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Dept. of Chemistry & Biochemistry
224 Neckers Hall
Southern Illinois University
Carbondale, IL 62901
Phone: 618-453-5721
Fax: 618-453-6408


2007-2008 UNDERGRADUATE CATALOG

Chemistry and Biochemistry (Department, Major [Chemistry] Minor, Courses, Faculty)

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers two degree programs with a major in chemistry. The Bachelor of Science degree in the College of Science is for those who wish to prepare for graduate study in chemistry or who will become professional chemists. Within the degree a student may also choose to specialize in biochemistry, business, environmental, and forensic chemistry and/or receive certification from the American Chemical Society (ACS), 1155 Sixteenth St. S.W., Washington, D.C., 20036. Students are encouraged to seek ACS certification but it should be understood that ACS certification is not a requirement for graduate study or employment as a chemist.

The Bachelor of Arts degree in the College of Science is designed primarily for students who wish to complete a major in chemistry but will specialize in areas related to it. Students complete a group of core courses, along with additional courses that will lead to a specialization in biochemistry, business, and environmental or forensic chemistry.

Knowledge of computer programming is recommended for majors in chemistry. The department enforces the following retention policy: A grade point average of at least 2.0 in a student’s chemistry courses is required on completion of the first 22 hours of formal chemistry course work. A student cannot repeat a course or its equivalent in which a grade of B or better was earned without the consent of the department. Any exception will require written approval of the chair of undergraduate advisement. A minimum gpa of 2.0 in chemistry course work is needed in order for a student to receive a degree in chemistry. Students will meet with a departmental advisor each semester for planning, monitoring progress, and approval of courses appropriate to their goals and interests.

Students taking a laboratory course will be required to purchase a notebook or laboratory exercise book. Students are required to wear approved safety glasses in the laboratory at all times. All students enrolled in a chemistry class that includes a laboratory session will be assessed a breakage charge for all glassware broken. The amount assessed will be based on actual replacement costs. A fee will also be assessed if a student fails to check in his/her locker at the end of the semester.

Students wishing more detailed information should contact the undergraduate advisor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Southern Illinois University,Carbondale, IL 62901-4409.

Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry, College of Science
Biological Sciences–six hours (not University Core Curriculum Courses)
Mathematics – completed with the Chemistry major
Physical Sciences – completed with the Chemistry major
Supportive Skills: a minimum of six hours from among: Chinese 120, Classics 130, 133, French 123, German 126, Japanese 131, Russian 136, Spanish 140, Computer Science 105 or 200b, Mathematics 483, 484 and English 291. If a foreign language is chosen, two semesters of one language must be taken to satisfy the requirement

Undergraduate Curricula and Faculty Chemistry and Biochemistry
Requirements for Major in Chemistry
Chemistry 200, 2011, 210, 211, 230, 340, 341, 342, 343, 350 (or 451a)2, 351, 410, 411, 434, 461, 462, 466a,b
Mathematics 1501, 3, 250 and either 221 or 305
Physics 205a, b; 255a,b
Optional Curriculum Specialization 4 (see below)

  • Biochemistry Specialization

For students interested in the biological aspects of chemistry. Required: An additional nine hours at the 300- to 400-level in biochemistry, microbiology, physiology, plant biology or zoology, chosen in consultation with an advisor in chemistry and approved by the chair of the department. Chemistry 451a,b is strongly recommended in lieu of 350 and three of the additional nine hours above. Chemistry 456 can be substituted for 462. A course at the 300 to 400-level that includes a lab in a bioscience area is recommended.

  • Business Specialization

For students interested in pursuing a career in chemistry, but with an interest in the business aspects of it such as management, marketing, and production, rather than research and development. Required: Accounting 220, 230; Economics 2401; Finance 330; Management 304; and Marketing 304.

  • Environmental Chemistry Specialization

For students interested in chemistry as it relates to air, water and soil in the environment. Required: Chemistry 431 and six hours from among, Civil Engineering 310, Mechanical Engineering 416 or Plant and Soil Science 446 (has 240 as a prerequisite); Mathematics 283 or 483.

  • Forensic Chemistry Specialization

For students interested in chemistry applied to solving problems encountered in crime labs. Student must apply and be accepted in the program. Required: Chemistry 439, 396-2 (Chemistry 396 will involve research on problems of interest to the State Crime Lab or a formal internship at the State Crime Lab. The latter is subject to availability and approval of the Crime Lab).

