Chemistry – Major/Minor
For information, contact Dr. Pamela Kistler.
The chemistry major is one of science’s most versatile degrees. The chemistry program prepares students for entry into
industry, graduate study, education, or the medical professions. It also
provides a background for those entering the allied biological and
environmental fields in which chemical knowledge and laboratory skills are
required. Majors are offered in chemistry, biochemistry, and
chemistry/secondary education. A concentration in forensic science is also
available for chemistry, biochemistry, biology and genetic engineering majors,
providing exposure to analytical laboratory methods commonly used in criminal
investigations. As a capstone experience, upper class students complete either
a departmental research project or a corporate internship, summarized in a
seminar presentation.
Grade Requirements
An overall grade-point average of at least 2.000 in chemistry and cognate
courses is required for the major and minor in chemistry. A grade of C or
better is required for all chemistry courses at the 100 and 200 level that
fulfill major or minor requirements. No grades of D and only two grades of C-
will be allowed for Chemistry courses at the 300 level that fulfill major and
minor requirements. A student must have at least a 2.000 average in chemistry
courses to declare a chemistry major. A grade of C- or better is required for
all cognate courses that satisfy major or minor requirements. Courses that satisfy a major requirement may not be repeated more than once. At
least 24 of the credits in chemistry required for the chemistry major or at
least 12 of the credits in chemistry required for the chemistry minor must be
completed on the Cedar Crest campus.
Requirements for the Chemistry Major (51 credits)
CHE 111 Chemical Principles 4 credits
CHE 112 Chemical Equilibrium and Analysis 4 credits
CHE 205 Organic Chemistry I 4 credits
CHE 206 Organic Chemistry II 4 credits
CHE 300 Technical Information 3 credits
CHE 302 Instrumental Analysis 4 credits
CHE 306 Advanced Organic Chemistry 3 credits
CHE 307 Biochemistry I 4 credits
CHE 331 Inorganic Chemistry 4 credits
CHE 335 Physical Chemistry I 4 credits
CHE 336 Physical Chemistry II 3 credits
CHE 352 Seminar 1 credit
CHE 391 Advanced Laboratory and Research 3 or 6 credits
or
CHE 393 Internship
Plus choose two courses from the following:
CHE 308 Biochemistry II 3 or 4 credits
CHE 314 Toxicology 3 credits
CHE 320 Environmental Chemistry 3 or 4 credits
CHE 341 Polymer Chemistry 3 credits
CHE 344 Heterocyclic Compounds 3 credits
CHE 347 Trace Evidence and Microscopy 4 credits
FOR 507 Forensic Chemistry 3 credits
Note: To obtain an ACS certified degree, 6 credits of laboratory research will be
required.
Plus the following cognate courses:
BIO 248 Biostatistics (for Forensics Concentration) 3 credits
or
MAT 110 Probability and Statistics
and
MAT 141 Calculus I 3 credits
MAT 142 Calculus II 3 credits
PHY 101 Introductory College Physics I 4 credits
PHY 102 Introductory College Physics II 4 credits
Students considering graduate study should have additional calculus.
Requirements for the Chemistry Minor (23 credits)
CHE 111 Chemical Principles 4 credits
CHE 112 Chemical Equilibrium and Analysis 4 credits
CHE 205 Organic Chemistry I 4 credits
CHE 206 Organic Chemistry II 4 credits
CHE 331 Inorganic Chemistry 3 or 4 credits
or
CHE 335 Physical Chemistry 3 or 4 credits
Plus at least one additional course in Chemistry at the 300-level
Plus the following cognate courses:
MAT 141 Calculus I 3 credits
MAT 142 Calculus II 3 credits
PHY 101 Introductory College Physics I 4 credits
PHY 102 Introductory College Physics II 4 credits
Chemistry/Secondary Education
This program leads to the chemistry degree with certification to teach at the
secondary level, although students completing the program are also qualified to
enter industry or graduate school.
Because this is a highly structured program, it is recommended that students
consult advisors in both the chemistry and education departments early in their
academic sequence.
Grade Requirements:
An overall grade-point average of at least 2.000 in chemistry and cognate
courses is required for the major in chemistry. A grade of C or better is
required for all chemistry courses at the 100 and 200 level that fulfill major
requirements. No grades of D and only two grades of C- will be allowed for all
other courses that fulfill the major requirements.A student must have at least at 2.000
average in chemistry courses to declare a chemistry major. However, a student
must have a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.800 to be admitted to
the Professional Term. At least 20 of the credits in chemistry must be
completed on the Cedar Crest campus.
Required Courses for the Chemistry/Secondary Education Co- Major (39 credits)
CHE 111 Chemical Principles 4 credits
CHE 112 Chemical Equilibrium and Analysis 4 credits
CHE 205 Organic Chemistry I 4 credits
CHE 206 Organic Chemistry II 4 credits
CHE 300 Technical Information 3 credits
CHE 302 Instrumental Analysis 4 credits
CHE 307 Biochemistry I 4 credits
CHE 320 Environmental Chemistry 3 or 4 credits
CHE 331 Inorganic Chemistry 3 credits
CHE 335 Physical Chemistry 4 credits
CHE 360 Chemistry Safety/Nuclear Chemistry 2 credits
Plus the following cognate courses:
BIO 121 Principles of Biology I 4 credits
BIO 122 Principles of Biology II 4 credits
MAT 110 Probability and Statistics 3 credits
MAT 141 Calculus I 3 credits
MAT 142 Calculus II 3 credits
PHY 101 Introductory College Physics I 4 credits
PHY 102 Introductory College Physics II 4 credits
In addition, the student must meet all course requirements of the education
department.