Chemistry
About the Chemistry Program
The chemistry major is foundational to other scientific disciplines and has massive economic influence on the industrialized world. Our faculty will push you to excellence in your study and research. They are professionals who have made significant contributions in research, and their goal is your success. The curriculum is based on the American Chemical Society, which translates into a rigorous program that produces students primed for graduate and medical schools.
Chemical explanations rely fundamentally on an understanding of the atomic and molecular behavior of systems. Chemistry attempts to explain phenomena in systems that range in size from electrons to entire galaxies. Therefore, the subject of chemistry relies upon a wide breadth of knowledge. In addition, chemistry is a discipline that contributes to a variety of other academic areas. Because of the character of chemical study, a chemist must be very knowledgeable in areas as diverse as mathematics, engineering, computer science, physics, biology, and (of course) chemistry. In short, chemistry might also be called the Diverse Discipline. Therefore, those who pursue a major in chemistry often have an assortment of academic interests.
Why should you choose SAU’s chemistry program?
The chemistry faculty are qualified professionals with significant research and teaching experience. They can help you plan your program and help you be successful in your career goals.
In addition to excellence in the classroom, the chemistry faculty recognize that research is a vital component of undergraduate education and offer research experience to all interested students. Students need not be chemistry majors and may undertake research for direct academic credit.
A distinctive honors program is available for students of outstanding ability. As part of this, all majors are required to complete a research project and attendant thesis, an accomplishment very attractive to future industrial employers along with graduate and medical schools.
A major strength of the SAU chemistry program is the high acceptance rates of students into graduate or medical schools. Over 70 percent of the chemistry majors pursue advanced training. Other program strengths include:
- Specialized instruction and advising.
- Wide range of laboratory experiences.
- Computer assisted instruction and laboratory.
Courses, Course Descriptions & Four-Year Plan
The courses for the 38-credit hour chemistry major include such subject areas as:
- CHE 111 General Chemistry I
- CHE 112 General Chemistry II
- CHE 201 Organic Chemistry I
- CHE 202 Organic Chemistry II
- CHE 301 Analytical Chemistry
- CHE 411 Physical Chemistry I
- CHE 440 Research in Biology and Chemistry
- CHE 460 or CHE 490 Chemistry Research or Chemistry Honors Project
- MAT 201 Calculus I
- MAT 202 Calculus II
- PHY 211 Modern University Physics I
- PHY 212 Modern University Physics II
View the course requirements and layout, course descriptions, a sample four-year plan, as well as learn more about the chemistry program at Spring Arbor University in the undergraduate catalog.
Career Opportunities
Because the diverse nature of chemical study, chemistry students have a variety of career options.
To name a few, our graduates are:
- College teachers
- High school teachers
- Lawyers
- Pharmaceutical researchers
- Medical doctors
- Dentists
- Physician assistants
- Research scientists
- Laboratory technicians
To learn more about how Spring Arbor helps its graduates prepare for a career, visit our career development page.