Chemistry - Laboratory Science Emphasis (B.S.)

Student Success Advisor(s)

Sample Degree Plan

Program Summary

Chemistry is an active discipline vital to human existence and essential to the understanding of biological, medical, industrial, economic, and environmental issues.

The Southern Utah University chemistry faculty (website) are committed to instilling an understanding of chemistry and its relevance through quality teaching, scholarly activities, and service. In a world that is becoming increasingly more technical and complex, providing chemical instruction with the depth, breadth, and rigor required to meet this need is of primary importance.

As chemistry faculty, we strive to provide students with quality, current, comprehensive courses of study which serve the following needs:

1. Preparation of students who choose to pursue graduate degrees in chemistry.
2. Preparation of students who choose to pursue degrees in the health sciences (medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, etc.).
3. Preparation of students who choose to gain employment in a science related field with an undergraduate degree.
4. Preparation of students who choose to become chemical educators.
5. Education of students to think critically and independently.
6. Improvement of students’ communicative, creative, analytic, and information-gathering skills.

To accomplish these goals, the chemistry faculty will provide the following:

1. Honest evaluations of students’ abilities and potential.
2. A climate of mutual trust and respect among faculty, staff, and students.
3. The application and involvement of basic scientific principles and methodologies.
4. Competitive opportunities for mentorship through undergraduate research, employment, and other engaged methods.

Program Learning Outcomes

• Students should be able to use the peer-reviewed scientific literature effectively and evaluate technical articles critically. Computer applications and resources will be emphasized as a method to navigate the literature.
• Students should be able to present information in a clear and organized manner, write well-organized and concise reports in a scientifically appropriate style, and use technology such as poster preparation software, word-processing, chemical structure drawing programs, and computerized presentations in their communication.
• Students should understand responsible disposal techniques, understand and comply with safety regulations, understand and use material safety data sheets (MSDS), recognize and minimize potential chemical and physical hazards in the laboratory, and know how to handle laboratory emergencies effectively.
• Students should be able to define problems clearly, develop testable hypotheses, design and execute experiments, analyze data using appropriate statistical methods, and draw appropriate conclusions.

Program Information

• All courses must be passed with a “C” (2.0) or better to be counted in the major.
• All prerequisite courses must be passed with “C” (2.0) or better.
• All Chemistry majors must successfully complete an exit exam before graduation.
• Knowledge of computer science is strongly recommended.
• This degree does not include the requisite number of upper-division hours. Students completing this degree will fill the upper-division requirement with elective credit.
• Credits greater than 10 years old will not be accepted in this major.
• Some courses are taught every other year. Consult your advisor for scheduling help.
• Chemistry - Laboratory Science Emphasis is recommended for students who wish to pursue a career in scientific laboratories.