Chemistry (BS)

Chair: Phillip M. Sheridan, PhD

Introduction

Chemistry graduates enter a variety of professions, including careers in research and industry, the health professions, teaching, technical writing, business, sales, patent law and civil service. A major in chemistry is excellent preparation for entrance into medical, dental, pharmacy and other health related programs, as well as graduate programs including chemistry, medicinal chemistry, environmental science, food science, materials science, business, and law.

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers four tracks that lead to a BS degree in Chemistry. The Chemistry BS track certified by the American Chemical Society (CHM ACS certified track) is designed for students planning to enter graduate studies in chemistry or related fields.  The Chemistry Health Professions BS track is designed specifically for pre-health professional students (CHM HT track).  The Chemistry BS track is designed for students who intend to pursue technical employment in industry (CHM track).  The Chemistry with Business BS track is designed for students who want to pursue administrative or sales careers in the chemical industry, or in patent law (CHM BUS track).

Faculty advisors in the Department will help you choose the track that best fits your interests and career plans. Students in all program tracks will gain hands-on experience with a wide variety of modern, sophisticated laboratory instrumentation; this helps provide the experience necessary to be competitive in today’s job market and/or to gain entrance into highly ranked graduate programs and health professional programs. 

All Chemistry tracks can be completed with a business minor. This option offers valuable skills for employment in sales, marketing, or other industrial professions, as well as preparing students for the business aspects of careers in the sciences or health professions.

Qualifications

Students must attain a grade of C or greater in General Chemistry II (CHM 112) and C- or greater in Organic Chemistry II (CHM 228) in order to progress into the major. Several two-semester courses (CHM 111 and CHM 112, CHM 227 and CHM 228, BCH 301 and BCH 302) have a required minimum grade of C- in the first course to continue to the second course.

ACADEMIC Advisement

All students have an academic advisor. For students who have declared a major, an advisor is assigned in their respective academic department. For students who are still deciding on a major, they will be assigned a staff member from the Center for Student Success for advisement including course selection prior to registration.

Meetings with academic advisors are required prior to students receiving their PIN for course registration each semester. All students should work closely with their advisor in discussing career expectations, choosing their major electives, developing their entire academic program and planning their co-curricular or supplemental academic experiences.

Special Programs Offered by the Department

Early Assurance Program with University at Buffalo Medical School or Syracuse Medical School

Qualified students may apply to the University at Buffalo Medical School or Syracuse University Medical School during their sophomore year. Those accepted will be admitted into the Medical School freshman class after their graduation from Canisius.

Early Assurance Program with University at Buffalo Dental School

Qualified students may apply to the University at Buffalo Dental School during their sophomore year. Those accepted will be admitted into the Dental School freshman class after their graduation from Canisius.

Pre-Medical and Pre-Dental

All Chemistry BS tracks are excellent preparation for entering into medical and dental schools, and more than a third of the graduates from this Department typically enter into these programs. Students applying to medical or dental schools must take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) or Dental Admission Test (DAT).

Pre-Pharmacy

For pre-pharmacy students we recommend the Chemistry Health Professions BS track, since students in this track can meet all pharmacy school entrance requirements.

Major Experiences

Following their freshman year, chemistry majors are encouraged to become involved in research projects with Department faculty. Stipends for are often available to work on these projects during the summer in the Department. Summer work at other research institutions or clinical experience is also encouraged. Our relationship with industries and institutions aids students in job placement before and after graduation. Students may also choose to undertake chemistry related internships for advanced elective course credit.

Double Majors

Students who wish to expand their educational opportunities may decide to declare a double major. This decision may be based on career goals, planned graduate studies, and/or other student interests. Before a student declares a double major, it is important to meet with the appropriate academic departments for advisement.  In order to declare a double major, the student must complete the Major/Minor Declaration form. This form will be submitted electronically and reviewed and approved by each department chairperson as well as the appropriate associate dean. 

Per university policy, each additional major requires a minimum of 15 credits that do not apply to the student's first or subsequent major.  Some double major combinations can be completed within the minimum 120 credit hour degree requirement, but in other cases additional course work may be required. Please note that students will receive only one degree unless completing the dual degree requirement including at least 150 undergraduate credit hours, regardless of the number of majors they complete. Both (all) majors appear on a student’s transcript.

Minors in Other Disciplines

Minors provide students the opportunity to pursue additional interests but generally do not require as many courses as a major.  Minors generally range from five to eight required courses. To receive a minor, the student must complete at least 9 credit hours of coursework distinct from their other credentials (i.e., majors, other minors). The complete list of minors is available on the Canisius website and in the catalog and provides links to each minor. Some majors and minors can be completed within the minimum 120 credit hour degree requirement, but in some cases additional coursework may be required. Students must complete the appropriate minor request form.

