B.S. in Chemistry at USP

B.S. in Chemistry at USP
Why USP?
Your Life as a Chemist
Your Future in Chemistry
Hands-on Learning at USP
Learn from the Best
The USP Chemistry Curriculum
Professional Connections in Chemistry
For more information...

Would you like to design and synthesize new drugs for the treatment of diseases such as cancer? How about predicting the properties of new materials needed in the construction of a space station? As a chemist you'll apply knowledge of how atoms interact to form molecules and how those molecules interact with each other to make discoveries that change lives. USP will prepare you for a rewarding career in this growing field.

Why USP?

Students at USP become chemists, biochemists, and pharmaceutical chemists by building a solid foundation in the five major areas of chemistry: analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry, as well as in biochemistry. You'll be part of a small community of individuals who are dedicated to helping shape the future of the chemistry profession. USP is a great place to study chemistry because we offer:

• Faculty with a wide range of research interests, resulting in many research opportunities for students. You'll be encouraged to carry out one or more undergraduate research projects.
• Laboratory courses that accompany lecture courses, through which you'll develop the skills and techniques needed in the five major areas of chemistry.
• Access to sophisticated laboratory equipment and computers, such as a 400-MHz NMR spectrometer, high-pressure liquid chromatographs, and a Beowulf computer cluster.
• Summer internships are often available, both on campus where you can work alongside your professors conducting advanced research as well as off-campus internships where you can gain valuable industrial experience.
• A combined B.S./M.S. option for students who would like to obtain an M.S. degree immediately following their B.S. degree.
• Opportunity to earn certification from the American Chemical Society by choosing specific elective courses.
• Exceptional preparation for graduate or professional school. USP ranks in the top 11% of 1,150 comparable institutions whose undergraduates have gone on to complete a doctoral degree in the sciences, according to the National Science Foundation. In addition, we rank second in the number of graduates who went on to receive advanced degrees in the medical sciences, according to the NSF.

Your Life as a Chemist

Chemists carry out research and work to develop new products, or ensure that products are pure. They may work in a labortatory or at a computer, and may be involved in administration, or in consulting.

Chemistry graduates can find employment in a large number of areas including:

• A wide variety of industries: pharmaceutical, chemical, textile, automobile, computer, aircraft, steel, communications, petroleum, and food.
  
• Government agencies such as the Department of Energy (DOE), the Department of Defense (DOD), the National Institute of Science & Technology (NIST), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
  
• Scientific laboratories at research universities and hospitals, or in government or private forensic laboratories.
  
• Education. You can obtain teaching certification from USP, leading to the
  in-demand position of high school science teacher.

A Bachelor of Science degree from USP is also an excellent steppingstone for graduate school or professional schools leading to careers in medicine, other health professions, patent law, or university professor.

Your Future in Chemistry

Employment of chemists continues to increase with job growth concentrated in drug manufacturing, research, development, and testing services firms. The chemical industry, the major employer of chemists, faces continued demand for goods such as new and better pharmaceuticals and personal care products, as well as for more specialty chemicals designed to address specific problems or applications.

To meet these demands, chemical firms will continue to devote money to research and development through in-house teams or outside contractors, spurring employment growth of chemists. Strong demand is expected for chemists with a master's or Ph.D. degree. Within the chemical industry, job opportunities are expected to be most plentiful in pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms.

More than 50 percent of USP graduates continue their education by attending graduate or professional schools.

A survey by the American Chemical Society reports that the median salary of all their members with a bachelor's degree was $55,000; with a master's degree, $65,000; and with a Ph.D., $82,200. Median salaries were highest for those working in private industry.

Hands-on Learning at USP

In addition to the research and laboratory experience you will receive on campus, you may also have the opportunity to put your knowledge and skills to work through internships. USP's location in the heart of the pharmaceutical industry opens many doors for our students to gain hands-on experience.

