Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry
Overview
A chemistry major pursues a rigorous course of study that
includes a minimum of thirty-four (34) credits in chemistry, most
of which are in prescribed courses, a year of biological
principles, a year of calculus-based general physics, and math
courses through Calculus III.
Chemistry majors are also encouraged to participate in research
or independent study. Students also pursuing teaching certification
are required to take a year of earth science. They are also
assigned an additional advisor in the Division of Education to
ensure that all New York State requirements are satisfied.
Chemistry at the Mount
There are many advantages to studying chemistry at the
Mount:
Opportunities outside of the classroom. You
could be a student rep at division meetings, an officer in the
biology and chemistry honor societies, or participate with the
American Chemical Society student affiliate chapter on campus.
Students organize speakers, museum tours, hiking trips, campus
activities like faculty vs. student quiz bowl, and science night
for elementary school students.
A strong peer group. Chemistry majors quickly
become a part of the science community at the Mount. Students who
have majors within the Division of Natural Science take their math
and science classes together and quickly form study groups.
Peer tutoring. Science majors work together
toward a successful college career as upper-classmen serve as peer
tutors, and all students have the opportunity to get help to
support their learning efforts. Tutoring can provide you with
income, but it will also help you to build your resume and
strengthen your knowledge base.
Research. All full time faculty members have
PhD degrees in a variety of different fields and can offer you the
opportunity to develop a research project which will help you to
apply your coursework to real problems. A research project will
enhance your knowledge and ability to integrate your learning and
will impress graduate schools and future employers.
Learning science as a process. Many of our
laboratory courses use inquiry-based collaborative learning to
introduce students to the process of science and scientific
research.
Mentoring. All science students are assigned a
full-time faculty advisor to help you explore career options, plan
your course schedule and follow your academic progress. New
freshmen are assigned a “science sibling” before coming to campus
so that they have the opportunity to ask questions of an
upperclassman student to student.
Related programs
Biology, physical therapy, podiatry, Interdisciplinary
- general science, Education certification (adolescent or childhood), 5-year Biology BA / MS in Ed, 5-year chemistry BA / MS in
Ed.
Program requirements
All chemistry courses above 1000-level have a pre-requisite of a
C or above in CHM 1520 (Chemical Principles II) and a C or above in
any other pre-requisite course(s). Biology courses above the
1000-level have a pre-requisite of at least one college-level
chemistry course with a grade of C or better. In addition, all
biology courses above 1000-level have a pre-requisite of a C or
above in BIO 1140 (Biological Principles II) or BIO 1040 (Anatomy
& Physiology II) and a C or above in any other pre-requisite
course(s).
Where Mount students have interned
- Brookhaven National Laboratory, Science Undergraduate
Laboratory Internships
- Gateway to Dentistry Program, University of Medicine and
Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ)
- The Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Minority Student
Summer Research Opportunity
- SUNY College of Optometry Collegiate Science and Technology
Entry Program
- Syracuse University Department of Chemistry Research Experience
for Undergraduates Program
Career Options
A major in chemistry at the Mount prepares students for a
variety of career options, including:
- entry level position in the chemical industry;
- graduate studies in chemistry or allied fields;
- professional schools such as medical school, dental school,
etc.;
- careers in teaching.
The American Chemical Society ("ACS") maintains a website that
will link to a tremendous amount of information about careers in
chemistry. You can find it at www.acs.org.
Career Outlook
The American Chemical Society reported that between 2001–2005,
there was an increase in graduate rates of chemistry students
nationally. The US Department of Labor says that “Job growth will
occur in professional, scientific, and technical services firms as
manufacturing companies continue to outsource their research and
development and testing operations to these smaller, specialized
firms.”