Personnel
Chair: Brent Hamstra
Faculty: Matthew P. Duffy, Brent Hamstra, Mitch Menzmer, Nuvia Saucedo, Bruce Schilling, Rhonda Scott, Tamie Suzuki
Program Coordinator: Brent Hamstra
About
A major in chemistry can prepare you for a rewarding and challenging career in traditional areas such as chemical engineering, environmental chemistry, quality assurance, basic or applied chemical research, and teaching at the high school or post-secondary level. A major in chemistry is also excellent preparation for a career in biomedical research, medicine or dentistry, pharmacy or pharmacology, patent law, and forensic science. A B.S. in chemistry or biochemistry is generally considered to be the preferred preparation for a career in forensic science. The B.S. degree in Chemistry is recommended in preparation for graduate study leading to research oriented careers in chemistry, professional applications of chemistry, or post-secondary education. The B.S. degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry emphasis, is recommended for students preparing for careers in medicine or dentistry as well as graduate study, research or teaching in biochemistry, molecular biology, or biotechnology. The B.A. degree is the preferred degree for high-school teaching, pre-paramedical fields, and some business applications. The A.S. degree is designed for students planning to complete a B.S. degree in chemistry or related fields; students should consult with an adviser to evaluate whether this degree enhances their academic and professional preparation.
Mission Statement
Within a Christian environment of learning, the Chemistry Department seeks to provide undergraduate students with the knowledge and skills necessary for distinguished professional performance in chemistry or other fields that require a strong background in chemistry.
Assessment
To aid the chemistry department in evaluating teaching effectiveness, nationally standardized tests prepared by the American Chemical Society are administered at the end of each course for which an appropriate test is available. Students majoring in chemistry are expected to achieve a minimum score of 40th percentile on these exams and must achieve a grade of C- or above in their chemistry courses.
Associated Programs
Requirements
- Select an Emphasis/Concentration below to see program requirements.
Chemistry (No Emphasis) Emphasis
Catalog 2021 — Indefinite
About
Some upper division courses are offered in alternate years; the student should plan accordingly.
REQUIRED COGNATES (15 - 18 Total Credits) - Course(s): MATH191 - Calculus I (4)
- Select 1 course(s):
- Complete 1 of the following:
GENERAL EDUCATION (39 - 42 Total Credits) - Complete at least 39-42 credits in this area
- General Education requirements
FOREIGN LANGUAGE (0 - 6 Total Credits) - Complete at least 0-6 credits in this area
(Elementary Foreign Language or two years of Foreign Language in high school)
ELECTIVES TO = 124 (22 - 10 Total Credits) - Complete at least 22-10 credits in this area
Grand Total Credits: 124
Chemistry, Teaching Licensure, 6-12 Emphasis
Catalog 2022 — Indefinite
About
It is strongly recommended that students work towards certification in a second area of study such as mathematics or another science area. See the School of Education and Psychology for listing of professional requirements (37 hours) and general education requirements (32-36 hours).
The student must apply for Initial Admission to the Teacher Education Program (usually by the end of the sophomore year) after completing all requirements as outlined under ADMISSION PROCEDURES in the School of Education and Psychology section of the catalog. Initial admission is required before the student can enroll in upper division education courses.
The student must also complete an application and all other requirements for Admission to Student Teaching. Prior to the professional semester, the student must take and pass the PRAXIS II licensure exam-both the appropriate section of the Principles of Learning and Teaching, and the particular specialty test(s) for the licensure area(s).
REQUIRED COGNATES (22 - 25 Total Credits) - Course(s):
- Select 1 course(s):
- Complete 1 of the following:
TEACHER LICENSURE (50 Total Credits) GENERAL EDUCATION (24 - 27 Total Credits) - Complete at least 24-27 credits in this area
- General Education requirements
FOREIGN LANGUAGE (0 - 6 Total Credits) - Complete at least 0-6 credits in this area
(Elementary Foreign Language or two years of foreign language in high school.)
