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B.S. in Chemistry

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Find your future in the applied field of chemistry. You can choose your pathway within the broad spectrum of modern chemical sciences along with classmates who will become doctors, pharmacists, and other specialists.

What you’ll study
 Test the fundamentals and applications of chemical and scientific theories by performing experiments using modern instrumentation and classical chemical techniques. Learn how to communicate research results, solve problems, think critically, reason analytically, and explore new areas of research. Beyond the extensive training in chemistry, you'll gain grounding in calculus, physics and biology. Depending upon your goals, you may choose the track aligned with the American Chemical Society.

How you’ll learn more
 The exceptional lab facilities at NSU put cutting edge technology in your hands, and you'll gain personal attention because of our low student-to-faculty ratio. You can earn credits in guided laboratory research while learning how to retrieve data from published sources to find answers for issues relating to chemistry.  Plus, present and publish your own research. With most health related fields represented at NSU, you'll gain exposure to the application of chemistry in health care.

Where it can take you
 Our technology-driven society needs more scientists. You can forge a path into careers in industry, education and government, and the pursuit of graduate degrees in chemistry and other fields such as medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, optometry, anesthesiology assistant, environmental protection, law, forensic sciences, and nutrition. Wherever you go, you'll be in the driver's seat.

Review the approximate annual cost of tuition, housing, studying part-time, and other options.

Tuition and Fees

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The chemistry major prepares students for the modern scientific world by providing a blend of a strong chemistry curriculum with significant study in physics, biology, and mathematics. The chemistry major has two tracks: a B.S. in Chemistry (non-ACS track) and a B.S. in Chemistry (ACS track). ACS stands for the American Chemical Society. Both B.S. tracks are intended for those who wish to pursue a career in chemistry-related fields or secondary education teaching and who wish to enter a graduate program in chemistry or in health-related fields such as medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, optometry, assistant anesthesiology, and law.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

A successful chemistry graduate is expected to:

  1. Demonstrate a firm foundation in the fundamentals and applications of chemical and scientific theories;
  2. Describe the fundamental content and processes of organic, inorganic, analytical, physical chemistry, and biochemistry;
  3. Design, carry out, record and analyze the results of chemical experiments by using modern instrumentation and classical chemical techniques;
  4. Solve problems, think critically, reason analytically, and explore new areas of research;
  5. Use modern library searching and retrieval methods to obtain information about issues relating to chemistry;
  6. Demonstrate procedures and regulations for safe handling and use of chemicals;
  7. Communicate research results to appropriate audiences.

CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS

General Education Requirements (30 credits)

Students are required to complete 30 credit hours as part of the General Education Program.

Chemistry Major Requirements (non-ACS track: 68-69 credits)

Core Courses (59-60 credits)

Select one of the following course groupings:

OR

  • CHEM 3700 Physical Chemistry I/Lab (4 credits)
  • CHEM 3710 Physical Chemistry II/Lab (4 credits)
  • MATH 3200 Calculus III (4 credits) OR MATH 3400 Ordinary Differential Equations (3 credits)

Major Electives (9 credits)
Select 9 credits from the following courses:

  • CHEM 3150 Environmental Chemistry (3 credits)
  • CHEM 3215 Survey of Rational Drug Design (3 credits)
  • CHEM 3650 Biochemistry/Lab (4 credits)
  • CHEM 4010 Inorganic Chemistry II/Lab (4 credits)
  • CHEM 4150 Chemical Instrumentation (4 credits)
  • CHEM 4200 Plant Drug Analysis (3 credits)
  • CHEM 4300 Clinical Chemistry (3 credits)
  • CHEM 4900 Special Topics in Chemistry (3 credits)*
  • CHEM 4990 Independent Study in Chemistry (1-4 credits)*

*Only 3–4 credits of CHEM 4900 and CHEM 4990 can be used.

Note: CHEM 3700 and CHEM 3710 are recommended if pursuing a career in chemistry or graduate studies in chemistry.

Chemistry Major Requirements (ACS track: 74-75 credits)

Core Courses (74-75 credits)

The academic program and curriculum requirements listed on this page are from the 2014-2015 edition of the NSU Undergraduate Student Catalog. Students are bound by policies and curricula published in the catalog in effect the semester they enter the university, unless an agreement is made with appropriate NSU administration officials allowing them to abide by policies published in a later catalog.

View sample 4-Year Academic Plan

Pursuing a minor can deepen your knowledge in a discipline related to your major or enable you to explore a field outside your major area of study and diversify your skills. Speak with a faculty member in your program to determine which minor(s) can support your academic, professional, and personal goals.

See the entire program at a glance. The four-year plan of study will assist you in planning your future at NSU. It presents an overall idea of the order in which courses might be taken in a four-year plan during a student's college career.

4-Year Plan of Study
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