Academic Catalog 2022–2023

jump to navigation

Bachelor of Science in Chemistry

Students enrolled as of Fall 2019 must follow this curriculum. For the old curriculum please refer to this page.

Overview

The B.S in Chemistry at LAU provides students with a broad-based education that includes exposure to the core areas of chemistry (analytical, physical, organic and inorganic), and recently emerging technologies in both a classroom setting and in the laboratory within the context of the liberal arts and sciences curriculum. The program encompasses the latest methodologies and applications in the study of chemistry and provides students with access to advanced instrumental techniques, particularly through the integration of information technology solutions for chemical applications.

Ultimately, students will graduate as well-rounded individuals with a broad knowledge in the chemical field and hence will be well prepared for local, national and international job markets in the sectors of education, industry and health. Moreover, the program prepares students for postgraduate study in scientific fields such as chemistry, chemical engineering, biomedical sciences and medicine.

The B.S. in Chemistry satisfies the premedical requirements and is thus suitable for students wishing to apply for the MCAT exam to gain admission into medical school.

Mission

The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry parallels the mission of the university in its commitment to academic excellence within the framework of the liberal arts tradition. In its design, the program challenges undergraduates intellectually, experimentally and interactively. The program nurtures students into individuals prepared to embrace professional and ethical responsibilities.

Program Educational Objectives

Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry shall be able to:

  1. apply the scientific knowledge acquired to solve problems associated with the various disciplines of chemistry,
  2. face challenges in their future academic or professional careers with the ethical and safety standards fostered throughout the program,
  3. critically assess and articulate chemical concepts coherently through oral and written discourse, and
  4. design and implement research methodologies using emerging technologies.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the B.S. in Chemistry, students should be able to:

  1. interpret the knowledge studied in analytical, organic, inorganic, physical, and interdisciplinary topics,
  2. investigate theoretical principles through proficient application of laboratory techniques—at the bench, instrumental and modeling levels,
  3. relate the contribution of chemistry to the advancement of science and technology,
  4. show the ability to use computers in empirical and theoretical chemical applications and demonstrations,
  5. apply problem-solving skills through the scientific methods in literature survey, research design, and implementation of experimental plan, data acquisition, analysis and interpretation,
  6. critically evaluate scientific information,
  7. transmit chemical concepts to a diversified audience through effective written and oral presentations,
  8. apply good laboratory practice,
  9. develop an understanding of ethical and professional responsibility as chemists and as members of society,
  10. value the importance of teamwork in performing a task collectively, and
  11. develop independent learning skills.

Curriculum

A total of 94 credits are required to graduate, distributed as follows:

  • Chemistry Core Requirements (42 credits)
  • Chemistry Elective Courses (6 credits)
  • Elective Laboratory Courses (2 credits)
  • Mathematics Requirements (6 credits)
  • Physics Requirements (7 credits)
  • Computer Skills Requirements (1 credit)
  • Liberal Arts Core Curriculum  (6 credits)
  • Liberal Arts Electives (21 credits)
  • Free Electives (3 credits)

Chemistry Core Requirements (34 credits)

  • CHM201 Chemical Principles (3 cr.)
  • CHM203 Qualitative Analysis (1 cr.)
  • CHM204 Quantitative Analysis (2 cr.)
  • CHM301 Analytical Chemistry (3 cr.)
  • CHM302 Instrumental Analysis (3 cr.)
  • CHM311 Organic Chemistry I (3 cr.)
  • CHM312 Organic Chemistry II (3 cr.)
  • CHM313 Organic Chemistry I Lab (1 cr.)
  • CHM314 Organic Chemistry II Lab (1 cr.)
  • CHM330 Physical Chemistry I (4 cr.)
  • CHM332 Physical Chemistry II (3 cr.)
  • CHM334 Physical Chemistry Laboratory (2 cr.)
  • CHM421 Inorganic Chemistry (3 cr.)
  • CHM422 Inorganic Chemistry II (3 cr.)
  • CHM423 Synthesis and Identification of Inorganic Compounds (2 cr.)
  • CHM425 Computational Chemistry (2 cr.)
  • CHM499P Senior Study or CHM499R Undergraduate Research (3 cr.)

