General Information
Department of Chemistry
Chemistry is the science that is concerned with substances and their
properties, composition, and reactions. Four principal areas may be defined:
analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry. In addition to
teaching in high schools, colleges, and universities and working in a variety
of government laboratories, chemists are employed in such diverse industries
as rubber, leather, dye, explosives, drugs, plastics, adhesives, paint,
metals, glass, cement, insecticides, textiles, petroleum, soap, paper,
semi-conductors, and cosmetics. Synthesis of new organic and inorganic
chemicals is of basic importance to all chemistry. Sales of most drug and
plastic companies, for example, are concentrated in substances unknown ten
years ago. The development of adequate methods for analysis of these new
materials requires constant research on instrumental and chemical methods of
analysis. An understanding of the rates and equilibria of chemical reactions,
thermodynamics of chemical and physical processes, and the structures of
molecules is essential for the development of new fuels and industrial
processes as well as for the understanding of many phenomena such as global
warming, ozone depletion, and atmospheric pollution. Every educated person
should have some knowledge of chemistry and many interesting and rewarding
careers require varying amounts of training in this field.
Undergraduate Programs
The degree Bachelor of Science in Chemistry is designed to provide a thorough
foundation in the various fields of chemistry as well as a proper educational
balance in the liberal arts. The program is for students planning careers in
the chemical industries or in government laboratories or for those planning
graduate study in chemistry or related sciences. The Bachelor of Science
degree program in chemistry is accredited by the American Chemical Society.
In addition to the Bachelor of Science degree, the Department of Chemistry
also offers the degree Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry, for those interested in
combining knowledge of chemistry with the study of other fields, and the
degree Bachelor of Science with a major in Chemical Physics, for those
students who have a professional interest in the areas of overlap between
chemistry and physics. The chemistry disciplinary majors leading to the
Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degrees are available for teacher
certification. A chemistry disciplinary minor is also available for teacher
certification. Additional information about these programs may be obtained
upon request to:
Director of Undergraduate Education
Department of Chemistry
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
Graduate Programs
The graduate programs in the Department of Chemistry enable properly qualified
students to increase their knowledge of, and competence in, the field of
chemistry. The Doctor of Philosophy degree is earned by those intent on
demonstrating their competence to carry out independent research in chemistry
and includes course work, seminar presentations, and research that leads to a
defendable thesis and published work. The Master of Science degree is evidence
of increased knowledge and competence in chemistry and may include research.
Descriptions of these programs may be obtained by viewing them elsewhere on
the
Chemistry Department Home Page, by completing and
submitting an
information request, or by
writing to:
Director of Graduate Programs
Department of Chemistry
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
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