Chemistry

American Chemical Society Certification

A student in any chemistry concentration may attain certification by the American Chemical Society as determined by the Chemistry faculty. The Chemistry Department defines specific areas of certification including, but not restricted to, pure chemistry, biochemistry and environmental chemistry. The requirements for certification in these areas are outside the curricular requirements of the major concentrations. To attain ACS-certification within one of the concentrations, a student must complete the following minimum requirements:

1. The student must take MATH 1920.
2. The student must take CHEM 2010, CHEM 3510, CHEM 4210 (5210), CHEM 4520 (5520), CHEM 4610 (5610) and CHEM 4991. CHEM 3510 and CHEM 4520 (5520) may be substituted for CHEM 3500 and CHEM 3420, respectively, in curricula where the lower courses are required.
3. The student must take a minimum of three advanced courses chosen from: CHEM 3520, CHEM 4110 (5110), CHEM 4150 (5150), CHEM 4310 (5310), CHEM 4320 (5320), CHEM 4410 (5410), CHEM 4620 (5620), CHEM 4650 (5650), CHEM 4710 (5710), CHEM 4720 (5720).
4. The advanced courses above must include a minimum of three credit hours of laboratory including either CHEM 4150 (5150) or CHEM 4650 (5650).
5. Requirements for specific areas of certification can be obtained from the Chemistry Advisor.

The American Chemical Society promotes excellence in chemistry education for undergraduate students through approval of baccalaureate chemistry programs. ACS-approved programs offer a broad-based and rigorous chemistry education that gives students intellectual, experimental, and communication skills to become effective scientific professionals. The Pure Chemistry concentration exceeds the minimum requirements for a certified degree, but the other concentrations are also certifiable by taking the above specified courses beyond the basic curriculum.