Chemistry Elective Courses (6 credits)

  • BCH301 Introduction to Biochemistry (4 cr.)
  • CHM340 Environmental Chemistry (3 cr.)
  • CHM402 Chemistry of Materials (3 cr.)
  • CHM403 Polymer Science (3 cr.)
  • CHM404 Forensic Chemistry (3 cr.)
  • CHM405 Statistical Mechanics (3 cr.)
  • CHM488 Topics in Chemistry (3 cr.)

Elective Laboratory Course (2 credits)

  • CHM406 Forensic Chemistry Lab (2 cr.)
  • CHM412 Synthesis & Identification of Organic Compounds (2 cr.)
  • CHM424 Synthesis & Identification of Nanomaterials (2 cr.)

Mathematics Requirements (6 credits)

Students must take:

And choose one course (3 cr.) from:

  • MTH301 Linear Algebra (3 cr.)
  • MTH303 Numerical Methods (3 cr.)
  • MTH304 Differential Equation (3 cr.)
  • MTH305 Probability & Statistics (3 cr.)

Physics Requirements (7 credits)

Students must take:

  • PHY201 Electricity & Magnetism (4 cr.)

And choose one course (3 cr.) from:

  • PHY301 Classical Physics for Life Sciences (3 cr.)
  • PHY321 Introduction to Modern Physics (3 cr.)

LAS Requirements (27 credits)

Free Electives (3 credits)

Recommended Study Plan

Year One

Fall (16 credits)

  • CHM201 Chemical principles (3 cr.)
  • CHM203 Qualitative Analysis (1 cr.)
  • MTH201 Calculus III (3 cr.)
  • Arts and Humanities Elective (3 cr.)
  • ENG202 Advanced Academic English (LAS Requirement) (3 cr.)
  • LAS Social Sciences (3 cr.) 

Spring (16 credits)

  • CHM204 Quantitative Analysis (2 cr.)
  • CHM301 Analytical Chemistry (3 cr.)
  • PHY201 Electricity & Magnetism (4 cr.)
  • COM203 Art of Public Communication (3 cr.)
  • Arts and Humanities Elective (3 cr.)
  • CSC201 Computer Applications (1 cr.)

Year Two

Fall (17 credits)

  • CHM311 Organic Chemistry I (3 cr.)
  • CHM313 Organic Chemistry I Lab (1 cr.)
  • CHM330 Physical Chemistry I (4 cr.)
  • MTH Elective (3 cr.)
  • LAS Social Sciences (3 cr.)
  • Free LAS (3 cr.)

Spring (15 credits)

  • CHM312 Organic Chemistry II (3 cr.)
  • CHM314 Organic Chemistry II Lab (1 cr.)
  • CHM332 Physical Chemistry II (3 cr.)
  • CHM334 Physical Chemistry Lab (2 cr.)
  • Physics Elective (3 cr.)
  • Free LAS Elective (3 cr.)

Year Three

Fall (17 credits)

  • CHM302 Instrumental Analysis (3 cr.)
  • CHM421 Inorganic Chemistry I (3 cr.)
  • CHM499P Senior Study or CHM499R Undergraduate Research (3 cr.)
  • Chemistry Elective (3 cr.)
  • Chemistry Lab Elective (2 cr.)
  • Free LAS Elective (3 cr.)

Spring (13 credits)

  • CHM422 Inorganic Chemistry II (3 cr.)
  • CHM425 Computational Chemistry (2 cr.)
  • Chemistry Elective (3 cr.)
  • Free Elective (3 cr.)
  • CHM423  Synthesis and Identification of Inorganic Compounds (2 cr.)