Academics > Majors and Areas of Study > Chemistry

   
Dr. G. Rattan Khalsa, Chair; Dr. Kathryn K. Frantz; Dr. David Lineman

The mission of an active, modern, undergraduate program of chemical education goes beyond the training of professional chemists. Chemistry, the science of the changes in matter, is important in other disciplines and in the intellectual lives of students seeking a liberal education. Consistent with the goals of the College, the Department of Chemistry is firmly committed to the values inherent in a liberal arts education. It sees these values as complementary to the major program in chemistry and seeks to foster them in its service role to students from other departments.

The chemistry department offers both a bachelor of arts degree in chemistry and a bachelor of science degree in chemistry with American Chemical Society (ACS) certification. The program of the department is approved by the American Chemical Society as offering a curriculum that meets its criteria for professional training in chemistry. Graduates whose training includes the extra course work are certified by the society and are eligible for full membership upon graduation. (Others may become associate members until they have three years of professional experience.)

A student who graduates from Thiel with a bachelor of arts degree in chemistry will:
• know how to conduct experimental work in the laboratory, keep a laboratory notebook and evaluate laboratory results.
• know how to conduct an internal or external research project.
• know how to apply specific scientific principles to problem solving and to the development of scientific technology in society.
• know how to operate modern instruments, describe the theoretical construct of the instruments and interpret spectra and measurements obtained from them.
• possess scientific literacy and problem solving skills associated with the main branches of chemistry: analytical, biochemistry, inorganic, organic, physical and environmental.
• be prepared for chemistry-related employment; or admission into a chemistryrelated graduate or professional program.

In addition to the normal chemistry major, the department offers an interdisciplinary major in chemistry with an environmental chemistry option. Minors are also offered in chemistry, biochemistry and environmental chemistry.

Chemistry courses are an important part of the Pre-Pharmacy program, the Pre-Dental program and the Pre-Medical program, as well as many other of our Pre-Professional and Cooperative programs.