DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY

Course Descriptions

approved by the American Chemical Society

Chair: Richard (Rick) E. Norman (936)294-1527; norman@shsu.edu

Faculty: Benny Arney, Tom Chasteen, Mary Lynn DeShazo, Paul Loeffler, Mary Plishker, Rick White, Darren Williams

Website: www.shsu.edu/~chemistry/

Mission

The Department of Chemistry is committed to providing an educational environment conducive to scholarship, intellectual development, and the acquisition of a foundation of knowledge and techniques required of professional chemists. This goal requires the effective representation of the fundamental areas of chemistry, a dedicated and creative faculty, and support for the many functions of the department.

Academic Programs

BS in Chemistry for professional chemists
BS in Chemistry for other technical careers
BS in Chemistry with emphasis in Biochemistry-Biotechnology
BS in Chemistry with emphasis in Forensic Science
BS in Forensic Chemistry
BS in Composite Science with emphasis in Chemistry
BS in Chemistry/Chemical Engineering
BS in Medical Technology (program being phased out)

The Department of Chemistry is approved by the American Chemical Society. Chemistry majors may pursue the Bachelor of Science for professional chemists that leads to American Chemical Society certification and prepares students for graduate studies in traditional chemical fields. Students interested in professional schools, chemistry associated industries, or secondary education may pursue the Bachelor of Science for other technical careers. The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with emphasis in Biochemistry-Biotechnology prepares students for careers in hi-tech companies in the Houston area and across the state and nation. The growing interest in Forensic Science has prompted the Department of Chemistry to offer a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Chemistry that is designed to prepare students for careers combining a knowledge of chemistry and the legal system. Students completing this degree can pursue opportunities in various forensic labs across the country, or can continue their education either in the graduate program in Forensic Science, or in graduate programs that are more traditional.

Highlights

The Department of Chemistry has a study abroad program in Germany in which students carry out summer undergraduate research in a German University and can experience the culture and approach to chemical education in Europe.
The Department of Chemistry moved into an impressive new facility (the Chemistry/ Forensic Science Building) during the Fall semester of 2005 greatly expanding and improving the laboratory facilities.

Career Opportunities

Everything around you is composed of chemicals. We live in a world of chemicals and life would not be possible without them. An understanding of the fundamentals of chemistry is important for everyone in today’s society. Professional chemists are working to enhance our quality of life by improvements in food, medicine, clothing, building supplies, products for recreation, and a whole range of consumer products.

Virtually every industry or business that makes or sells a product is involved in chemistry. It is no wonder that the various areas of chemical and biochemical technology offer the largest field of employment in the physical sciences. Chemists are employed in fields such as:

environmental analysis
agriculture
biotechnology
pharmaceutical research
waste management
energy production
forensic science
petrochemical industry

Chemistry graduates will find many applications for their training in the fields of education, business, industry, law, government and medicine.

Suggested Minors

A variety of minors can complement a major in chemistry. Some of the more popular minors in recent years have been biology, criminal justice and general business. Others have included education, mathematics and political science.

Student Organizations

Chemistry Club - The Chemistry Club is an active organization which encourages student interactions in a social atmosphere and which supports student travel to professional meetings.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available from the Department in Chemistry and from the University to support students’ studies. For further information, contact the Chair, Department of Chemistry or visit the Department of Chemistry Home Page. Information on University scholarships may be obtained from the Office of Academic Scholarships website at www.shsu.edu/~sfa_www/scholarship.html or telephone (936) 294-1672.

Curriculum

Chemistry students learn how to critically examine and analyze observations, to use chemical understanding to propose solutions to problems of a quantitative or qualitative nature that may arise in industry, in academia or in various careers associated with chemistry. Students majoring in Chemistry have the opportunity for hands-on experience in working with atomic absorption, gas chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography, ultraviolet and visible spectroscopy, 60 MHz and 300 MHz nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, ion chromatography, capillary electrophoresis and other standard instrumentation in chemistry.

Required Courses for Major

Required courses are CHM 138/119, 139/119, 238/218, 239/219, 241, 410, 440, 448, 467 32 hrs.

Students will select one of the following tracks:

BS for Professional Chemists: CHM 348, 426, 449, 495, CHM (3 hrs. Advanced) 16 hrs.

BS for Other Technical Careers: CHM 426, 495, CHM (3 hrs. Advanced) 8 hrs.

Major in Chemistry
For Professional Chemists
Bachelor of Science

First Year	Credit	Second Year	Credit
CHM 138/118, 139/119	8	CHM 238/218, 239/219, 241	12
ENG 164, 165	6	PHY 138/118, 139/119	8
HIS 163, 164	6	Component Area 4 (Literature or PHL)	3
MTH 142, 143	8	CS 143	4
Minor**	3	Minor**	3-6
KIN 215	1		30-33
	32


Third Year	Credit	Fourth Year	Credit
CHM 448, 449, 348	12	CHM 410, 440, 467, 426,	10
POL 261, POL (200-level)	6	CHM 495, CHM (Advanced*)	6-9
Component Area 4 (Cultural Studies)	3	Component Area 4 (Visual & Performing Arts)	3
ENG 330	3	Component Area 5	3
Minor** (Advanced)	6	Minor** or electives	8-10
Elective	6		30-35
	36

Note: Students should use elective and/or minor hours to satisfy the 42 advanced hour requirement.

