Department of Chemistry and Physics

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Dr. Kiran Boggavarapu, Department Head

Purpose

The purpose of the Department of Chemistry and Physics parallels the purpose of the College of Science and Agriculture and the University. The major goals of the Department are (1) to prepare graduating chemistry/physics majors for advanced study in graduate school or to qualify them directly for industrial positions, (2) to prepare graduating chemistry education majors for teaching positions or graduate study, (3) to provide professional training to enhance application for admission to medical and pharmacy school, and (4) to furnish service courses for the University’s general education program.

Accreditation

The Bachelor of Science degree program in chemistry is accredited by the American Chemical Society, 1155 Sixteenth Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20036; email: cpt@acs.org.

Curricula

The program of the Department of Chemistry and Physics achieves these purposes by providing:

1. A complete curriculum leading to the Bachelor of Science in chemistry degree with concentrations in biochemistry, chemistry and management, chemistry education grades 6-12, forensic chemistry, premedicine, and prepharmacy;
2. A concentration in mathematical physics offered under the Bachelor of Science degree in mathematical sciences;
3. Minors in chemistry and physics;
4. General education courses to meet the needs of students in other areas of study; and
5. An interdepartmental program leading to the Master of Science degree in environmental and chemical sciences.

Premedicine and prepharmacy students should familiarize themselves with the specific degree requirements of the institution(s) to which they may apply.

A chemistry degree is a useful foundation for admission to pharmacy school, and students interested in pursuing careers in pharmacy or a related field may wish to consider majoring in chemistry. McNeese State University, however, plays no role and has no control over the selection and admission of students to pharmacy schools. Students should carefully consider the precise requirements of the pharmacy school of their choice (see http://www.aacp.org for a listing) and ensure that all of those requirements are met in their chosen degree plan. The Department of Chemistry and Physics will assist students in making course selections, however, the ultimate determination of course equivalency rests solely with the pharmacy school.

Graduation Requirements

Students in the Department of Chemistry and Physics must earn a grade of C or better in all CHEM courses and meet all graduation requirements listed in the Degree and Graduation Requirements  section of the Academic Regulations page. Each graduating senior in the chemistry program will be required to take the Major Field Test (MFT) exam in chemistry. A student concentrating in chemistry education must also meet all requirements for admission and progression through the teacher education program, student teaching, and graduation as stated on the Burton College of Education  page.

Graduate Studies

The Department of Chemistry and Physics offers a program leading to a Master of Science degree in environmental and chemical sciences. Additional information and curricula are available on the program page below.

Programs

• Chemistry, Biochemistry Concentration, BS
• Chemistry, Chemistry Education Grades 6-12 Concentration, BS
• Chemistry, Forensic Chemistry Concentration, BS
• Chemistry, No Concentration, BS
• Chemistry, Premedicine Concentration, BS
• Chemistry, Prepharmacy Concentration, BS

• Chemistry, Minor
• Physics, Minor

• Environmental and Chemical Sciences, Chemistry Concentration, MS

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