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Our Chemistry Major
Learn by doing
Do research alongside your professors as early as your first semester. Graduate with co-authored papers on your resume. Travel to present your research at national conferences.
Get hands-on experience with lasers, fluorescence and NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) spectrometers—more than $1 million in equipment!
Both in the classroom and out, you'll examine science from multiple perspectives.
Classes are small and emphasize collaboration, giving you teamwork experience that employers value. We designed our building and lab spaces for workshop-style classes, so you'll move seamlessly from lecture to group work to labs.
You'll be well-versed in the fundamentals of general, organic and physical chemistry-and then choose from popular upper level courses on medicinal chemistry, forensics or how to spot scientific mistakes.
Our chemistry students and faculty thrive on close, professional connections with each other as they explore the relationship between chemistry and everyday life.
Interested in engineering? Study here for three years and get your bachelor's degree in chemistry, and then get an engineering degree from Columbia University, Washington University of St. Louis or Case Western Reserve University through our joint engineering program.
Prepare for a future with endless possibilities
Whether you see yourself doing research, teaching, practicing medicine or working in law enforcement, a chemistry degree prepares you for a fulfilling career. You'll be ready to step right into a job or a graduate program with experience on a research internship or presenting research at national conferences.
About half of our graduates pursue graduate studies in organic, physical and inorganic chemistry. A chemistry major sets you apart on dental and medical school applications—they know you can easily master challenging material. Our interdisciplinary minors help you gain a better understanding of important topics in today’s world.
Our graduates immediately pursue advanced schooling or careers in:
- Medical School
- Dental School
- Pharmaceuticals
- Alternative energy
- Biotech fields
- Sales
- Education
- Law enforcement
If you're interested in teaching, we've received a $1.2 million grant to fund special scholarships for students interested in teaching chemistry, physics and math in high-need school districts.
Most of our students go on to graduate school, medical/dental school or work in a government/pharmaceutical/industrial lab. Below are a few examples of recent placements.
Graduate Schools
Brown University
Columbia University
Cornell University
Georgetown University
Johns Hopkins University
New York University
Ohio State University
Pennsylvania State University
University of California, Berkeley
University of Connecticut
University of Delaware
University of Utah
Villanova University
Virginia Commonwealth University (Forensic Science Program)
Yale University
Medical/dental Schools
Albert Einstein School of Medicine
Drexel University College of Medicine
Pennsylvania College of Osteopathic Medicine
Temple University School of Dentistry
University of Minnesota School of Public Health
University of New England College of Pharmacy & Pre-Pharmacy
University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine
University of Pittsburgh Medical School
Vanderbilt University School of Medicine
Western University of Health Sciences
Government/pharmaceutical/industrial labs
Amgen
Bettis Atomic Power Laboratory
Bristol-Myers Squibb
Broad Institute
Eli Lilly
Eurofins Lancaster Laboratory
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Food and Drug Administration
Geisinger Medical Hospital
Institute for Defense Analyses
Merck & Co.
National Institutes of Health
Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection
Precision Dermatologics
Rhodes Pharmaceuticals
Sandia National Laboratories
Sanofi
Requirements for the Majors in Chemistry, Biochemistry and Chemical Physics. Susquehanna offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in chemistry and Bachelor of Science degrees in chemistry, biochemistry and chemical physics. Two biochemistry tracks are available: an ACS-Certified track and a Biology-Intensive track. The ACS-Certified track includes courses that cover properties of metals, spectroscopic techniques and instrumental methods that will prepare students for careers or graduate programs in the areas of biochemistry or biophysics. The Biology-Intensive track includes courses that will offer a solid foundation in chemical principles in addition to biological systems and will prepare students for careers or graduate programs in the biological sciences or biochemistry, or the health care professions.
Double-counting restriction: students pursuing a chemistry or biochemistry major in the chemistry department may double-count a maximum of 16 semester hours toward another major or minor.
The Bachelor of Arts degree in chemistry requires the following courses, with grades of C- or better:
| Semester Hours | View Full Course Catalog >> |
|---|---|
4 General Chemistry I - choose from: CHEM-101, CHEM-103 or CHEM-111 4 General Chemistry II - choose from: CHEM-102, CHEM-104 or CHEM-232 |
|
| 4 CHEM-221 Organic Chemistry I | |
| 4 CHEM-222 Organic Chemistry II | |
| 4 CHEM-242 Methods of Chemical Analysis | |
| 4 CHEM-341 Physical Chemistry I | |
| 4 CHEM-342 Physical Chemistry II | |
| 4 CHEM-450 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry | |
4 PHYS-203 or PHYS-204 Introductory Physics I (Calculus-based) 4 PHYS-206 Introductory Physics II (Calculus-based) 4 Four semester equivalents of CHEM-505 Seminar 0-8 Mathematics through MATH-112 Calculus II 2 CHEM-400 Research Experience 2 CHEM-500 Problems in Chemistry and Biochemistry Other chemistry courses selected to fulfill career goals. |
|
A student may qualify to graduate as an American Chemical Society certified professional chemist by completing CHEM-430 Instrumental Analysis and CHEM-422 The Biochemistry of Nucleic Acids or CHEM-426 The Biochemistry of Proteins and Enzymes, and one advanced senior course beyond the Bachelor of Arts courses in chemistry. |
Requirements for the Majors in Chemistry and Biochemistry. Susquehanna offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in chemistry and Bachelor of Science degrees in chemistry, biochemistry and chemical physics. Two biochemistry tracks are available: an ACS-Certified track and a Biology-Intensive track. The ACS-Certified track includes courses that cover properties of metals, spectroscopic techniques and instrumental methods that will prepare students for careers or graduate programs in the areas of biochemistry or biophysics. The Biology-Intensive track includes courses that will offer a solid foundation in chemical principles in addition to biological systems and will prepare students for careers or graduate programs in the biological sciences or biochemistry, or the health care professions.