Major in Chemistry
Other Technical Careers
Bachelor of Science

First Year	Credit	Second Year	Credit
CHM 138/118, 139/119	8	CHM 238/218, 239/219, 241	12
ENG 164, 165	6	PHY 138/118, 139/119	8
MTH (142 or higher level)	4	Component Area 4 (Literature or PHL)	3
HIS 163, 164	6	MTH (143 or higher level)	4
Minor**	6	CS 143 or 164	3
KIN 215	1	Minor**	3-6
Component Area 4 (Visual & Performing Arts)	3		33-36
	34

Third Year	Credit	Fourth Year	Credit
CHM 426, 448, 467	9	CHM (Advanced*)	3
POL 261, POL (200-level)	6	CHM 410, 440, 495	8
ENG 330	3	Component Area 5	3
Minor**	8-9	Component Area 4 (Cultural Studies)	3
Elective	3	Minor** or electives (Advanced)	15
	29-30		35

Note: Students should use elective and/or minor hours to satisfy the 42 advanced hour requirement.

* CHM 368, 348, 339, 441, and 443 are recommended.
** A minor requires six semesters of coursework, a minimum of 18 credits (six advanced) in an approved field.

Emphasis in Biochemistry – Biotechnology

Students seeking a background that will prepare them for the emerging technologies in biochemistry and biotechnology can select advanced courses that will lead to a major in chemistry and a minor in biology.

Emphasis in Forensic Science

Students seeking a background that will prepare them for careers in Forensic Science can select advanced courses that lead to a major in chemistry and a minor in Criminal Justice and/or Biology.

Secondary Teacher Certification

Students seeking Secondary Teacher Certification in Science take courses leading to the Bachelor of Science in Composite Science with an emphasis in Chemistry.

First Year	Credit	Second Year	Credit
CHM 138/118, 139/119	8	CHM 238/218, 239/119, 241	12
MTH 142, 379	7	PHY 138/118, 139/119	8
GEL 133/113, 134/114	8	GEL 330	3
ENG 164, 165	6	HIS 164	3
HIS 163	3	Component Area 4 (Visual & Performing Arts)	3
KIN 215	1		33
CS 143	4
	33

Third Year	Credit	Fourth Year	Credit
CHM 410, 440, 426	7	CHM 348	4
PHY 397/317	4	BIO 234	3
BIO 161/111, 162/112	8	GEO 131/111	4
POL 261, POL (200-level)	6	SCM 384	3
Component Area 4 (Cultural Studies)	3	Component Area 4 (Literature or PHL)	3
Component Area 5	3	Electives*	8
Electives*	6		28
	34

* Teacher Certification
Students seeking certification at the secondary level should use their 14 elective hours and an additional 10 hours to satisfy the certification requirements (SED 383, 394, 464, 480, 496, and 497; RDG 392; SED 374 or PSY 374). Those students not seeking certification should use their elective hours to fulfill university requirements for advanced hours.

Major in Forensic Chemistry
Bachelor of Science

Students seeking background and training in the area of forensic science can get a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Chemistry with a Criminal Justice minor. This degree option educates students for careers in forensic chemistry in both private and government arenas and also prepares students to enter graduate schools in forensic science.

First Year	Credit	Second Year	Credit
CHM 138/118, 139/119	8	CHM 238/218, 239/219, 241	12
ENG 164,165	6	MTH 143 (or higher level)	4
MTH 142 (or higher level)	4	PHY 138/118, 139/119	8
HIS 163, 164	6	CS 143	4
BIO 161/111, 162/112	8	Component Area 4 (Literature or PHL)	3
KIN 215	1	CJ 261,262	6
	33		37


Third Year	Credit	Fourth Year	Credit
CHM 348, 448	8	CHM 410, 467, 440, 480	11
BIO 234, 345	7	POL (200-level)	3
CJ 264	3	CJ 436	3
CJ 465	3	ENG 330	3
Component Area 4 (Cultural Studies)	3	CJ 478	3
Elective (Advanced)	6	Component Area 5	3
POL 261	3	Elective (Advanced)	9
Component Area 4 (Visual & Performing Arts)	3		35
	36

Chemistry/Chemical Engineering
A Dual Degree Plan for Concurrent Bachelor of Science Degrees
from Sam Houston State University and Universities with
Recognized Accredited Chemical Engineering Degree Programs

In this plan the student completes three years in Chemistry at Sam Houston State University and two years in Chemical Engineering at a university with a recognized accredited chemical engineering degree program. On successful completion of the curriculum shown below and the chemical engineering curriculum at a university with a recognized accredited degree program in chemical engineering, the student will receive two Bachelor of Science degrees, a Bachelor of Science with a major in Chemistry from Sam Houston State University and a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the university with the recognized accredited chemical engineering degree program.

First Year	Credit	Second Year	Credit
CHM 138/118, 139/119	8	CHM 241, 238/218, 239/219	12
PHY 141	4	PHY 245, 142	8
MTH 142, 143	8	MTH 244	4
ENG 164, 165	6	POL 261	3
Component Area 4 (Cultural Studies)	3	Component Area 4 (Literature or PHL)	3
Component Area 5	3	ENG 330	3
KIN 215	1		33
	33

Third Year	Credit	Fourth Year	Credit
CHM 448, 410, 449, 426	11	University with Recognized
Advanced CHM	3	Accredited Chemical Engineering
CS 162 or 164	3	Degree Program
HIS 163, 164	6
MTH 376	3
IT 161	3
POL (200-level)	3
Component Area 4 (Visual & Performing Arts)	3
	35

Minor in Chemistry

A minor in Chemistry requires a minimum of six semesters of coursework and shall include CHM 138/118, 139/119, 238/218, 239/219, 241, and six semester hours of advanced chemistry including one advanced laboratory course. For students majoring in Food Science and Nutrition, the minor consists of CHM 138/118, 139/119, 238/218, 239/219, 348, and 339.