CHEMISTRY  at  WCSU

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DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY

WESTERN CONNECTICUT STATE UNIVERSITY

181 WHITE STREET

DANBURY, CT  06810

CHAIR = PROF. YUAN MEI-RATLIFF and PROF. RUSS SELZER (1-203-837-8440)

SECRETARY =  Ms. NANCY DIANA (1-203-837-8669)

 

THE  DEPARTMENT

   The Chemistry department was originally part of the physical sciences division, established at the founding of Western Connecticut State College in 1903.  It became an independent department in 1958 when the first degrees in chemistry were awarded.  Professor Carl Denison was the first Chemistry chair.  Today it is a modern, vital department dedicated to quality chemical education and undergraduate research.

   The Department of Chemistry endeavors to provide an education in chemistry that is tailored to the individual student's background and career objectives.  The Department also offers the chemical training necessary for allied health areas such as medical technology and nursing.  The Chemistry program and the Biochemistry program are both accredited by the American Chemical Society (ACS).

   A student may receive the following degrees from this department:

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THE CHEMISTRY DEPARTMENT AT WCSU

OUR PROGRAMS IN CHEMISTRY AND BIOCHEMISTRY

THE CHEMISTRY OPTION

   Student wishing to follow the chemistry option program must complete all general education requirements of the university (see link), the following courses, and free electives for a minimum total of 122 credits.  The Chemistry placement exam must be taken to determine whether registration for CHE 100 or CHE 110 is appropriate.  A student must either place into CHE 110 with an appropriate grade on the placement exam or pass CHE 100 (Concepts of Chemistry) with a grade of C or better. A senior presentation at the Chemistry seminar must also be given.

CHE 110, 111 General Chemistry I and II
CHE 205 Analytical Chemistry Lecture
CHE 206 Analytical Chemistry Laboratory
CHE 210, 211 Organic Chemistry I and II
CHE 250 Chemistry Seminar (Two semesters minimum)
CHE 300, 301 Physical Chemistry I and II
CHE 311 Inorganic Chemistry
CHE 400 Instrumental Analysis Lecture
CHE 401 Instrumental Analysis Laboratory
CHE 421 Biochemistry I Lecture
CHE 297

    or

CHE 330*

 Cooperative Education (Research) in Chemistry

or

Senior Research

ADVANCED ELECTIVE See the list of courses below.
PHY 110, 111 General Physics I and II
MAT 181 and MAT 182 Calculus I and Calculus II OR:
MAT 170, 171, 182 Alternate Calculus Sequence

                *  Senior research must be taken for the ACS-approved degree.

 

CURRENT LIST OF ADVANCED ELECTIVES for CHEMISTRY:

 

MAT 281 Calculus III
MAT 282 Ordinary Differential Equations
MAT 272 Introduction to Linear Algebra
CHE 340 Materials Chemistry
CHE 415 Medicinal Chemistry
CHE 420 Advanced Topics in Organic Chemistry
CHE 421 Biochemistry Lecture I
CHE 298 Materials Chemistry

 

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THE BIOCHEMISTRY OPTION

   As an alternative to the Chemistry program, the Department offers a program with a concentration in Biochemistry, leading to the B.A. degree.   Student wishing to follow the Biochemistry option program must complete all general education requirements of the university, the following courses, and free electives for a minimum total of 122 credits.  A senior presentation at the Chemistry seminar is also required.

CHE 110, 111 General Chemistry I and II (Placement exam required)
CHE 205 Analytical Chemistry Lecture
CHE 206 Analytical Chemistry Laboratory
CHE 210, 211 Organic Chemistry I and II
CHE 250 Chemistry Seminar (Two semesters minimum)
CHE 300, 301 Physical Chemistry I and II
CHE 311* Inorganic Chemistry
CHE 421, 422 Biochemistry Lecture I and II
CHE 431 Biochemistry Laboratory
ADVANCED ELECTIVE See the list presented below.
CHE 297

    or

CHE 330*

 Cooperative Education (Research) in Chemistry

or

Senior Research

PHY 110, 111 General Physics I and II
MAT 181 and MAT 182 Calculus I and Calculus II OR:
MAT 170, 171, 182 Alternate Calculus Sequence
BIO 103, 104 General Biology I and II

                                *  Senior research MUST be taken for the ACS-approved degree.

CURRENT LIST OF ADVANCED ELECTIVES for BIOCHEMISTRY:

CHE 311 Inorganic Chemistry
CHE 400 Instrumental Methods of Analysis Lecture
CHE 415 Medicinal Chemistry
CHE 420 Advanced Topics in Organic Chemistry
CHE 438 Molecular Biology of Nucleic Acids
BIO 300 Cell Biology
BIO 310 Vertebrate Embryology
BIO 318 Cytology

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THE BIOTECHNOLOGY OPTION

    The department offers an interdisciplinary program option in Biotechnology.  This program is currently undergoing review.  Interested parties should direct inquiries to the chair.

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SECONDARY EDUCATION: CHEMISTRY

        The Department offers a concentration in Chemistry for secondary education majors.  Please see the Secondary Education requirements from the Education Department.  The Chemistry courses required for Chemistry certification are as follows:

CHE 110, 111 General Chemistry I and II (Placement exam required)
CHE 205, 206 Analytical Chemistry Lecture and Laboratory
CHE 210, 211 Organic Chemistry I and II
CHE 250 Chemistry Seminar (2 semesters minimum)
CHE 300, 301 Physical  Chemistry I and II
PHY 110, 111 General Physics I and II
MAT 181, 182 Calculus I and II

    The student must also take one of the Department-approved advanced electives, listed above.  The student is also required to give a senior presentation at the Chemistry seminar.

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MINOR IN CHEMISTRY

        For a chemistry minor, students require twenty (20) semester hours of chemistry courses as follows:

CHE 110, 111 General Chemistry I and II (Placement exam required)
CHE 210 Organic Chemistry I
CHE 205-206 (Analytical Chemistry Lecture and Laboratory) or CHE 300 (Physical Chemistry I) plus one of the following:

                                                                                                                 CHE 205-206, CHE 211, CHE 300, CHE 301, CHE 311

   

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