Program Overview
With many sciences such as ecology, medicine, material science, and food science turning increasingly to chemistry for explanations and understanding of their disciplines, an undergraduate major in chemistry is good preparation for a variety of careers. The Chemistry Major curriculum includes courses in general chemistry, organic chemistry, chemical analysis, physical, and inorganic chemistry, and offers a variety of electives making it possible to tailor the program to the individual’s interests and needs. Students not only learn the theory of instrumentation used in chemical research, but have hands-on experiences in the laboratory in which they become familiar with these techniques.
This experience allows graduates to be quite competitive for jobs in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries, environmental and forensic science labs, as well as government laboratories. This major is well suited for students planning to attend graduate school in any area of chemistry, or pursue a career in medical school or another allied health profession.
As per ACS requirements, this degree requires a course in biochemistry, as well as an extensive research experience. Students who choose this path are often interested in working in the chemical industry or attending graduate school.
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates from Messiah’s Chemistry B.S. American Chemical Society certified program can:
1. Describe the fundamental principles and applications of chemistry.
2. Describe the structure and composition of matter.
3. Describe the major reaction types in chemistry.
4. Apply the laws and principles of equilibrium, thermodynamics, and kinetics to chemical systems.
5. Apply mathematical tools to the study of chemical systems.
6. Work effectively and safety in the laboratory.
7. Apply central techniques for characterizing chemical compounds and mixtures.
8. Integrate personal Christian faith to the discipline of chemistry or biochemistry.
9. Compose abstracts, written lab reports or research summaries according to the standards of the American Chemical Society.
10. Obtain, organize, and present information from the primary literature.
11. Formulate a research question, undertake a project designed to answer the question, and present the work orally or with a scientific poster.
12. Identify careers in chemistry that connect with one’s vocational call.
13. Analyze and respond ethically to case studies that demonstrate common moral dilemmas in the chemical or biochemical workplace.
Major Requirements
Complete the following for your major:
CHEM 221: Writing in the major requirement.
Zero to three credits of the following:
Three to four credits of the following:
Three credits from the following:
All of the courses in this major are vital to our program. If you plan to study abroad or graduate early, you must talk to your advisor early and make plans to take the required courses when they are offered. Directed study will not be offered for any lab courses, and will only be granted in extreme circumstances for non-lab courses.