Chemistry Major

Program Contact/Coordinator
James A. Rice, Professor and Head
South Dakota State University
131 Avera Health Sciences Building
Box 2202
Brookings, SD 57007
605-688-5151
e-mail: james.rice@sdstate.edu
chembiochem.sdstate.edu

Program Information
Chemistry is often referred to as the central science because of its strong connections to the other natural sciences and mathematics. Chemistry is therefore an area of study that allows students vast opportunity to explore the unknown and to address some of human society’s most pressing scientific problems. Professional chemists are employed in a number of diverse fields: governmental policymakers, pharmaceutical/industrial chemists, intellectual property attorneys, high school teachers, and physicians. Undergraduate training in chemistry at SDSU provides students with enhanced critical thinking skills and problem-solving abilities, attributes which are highly desired in the modern workforce. The chemistry major is also excellent preparation for professional study in medicine, dentistry, business, and law. The American Chemical Society (ACS), in recognition of the quality and rigor of the curriculum, certifies the B.S. degree in chemistry offered by the department. In addition to completing the degree requirements listed below, students engage in independent research projects in collaboration with departmental faculty; this capstone experience affords students a means to apply the knowledge of the discipline to questions for which the answers are unknown.

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.

Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completing a B.S. in Chemistry, graduates will demonstrate the following capacities:

• Posses a foundational knowledge of the contemporary theories of chemistry
• Apply the foundational knowledge of the field toward answering unknown questions
• Effectively communicate scientific information in written and verbal formats
• Safely handle chemicals and chemical equipment
• Become proficient in the design and execution of experimental procedures
• Use a variety of techniques to evaluate experimental outcomes
• Develop the human skills to work effectively and efficiently in a team setting
• Efficiently search the relevant chemical literature
• Develop an understanding of the career opportunities within and outside of the field

Additional Academic Requirements
A grade of “C” or better is required in all courses required for the major.

Accreditation, Certification, and Licensure
The B.S. in Chemistry is certified by the American Chemical Society (ACS), which serves as recognition of a high quality and rigorous curriculum.

Course Delivery Format
Courses offered in the B.S. Chemistry curriculum are taught in a variety of formats which address student learning outcomes: Didactic (lecture) methods ensure the development of foundational knowledge of chemistry; Practical (laboratory) methods ensure the development of laboratory skills and training. A combination of didactic and practical methods ensures the successful completion of the undergraduate research project.