Mar 29, 2024  
2022-23 NSU Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2022-23 NSU Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Chemistry B.S. *


OSRHE Program Code: 014
CIP Code: 400501

Major Code: 7150
Option Codes:

  • 7151 - Professional
  • 7152 - Environmental
  • 7153 - Biochemistry
  • 7155 - Chemistry Education

Transfer Agreements

TCC Chemistry AS to NSU Chemistry-Biochemistry BS  

TCC Chemistry AS to NSU Chemistry-Environmental BS  

Purpose

Chemistry is all around us - in what we eat, what we breathe, how we live and what we are. Chemists study not only what things are, but also what they do and how they do it. Nearly all sciences and advances in fields such as molecular biology, environmental science, materials science and medicinal chemistry are built upon an understanding of chemistry. Obtaining an undergraduate degree in chemistry prepares you for many different careers, including employment as a research chemist or a lab technician in industrial quality control, environmental assessment, forensics, patent law or education. Furthermore, the chemistry program prepares you for pursuing advanced degrees or in entering health-related professional schools (medical, pharmacy, dental, optometry, chiropractic, etc.).

Specialty Accreditation

NSU’s chemistry programs are approved by the American Chemical Society, 1155 Sixteenth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20036, 1-800-333-9511 (US and Canada), 614-447-3776 (outside North America), www.acs.org .

Specialty Accreditation - Chemistry Education Option

NSU’s educator preparation programs at the baccalaureate and master’s levels are accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), www.caepnet.org, (1140 19th Street NW, Suite 400, Washington, D.C. 20036-1023, 202-223-0077), and/or the Oklahoma Office of Educational Quality and Accountability (840 Research Parkway, Suite 455, Oklahoma City, OK 73104, 405-522-5399), www.ok.gov/oeqa.

Credential Requirements

Students may receive an ACS certified Chemistry major with the Biochemistry option if they complete the following courses: CHEM 3413 Inorganic Chemistry, CHEM 4523 Chemical Thermodynamics, CHEM 4531 Experimental Physical Chemistry, PHYS 1214 General Physics II or PHYS 2215 Engineering Physics II (see below).

Credential Requirements - Chemistry Education Option

In addition to completing all program requirements, teacher candidates must pass the following certification tests to earn Oklahoma certification: Oklahoma General Education Test (OGET); the appropriate Oklahoma Subject Area Test (OSAT); and the Praxis Professional Assessment for Teachers (PPAT). There are fees associated with certification testing which is administered by an outside agency under contract with the Oklahoma Office of Educational Quality and Accountability. NSU’s Education Certification office can assist with information regarding university recommendation for certification.

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Apply principles of analytical, inorganic, organic, biochemistry, and physical chemistry.
  2. Employ lab skills.
  3. Communicate the results of experimental investigation in technical reports, laboratory notebooks, and presentations.
  4. Conduct independent laboratory research.
  5. Dissect chemical literature.
  6. Implement problem solving skills.

General Education Requirements


A minimum of 46 hours of academic work in general education is required during the freshman and sophomore years.  For students transferring with the Associate of Arts degree or Associate of Science degree from a public institution in Oklahoma, all general education requirements will be satisfied with respect to degree requirements.  However, some majors may require other specific general education courses as program prerequisites or program requirements.  Students should consult advisors and the program’s plan of study for further information.  Students are required to complete general education requirements by the time they have completed 90 semester hours of college work.  See General Education Requirements  for more information.

Chemistry General Education Requirements


The following are course prerequisites that may be completed as part of the General Education requirements.

Select one of the following options:


Major Total - 47 (Chemistry Education)


Chemistry Education option also includes 29 hours of professional education.

Professional Education Requirements (Secondary) - 29 hours


Teacher Education Admission and Certification Policies


In addition to courses in the discipline, all students completing a BA or BS in Education degree must meet the following requirements for certification.