  • American Chemical Society Certification
To receive certification by the ACS a student must complete the following additional courses: Chemistry 396 (2) or 496 (2) and  any two courses from: 431, 439, 444, 451b and 468; and Mathematics 251. A student can receive ACS certification and a specialization in one of the areas above.
  1. total of nine hours of biological science, mathematics, and physical science course work are accounted for in the 41-hour University Core Curriculum requirement. An additional three hours of social science are accounted for if students choose the Business Specialization. total of three hours of biological sciences are completed with biological chemistry or biochemistry. Prerequisite is Mathematics 111 or 108 and 109. The elective hours are decreased by three to six hours for students who place into a course lower than calculus.
  2. Students choosing to specialize must complete all of the additional courses listed under the specialization. These courses can substitute for electives.

Bachelor of Arts Degree in Chemistry, College of Science
Biological Sciences–six hours (not University Core Curriculum Courses)1,2
Mathematics – completed with the Chemistry major
Physical Sciences – completed with the Chemistry major
Supportive Skills: a minimum of six hours from among: Chinese 120, Classics 130, 133, French 123, German 126, Japanese 131, Russian 136, Spanish 140, Computer Science 105 or 200b, Mathematics 483, 484 and English 291. If a foreign language is chosen, two semesters of one language must be taken to satisfy the requirement.

Requirements for Major in Chemistry
Chemistry 200, 2011, 210, 211, 230, 340, 341, 342, 343, 350 (or 451a) 2, 351, 411, 462, 466a
Mathematics 1501, 3, 250
Physics 203a, b and 253a,b or 205a,b and 255a,b
Required Curriculum Specialization (see below)

  • Biochemistry Specialization

For students interested in the biological aspects of chemistry. Required: An additional nine hours at the 300- to 400-level in biochemistry, microbiology, physiology, plant biology or zoology, chosen in consultation with an advisor in chemistry and approved by the chair of the department. Chemistry 451a,b is strongly recommended in lieu of 350 and three of the additional nine hours above. Chemistry 456 can be substituted for 462. A course at the 300- to 400-level that includes a lab in a bioscience area is recommended.

  • Business Specialization

For students interested in pursuing a career in chemistry, but with an interest in the business aspects of it such as management, marketing, and production, rather than research and development. Required: An additional three hours in chemistry at the 300- to 400-level, chosen in consultation with an advisor and approval of the chair of the department; Accounting 220, 230; Economics 2401; Finance 330; Management 304; and Marketing 304.

  • Environmental Chemistry Specialization

For students interested in chemistry as it relates to air, water and soil in the environment. Required: Chemistry 431 and six hours from among Chemistry 434, Civil Engineering 310, Mechanical Engineering 416 or Plant and Soil Science 446 (has 240 as a prerequisite); Mathematics 283 or 483.

  • Forensic Chemistry Specialization

For students interested in chemistry applied to solving problems encountered in crime labs. Required: Chemistry 434, 439, 396-2 (Chemistry 396 will involve research on problems of interest to the State Crime Lab or a formal internship at the State Crime Lab. The latter is subject to availability and approval of the Crime Lab).

  • total of nine hours of biological science, mathematics, and physical science course work are accounted for in the 41-hour University Core Curriculum requirement. An additional three hours of social science are accounted for if students choose the Business Specialization.

Undergraduate Curricula and Faculty Chemistry and Biochemistry
A total of three hours of biological sciences are completed with Biological Chemistry or Biochemistry.
Prerequisite is Mathematics 111 or 108 and 109. The elective hours are decreased by three to six hours for students who place into a course lower than calculus.

Chemistry Minor
The minor in chemistry requires a minimum of 16 semester hours of chemistry in formal course work at the 200 level or above, including 200, 201, 210, 211. At least eight of the sixteen hours must be taken at SIUC. A grade point average of at least 2.0 is required in the minor, both in course work taken at SIUC and overall.

Transfer Credit
Credit for a course in chemistry successfully completed at another accredited institution will be transferred to meet major or minor requirements in chemistry at SIUC, subject to the following conditions:
  1. The course number must bear a departmental prefix clearly indicating the course is a chemistry (or biochemistry) course. The course must have covered substantially the same material as a course currently offered at SIUC to meet major requirements. Credit for a course completed at a community or junior college is not transferable if the corresponding course at SIUC is offered at the 400-level.
  2. All transfers of credit to meet major or minor requirements in chemistry must be explicitly approved by the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

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