Grand Total Credits: 128 - 140
Sample Degree Plan
Grand Total Credits:
Biochemistry Emphasis
Catalog 2021 — Indefinite
About
To meet the recommendations of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) and the American Chemical Society (ACS) the second math course must be MATH 192 . Some upper division courses are offered in alternate years; the student should plan accordingly.
REQUIRED COGNATES (26 - 30 Total Credits) - Course(s):
- Select 1 course(s):
- Select between 3 and 4 credits from the following:
- Complete 1 of the following:
GENERAL EDUCATION (39 - 42 Total Credits) - Complete at least 39-42 credits in this area
- General Education requirements
ELECTIVES TO = 124 (17 - 10 Total Credits) - Complete at least 17-10 credits in this area
Grand Total Credits: 124
Chemistry (No Emphasis) Emphasis
Catalog 2021 — Indefinite
About
Some upper division courses are offered in alternate years; the student should plan accordingly.
REQUIRED COGNATES (21 Total Credits) GENERAL EDUCATION (42 Total Credits) - Minimum 42 credits
- General Education requirements
ELECTIVES TO = 124 (19 Total Credits) Grand Total Credits: 124
Sample Degree Plan
Grand Total Credits:
Requirements
REQUIRED COURSES (31 - 34 Total Credits) - Course(s):
- Select 1 course(s):
- Complete 1 of the following:
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED (0 Total Credits) - *For students planning to pursue a B.S. degree in Chemistry, CHEM 315 is highly recommended.
REQUIRED COGNATES (6 Total Credits) GENERAL EDUCATION (15 - 18 Total Credits) - Complete at least 15-18 credits in this area
- General Education requirements
ELECTIVES TO = 64 (12 - 6 Total Credits) - Complete at least 12-6 credits in this area
Grand Total Credits: 64
Sample Degree Plan
YEAR 1 FALL - Course(s):
- Select 3 credits from R-1) Spiritual Development
WINTER - Course(s):
- Select 3 credits from IN-6) Historical Perspectives
- Select 1 credits from the following types of courses: General elective courses
YEAR 2 FALL - Course(s):
- Complete 1 of the following:
- Course(s):
- Select 1 credits from the following types of courses: General elective courses
- Course(s):
- Select 2 credits from the following types of courses: General elective courses
- Select 3 credits from R-2) Seventh-day Adventist Teachings
WINTER - Course(s): CHEM312 - Organic Chemistry (4)
- Complete 1 of the following:
- Course(s):
- Select 4 credits from the following types of courses: General elective courses
- Course(s):
- Select 5 credits from the following types of courses: General elective courses
- Select 3 credits from IN-8) Human Development
Grand Total Credits: 64
Requirements
REQUIRED COURSES (18 Total Credits) - Course(s):
- Select CHEM (Chemistry) Electives from courses numbered 100 - 499 (4 credits)
- Select CHEM (Chemistry) Electives from courses numbered 300 - 499 (6 credits)
Grand Total Credits: 18
Sample Degree Plan
Grand Total Credits: 18
About
An endorsement to teach chemistry as an additional field may be obtained by completing a major in another field (preferably mathematics or another science with secondary certification), completing a minor in chemistry that includes the courses listed below, and taking and passing the PRAXIS II licensure exams required for certification in chemistry.
Requirements
REQUIRED COURSES (20 Total Credits) - Course(s):
- Select CHEM (Chemistry) Electives from courses numbered 300 - 499 (4 credits)
- The upper division course should be carefully chosen in consultation with your adviser and a faculty member in the chemistry department to determine what course will best help you prepare for the PRAXIS exams needed for certification in chemistry. Most often this course will be either CHEM 315 - Quantitative Analysis or CHEM 361 - Biochemistry I.
Grand Total Credits: 20
Sample Degree Plan
Grand Total Credits: 20