Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics

Students and instructor in a lab.

Brian Logue, Department Head
Melody Jewell, Coordinator of Chemistry and Biochemistry Undergraduate Programs
Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics
Avera Health and Science Center 247
605-688-5151 (Chemistry and Biochemistry)

Robert McTaggart, Assistant Department Head
Daktronics Engineering Hall 255
605-688-5428 (Physics)

Faculty

Professors

Larry Browning, Jihong Cole-Dai, Fathi Halaweish, Adam Hoppe, Yung Huh, Brian Logue, Parashu Kharel, Matthew Miller

Associate Professors

Suvobrata Chakravarty, Darci Fink, Robert McTaggart Jay Shore, Cheng Zhang

Assistant Professor

Rachel Willand-Charnley

Senior Lecturers

Geoff Bonvallet, Melody Jewell, Sara Madsen, Judy Vondruska

Lecturer

Julie Leibold

Emeritus

Henry Gehrke, John Grove, Harry Hecht, William Jensen, Ivan Palmer, Oren Quist, Joel Rauber, Douglas Raynie, James Rice, William Wadsworth

Overview

The mission of the Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics is to educate, expand the frontiers of knowledge, and provide service. The department provides high-quality educational opportunities that address students’ needs and broaden their perspectives, enabling them to continue the learning process as educated citizens. For those students desiring to pursue careers in chemistry, biochemistry, chemical education, nuclear engineering, physics, and related scientific areas, the department provides degree programs at the baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral levels. Students develop an understanding of the mathematical and theoretical foundations of the physical sciences and develop capabilities in laboratory experimental design and analysis. Students have access to state-of-the-art laboratories, nationwide internship programs, and other resources and opportunities that complement the coursework. The department also maintains strong research efforts in areas appropriate to the broad goals and objectives of a land-grant institution. The department provides service to its various constituencies through selected programs that are continually refined to meet changing needs.

Further, the SDSU Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics is a founding signatory to the Green Chemistry Commitment. Specific examples of green chemistry are presented in general chemistry, organic chemistry laboratory experiments, a chemical toxicology course, and graduate and undergraduate research.

Departmental Objectives

To address the needs of a scientifically literate citizenry in South Dakota, the upper midwest, nationally, and globally;
To facilitate students’ communication skills in both oral and written formats;
To encourage the technological literacy of students such that they become highly competitive in the global workforce;
To provide opportunities for professional development of students at the baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral levels;
To provide premier leadership in the physical sciences dedicated to excellence in learning, discovery, and outreach.

Department Requirements

All general university requirements must be met to qualify for the bachelor’s degrees in the Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics. In addition, the following special requirements and rules have been established for all graduates of the department:

Bachelor’s degrees must include 33 semester credits from upper division courses (300 and above).
Capstone course in the major discipline.

Programs

Majors

Minors

Graduate Programs*

Applied Physics Certificate
Biochemistry (Ph.D.)
Chemistry (M.S.)
Chemistry (M.S.) - Chemistry Education Specialization
Chemistry (Ph.D.)
Professional Science (M.S.) - Applied Physics Emphasis

* Graduate degrees are offered in collaboration with the Graduate School. For details, see the Graduate Catalog.

Student Support and Engagement Opportunities

The department offers opportunities for student engagement through research and student organizations. For additional information refer to the Research Opportunities page and the Student Organization page on the university’s webpage.