  • Be accepted for admission to teacher education, pre-II internship, and full internship according to published course sequence and guidelines.
  • Demonstrate proficiency at the high novice level in a language other than English.
  • Develop a portfolio which documents their accomplishments, learning, and strengths related to the competencies, standards, and outcomes established by the Oklahoma Commission for Teacher Preparation, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, and the Oklahoma State Department of Education.  
  • Complete all courses in the major and Professional Education Core with a grade of “C” or higher.
  • Students entering NSU beginning Fall 2013 must have an overall GPA of 2.75 for admission to teacher education.
  • Once admitted to the teacher education program, all majors must continue to maintain a GPA of 2.5 (overall, in their major field of study, and professional education core) through completion.
  • 4 X 12 requirement - Early Childhood, Elementary Education, and Special Education programs require completion of 12 semester hours with a grade of “C” or better in the following disciplines: Communication Arts (English, Communication, Literature), Math, Science, and Social Science (Economics, Geography, History, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology) prior to graduation.
  • All Professional Education majors must complete PSYC 1003 or PSYC 1113.  Advisors recommend those courses be completed as part of the General Education course sequence.

Accelerated B.S. Chemistry to M.S. Natural Science Degree


Note:  Please refer to Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s Degree Program  for complete information concerning the Accelerated Degree Program (ADP).  Refer to the current Graduate Catalog for master’s degree requirements.

IMPORTANT:

  • Students admitted to the Accelerated B.S. Chemistry: Biochemistry or Chemistry: Professional to M.S. Natural Science degree program will complete up to 6-9 hours of graduate level credit to apply toward both the undergraduate and graduate degrees.
  • Students may not receive credit toward both the undergraduate and the paired graduate-level course. A student completing an undergraduate course and the paired graduate-level course will only receive credit for one course toward the bachelor’s degree.
  • A minimum grade of C is required for all 5000 level graduate courses.
  • Students who do not follow the approved degree plan may become ineligible to continue in the accelerated degree program. 
  • Prior to completing the undergraduate degree, if the undergraduate GPA, graduate GPA and/or overall GPA fall below a 3.00, the student becomes ineligible to continue in the ADP.
  • Students may withdraw from an approved accelerated degree pathway.  Graduate credit hours completed prior to the student withdrawing or becoming ineligible to continue in the ADP apply toward the undergraduate degree only. 
ADP Paired Courses (Biochemistry Option)
CHEM 4412 - Research in Chemistry I SCI 5530 (2 hrs) - Research in the Natural Sciences          
CHEM 4723 - Advanced Biochemistry CHEM 5213 - Advanced Biochemistry
CHEM 4911 - Chemistry Seminar SCI 5511 - Research Seminar
Approved Undergraduate-Level CHEM Electives (3 hrs) Approved Graduate-Level CHEM Electives (3 hrs)

 

ADP Paired Courses (Professional Option)
CHEM 4412 - Research in Chemistry I  SCI 5530 (2 hrs) - Research in the Natural Sciences
CHEM 4911 - Chemistry Seminar SCI 5511 - Research Seminar
Approved Undergraduate-Level CHEM Electives (3 hrs) Approved Graduate-Level CHEM Electives (3 hrs)
Free Electives (3 hrs - Optional) Approved Graduate-Level CHEM Electives (3 hrs - Optional)

 

 

 

Additional Degree Information - Gregg Wadley College of Science and Health Professions


In addition to general education and program requirements stated above, additional hours may be needed to satisfy all minimum degree requirements listed below.

  • English Proficiency: Components I and II of English proficiency should be met with grades of “C” or better prior to the completion of 60 credit hours.
  • ​A minimum of 124 hours is required. PE activity is limited to four hours. Prior learning credit (CLEP, Advanced Standing, Military Credit, etc) is limited to 30 hours.
  • ​A minimum of 30 hours in residence (from NSU) is required for graduation. PE activity is limited to four hours. Hours in residence exclude zero-level courses and prior learning credit such as CLEP, Advanced Placement, Advanced Standing, Military Credit, etc.​
  • A minimum of 40 hours of 3000/4000 level courses is required for graduation.  ​
  • A minimum of 60 hours from a 4-year school is required for graduation excluding zero level and PE activity courses.
  • At least fifty percent of the major requirements must be upper division courses (3000 and 4000 level).
  • At least 18 hours or fifty percent of the major, whichever is greater, must be satisfactorily completed at NSU.
  • The minimum number of credit hours required in the Liberal Arts and Sciences varies based on the type of degree. B.S. and B.S.Ed. degrees require at least 55 hours and B.S.M.L.S. and B.S.N. degrees require at least 40 hours.  Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) courses are identified in catalog course descriptions.

For additional information, see Bachelor’s Degree Requirements .