2008-2009 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2008-2009 Undergraduate Catalog [Archived]

Chemistry


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Interim Chairperson: Dr. Eric D. Glendening
Department Office: Science Building, room 035
Web site: http://www.indstate.edu/chem
E-mail: glendening@indstate.edu

The Department of Chemistry’s mission is to provide students with a solid foundation in the theoretical and experimental principles of chemistry. The program features the hands-on use of instrumentation as well as the rigorous application of computer-based data acquisition and analysis methods. The department strives to involve students directly in their educational experience, and, accordingly, has a well-established tradition of undergraduate research. A major in chemistry thoroughly prepares students to pursue a wide variety of career opportunities, including: graduate study in chemistry, medicine, dentistry, or other health-related programs; chemical sciences research; entry-level positions in biochemistry, environmental, or forensic chemistry; process or quality control in the chemical industry; chemical sales or marketing; chemical education; and teaching.

The department has designed three chemistry major tracks that have curricula specifically suited to prepare students for a range of professional objectives. A chemistry minor that prepares students to teach is offered in collaboration with the Center for Science Education. These curricula contain appropriate background courses in mathematics and physics, as well as other disciplines, and give students a strong basis for future professional activity or specialization. The Department of Chemistry also participates in the General Education Program, in support of the liberal arts and sciences mission of the College of Arts and Sciences and Indiana State University.


ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

Degrees Offered

Students majoring in chemistry may earn either the bachelor of arts or the bachelor of science degree. Candidates for either degree must successfully complete the University requirement of a minimum of 124 semester hours of credit, including General Education course work, as well as requirements for the departmental major. Candidates for a bachelor of arts degree must complete two years, or the equivalent, of a foreign language.

Students select one of the tracks in the chemistry major: American Chemical Society Certified, Biochemistry Emphasis, or Business Emphasis. Students are encouraged to consult with their faculty advisor in the department as early as possible to learn about these different tracks and to ensure that the structured sequence of courses and their prerequisites are being followed. A close working relationship between student and advisor is an important characteristic of the program.

Students who feel qualified to do so may request to take a written examination to test out of first-year courses. Students who successfully test out of a course will be exempt from the course, but will not receive credit for the course.


Departmental Opportunities

The highlight of the program is the wide range of research opportunities available to students including biochemistry, bioinformatics, environmental chemistry, cosmochemistry, medicinal chemistry, and computational chemistry. Students are offered the “best of both worlds”—hands-on use of instrumentation that is found at major research universities and the closeness between students and faculty that characterizes smaller liberal arts colleges. As part of the research experience, students have the opportunity to present their results at regional and national meetings.

Since 1963 the department has had a Student Affiliates Chapter of the American Chemical Society. Housed in its own room in the department area, the A.C.S. Student Affiliates conducts both professional and social activities.

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