Chemistry and Biochemistry (CHEM)

James A. Rice, Head
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Shepard Hall 121
605-688-5151
e-mail: james.rice@sdstate.edu
chembiochem.sdstate.edu

Including the areas of Clinical and Laboratory Sciences (MedT) also known as Medical Technology

Faculty

Professor Rice, Head; Professor Halaweish, Utecht; Professors Emeriti Emerick, Gehrke, Hecht, Hilderbrand, Palmer, Rue, Spinar, Wadsworth; Associate Professors Cole-Dai, Miller, Shore; Assistant Professors Cartrette, Hoppe, Logue, Pravecek, Raynie, You.

Programs

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry is approved by the American Chemical Society (ACS) for training professional chemists and biochemists. Graduates are certified to the American Chemical Society as being eligible for full membership following two years of graduate work or other experience in chemistry, biochemistry, or related area. The department’s courses serve three general purposes. First, you can major in chemistry or biochemistry by choosing one of the following curricula. Second, a chemistry minor can be obtained by students wanting a more extensive chemistry background without majoring in chemistry. Third, because chemistry and biochemistry are so closely related to other fields of study, a number of courses are offered to provide sufficient chemical and biochemical background to meet professional needs.

Biochemistry
The American Chemical Society (ACS) approved curriculum in biochemistry is a truly interdisciplinary degree intended for students planning to pursue graduate study in biochemistry, molecular biology or similar fields emphasizing the molecular aspects of the biological sciences. . It is an ideal major for students intending to pursue careers in medicine, dentistry, or veterinary science. Numerous careers are available to students with biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry laboratories, and government service. Nontraditional career paths that a student can follow include law (particularly patent law), bioethics, and entrepreneurship. A grade of “C” or better is required in all courses required for the major.

Chemistry
The American Chemical Society (ACS) in chemistry approved curriculum is intended for students planning to pursue graduate work in chemistry for positions in research, industrial or governmental laboratories, allied health, careers in business, quality control, environmental negotiations and remediation or as pre-professional trainers in medicine, dentistry, optometry or chiropractics. Students considering teaching should consult with the College of Education and Human Sciences by their sophomore year. SEED 413, 7-12 Science Methods, is a requirement to be certified to teach high school chemistry. A grade of “C” or better is required in all courses required for the major.

Emphases
The ACS-certified chemistry specialization offers optional emphases in environmental chemistry and chemical physics. These emphases are developed through the selection of elective courses and undergraduate research experiences that provide expertise appropriate to one of these three areas.

Minor in Chemistry
A minor in chemistry is offered for students wanting extensive chemistry coursework without majoring in chemistry. A grade of “C” or better in all courses proposed for the minor is required. At least 50% of chemistry courses applied toward a minor must be completed at SDSU. Chem 112/112L and Chem 114/114L are required courses. The remaining required 12 credits must at the 300-level or above.

Graduate Study
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers instruction leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Chemistry. See Graduate Catalog or contact the Department for details.

Clinical and Laboratory Sciences (MedT) also known as Medical Technology
Deborah Pravecek, Coordinator

SDSU offers a four-year program in Clinical and Laboratory Sciences (CLS). The CLS program is houses within the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry through the College of Arts and Sciences. There are two specializations within this major, the clinical specialization (medical technology) and an industrial specialization. Both specializations require on-campus laboratory and classroom courses, as well as an intensive internship. The program provides the scientific background in molecular biology, chemistry and mathematics necessary for a laboratory career.

Clinical Specialization
The clinical specialization prepares graduates for employment in hospital or medical laboratories. Our program is currently seeking accreditation from the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). The program is a four-year program. In your first two years you will take the background science courses necessary for entrance into the professional clinical year. Upon completion of the sophomore year of college, you will apply for entrance into the professional component of the major. The first year in the professional program (junior year) includes several courses in the clinical laboratory field as well as additional science courses and completion of the general education requirements of the university. The final year consists of on-campus clinical laboratory science courses and a clinical experience at a clinical affiliate. Graduates will be eligible to take the certification examination as a medical technologist by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists or as a clinical laboratory scientists by the National Certifying Agency for Medical Laboratory Professionals.

The clinical laboratory scientist is an indispensable member of the modern health team. He/she makes use of hundreds of scientific procedures devised to disclose the subtle changes that diseases produce in the body. By studying cells under the microscope, analyzing the chemical composition of body fluids and secretions, he/she can pinpoint clues to illness that might not be detected any other way. Conclusive evidence for the presence of disease as well as monitoring the success of treatment depends on laboratory findings. The clinical laboratory scientist also needs to be competent in areas such as personnel and resource management, administration, teaching and research.

Industrial Specialization
The Clinical Laboratory Science – Industrial specialization major is designed to provide a strong academic background in both chemical and biological sciences as well as hands-on-training in diverse laboratory settings. The core curriculum for the specialization provides knowledge in general chemistry, biochemistry, cell biology and molecular biology. Elective courses are taken which are tailored to each individual student’s interests and career goals. Students also gain firsthand experience by working in a laboratory setting through a required internship .

Modern laboratory practice involves the use of emerging technologies such as monoclonal antibody technology, recombinant DNA technology, and protein engineering technologies. These new technologies have applications in a wide variety of scientific fields, including agriculture, forensics, industrial processes and environmental management.