Chemistry

Michael J. Barcelona, Chair
Steven B. Bertman
John E. Chateauneuf
David L. Huffman
James Kiddle
Dongil Lee
Jay C. Means
John B. Miller
Yirong Mo
Subra Muralidharan
Sherine Obare
David S. Reinhold
Elke Schoffers
Donald R. Schreiber
Susan R. Stapleton

Students majoring in chemistry may prepare for a career in industrial laboratory work, high school teaching, or graduate work in departments of chemistry, biochemistry, medical or dental colleges. The course offerings for the undergraduate are structured to give a broad but thorough grounding in the elements of chemistry. The chemistry curriculum should be fortified by a minor in physics, mathematics, or biological sciences.

The Chemistry Department is accredited by the American Chemical Society. Students who follow the American Chemical Society certification course sequence below are considered professional chemists by the American Chemical Society. These students are eligible for direct membership senior grade in the Society immediately upon graduation. Students who plan to work for the larger chemical companies or to attend graduate school should follow this degree program.

Majors and Minors

Students are required to declare their intent to be a major or minor before completing their credit hour requirements. This is done by filing a declaration of major/minor slip with the advisor.

To qualify as a major or minor in chemistry from Western Michigan University, the student, including the transfer student, must complete a minimum of their last 14 credit hours (major) or 7 credit hours (minor) in the Chemistry Department. The courses taken for credit must include at least one which contains a laboratory experience. Students who plan to attend graduate school should take a minimum number of courses under the credit/no credit option.

Students must earn a grade of “C” or better in any courses that are to be used as prerequisites for other courses.

Students who have chosen a Chemistry major will satisfy the Baccalaureate-Level Writing Requirement by successfully completing CHEM 4360 Physical Chemistry Laboratory I.