Program Overview

Chemistry is the study of matter and the changes it undergoes. As such, the discipline is central to the natural sciences, serving as a foundation for biology, environmental and marine sciences, material sciences, engineering, and medicine. Thus, a strong background in chemistry prepares students not only for service directly in the chemical arena (e.g. education, analytical chemistry, chemical engineering, pharmaceutical research, synthesis, quality control, etc.) but also for related disciplines including medicine, pharmacy, biotechnology, environmental sciences, alternative fuels, material sciences, and more. The HPU Bachelor of Science in Chemistry degree offers a broad-based and rigorous chemistry education that provides students with the intellectual, experimental, and communication skills to participate effectively as scientific professionals. The program is modeled on the American Chemical Society (ACS) guidelines for undergraduate chemistry education and prepares students for employment as professional chemists, for entrance into graduate or health professional schools, and for employment in other areas where a background in chemistry is advantageous. A distinguishing feature of the program is the hands-on experience students engage in through our laboratory courses, which are rich, relevant, and reflective of laboratory environments in academic, industrial, and government laboratories. There are two concentrations to choose from, both of which lead to a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. The Conventional Concentration prepares student for employment as professional scientists or for entrance in graduate school in chemistry and other natural sciences. The Pre-Health Professions Concentration trains students with the most current and essential chemistry curriculum while preparing them for entrance into professional schools in medicine, pharmacy, veterinary, and dentistry.

To complete the bachelor's degree, students must complete a minimum total of 120 credits with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0.

 PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES

 The Chemistry program learning outcomes are listed below. Graduates will:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the basic and foundational chemical principles that provide significant insight into the functioning of the physical world.
• Demonstrate knowledge of key concepts within the core areas of chemistry: analytical, biochemistry, inorganic, organic, and physical.
• Develop expertise in commonly used chemical laboratory methods.
• Demonstrate understanding of the theory and learn to operate a wide variety of advanced chemical instrumentation
• Learn to access and interpret literature in the field of chemistry.
• Critically analyze experimental results.
• Present scientific information orally using visual aids.
• Communicate scientific information in written reports.
• Acquire and statistically analyze quantitative data.
• Solve chemical problems quantitatively.