The Chemistry Program

The Saint Vincent College Chemistry Department seeks to provide students with a solid foundation in chemistry set in the broad context of the liberal arts. Our chemistry degree provides  graduates with knowledge of chemical principles, laboratory skills, communication skills and research experiences so that they can pursue a variety of career possibilities in chemistry, biochemistry and environmental chemistry.

What Can I Do With a Degree in Chemistry?

Majoring in chemistry is an ideal start to your career in the sciences. The many opportunities available at Saint Vincent College during your college years will ensure success after graduation.

Upon graduation, our chemistry students go on to:

Employment Opportunities:

  • PPG Industries
  • Dow Chemical
  • Westinghouse
  • Alcoa
  • Johnson Mathey
  • Valspar Coatings
  • U.S. Steel
  • Teaching high school chemistry
  • Forensic laboratory work
  • Pharmaceutical sales

Professional and Graduate Programs

  • University of Minnesota
  • Penn State
  • University of Pittsburgh
  • University of Notre Dame
  • Case Western Reserve University
  • University of Georgia
  • University of South Carolina
  • University of Kentucky
Resultschemistry-results
Chemistry Results
  • Chemistry program students get hands-on instruction with instrumentation and equipment that is widely used in the chemical industry, government labs and graduate schools. In addition, the department features an inert atmosphere glovebox, a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and an ion chromatograph.
  • Many of our students participate in summer internships either in industry (PPG, Johnson-Matthey, R.J. Lee Group) or at larger research universities (University of Pittsburgh, University of Montana)
  • The Saint Vincent College chemistry club is a Student Affiliate chapter of the American Chemical Society (ACS) and has received awards of commendation from ACS for its service to the community, educational outreach and social events for the past 11 years.
Curriculumchemistry-curriculum
Major Requirements for a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biochemistry (B.S.)
Chemistry Major Requirements (66 credits):

CH 101-102 General Chemistry I, II* - 6 credits
CH 103-104 General Chemistry Laboratory I, II* - 2 credits
CH 216 Quantitative Analysis - 3 credits
CH 218 Quantitative Analysis Laboratory - 1 credit
CH 221-222 Organic Chemistry I, II - 6 credits
CH 223-224 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I, II - 2 credits
CH 228 Introduction to Biochemistry - 3 credits
CH 231-232 Physical Chemistry I, II - 6 credits
CH 233 Physical Chemistry I Laboratory - 1 credit
CH 241 Inorganic Chemistry - 3 credits
CH 242 Instrumental Analysis - 2 credits
CH 282 Advanced Physical Methods - 2 credits
CH 283 Advanced Chemical Methods - 2 credits
CH 301 Research Laboratory - 2 credits
CH 300, 302 Research Seminar I, II - 2 credits
CH 321 Special Topics - 3 credits
MA 111-113 Calculus I, II, III* - 12 credits
PH 111-112 General Physics I, II - 6 credits
PH 113-114 General Physics Laboratory I, II - 2 credits
*General Chemistry I & II with Laboratory fulfill the Natural Science core requirement. Calculus I fulfills the Mathematics core requirement.

Electives 10 credits 

Requirements for a Minor in Chemistry (25 credits):
CH 101-102 General Chemistry I, II - 6 credits
CH 103-104 General Chemistry Laboratory I, II - 2 credits
CH 216 Quantitative Analysis - 3 credits
CH 218 Quantitative Analysis Laboratory - 1 credit
CH 221-224 Organic Chemistry I, II with Laboratory - 8 credits
At least 5 credits from the following:
CH 228 Introduction to Biochemistry - 3 credits
CH 231 Physical Chemistry I - 3 credits
CH 241 Inorganic Chemistry - 3 credits
CH 242 Instrumental Analysis - 2 credits
CH 276 Advanced Environmental Chemistry - 3 credits
CH 321 Special Topics - 3 credits
Typical Freshman Schedulechemistry-freshman-schedule
Typical Freshmen Schedule
Fall

CH 101 General Chemistry I - 3 credits
CH 103 General Chemistry I Laboratory - 1 credit
MA 111 Calculus I - 4 credits
EL 102 Language & Rhetoric - 3 credits
Modern and Classical Language - 3 credits
Total Fall: 14 credits

Spring
CH 102 General Chemistry II - 3 credits
CH 104 General Chemistry II Laboratory - 1 credit
MA 112 Calculus II - 4 credits
TH 119 First Theology - 3 credits
Social Sciences - 3 credits
Modern and Classical Language - 3 credits
Total Spring: 17 credits

Total Freshman Year: 31 credits
Accreditationschemistry-accreditations
Accreditations and Affiliations
American Chemical Society approved chemistry program.
Internships and Careers in Chemistry
  • Employment - PPG Industries, Dow Chemical, Westinghouse, Alcoa, Johnson Mathey, Valspar Coatings, and U.S. Steel.
  • Graduate studies - University of Minnesota, Penn State, University of Pittsburgh, University of Notre Dame, Case Western Reserve University, University of Georgia, University of South Carolina, and University of Kentucky.
  • Teaching high school chemistry
  • Forensic laboratory work
  • Pharmaceutical sales 
  • Learning Objectives
    Learning Objectives
    • Students graduating with a degree in chemistry will have an understanding of chemical principles in organic, inorganic, physical and analytical chemistry that allows them to apply those principles to advanced topics.
    • ◦Students will be able to perform a variety of modern chemical laboratory techniques and run modern instrumentation.
    • ◦Students will be able to communicate in both oral and written forms that are appropriate to the modern practice of chemistry. Students should be able to apply the Six Principles of Good Writing to their chemistry writing.
    • ◦Chemistry students in their junior and senior years will be able to design, develop, conduct and report on an independent research project.
    • ◦Students will develop higher order thinking skills of synthesis, analysis and applications.