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Students majoring in chemistry typically enter positions in private, academic, or government laboratories, or they enroll in graduate or professional schools. There are outstanding opportunities for graduate study in chemistry. A bachelor’s degree in chemistry is also excellent preparation for graduate study in a number of other fields, including business, dentistry, engineering, environmental studies, forensic science, law, medical technology, medicine, oceanography, pharmacology, teaching, and veterinary medicine.

The Committee on Professional Training of the American Chemical Society (ACS) has approved the chemistry program’s curricular offerings, faculty, and facilities. Students who complete the approved program are certified by the American Chemical Society and become eligible for full membership in the society upon graduation. The ACS certified degree options are strongly encouraged for students planning to attend graduate school or seeking employment in industrial or research positions.

The degree option in forensic chemistry is designed on the recommendations of the National Institute of Justice and is excellent preparation for students seeking employment as a forensic laboratory technician.

The bachelor of arts in chemistry is specifically designed for students with career aspirations related to health care, including medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physician’s assistant, and veterinary medicine. The required courses are based on the recommendations of the Association of American Medical Colleges and the top health care graduate programs in the United States.

Choosing a Major

Students are strongly encouraged to make this decision as early as possible to ensure their degree may be completed in four years. It is generally not possible to complete the degree in four years without taking chemistry courses every year. It is also necessary to begin taking mathematics courses in the first year. Freshmen considering a chemistry major should talk to a chemistry professor immediately.

Honors Program

Students interested in participating in the departmental honors program must notify the advisor upon completing at least 25 credits of chemistry required for the degree. Admission to the program requires department faculty approval.

Honors Requirements

1. Complete an ACS-certified chemistry degree.
2. Maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA in all upper division chemistry courses.
3. Complete one year of research prior to commencing the senior project and present both a written and oral report on this research.
4. Obtain final approval from the department faculty.

The transcripts and diplomas of qualified students indicate that their degrees were awarded with departmental honors.

Teacher Licensing

Students who would like to teach chemistry at the middle school or high school level in Oregon public schools must complete a bachelor’s degree in chemistry before applying for admission to the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program at SOU. Interested students should consult the department chair for an appropriate advisor and the School of Education regarding admission requirements for the MAT program.

Students must prepare in advance to increase their chances of acceptance into this competitive program. Practica, internships, and volunteer experiences working with children in public schools are required prior to application to the MAT program.

Program Requirements

Programs

Major

• •  Chemistry, BA or BS

Minor

• •  Chemistry Minor

Courses

Chemistry

• •  CH 543 - Physical Chemistry
• •  CH 544 - Physical-Chemical Measurements
• •  CH 544R - Physical-Chemical Measurements Recitation
• •  CH 545 - Physical-Chemical Measurements
• •  CH 545R - Physical-Chemical Measurements Recitation
• •  CH 551 - Biochemistry
• •  CH 552 - Biochemistry
• •  CH 553 - Biochemistry
• •  CH 554 - Biochemistry Laboratory
• •  CH 555 - Biochemistry Laboratory
• •  CH 585 - Advanced Topics in Chemistry