sizes are qualities of this program, which provides graduates with excellent qualifications to be competitive for job placement.
Concentrations
Chemistry, B.A. - General
Students with a B.A. in Chemistry receive a solid grounding in several of the major areas of chemistry, such as organic, inorganic, analytical, and physical chemistry. The Chemistry B.A. degree is very similar to the Chemistry B.S. degree, with the former having more free electives compared to the latter. This allows students in the Chemistry B.A. degree track to have more flexibility in completing their degree requirements or to pursue a double major. Graduates have found jobs in various chemical and technology industries.
Chemistry, B.S. - Biochemistry
The B.S. in Chemistry with a Biochemistry concentration is one of the most popular options for students pursuing a degree in chemistry. The concentration is very interdisciplinary: students are required to take several biology courses along with their chemistry curriculum, allowing the student to earn a biology minor in addition to their chemistry major. In addition to the required biology courses, this focused concentration requires the student to take course(s) in the five sub-disciplines of chemistry: organic, inorganic, analytical, physical, and biochemistry. Students also take elective courses in Drug Discovery, Pharmacology, or Medicinal Chemistry. We believe that this interdisciplinary curriculum gives this student population a focused, yet well-rounded curriculum where they take more courses directly relevant to their area of interest while establishing a solid foundation in Chemistry. The biochemistry concentration provides an excellent foundation for students wishing to attend medical, physician assistant, pharmacy, and dental programs after graduation. Students in this concentration can also pursue jobs in biotechnology and related areas. Students in this concentration can also pursue graduate programs that comprise interdisciplinary research at the intersection of chemistry and biology or any other area of chemistry.
Chemistry, B.S. - Environmental Chemistry
The B.S. in Chemistry with an Environmental Chemistry concentration is interdisciplinary as the students are required to take several environmental courses in Marine Studies, Environmental Studies, Biology, Earth Science, or Public Health along with their chemistry curriculum. Thus, this concentration allows students to pursue a minor in one of these areas in addition to their chemistry major. This is a well-rounded curriculum where students take courses in Environmental Chemistry and Instrumental Analysis along with a strong foundation in four traditional areas of chemistry: organic, inorganic, analytical and physical chemistry. This degree provides excellent training to students who wish to positively impact the environment through chemistry. Students with this degree will typically find jobs in private and public environmental laboratories and can also choose to pursue graduate studies in Environmental Chemistry or any area of chemistry.
Chemistry, B.S. - General
This is the traditional degree in Chemistry which provides students with a solid grounding in four major areas of chemistry: organic, inorganic, analytical, and physical chemistry. Students also receive a strong foundation in physics and mathematics. Typically, our B.S. in Chemistry graduates go on to further their careers by attending graduate school, medical school, or by acquiring a job in industry or academia.
Chemistry, B.S. - Pre-Health
The BS in Chemistry with a Pre-Health concentration is meant for students who have an interest in pursuing a career in professional health fields (e.g., medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, physician assistant, pharmacy, and optometry). The program provides a strong foundation in STEM, which is required to enter these fields. The program contains the most common pre-requisite entrance courses to apply to professional health programs. The program will also provide a well-rounded chemistry degree which will allow students in this program to choose other career opportunities in traditional chemistry jobs if they decide not to pursue a career in professional health fields. Students are required to maintain a GPA of 3.0 and above to remain competitive in applying to professional health programs. Students are required to take several Biology courses along with their Chemistry curriculum, allowing the student to work towards a Biology minor in addition to their Chemistry major. Students take course(s) in the five sub-disciplines of chemistry: organic, inorganic, analytical, physical, and biochemistry in this concentration.
Chemistry, B.S. - Secondary Education
This program equips students with the knowledge and certification they need to teach chemistry at the 7-12 grade level. Currently, there is a very high demand for chemistry teachers nationwide. Teaching Chemistry at the 7-12 level is an excellent way to shape the future of the field. Graduates also are qualified to pursue other careers in chemistry, should they decide not to pursue teaching.
