Chemistry and Biochemistry (CHEM-ACS, BIOCM, MLS)

James A. Rice, Head
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Avera Health Sciences Center 131
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 Bjordahl, Chakravarty, Hoppe, Madsen, Jewell, Robinson, Tille, Williams, Zhang; Instructors Hall, Lansink, Sato

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 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 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  (MLS)
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 on-campus 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 professional program 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.

The Medical Laboratory Science Upward Mobility Program is committed to providing an education program consistent with the essentials outlined by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS). The program provides an educational experience for the development of responsible, competent entry-level professionals in medical laboratory science who want to further their training and education. Admission into the on-line program is contingent upon the student meeting the following criteria:
1) Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale, 2) Statement of support from the current employer, 3) Documentation of a minimum of 2 years work experience in a clinical laboratory, 4) Completion of a one or two year regionally or nationally accredited or certified program in medical laboratory science, 5) Successful completion of all SDSU General Education Requirements including the College of Arts and Sciences or an academic plan of completion approved by the MLS program director. 

The MLS course, MLS368 Medical Laboratory Science Technical Training,  provides for the transcription of the completion of a laboratory science technical program, work experience and course reduction for laboratory courses and clinical internship reduction for employed laboratory professionals. Work experience in a clinical laboratory (two years minimum, equivalency credits of 10 credits granted provided the regionally or nationally accredited or certified program includes the minimum of credit equivalent to the scientific content equivalent course work as described below.) If the program does not contain the content described, or the student has not taken college level equivalent course work, the student may be required to complete additional scientific pre-requisite courses.

Completion of a one or two year regionally or nationally accredited or certified program in medical laboratory science equivalency credit of 30 credits may be applied towards pre-requisite course work for entry level MLS courses, laboratory courses, chemistry, anatomy and physiology, and reduction in clinical course work. 

All upward mobility students that have completed a one or two year regionally or nationally accredited or certified program in laboratory science (consistent with Board of Certification requirements) may be granted an equivalency of 19 credits for the following laboratory and junior level SDSU MLS courses prior to beginning the on line MLS baccalaureate program: MLS201, MLS301/301L, MLS311/311L, MLS341L.MLS402L, MLS411L, MLS412L, MLS441L, MLS431(431L), 471L The additional equivalency credit (10 credit hours) may be applied within the clinical practicum.

An additional 11 credits may be transcripted for MLT courses within the curriculum that do not meet the equivalency transfer but are recognized as natural science equivalencies to meet Chemistry 106/106L, 108/108L, Biol 221/221L and Biol 325/325L requirements for the MLS program online completion only to meet the maximum of 40 credit transfer into the MLS 398. This provides for the recognition of the completion of a NAACLS accredited MLT program, national certification and practicing professionals knowledge. 

The curriculum in both  the MLS on-campus and Upward Mobility program emphasizes basic sciences, medical laboratory sciences, critical thinking skills and communication skills, including structured learning in the laboratories of clinical affiliated hospitals. In order to receive a bachelors of science (B.S.) degree in MLS – a student must successfully complete at least 120 semester credit hours. In addition, to all of the required courses for the program the student must complete all general education requirements and requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences. For further information, contact the program director at 605-688-6016 or visit http://www.sdstate.edu/cee/degrees/mls.cfm.