Curriculum

An Ignatian Foundation

All undergraduate students must complete either the Canisius Core Curriculum or the All-College Honors Curriculum. Many schools refer to their college-wide undergraduate requirements as "general education" requirements. We believe that the core curriculum and the honors curriculum are more than a series of required classes; they provide the basis for a Jesuit education both with content and with required knowledge and skills attributes that are central to our mission.

Free Electives

Students may graduate with a bachelor's degree with more but not less than 120 credit hours. Free electives are courses in addition to the Canisius Core Curriculum or All-College Honors Curriculum and major requirements sufficient to reach the minimum number of credits required for graduation. The number of credits required to complete a bachelor's degree may vary depending on the student's major(s) and minor(s).

Major Requirements

For ACS-certified Chemistry Track

The ACS-certified Chemistry BS track is recommended for students planning to attend graduate school in a chemistry relate field.

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Students may use PHY 332 or PHY 226 with lab as a Chemistry Elective.

For Chemistry Track

The Chemistry BS track is designed for students who intend to pursue technical employment in chemistry related industry.

¹

Students may use PHY 332 or PHY 226 with lab as a Chemistry Elective.

²

Students minoring in business may take ECO 255 in lieu of MAT 112 or MAT 141 or PSY 201.

For Chemistry for Health Professions Track

The Chemistry Health Professions BS track is recommended for students preparing for a health-related profession ( medical, dental, pharmacy, physician assistant, etc.).

¹

Students minoring in business may take ECO 255 in lieu of MAT 112 or MAT 141 or PSY 201.

For Chemistry with Business Track

 The Chemistry with Business BS track is designed for students who want to pursue administrative or sales careers in chemical industry. It is also an excellent track for students who want to pursue careers in patent law.

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CHM 481 does not satisfy this requirement.

²

Students in this track may take ECO 255 in lieu of MAT 112 or MAT 141 or PSY 201

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Choose one course from the following: CSC 111, IBUS 301, PSC 320, PSC 321, ACC 202, any 200-level or higher ECO course, or any 300- or 400-level course in CHM, BCH, BIO, PHY, MGT, or MKT.

Additional Course Considerations

MAT 211 is highly recommended for students interested in pursuing a PhD degree. In addition, MAT 219 and MAT 222 are highly recommended for students interested in pursuing a PhD degree in physical, inorganic, or analytical chemistry.

Roadmap

Recommended Semester Schedule for Major Course Requirements

CHM ACS Certified Track

CHM ACS Certified Track with Business Minor

CHM Track

CHM Track with Business Minor

CHM Health Professions Track

CHM Health Professions Track with Business Minor

CHM with Business Track

¹

 Choose one of the following analytical/instrumental courses with its associated laboratory: CHM 230, CHM 334, or CHM 430.

²

Choose one course in business, law, or science:  a 300 level course or higher in MGT, ACC 202, ECO 102 or a 200 level course or higher in ECO, IBUS 301, PSC 320, PSC 321, a 300 or 400 level course in CHM, BCH, BIO, or PHY, or CSC 111.

Learning Goals and Objectives

Student Learning Goal 1:            

Knowledge; Demonstrate an understanding of fundamental chemical concepts. 

Students will:

• Objective A  Demonstrate broad knowledge of chemical concepts.
• Objective B  Analyze and predict the effects of chemical changes.

Student Learning Goal 2:

Professional Skills; Work effectively in a professional or laboratory setting.

Students will:     

• Objective A  Carry out experiments (follow directions, manipulate materials and lab apparatus, record data).
• Objective B  Use modern instrumentation (prepare samples, operate systems, troubleshoot common problems, organize and label data).
• Objective C  Demonstrate knowledge of chemical, instrumental and workplace safety.

Student Learning Goal 3:   

Communication; Be proficient in the communication of chemical information.

Students will:   

• Objective A  Construct and deliver an effective oral presentation.
• Objective B  Write an effective, properly formatted scientific report.
• Objective C  Identify, access and use chemical literature sources.

Minor

Students majoring in various disciplines such as biology, mathematics, computer science, psychology and business can benefit from pursuing a minor in chemistry. The chemistry minor requires a student to complete the following sequence of courses:

¹

CHM 480 or CHM 481 individually do not satisfy this requirement.

Minors are an important part of the undergraduate curriculum.  If students declare a minor by sophomore year, they can usually complete it in a timely manner.  Students should work with their advisor to determine if it is possible that the minor can be completed by graduation.  

To receive a minor, a student must complete at least 9 credit hours of coursework distinct from their major(s) and from other minors, and students must complete more than 50% of the coursework required for the minor at Canisius. Please note that “ancillary/supporting” courses required for a major may still count as distinct courses as long as the remaining coursework still meets the 30 credit-hours required for a major. For more information about minor policies, please see the Declaring Majors and Minors page in the catalog.

Combined Degree Programs

• 4+1 Chemistry BS/Adolescence 7-12, Teaching Students with Disabilities (All Grades) MSEd

Courses