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 Medical Laboratory Science (MLS)

Faculty

Professor Rice, Head; Professor Cole-Dai, Halaweish, Utecht; Professors Emeriti Emerick, Gehrke, Hecht, Hilderbrand, Palmer, Rue, Spinar, Wadsworth; Associate Professors Cartrette, Logue, Miller, Raynie, Shore; Assistant Professors Hoppe, Robinson, Tille, Zhang; Instructors Deutz, Hall.

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) approved curriculum in chemistry 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 regulation and remediation or as pre-professional majors in medicine, dentistry, optometry or chiropractics. Students considering teaching should consult with the College of Education and Counseling 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 major 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 be courses with the “Chem” prefix and be 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.

Medical Laboratory Science (MedT) also known as Medical Technology
Patricia Tille, Program Director

SDSU offers a four-year program in Medical Laboratory Science (MLS). The MLS program is housed within the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry though the College of Arts and Sciences. The program provides the scientific background in hematology, immunohematology, urinalysis, phlebotomy, microbiology, immunology, molecular biology, clinical chemistry, and mathematics necessary for a laboratory career.

The Medical Laboratory Science program prepares its graduates for employment in hospital or medical laboratories. The program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), 5600 N. River Rd. Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018-5119. During the first two years, students take the background science courses necessary for entrance into the professional clinical year. Upon completion of the sophomore year of college, students apply for entrance into the professional component of the major. Admission into the professional component is contingent upon the student successfully meeting the following criteria: 1.) Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale in all college work attempted. 2.) Completion of a minimum of 60 credit hours and a grade of “C” or “70%” minimum in all prerequisite courses in biology, chemistry and math by the start of the fall semester of the professional program. 3.) Successfully passed the SDSU Academic Proficiency Exams. 4.) Ability to meet the non-academic Essential Functions of the program as described in the MLS Student Handbook.

The first year of the professional program includes several courses in the medical 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 medical laboratory science courses and an off-campus experience at a clinical affiliate. A grade of “C” or better is required in all courses required for the major. Graduates will be eligible to take the certification examination as a medical laboratory scientist from the Board of Certification by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists.