Chemistry
Objectives
The Chemistry program prepares students for professional work, graduate work or teaching in chemistry, biochemistry, materials science and environmental science. In view of the diversity of goals students bring to the study of chemistry or biochemistry, the department offers both the bachelor of arts and the bachelor of science degrees. The B.A. degree is recommended primarily for students who plan to enter fields related to chemistry or biochemistry, for which additional graduate work is not required. Students should realize that additional coursework may be needed to prepare them adequately to achieve their goals. The B.S. degree is recommended for students who intend to pursue graduate study in chemistry or biochemistry.
A chemistry or biochemistry major can also be used for preparation for medical school, dental school, veterinary medicine school or any of the other professional health sciences. A career at a forensic laboratory is also available to qualified students upon graduation.
With the growing popularity of forensic science, students are entering the field of forensic investigation. Specifically, interest in the role of the scientific laboratory in forensic investigation has attracted students who want to achieve competence in forensic science. The concentration in laboratory forensic science requires students to become well grounded in the fields of chemistry or biochemistry. The Chemistry Department’s forensic chemistry concentration is directed toward preparing students for careers in the science laboratory, not at the crime scene.
The forensic chemistry concentration consists of 64 credit hours of core courses, 10 credit hours in General Physics, and 4 credit hours in Advanced Forensic Chemistry II or other courses such as Biochemistry, Research, Internship, Special Topics or Independent Study. Majors take 06-310 Advanced Writing (3 credits) to develop and enhance written communication skills. A total of 81 credit hours will be required for the chemistry major with the forensic concentration. This concentration will give students a competent foundation and prepare them for graduate study in the fields of forensic science, chemistry, and/or biochemistry.
The Chemistry Department also co-sponsors with the Biology Department a B.S. degree in Environmental Studies with a concentration in chemistry.
The Chemistry Department in conjunction with the Physics Department co-administers a major in Chemical Physics with two Tracks: one in Chemistry and the other in Physics.
In order to be considered for entry into any majors (B.A. and B.S.) in Biochemistry, Chemical Physics, and Chemistry, first-year students must have a composite score of 21 on the ACT, transfer students must have earned a 2.75 cumulative GPA or better, and students currently attending Lewis University must have an overall GPA of 2.75 or better. Facility in mathematics and laboratory sciences is essential.
All students, whether majors in programs sponsored by the Chemistry Department or majors outside the department, may take a Chemistry class only twice at Lewis University. If a student has not achieved a minimum of a “C” after the second attempt, the student may not repeat the class at Lewis University.
Majors in various Department of Chemistry programs may wish to take a minor in Marketing for Science Majors.