Chemistry

Faculty

Professors: James Eberhart, Ronald Ruminski (Chair) and Allen Schoffstall; Associate Professors: David Anderson and Radha Pyati; Assistant Professors: Sonja Braun-Sand and David Weiss; Professor Adjunct: Gordon Kresheck; Senior nstructor: Chester Dymek; Instructors: Cynthia Applegate, Larry Augenstein, John Balyeat, Shelly Haskell, Brett Mayer and Mary Bethe Neely.

Program Description

Two programs of study (BS and BA) are open to students wishing to major in chemistry. The program leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in chemistry is intended for those who plan to choose chemistry as a profession. This program should also be elected by students who plan to go on to graduate school in chemistry. This program is certified by the American Chemical Society (ACS). The Department of Chemistry at UCCS is one of 600 in the United States that is approved by the ACS. Many BS graduates gain employment as chemists upon completion of their BS degree program.

Others go on to graduate studies. Students wishing a less comprehensive program in chemistry, such as premedical students, should elect the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in chemistry. Judicious selection of additional courses permits the BA major to satisfy prerequisites for admission to graduate study in chemistry or related fields of study. There are five options for the BA: a general option, an environmental chemistry option, a biochemistry option, a pre-health professional option and a teacher education option.

Students who are planning to complete a BA in biology may complete a biology/chemistry double major. This chemistry program is available only to those who also complete the biology major.

Several chemistry courses are offered as a service to students majoring in other science fields and in social sciences and arts and humanities fields. CHEM 151 Environmental Science is a beginning level course that has no chemistry prerequisites. CHEM 100 Chemistry in the Modern World is offered for non-science majors. CHEM 121 Introduction to Physical Science is an integrated science course with a focus on chemistry for nonscience majors. CHEM 301 Materials Science, and CHEM 388 Forensic Chemistry are offered as elective courses for science majors.

A teacher education degree option is available for secondary education teachers. Please contact the Student Success Center or the College of Education for further information concerning the education requirements for this option.

Students may also select a minor in Chemistry, apply to the Master of Sciences program in Chemistry, or complete a dual BS/MSc or BA/MSc degree.

Several chemistry courses are not offered every year. Check the Schedule of Courses for offerings available each semester.

Advising

Students majoring in chemistry should keep a copy of the Department of Chemistry Advising Brochure that is in effect when they declare a major. This brochure will be referred to throughout the student’s career. Students are bound to the rules in effect when they first declare. This is important because the rules and course requirements may change somewhat from year to year. Chemistry majors should consult regularly with departmental faculty advisors, and in particular with the department chair, as outlined in the advising brochure. Academic advising is a very important aspect of one’s education. Decisions on application to medical, dental and graduate schools and on employment are also critical. Students should consult faculty advisors when making these decisions.

Additional Departmental Rules

Area Requirements: Natural Science

Students who complete a chemistry degree may count 10 semester hours of PES 111, 112, 116, and 216 as part of their natural science area requirement. Since PES 111, 112, 116, and 216 are not on the approved list of courses, students not completing a chemistry degree cannot count these courses toward their area requirement for a non-chemistry College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences degree.

Chemistry Electives

For chemistry majors, chemistry electives must be chosen from upper division chemistry courses.

Exams

All students intending to elect CHEM 103 will complete a diagnostic examination to cover math skills. Students in many chemistry courses will be examined using standardized ACS subject exams. Students who have not taken chemistry in high school should take CHEM 115.

Grade Requirements

Chemistry majors must achieve grades of C or better in all chemistry courses required for the major. Grades of C or higher are also required for all required biology, physics and math courses.

Laboratory Fee

There is a $40 fee for each laboratory course: one course, $40; two courses, $80; etc. The policy for fee refunds for dropping or withdrawing is described in the General Information section. Independent study courses are considered to be lab courses. Lab fees are charged for these courses.

Outcomes, Chemistry, BS/BA

Have knowledge of general organic, analytical, physical and inorganic areas of chemistry and biochemistry, and an integrated overview of chemistry
Have knowledge of additional areas of biology, mathematics, physics, and technology and be able to manipulate experimental data and understand the derivation of fundamental relationships
Be able to compete effectively for a position in the workplace as a professional chemist, for admission to graduate or professional schools, and for careers in other fields
Be able to communicate effectively about the field of chemistry

Honors Program

In addition to the normal undergraduate curriculum in chemistry, the department offers interested and qualified undergraduates an opportunity to increase further the breadth and depth of their chemical training through the Departmental Honors Program. Qualified students are invited to participate in honors sections of CHEM 106 and CHEM 331-332. To participate fully in the chemistry honors program, invited students should also complete an independent study honors project Students completing an honors thesis will automatically be considered for graduation with departmental honors. Other students may also qualify for departmental honors based upon the grade point average in all chemistry, physics, math and biology courses taken at UCCS. Prior to or during the first semester of the junior year, interested students should contact any chemistry faculty member regarding the prospect of graduation with departmental honors. Graduation with departmental honors requires students to have achieved at least a 3.4 grade point average and to carry out an independent study project, which is to be reported in both written and verbal forms (seminar).

Undergraduate Research

All chemistry majors are strongly encouraged to enroll for independent study and to become engaged in one or more research experiences. Many students start on their research in the sophomore year and definitely in the junior year. Apply by seeing the department chair or another Chemistry faculty member.