Accelerated Pathway Option
The B.S./M.S. Chemistry and B.A./M.S. Chemistry Accelerated Pathway programs are designed for academically strong students (must maintain a GPA of 3.0). A traditional Master's program generally takes about two years to complete, while the B.S./M.S. Chemistry and B.A./M.S. Chemistry Accelerated Pathway programs take only one additional year beyond the bachelor’s degree to complete. The admitted student proceeds with the usual requirements of a bachelor’s Chemistry degree, except that they are required to take two semesters of research courses along with two additional graduate-level Chemistry courses in their senior year. These four courses comprise 12 of the 30 required M.S. credits. The student would then take the remaining 18 Chemistry graduate credits in their 5th year (six credits of which are devoted to Master's level research involving a thesis proposal and graduate thesis), obtaining a Master's Degree in Chemistry at the end of that year. Students in the Secondary Education Accelerated Pathway are not required to complete any research courses, but are still required to complete 30 graduate chemistry credits to earn a Master's Degree in Chemistry.
During their junior year, students interested in this program should contact the chemistry graduate coordinator to discuss their interest in the accelerated program. Towards the end of their junior year, students interested in this program will formally apply to the accelerated program via the Selection of degree system program. Student must have a minimum 3.0 GPA at this point. Once accepted into the accelerated program, students must maintain a 3.0 GPA and apply for early acceptance graduate admission no later than the spring semester of their senior year. Students should contact their faculty advisor and the chemistry graduate coordinator regularly to ensure that they are meeting all requirements for this program. For further information contact: chemistrygrad@southernct.edu.
Learning Outcomes
Each student shall receive the chemical knowledge base required for students graduating with an undergraduate degree that is consistent with the requirements of the accrediting organization, the American Chemical Society.
Learner Outcomes
- 1 a.) Each student will be able to visualize, identify, and describe the composition of the atom and various types of matter
- 1 b.) Each student will be able to describe the relationship between the microscopic, macroscopic, and symbolic representations of matter and its changes.
- 1 c.) Each student will express the role of energy in: the changes of matter, the determination of the chemical structure, and the reactivity of molecules.
- 1 d.) Each student will be able to use quantitative calculations, and qualitative judgments to apply theoretical and mechanistic principles to chemical systems.
- 1 e.) Each student will be able to express and formulate the proper chemical nomenclature, chemical synthesis, and chemical characteristics of inorganic and organic compounds.
Each student shall develop the written and oral communication skills required for proper dissemination of chemical information to colleagues and the public.
Learner Outcomes
- 2 a.) Each student will be able to prepare and produce scientific written communications using the American Chemical Society style and format.
- 2 b.) Each student will demonstrate scientific oral communication skills through poster presentations and seminar discussions.
Each student shall develop the analytical and critical thinking skills needed to acquire, analyze and interpret data.
Learner Outcomes
- 3 a.) Each student will demonstrate a competency and proficiency with experimental skills involved in chemical synthesis, instrumental methods, quantitative measurements and statistical data analysis.
- 3 b.) Each student will be able to apply critical thinking and problem solving skills in the solution of chemical problems.
- 3 c.) Each student will be able to evaluate, examine, and apply chemical content knowledge found in chemical databases, chemical libraries, and chemical journals.
Each student shall become aware of how chemistry affects society and the environment.
Learner Outcomes
- 4 a.) Each student will be able to express the impact that chemistry has on society by demonstrating proper safe handling of chemical compounds and chemical waste according to governmental regulations.
Careers
Chemists are in high demand in Connecticut and worldwide. Typically, our B.A. and B.S. chemistry graduates enter the workforce as chemists, technicians, and scientists through highly paid entry level jobs in industry or government labs. Students with a bachelor’s degree commonly work for companies in the pharmaceutical, food, beauty, health, medical, oil, recycling, metal, and technology industries. Some work as environmental scientists in labs involved with water, soil, or air quality testing. Graduates have found jobs in hospital medical labs, in government forensic labs, and in high schools as chemistry teachers. Many also go on to further their careers by attending graduate school or professional health programs.
Typical Job Titles
- Chemist
- Scientist
- Instrument Technician
- Science Salesperson
- Toxicologist
- Environmental Chemist
- Forensic Chemist
- Geochemist
- Science Writer
- Medical Lab Technologist
- Chemistry Teacher
Accreditation
Accredited by the American Chemical Society.
School / College
College of Arts & Sciences
Department
Chemistry and Biochemistry
Contact
Sophia Myers