Chemistry

CHAIR: Thomas G. Spence, Ph.D., Office: 420 Monroe Hall
PROFESSORS: Kurt R. Birdwhistell, Lynn V. Koplitz
ASSOCIATE PROFESSORS: Thomas G. Spence, William F. Walkenhorst
ASSISTANT PROFESSORS: Jai Shanata, Clifton Stephenson, Joelle S. Underwood
EXTRAORDINARY FACULTY: Kathleen T. Crago
DIRECTOR OF FORENSIC CHEMISTRY: Anna S. Duggar
DIRECTOR OF LABORATORIES: Thorsten Schmidt
WEB PAGE: chn.loyno.edu/chemistry

The chemistry department has a broad spectrum of undergraduate programs leading to the bachelor’s degree. They are described below under the headings of ACS certified chemistry program, biochemistry/pre-health program and chemistry-forensic science program.

ACS Certified Chemistry Program

The chemistry department is on the approved list of the American Chemical Society for professional training in chemistry. Students who graduate with the bachelor of science in chemistry will have a degree certified by the American Chemical Society as having met the standards of the Committee on Professional Training. The salient points of the curriculum are as follows:

1. Two semesters of introductory chemistry with quantitative analysis.
2. Two semesters of organic chemistry.
3. Two semesters of physical chemistry.
4. Two semesters of integrated laboratory which includes physical, analytical, and inorganic chemistry along with training in the chemical literature.
5. One semester of inorganic chemistry.
6. One semester of modern analytical chemistry.
7. total of 500 hours of laboratory and 440 hours of classroom work.

The curriculum also includes 1) two semesters of calculus, 2) a year of foreign language, 3) a year of physics, 4) a year of math/science electives, and 5) one credit in Oral Presentation.

Biochemistry/Pre-Health Program

This track serves both students interested in pursing careers in health fields such as medicine and dentistry, as well as those interested in attending graduate school in biochemistry or working in the pharmaceutical industry. The required chemistry courses are:

1. Two semesters of general chemistry lecture and lab.
2. Two semesters of organic chemistry lecture and lab.
3. One semester of inorganic chemistry lecture.
4. One semester of physical chemistry lecture.
5. One semester of biochemistry lecture and lab.
6. One semester of integrated lab.
7. One semester of Oral Presentation.
8. Two advanced chemistry electives.

The required adjunct courses are:

1. Two semesters of biology lecture and lab.
2. Two semesters of physics lecture and lab.
3. Two semesters of calculus.

Chemistry-Forensic Science Program

Forensic science applies chemical and biochemical methods of analysis to problems of a forensic nature. The science of forensics is becoming more technically demanding and as a result, there is a demand for better educated forensic personnel at local, state, and national law enforcement agencies.

The Loyola chemistry department program in forensic science provides a B.S. degree in chemistry with a forensic science emphasis within the chemistry department for students at Loyola University. The new degree program started in 2000 includes: 1) a basic degree in chemistry; 2) focused coursework in biology and criminal justice; 3) advanced coursework in Forensic Analytical Chemistry, and 4) finishes with an internship at a forensics lab.

Research and Oral Presentation

The faculty encourage students to do research in chemistry under the supervision of one of the faculty members. The student can receive chemistry credits for engaging in such research. Undergraduate research is a valuable experience for students. The research experience 1) teaches critical thinking skills, 2) allows students to develop a deeper understanding of one area of chemistry, 3) develops a student’s confidence in his or her abilities as a chemist, and 4) provides good work experience in chemistry.

Oral Presentation provides a capstone experience for all chemistry majors. Each student writes a paper on either his or her research results or a chemistry related topic. The student then presents the paper orally to the faculty and to the other students participating in the Chemistry Seminar course.

Honors Thesis

In order to receive the bachelor of science in chemistry with departmental honors, the student must:

1. Earn an overall grade point average of 2.5 and a chemistry course grade point average of 3.0 while completing the requirements for either the ACS chemistry or pre-health chemistry degree program.

2. Engage in and do satisfactory independent work on a chemistry research project under the supervision of a faculty member. The results will be written up as an honors thesis.

3. Earn five honors credits by enrolling in Research (CHEM A498) for at least four semesters of credit and by enrolling in Oral Presentation (CHEM A493) and presenting a departmental seminar on the results of your research project. The four credits in CHEM A498 shall be in addition to the 120 credit hours required for graduation.

Minor in Chemistry

The minor in chemistry consists of 22 hours of chemistry which includes General Chemistry with lab (eight hours), Organic Chemistry with lab (eight hours), and six additional hours in chemistry at or above the 300 level. CHEM A496 credits will not count toward the minor.

Minor in Forensic Chemistry

The minor in forensic chemistry consists of 22 hours of chemistry which includes General Chemistry with lab (eight hours), Organic Chemistry with lab (eight hours), Introduction to Forensic Methods (CHEM A315, three hours), and a three-credit-hour internship at a crime lab (CHEM A497).

Bachelor of Science - Chemistry

^{* Honors requirements in parentheses.
** Restricted to a maximum of three hours of CHEM A498 and/or CHEM A496.}

B.S. Chemistry (BIOCHEMISTRY/PRE-HEALTH Program) *

Specific Common Curriculum requirements are given in the beginning of this chapter under Curriculum Design. Refer to Common Curriculum in the index for page number.

View Common Curriculum Requirements

^{* Students considering the Tulane early acceptance program for medical school should consult their advisers.
** Restricted to a maximum of three hours of CHEM A498 and/or CHEM A496.}

Forensic Science Program in Chemistry

View Chemistry Course Descriptions

View Common Curriculum Requirements

** CHEM A498 will not apply to these hours.