Prepare for an exciting career in science!
The chemistry program provides education and training so you can pursue a career in chemistry, biotechnology, medicine, dentistry, allied health fields, science teaching, environmental science, materials science, or engineering. Chemistry is considered the central science because it is required for a full understanding of many other sciences as well as medicine. The Chemistry Department offers courses for general education and for majors in chemistry, biology, biotechnology, and nursing. Besides the chemistry major and minor programs, the department also has concentrations in biochemistry, green chemistry and environmental chemistry, materials science and inorganic chemistry, and bioinformatics. The department offers opportunities for undergraduate research in organic chemistry, bioanalytical chemistry, nanoscience, and molecular modeling. The Chemistry Department promotes green chemistry in its curriculum and research. Majors in chemistry may be eligible for the Accelerated Pharmacy Program with the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. In addition, students may opt to major in chemistry with a concentration in pre-medicine.
Certification by the American Chemical Society: The Chemistry Department at Worcester State University is among the programs approved by the American Chemical Society (ACS). The chemistry curriculum is reviewed by the ACS Committee on Professional Training on a 5-year cycle, and reports are made to the ACS annually.
Undergraduate chemistry majors who have demonstrated academic excellence and interest in research may participate in the Chemistry Honors Program. The department also has a chapter of the Gamma Sigma Epsilon National Honor Society in chemistry for those who qualify.
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The ACS, with its more than 160,000 members, is the major professional society in the United States for practicing chemists. The ACS sponsors major professional meetings and publishes a large number of scientific journals. Through its Committee on Professional Training, the ACS evaluates undergraduate professional education in chemistry throughout the United States. Students who successfully complete an undergraduate curriculum that meets the ACS guidelines receive certification by the society. These guidelines are lengthy but basically require 400 clock hours of traditional classwork in chemistry courses covering the fundamental areas of the discipline, and 500 clock hours of formal laboratory experience in chemistry. Math and physics courses are also specified.
Complete details of the ACS guidelines for degree certification may be found below:
Guidelines for Bachelors Degree Programs
All chemistry majors who complete the BS curriculum will be nominated by the Department to receive certification by the ACS.
BA majors who desire to qualify for American Chemical Society certification for their degree must complete the following courses:
- CH-311: Inorganic Chemistry I (3 credits) and
- CH-328: Introductory Biochemistry (3) or BI-307: General Biochemistry I (4 credits) or
- CH-329, Chemical Aspects of Living Systems (3 credits) and
- Complete 5 credit hours of CH;397: Undergraduate Research or CH-398: Undergraduate Research/Senior Capstone Project
The research project must culminate in a written report. Students who carry out chemistry-based research in other departments may petition the Undergraduate Committee to count this research toward ACS accreditation.
Certification by the ACS is viewed favorably for admission to graduate or professional programs. Certified graduates are eligible to become members of the society after graduation; other chemistry graduates may become associate members after graduation, and members after 3 years of professional experience in chemistry or chemical engineering.