Learn from the Best

You'll learn from a dedicated 14-member faculty, who bring to the classroom a diverse array of chemical interests, ranging from analytical to biochemical to computational to medicinal. They include:

Elizabeth Fasella, Ph.D., organic chemistry. Dr. Fasella's research interests focus on the synthesis of enzyme inhibitors that increase our understanding of metabolism, and which may also lead to potential drug candidate molecules.

• Edward R. Birnbaum , Ph.D., inorganic chemistry, department chair. Dr. Birnbaum's research interests include the use of laser spectroscopy to explore both small and large molecules, such as proteins and inorganic complexes.
  
• Guillermo Moyna, Ph.D., organic chemistry. Dr. Moyna's research interests include biomolecular NMR spectroscopy, computational chemistry, and computer-assisted rational drug design.
  
• Preston B. Moore, Ph.D., chemistry. Dr. Moore's research interests include membrane biochemistry and computer-aided drug design
  
• Julian W. Snow, Ph.D., physical chemistry. Dr. Snow's research interests focus on the use of microcalormetry to investigate small molecule, protein, and membrane interactions.
  
• Michael F. Bruist, Ph.D., biochemistry. Dr. Bruist's research interests focus on how proteins are able to cause the large bends in DNA that control transcription to RNA.
  
• Catherine M. Bentzley, Ph.D., analytical chemistry. Dr. Bentzley's research interests include applications of mass spectrometry to identification biologically-related molecules.
  
• Elizabeth Fasella, Ph.D., organic chemistry. Dr. Fasella's research interests focus on the synthesis of enzyme inhibitors that increase our understanding of metabolism, and which may also lead to potential drug candidate molecules.

The USP Chemistry Curriculum

Our four-year program leads to a B.S. degree. The first two years will give you a solid foundation of courses in the basics of chemistry and organic chemistry, along with an understanding of biology, mathematics, and physics. In the final two years, you'll take advanced courses and more specialized courses to complete your training. You'll have the opportunity to engage in independent research under the guidance of a faculty member as you progress through the curriculum.

As a chemistry major, you'll study all five of the basic areas of chemistry:

• Analytical chemistry
  
• Inorganic chemistry
  
• Organic chemistry
  
• Physical chemistry
  
• Biochemistry

First Year

• Orientation for the Chemical Sciences
  
• Principles of Chemistry I and II
  
• Principles of Chemistry Lab I and II
  
• Introductory Biology I and II
  
• Mathematical Analysis I and II
  
• College Composition
  
• Introduction to Literature
  
• Physical Education I and II
  
• Social Science

Second Year

• Principles of Organic Chemistry I and II
• Principles of Organic Chemistry Lab I and II
• Basic Inorganic Chemistry
• Mathematical Analysis III
• Mathematical Analysis IV or Introduction to Biostatistics
• Physics I and II
• Intellectual Heritage I and II

Third Year

• Physical Chemistry I and II
• Molecular Structure in Biochemistry
  
• Analytical Chemistry
  
• Analytical Chemistry Lab
  
• Instrumental Analysis
  
• Discussions in Chemistry
  
• Literature of Chemistry
  
• Public Speaking
  
• Social Science
  
• Core Distribution Requirement

Fourth Year

• Seminar in Chemistry I and II
• Physical Chemistry Lab I and II
• Inorganic Chemistry
• Chemistry Electives including Research
• Core Distribution Requirements
• Electives

Professional Connections in Chemistry

You will be encouraged to participate in the American Chemical Society Student Affiliate Organization, which sponsors seminars, field trips to industrial and governmental laboratories, and social events. In addition, you can present the results of your undergraduate research activities at scientific meetings sponsored by organizations such as the American Chemical Society and Sigma Xi.

For more information…

To learn more about the Chemistry program, contact the Admission Office at 1-888-996-USIP (8747), e-mail admit@usip.edu, or fill out our online information request form.

Misher College of Arts and Sciences
Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry
Admission

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