B.A. Degree with a Major in Chemistry with a Professional Concentration

Requirements for the Major

A major in Chemistry with a Professional Concentration is achieved by completion of the following requirements, in addition to the General Education and electives required for a degree:

Required Core Courses

CHM 131 or 134, 221, 222, 311, 345, 361, 362, 451, and all four (4) advanced-laboratory courses (CHM 370, 371, 470 and 471—½-credit each)

Required Capstone Course/Experience

An approved research experience is required. To satisfy this requirement, and in consultation with the Academic Advisor, courses can be for credit or not for credit. Some possibilities are CHM 398/498, a research course, or an approved summer research project.  Each student must submit a formal report summarizing the work accomplished on his/her project.  See http:/portal.acs.org/portal/fileFetch/C/CTP_005606/pdf/CTP_005606/pdf for guidelines.  All student capstone experiences, regardless of concentration, will be approved case-by-case.

Required Collateral Courses

MAT 115 (or waiver), 125 (or waiver), 135 (or waiver), and 225 (or waiver), as well as PHY 315 and 316 (or PHY 217 and 218)

Exploring the Major

Students considering a major in Chemistry should enroll in CHM 131 or 134 after having completed or waived the MAT 012 and CHM 101 prerequisites, which may be taken concurrently with permission of instructor. Students who wish to waive CHM 101 will take a standardized chemistry examination over high-school chemistry content. Students who perform at an appropriate level will be waived from the CHM 101 course and will be allowed to move directly into CHM 131 or CHM 134. The focus of the test is on concepts and not quantitative skills. Students may only take the waiver test one time; however, students who wish to move up to CHM 131 or 134 in the Fall Term from CHM 101 once they start the course will be allowed to do so in consultation with the instructor of the course. Similarly, students in CHM 131 or 134 who find the pace too fast will be allowed to move back to CHM 101. The goal is to provide flexibility and help each student find the appropriate starting point for their chemistry career. Also see foreign-language recommendation in "Other Considerations and Recommendations," to follow.

Admission to the Major

While there are no strict requirements, it is advisable that students satisfactorily complete a minimum of two CHM courses, plus waive or complete CHM 101, before declaring a Chemistry major.

Course Sequencing Considerations (in order to complete degree requirements within eight terms)

Because they are prerequisites, if not waived, concurrent enrollment in CHM 101 and MAT 012 is suggested for students who plan to take CHM 131 (offered in Fall and Spring terms) or CHM 134 (offered in Fall Term). The remaining courses that should be completed in sequence during the first two years are CHM 221, 222, and 311. All required collateral courses should be completed by the beginning of the junior year (other than PHY 217 and 218, which may be taken during the junior year).

Proficiency Requirements for Retention in and Completion of the Major

The laboratory component of the major requires that all students maintain a portfolio that will be reviewed as part of the advanced laboratory sequence. Each portfolio must demonstrate proficiencies in a range of chemistry subdisciplines (i.e., biochemistry, physical, inorganic, organic, and analytical), as well as proficiency in a variety of instrumental methods (i.e., FTIR, UV/Visible, NMR, GC, HPLC, AA, and electrochemistry). Students are required to give at least two presentations related to their research efforts. One presentation must be on campus and one must be off campus. Off campus venues include, but are not limited to, meetings of the American Chemical Society, the Kentucky Academy of Sciences, or the National Council of Undergraduate Research. In addition, all students must pass a program proficiency exam, administered in CHM 471, in order to graduate.

Other Considerations and Recommendations

Students who plan to attend graduate school in any area related to chemistry should take both CHM 361 and 362. Students with strong mathematics backgrounds are encouraged to take the calculus-based physics sequence, PHY 315/316, in place of PHY 217/218. Students who do not already speak a second language are encouraged (but not required) to study at least one year of a foreign language to fulfill the Berea College perspective requirement.

Students interested in gaining certification to teach in the area of chemistry (grades 8-12) must double major in Teaching and Curriculum with Certification and in Chemistry. For more information, see the requirements for majoring in Teaching and Curriculum with Certification under the Education Studies section of this publication.

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