Nov 21, 2024  
2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Chemistry, B.S.


The mission of the Chemistry Program at Fairmont State is to help students learn chemistry, and how chemistry connects to mathematics, biology, physics, and other professional fields. We expect and encourage our students to develop the analytical, experimental, computer and problem-solving skills necessary to successfully pursue chemistry and other science based careers. The program strives to foster excellent oral and written communication skills, and is approved by the American Chemical Society. With small class sizes, innovative teaching approaches, and hands-on access to modern, research-quality instrumentation, students can develop the analytical, problem-solving and teamwork skills necessary to successfully pursue science-based careers. A student completing the B.S. degree with a major in chemistry will be competitive for graduate study in chemistry or chemical engineering, laboratory positions in the chemical industry, pharmaceutical industry or government agencies, or application to law school. By electing a few additional biology classes, students completing a B.S. degree in chemistry will be prepared for application to a variety of professional and graduate schools, including medical school, dental school, veterinary school, pharmacy school, physical therapy programs, toxicology, pharmaceutical science and forensic science graduate programs.

Programs available for students who wish to specialize in chemistry include:

  1. The B.S. in Chemistry is certified by the American Chemical Society and provides a well-balanced program of courses in the major fields of chemistry, as well as mathematics and physics. A student completing this program will be a competitive candidate for graduate study or positions in industry or government agencies.
  2. The B.A. in Education with a Specialization in Chemistry equips the graduate to teach chemistry in any secondary school or to pursue graduate studies in science education.

Degree Requirements


Core Curriculum (30-33 Credit Hours)


For details on the required courses, refer to the Core Curriculum   program. 

Note: Students with ACT Math less than 21 will need an extra year to take developmental or other prerequisite Math courses and CHEM 1101 .

Note: Students with ACT Math higher than 22 should start in the first semester with the highest math course they can place into, which may be Trigonometry (ACT MATH 23), or Calculus I (ACT Math 25). This will preserve more options for minors and possible double majors.

Note: Math ACT requirements may be satisfied by Placement Testing score equivalents.

Major Courses (57-59 Credit Hours)


Choosing higher-credit hour alternatives in the major curriculum reduces the minimum number of free elective credit hours required to reach 120 semester hours.

** Students who do not meet the prerequisites for MATH 2501  will be required to take MATH 1430  or MATH 1530  and/or MATH 1540 .

Degree Total = 120 Credit Hours