Undergraduate Program Overview

MISSION

To provide quality education to its diverse undergraduate and graduate students in fundamental, applied, and interdisciplinary areas of the chemical sciences. To carry out corresponding research activities leading to scientific discovery by its faculty, research personnel, and students. To use chemistry knowledge and technology to serve its surrounding and international communities.

OBJECTIVES

• To provide students with high quality educational programs with knowledge necessary for success in graduate school, professional school, and industrial or government entities.
• To maintain excellent research programs.
• To provide services to the community and the state.
• To promote the professional growth and development of the faculty.

The Department of Chemistry offers the Bachelor of Science degree with American Chemical Society Certification with concentrations in Biomedical Science, Environmental Science, and Forensic Science. Pre-professional programs in pre-medicine, pre-dentistry, pre-pharmacy, and pre-chemical engineering may be completed within the Bachelor of Science degree.

PROGRAM OUTCOMES

JSU Chemistry graduates will have:

• Outcome A: the ability to apply basic chemistry knowledge in all five modern chemistry areas to identify, formulate, and solve chemistry problems
• Outcome B: the ability to design and conduct chemistry experiments, as well as to analyze and interpret data and results in qualitative and quantitative terms.
• Outcome C: the broad education necessary to understand the contemporary issues and impact of the chemical sciences in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.
• Outcome D: the ability to research chemistry topics, write research reports, and give oral and poster presentations on that topic.
• Outcome E: the foundation of chemistry knowledge to perform satisfactorily on national standardized tests including pre-professional tests.
• Outcome F: the ability to communicate effectively through written work and oral presentations.
• Outcome G: the ability to function on multi-disciplinary teams.
• Outcome H: recognition of the need for, and an ability to engage in life-long learning.
• Outcome I: the ability to apply basic knowledge of mathematics, biology and physics in situations encountered by a chemist.
• Outcome J: the ability to appreciate new discoveries in chemical aspects of medicinal, health, environmental, and life sciences.
• Outcome K: an understanding of professional and ethical responsibility.

Summary of BS in Chemistry Programs (For details of the curriculum requirements, please click here):

• Certified by the American Chemical Society: This is the most rigorous chemistry curriculum aiming at preparing students for graduate study and research or a career in the chemical/pharmaceutical industry.
• Pre-med, dental, and pharmacy: To prepare students for professional schools
• Concentration in Environmental Science: To prepare students for environmental science related job
• Concentration in Biomedical Science: To prepare students for a research career in biomedical sciences
• Concentration in Forensic Chemistry: To prepare students for forensic investigation related jobs
• BS in Chemistry Teacher Certification: To prepare high school teachers through the alternative certification route.