Undergraduate programs
Chemistry is the study of the reactions of atoms and molecules, the stuff from which people and their physical environment are made. With a relatively small knowledge of atoms and molecules, it is possible to have a considerable understanding of many chemical phenomena we see and use. A comprehensive knowledge of chemistry is essential for the person who wishes to help solve the problems of today—problems of illness and disease, problems of wise use of our resources—and for the person who wants to do basic research in chemistry or who wants to work in the chemical industry.
The Department of Chemistry is committed to maintaining a teaching program of excellence at the undergraduate level as well as having a graduate program emphasizing cutting-edge research in the chemistry of the environment, novel materials and biological systems. Courses tailored for the student desiring only an introduction to the field are offered on a regular basis. A wide variety of other courses in the program are designed to offer fundamental training for students majoring in chemistry or for students in other science areas, such as biology or health-related occupations.
The curriculum, faculty, library, and facilities of the department are approved by the American Chemical Society. Graduating chemistry majors are eligible for certification to become members of the ACS after two years of professional experience.
Chemistry B.A./B.S.
Requirements
A student majoring in chemistry is required to take a minimum of 70 credits in the subject and will take courses in the core areas of general chemistry, analytical chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, inorganic chemistry, and biochemistry. For transfer students, a minimum of 20 credits in upper-division chemistry courses must be earned at PSU.
In addition to meeting the general University degree requirements, the major in chemistry must meet the following departmental requirements:
Option I: Chemistry
| Ch 221 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| Ch 222 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| Ch 223 | General Chemistry III | 4 |
| Ch 227 | General Chemistry Laboratory | 1 |
| Ch 228 | General Chemistry Laboratory | 1 |
| Ch 229 | General Chemistry Laboratory | 1 |
| Ch 320 | Quantitative Analysis | 4 |
| Ch 321 | Quantitative Analysis Laboratory | 2 |
| Ch 334 | Organic Chemistry I | 4 |
| Ch 335 | Organic Chemistry II | 4 |
| Ch 336 | Organic Chemistry III | 4 |
| Ch 337 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 2 |
| Ch 339 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (chem majors) | 3 |
| Ch 426 | Instrumental Analysis | 4 |
| Ch 427 | Instrumental Analysis Laboratory | 4 |
| Ch 411 | Advanced Inorganic Chemistry I | 4 |
| Ch 440 | Physical Chemistry I | 4 |
| Ch 441 | Physical Chemistry II | 4 |
| Ch 442 | Physical Chemistry III | 4 |
| Ch 443 | Numerical Data Analysis and Modeling in Chemistry | 2 |
| Ch 444 | Physical Chemistry Laboratory | 2 |
| Ch 4XX | Two approved 400-level chemistry courses | 6-8 |
| | One year of physics with calculus with laboratory | 15 |
| | Calculus through Mth 253 or equivalent | 12 |
Option II: Biochemistry
| Ch 221 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| Ch 222 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| Ch 223 | General Chemistry III | 4 |
| Ch 227 | General Chemistry Laboratory | 1 |
| Ch 228 | General Chemistry Laboratory | 1 |
| Ch 229 | General Chemistry Laboratory | 1 |
| Ch 320 | Quantitative Analysis | 4 |
| Ch 321 | Quantitative Analysis Laboratory | 2 |
| Ch 334 | Organic Chemistry I | 4 |
| Ch 335 | Organic Chemistry II | 4 |
| Ch 336 | Organic Chemistry III | 4 |
| Ch 337 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 2 |
| Ch 339 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (chem majors) | 3 |
| Ch 440 | Physical Chemistry I | 4 |
| Ch 441 | Physical Chemistry II | 4 |
| Ch 426 | Instrumental Analysis | 4 |
| Ch 427 | Instrumental Analysis Laboratory | 4 |
| Ch 490 | Biochemistry: Structure and Function | 4 |
| Ch 491 | Biochemistry: Enzymology and Metabolism | 4 |
| Ch 492 | Biochemistry: Nucleic Acids and Biological Information Flow | 4 |
| Ch 493 | Biochemistry Laboratory | 3 |
| | Two approved 400-level science electives 6-8 | 6-8 |
| | Calculus through Mth 253 or equivalent | 12 |
| | One year of physics with calculus with laboratory | 15 |
| Bi 211 | Principles of Biology: Molecular Cell Biology & Genetics | 4 |
| Bi 212 | Principles of Biology: Development, Evolution & Ecology | 4 |
| Bi 213 | Principles of Biology: Organisms, Biodiversity & Conservation | 4 |
| Bi 214 | Principles of Biology Lab I | 1 |
| Bi 215 | Principles of Biology Lab II | 1 |
| Bi 216 | Principles of Biology Lab III | 1 |
All courses used to satisfy the departmental major requirements, whether taken in the department or elsewhere, including courses from supporting departments (e.g., mathematics, physics, and biology), must be graded C- or above, with a combined GPA of 2.25 or higher, except for those major course requirements offered only on a pass/no pass basis. If an unsatisfactory grade is received in an upper-division course offered in the Department of Chemistry, a student will be allowed to retake the course to improve their grade only once.
A student will be certified by the American Chemical Society, and is eligible to become a member of the society after graduation, if the student is following Option I, and if the student also completes Ch 411, Ch 490 (or Ch 350), and a lab course that includes at least 30 clock hours (including Ch 401 and Ch 406). Note that CH 411 and CH 490 can also be used to satisfy the Approved 400-level Chemistry elective requirement.
The Department of Chemistry has an approved thesis-based Honors Degree program. Interested students should consult the Chemistry website and meet with the departmental Honors adviser for details.