Concordia College

Requirements for a Major or Minor in Chemistry

Programs offered:
• Major in Chemistry (11.5 course credits)
• American Chemical Society (ACS) Major in Chemistry
(14.5 course credits)
• Minor in Chemistry (5.0 course credits)
• Minor in Neuroscience (see neuroscience) (5.5 course credits)
• Chemistry Education Major with a teaching license, grades 9-12 (Chemistry Major plus 8.0 course credits in education)
• General Science teaching license, grades 5-8
(see education) (8.0 course credits in science)
• Science Area of Specialization for Elementary Education majors, grades 5-8 (see education)
(6.25 course credits in science)

Faculty
Drew Rutherford, chair
Haiyan Fan
Mark B. Jensen
Donald A. Krogstad
Julie R. Mach
David L. Mork
Pamela S. Mork
Daryl L. Ostercamp, research chemist-in-residence
Eric S. Peterson
Darin J. Ulness
Graeme R.A. Wyllie, laboratory coordinator

The chemistry department at Concordia College is approved by the American Chemical Society (ACS). Approval indicates that the department has the facilities, faculty, and curriculum to provide undergraduate education in chemistry according to guidelines established by the ACS.
The chemistry department faculty has agreed upon the following list of goals that graduating seniors are to develop by the time they complete the chemistry major.

The chemistry department provides learning experiences that prepare students to achieve the following outcomes:

• have a firm understanding of the core principles of chemistry as they apply to each of the major subdivisions of the discipline
• be able to effectively communicate their knowledge of the field, both through writing and speaking
• be comfortable and competent in the use of modern technology for the acquisition, analysis, and presentation of chemical data and information
• possess good problem-solving skills and be able to apply these skills both independently and collaboratively
• be able to gather experimental data safely and accurately using a wide variety of laboratory instruments and methods
• be able to apply their knowledge of chemistry to the explanation and interpretation of new or unfamiliar chemical information
• be able to select, interpret and utilize relevant scientific literature from a variety of sources including libraries, electronic databases, and the Internet
• understand and honor the ethical issues related to the use and misuse of chemical information and materials
• be able to apply their knowledge and skills to professional experiences such as teaching, conducting research, and participating in internships
• gain an understanding of the relationship of chemistry to other sciences and to the needs of society as a whole

The chemistry department offers a major and minor in chemistry, an American Chemical Society major in chemistry, and teaching majors in chemistry for grades 5-12 and for grades 9-12. The chemistry department also sponsors an honors program for exceptional students; for further information, consult any faculty member or visit the department Web site.

Department Course Descriptions

Major in Chemistry

The requirements for a major in chemistry are 11.5 course credits:
• CHEM 127-128 — General Chemistry I and II, 1.0 credit each OR
CHEM 137-138 — Honors General Chemistry I and II, 1.0 credit each
• CHEM 232 — Analytical Chemistry, 1.0 credit
• CHEM 341-342 — Organic Chemistry I and II, 1.0 credit each
• CHEM 351 — Physical Chemistry I, 1.0 credit
• CHEM 373 — Biochemistry I, 1.0 credit
• CHEM 403-404 — Senior Seminar I and II, 0.25 credit each
• 1.0 course credit from the following:
– CHEM 344 — Spectroscopy, 1.0 credit
– CHEM 352 — Physical Chemistry II, 1.0 credit
– CHEM 374 — Biochemistry II, 1.0 credit
– CHEM 380 — Special Topics, 1.0 credit
– CHEM 431 — Instrumental Methods of Analysis, 1.0 credit
– CHEM 445 — Organic Chemistry III, 1.0 credit
– CHEM 462 — Advanced Inorganic Chemistry, 1.0 credit
– CHEM 475 — Neurochemistry, 1.0 credit
– CHEM 490 — Introduction to Research, 0.25 to 1.0 credit

Additional supporting courses:

• MATH 121 — Calculus I, 1.0 credit
• PHYSICS 111-112 — General College Physics I and II, 1.0 credit each OR
PHYSICS 128-211 — Physics for Scientists and Engineers I and II, 1.0 credit each
American Chemical Society (ACS) Major
in Chemistry

The department also offers an American Chemical Society (ACS) major in chemistry. Students typically choose an ACS major because they are interested in a professional career in chemistry or an allied field. Students who intend to work in business or industry may also wish to take appropriate offerings in economics or business. The requirements for an ACS major in chemistry are 14.5 course credits:

• CHEM 127-128 — General Chemistry I and II, 1.0 credit each OR
CHEM 137-138 — Honors General Chemistry I and II, 1.0 credit each
• CHEM 232 — Analytical Chemistry, 1.0 credit
• CHEM 341-342 — Organic Chemistry I and II, 1.0 credit each
• CHEM 351-352 — Physical Chemistry I and II, 1.0 credit each
• CHEM 373 — Biochemistry I, 1.0 credit
• CHEM 403-404 — Senior Seminar I and II, 0.25 credit each
• CHEM 431 — Instrumental Methods of Analysis, 1.0 credit
• CHEM 462 — Advanced Inorganic Chemistry, 1.0 credit

Additional supporting courses:

• MATH 121-122 — Calculus I and II, 1.0 credit each
• PHYSICS 128-211 — Physics for Scientists and Engineers I and II, 1.0 credit each

Minor in Chemistry

The requirements for a minor in chemistry are 5.0 course credits:

• CHEM 127-128 — General Chemistry I and II, 1.0 credit each OR
CHEM 137-138 — Honors General Chemistry I and II, 1.0 credit each
• 3.0 course credits from courses numbered 200 or higher
CHEM 304 — Pharmacology, CHEM 403 — Senior Seminar I, CHEM 404 — Senior Seminar II, and CHEM 490 — Introduction to Research do not count toward the minor.

Chemistry Education Major

with a Teaching License, Grades 9-12
The requirements for a major in chemistry with a teaching license, grades 9-12, are 11.5 course credits plus 8.0 course credits in education:

• CHEM 127-128 — General Chemistry I and II, 1.0 credit each OR
CHEM 137-138 — Honors General Chemistry I and II, 1.0 credit each
• CHEM 232 — Analytical Chemistry, 1.0 credit
• CHEM 341-342 — Organic Chemistry I and II, 1.0 credit each
• CHEM 351 — Physical Chemistry I, 1.0 credit
• CHEM 373 — Biochemistry I, 1.0 credit
• CHEM 403-404 — Senior Seminar I and II, 0.25 credit each
• 1.0 additional course credit from the following:
– CHEM 344 — Spectroscopy, 1.0 credit
– CHEM 352 — Physical Chemistry II, 1.0 credit
– CHEM 374 — Biochemistry II, 1.0 credit
– CHEM 380 — Special Topics, 1.0 credit
– CHEM 431 — Instrumental Methods of Analysis, 1.0 credit
– CHEM 445 — Organic Chemistry III, 1.0 credit
– CHEM 462 — Advanced Inorganic Chemistry, 1.0 credit
– CHEM 475 — Neurochemistry, 1.0 credit
– CHEM 490 — Introduction to Research, 0.25 to 1.0 credit

Additional supporting courses:

• MATH 121 — Calculus I, 1.0 credit
• PHYS 111-112 — General College Physics I and II, 1.0 credit each OR
PHYS 128-211 — Physics for Scientists and Engineers I and II, 1.0 credit each
General Science Teaching License,
Grades 5-8

A recommended addition to the chemistry education major with a teaching license, grades 9-12, is the general science teaching license, grades 5-8. The requirements for the general science teaching license, grades 5-8, are 8.0 course credits (see education).