| Faculty | BA Major | BS Major | Generalized Curriculum | Minor | Approved Courses |
253.535.7530
www.chem.plu.edu
chair@chem.plu.edu
Chemistry involves the study of matter at the atomic and molecular level. Concepts and tools of chemistry are used to study the composition, structure, reactivity and energy changes of materials in the world around us. At PLU, students will find a chemistry program that supports their interests, whether in the chemistry of natural products, the environment, biological systems, poylmers, or inorganic compounds, and that supports their educational goals, whether toward graduate study, the medical and health professions, biotechnology, education, business, or as a complement to other studies in the natural sciences, humanities, or social sciences. For good reason, chemistry is often called "the central science."
The chemistry department's courses, curriculum, faculty, and facilities are approved by the American Chemical Society.
Students have hands-on use of sophisticated instrumentation in coursework and research with faculty, including 300 MHz Fourier transform nuclear magnetic resonance (FTNMR) spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP AES), spectrofluorometry, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy, laser light scattering instrumentation, gas chromatography with mass selective detection (GCMS), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and Linux workstations for molecular modeling and computational chemistry.
Faculty research projects involve undergraduate participation.
Faculty: Fryhle, Chair; Cotten, Davis, Naasz, Rink, Swank, Tonn, Waldow, Yakelis.
Required Foundation Courses listed above (47 semester hours), plus CHEM 342
Leads to the American Chemical Society Certification which requires CHEM 450 and either CHEM 405, 440 or 456.
Required Foundation Courses (47 semester hours), plus:
The BS in Biology with Biochemistry is often done as a double-major with Biology.
Required Foundation Courses (47 semester hours), plus:
Required Foundation Courses (47 semester hours), plus:
| Fall Semester |
Spring Semester |
| First Year |
|
| CHEM 115 GUR Inquiry Seminar or Writing Seminar (or BIOL 161 for students interested in the Chemistry B.S. with Biochemistry Emphasis) MATH 151 PHED 100 or other activity course |
CHEM 116 Inquiry Seminar or Writing Seminar and/or BIOL 162 MATH 152 PHED 100 or other activity course |
| Second Year |
|
| CHEM 331, 333 BIOL 323 (if Chemistry B.S. with Biochemistry emphasis) Two additional courses |
CHEM 332, 334 (or 336), 320, 410 PHYS 153, 163 GUR elective(s) |
| Third Year |
|
| CHEM 341, 343 PHYS 154, 164 GUR elective(s) Elective |
CHEM 342, 344 CHEM 320, if not taken in second year GUR elective(s) Electives |
| Fourth Year |
|
| CHEM 403, 499 Electives |
CHEM 420, 499 Electives |
Alternative Year Advanced Courses: In the third or fourth year, BS students enroll in CHEM 450 (required for all ACS Certification options) and either 440, 456 (or 405 in Spring Term after 403).
Refer to the Division of Natural Sciences section of this catalog for other beginning curriculum options.
Students interested in the Bachelor of Science with Biochemistry Emphasis should start biology in the fall of the first or second year. Physics should be started in the spring of either the first or the second year, so as to prepare students for upper-division chemistry courses.
In recognition of outstanding work the designation of Departmental Honors may be granted to Bachelor of Science graduates by vote of the faculty of the chemistry department, based on the student's performance in the following areas:
The departmental honors designation will appear on a graduating chemistry major's transcript.
Students interested in a high school chemistry teaching endorsement should plan to complete a BA or BS in chemistry. The degree program is developed through the chemistry department in conjunction with the Department of Instructional Development and Leadership. See Department of Instruction Development and Leadership section.
Students interested in pursuing studies in chemical engineering should see the course outline in the Engineering Science section of this catalog. The department chair should be consulted for assignment of a program advisor.
All prerequisite and co-requisite requirements are strictly enforced.
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