Chemistry

Arts and Sciences/A.A.

The chemistry program at Potomac State College includes the first two years of work toward a B.S. or B.A. in chemistry. Courses provide a strong foundation in general and organic chemistry. Laboratory work includes the use of instrumentation and computers. The goal of the program is to prepare students to transfer to a four-year institution and complete their bachelor's degree. Students successfully completing the course work at Potomac State are admitted to West Virginia University as junior chemistry majors.

If pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree, six credit-hours of a foreign language at the intermediate level are required. If pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree, a foreign language is not required.

Career Opportunities: Upon completion of the B.S. in chemistry, a student can secure employment as a chemist in various industries such as chemical, iron and steel, paper or petroleum. Another option is to pursue an advanced degree in chemistry such as a Masters or Doctorate.

The B.A. program allows students to pursue advanced degrees in chemistry or to apply for admission to professional schools such as medicine, pharmacy or dentistry. Admission requirements to these advanced studies can easily be accommodated within the B.A. program.

Requirements for Graduation

In order to earn an Associate of Arts Degree in Arts and Sciences with a major in Chemistry, a student must complete a minimum of 63 credit-hours of required and elective course work.

 

Recommended Two-Year Sequence

FIRST YEAR

First Semester

 

Hrs.

ENGL

101

Composition and Rhetoric

3

CHEM

115

Fundamentals of Chemistry

4

MATH

155*

Calculus 1

4

GEC Elective

 

3

Elective

 

 

3

WVUe

191**

First-Year Seminar

(1)

Total

 

 

17

 

Second Semester

 

Hrs.

ENGL

102

Composition and Rhetoric

3

CHEM

116

Fundamentals of Chemistry

4

MATH

156

Calculus 2

4

GEC Electives

 

6

Total

 

 

17

 

SECOND YEAR

First Semester

 

Hrs.

Foreign Language 101

3

CHEM

233

Organic Chemistry

3

CHEM

235

Organic Chemistry Lab.

1

MATH

251

Multivariable Calculus

4

PHYS

111

General Physics

4

Total

 

 

15

 

Second Semester

 

Hrs.

Foreign Language 102

3

CHEM

234

Organic Chemistry

3

CHEM

236

Organic Chemistry Lab.

1

CHEM

215

Introductory Analytical Chemistry or General Elective

3-4

PHYS

112

General Physics

4

Total

 

 

14-15

Total Hours: 63

*Students not qualified to start their first semester with Math 155 will start with Math 126 and 128 and finish with Math 156 in the third semester. Math 251 may be taken optionally in the fourth semester.

 

**Required of first-time, first-semester students; not required for graduation.