Chemistry

• Faculty
• Course Work
• Home Page - http://www.gmu.edu/departments/chemistry/
  
  
• Undergraduate Programs in Chemistry
  • Chemistry, B.A.
  • Concentration in Biochemistry (B.A)
  • Chemistry, B.S.
  • Concentration in Biochemistry (B.S)
  • Certificate in Environmental Chemistry
  • Minor in Chemistry
• Graduate Programs in Chemistry
  • Chemistry, M.S.
• Chemistry, Combined B.S./M.S.

Faculty

Professors: Blaisten-Barojas (School of Computational Sciences), Cozzens, Mose, Mushrush (chair), Stalick
Associate professors: Chen, Davies, Davis (associate chair), Foster, Honeychuck, Hussam, Schreifels, Slayden
Assistant professor: Roberts
Affiliate research professors: Field, Khan

Course Work

This department offers all course work designated CHEM and EVSC in the "Course Descriptions" chapter of this catalog.

Undergraduate Programs

Chemistry, B.A.

1. Thirty-seven credits of chemistry courses: CHEM 211, 212, 313, 314, 315, 318, 320, 321, 331, 332, 336, 337
2. MATH 113, 114, 213
3. PHYS 243­246 or PHYS 160, 260­263

Concentration in Biochemistry (B.A)

This program is intended for the student who is interested in studying chemistry at its interface with the biological sciences. Students interested in health science careers can obtain an exceptionally good science background through this concentration.

In addition to general requirements for a B.A. degree, candidates must complete the following:

1. Thirty-seven credits of chemistry courses: CHEM 211, 212, 313, 314, 315, 318, 321, 333, 334, 446, 463, 465
2. MATH 113, 114; STAT 250
3. PHYS 243­246
4. BIOL 213, 380

Chemistry, B.S.

1. Forty-nine credits of chemistry courses: CHEM 211, 212, 313, 314, 315, 318, 320, 321, 331, 332, 336, 337, 422, 423, 441, 445, chemistry electives (4 credits)
2. MATH 113, 114, 213, 214
3. PHYS 243-246 or PHYS 160, 260­263
4. CS 103, 112, or 161 (choose one)

Concentration in Biochemistry (B.S)

1. 49 credits of chemistry courses: CHEM 211, 212, 313, 314, 315, 318, 321, 331, 332, 336, 337, 422, 423, 441, 446, 463, 465
2. MATH 113, 114, 213, 214
3. PHYS 243­246 or PHYS 160, 260­263
4. CS 103, 112, or 161 (choose one)
5. BIOL 213

Writing-Intensive Requirement
The university requires all students to complete at least one course designated "writing intensive" in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in chemistry fulfill this requirement by successfully completing CHEM 336 and 337.

Honors Program In Chemistry
Chemistry majors who have completed the prerequisites for CHEM 455 and 456 Honors Research in Chemistry and who have maintained an overall GPA of at least 3.000 in mathematics and science courses are eligible to enter the departmental honors program. To graduate with honors in chemistry, a student is required to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.000 in mathematics and science courses and to successfully complete the two semesters of CHEM 455 and 456 with a minimum GPA of 3.500.

Minor in Chemistry

Certificate in Environmental Chemistry

Premedical, Predental, and Preveterinary Students

Students planning medical, dental, or veterinary careers may meet the requirements of these professional schools by majoring in chemistry. Such students should consult with the premedical advisor for chemistry.

Chemistry Club
The Chemistry Club provides a social and informational network for students. It serves the Department of Chemistry by sponsoring informational programs and allowing students to work at university events.

Graduate Program

Chemistry, M.S.

Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission to degree status, a student must have a bachelor's degree in chemistry or a related field from an accredited institution and must meet the general admission requirements for graduate study.

Admission is based on a departmental evaluation of the applicant's background as evidenced by transcripts and letters of recommendation. A resume must be submitted by each applicant who received the bachelor's degree more than five years before the date of application. Each student must present evidence of computer literacy before completing 12 graduate credits.

Degree Requirements
Two options are available. The thesis option is for students planning to continue work for the Ph.D. degree or to begin or continue careers in chemical research. The nonthesis option is for those seeking to go on to professional schools, to teach chemistry in secondary schools, or to pursue other careers in which advanced work in chemistry is necessary or advantageous.

A student in the thesis option is required to complete 30 credits of graduate work. The thesis written by a student is based on research that must be preapproved by the thesis or advisory committee. The student's thesis or advisory committee is appointed during the first semester of registration in CHEM 799. A student in the nonthesis option is required to complete 32 graduate credits. For both thesis- and nonthesis-option students, 12 credits must be in core courses in chemistry (physical chemistry and one in each of three different areas chosen from analytical, biological, environmental, inorganic, and organic chemistry). Each thesis-option student defends the research project at an oral exam after submitting the first approved draft of the thesis, and presents an exit seminar. Each nonthesis-option student is required to pass qualifying exams in four areas of chemistry. Minimum credits for each option are as follows:

	Thesis Option	Nonthesis Option
Core curriculum	12	12
Electives in chemistry	3	9
Electives in chemistry or related fields	6	6
CHEM 670	--	2
CHEM 790	3	3
CHEM 799	6	--
Total Credits	30	32

Core courses (CHEM 513, 521, 614, 624, 633, 646, 651, 663, and 732) may also be taken as electives beyond the 12-credit requirement. Credits obtained for courses CHEM 502 through 510 are applicable toward the M.S. degree only with prior written approval of the department.

CHEM 500 and 501 are not applicable toward the M.S. degree.

Chemistry, Combined B.S./M.S.