Double-counting restriction: students pursuing a chemistry or biochemistry major in the chemistry department may double-count a maximum of 16 semester hours toward another major or minor.
The Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry with American Chemical Society certification requires a minimum of 49 semester hours in chemistry. Students will meet the requirements for the degree by completing the following courses: all courses required for the Bachelor of Arts degree; CHEM-430 Instrumental Analysis, one biochemistry course from among CHEM-422 The Biochemistry of Nucleic Acids, CHEM-424 The Biochemistry of Metabolism or CHEM-426 The Biochemistry of Proteins and Enzymes; and one elective course from among CHEM-300 Topics in Chemistry, CHEM-302 Medicinal Chemistry, CHEM-303 Scientific Ethics, Blunders, and Fraud, CHEM-304 Pharmaceutical Chemistry, CHEM-305 Forensic Chemistry or CHEM-306 Nanoscience. In addition, students will complete, a minimum of four semester hours of CHEM-400 (to be completed during the junior and/or senior year), (including the two semester hours required for the Bachelor of Arts degree), and either MATH-201 Linear Algebra or MATH-353 Differential Equations. All required courses must be completed with a grade of C- or higher.
A student completing a double major that includes a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry may replace CHEM-500 with a capstone in the second major.
The Bachelor of Arts degree in chemistry requires the following courses, with grades of C- or better:
| Semester Hours | View Full Course Catalog >> |
|---|---|
4 CHEM-101 General Chemistry I, or CHEM-103 General Chemistry I Teams or CHEM-111 General Chemistry I Teams WS |
|
| 4 CHEM-221 Organic Chemistry I | |
| 4 CHEM-222 Organic Chemistry II | |
| 4 | |
| 4 CHEM-341 Physical Chemistry I | |
| 4 CHEM-342 Physical Chemistry II | |
| 4 CHEM-450 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry | |
4 PHYS-204 Introductory Physics I (Calculus-based) 4 PHYS-205 Introductory Physics II (Calculus-based) 4 Four semester equivalents of CHEM-505 Seminar 0-8 Mathematics through MATH-112 Calculus II Other chemistry courses selected to fulfill career goals. |
|
A student may qualify to graduate as an American Chemical Society certified professional chemist by completing CHEM-430 Instrumental Analysis and CHEM-422 The Biochemistry of Nucleic Acids or CHEM-426 The Biochemistry of Proteins and Enzymes, and one advanced senior course beyond the Bachelor of Arts courses in chemistry. |
Minors. Students minoring in chemistry complete five courses: General Chemistry I (CHEM-101, CHEM-103 or CHEM-111) and General Chemistry II (CHEM-102, CHEM-104 or CHEM-232), CHEM-221 Organic Chemistry I, CHEM-242 Methods of Chemical Analysis, or CHEM-311 Analytic Chemistry, and either CHEM-222 Organic Chemistry II or CHEM-341 Physical Chemistry I.
Double-counting restriction: students majoring in chemical physics may not double-count courses towards a chemistry or physics minor.
Secondary Teaching Certification. The Chemistry Department offers secondary teaching certification for both chemistry and biochemistry majors.
Coursework required by the state of Pennsylvania for admission to the teacher certification program includes successful completion of ENGL-100 Writing and Thinking or equivalent course, at least 3 semester hours in British or American literature, at least 6 semester hours of mathematics coursework (or other courses which satisfy the Central Curriculum Analytical Thought requirement), and at least one 40-hour externship. Education course requirements for secondary education are EDUC-101 Introduction to Education and Society, EDUC-102 Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Education, EDUC-250 Educational Psychology, EDUC-260 Introduction to Special Education, EDUC-270 Instruction of Exceptional Students, EDUC-330 Technology in Education, EDUC-350 English Language Learners: Theory and Instruction, EDUC-380 Instructional Design, EDUC-424 Methods of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment in Teaching Science, EDUC-479 Principles of Learning and Teaching in Secondary Education, EDUC-483 Differentiated Instruction and Classroom Management in Secondary Education, and the EDUC-500 Student Teaching Package (EDUC-501, EDUC-502, EDUC-503, and EDUC-600).
In addition, secondary education chemistry students complete all of the usual requirements for the chemistry or biochemistry major, except for CHEM-400, and CHEM-500 (which is fulfilled with EDUC-500 Student Teaching Package). While not required, it is recommended that secondary education students complete at least 2 semester hours of CHEM-400.
Geneive Elizabeth Henry, Ph.D.
Department: Chemistry
Professor of Chemistry
henry@susqu.edu
570-372-4222
William G. Dougherty, Jr, Ph.D.
Department: Chemistry
Associate Professor of Chemistry
doughertyw@susqu.edu
570-372-4255
Lou Ann Tom, Ph.D.
Department: Chemistry
Associate Professor of Chemistry
toml@susqu.edu
570-372-4540
Michael A. Parra
Department: Chemistry
Assistant Professor of Chemistry
parra@susqu.edu
570-372-4259
Elizabeth M. Valentin
Department: Chemistry
Assistant Professor of Chemistry
valentin@susqu.edu
570-372-4249
100%
of chemistry majors conduct research
0
classes taught by graduate assistants
2010Natural Sciences Center completed
A True College Experience
We know it takes a lot of hard work for chemistry majors to succeed in the classroom. But we want to help you become well-rounded and enjoy all that college has to offer. So get out of the lab and join a club, tune your trombone or hit the gym.
Not every school makes it this easy to pursue multiple interests, but we measure success by the flexibility you have to explore your options and have a life.
Contact Us
Phone & Email
Geneive Henry, department head
570-372-4222
henry@susqu.edu