Chemistry Program Learning Outcomes

CHEMISTRY KNOWLEDGE

PLC #1. Upon completion of a B.S. degree in Chemistry, graduates are able to acquire knowledge and skills to obtain a professional position or pursue graduate/professional training in chemistry related fields. 

  • Explains the major systems of nomenclature used in chemistry
  • Explains bonding and electronic structure and how these relate to the shape and reactivity of chemical compounds, and how they impact the chemical, physical and electronic properties of molecules
  • Explain the principles of thermodynamics, reaction kinetics and reaction mechanisms
  • Conducts synthetic studies to create new compounds based on knowledge of biochemical, inorganic, and organic chemical reactions
  • Differentiate the principles for separating, detecting and measuring chemical compounds and uses both quantitative and qualitative evaluations to analyze compounds or materials

SCIENTIFIC METHOD

PLC #2. Upon completion of a B.S. degree in Chemistry, graduates are able to explain and use the principles of the scientific method and the application of experimental techniques to solve specific problems

  • Applies productive literature search strategies and critically evaluates the scientific literature
  • Applies inductive reasoning and deductive methods to develop a testable, falsifiable hypothesis and predict expected results
  • Designs quantitative approaches/experiments to test and evaluate hypothesis
  • Gathers empirical and measurable evidence through observation and experimentation
  • Demonstrates an excellent level of understanding of the research by proposing future steps required to further the goals of the experiment
  • Communicates results and ideas clearly and effectively into scientific reports, papers and oral presentations, following established chemistry norms

LABORATORY SKILLS

PLC #3. Upon completion of a B.S. degree in Chemistry, graduates are able to apply practical and safe techniques within a laboratory setting

  • Applies safe and careful practices at all times
  • Keeps accurate laboratory records
  • Analyzes, synthesizes, purifies, modifies and/or characterizes compounds, samples, or devices
  • Applies instrumentation appropriately
  • Calibrates, maintains and troubleshoots instrumentation
  • Practices basic skills associated with performing laboratory experiments in chemistry by following standard methods and procedures
  • Takes precise and accurate measurements and gains appreciation of potential sources of error associated with laboratory measurements
  • Troubleshoots and optimizes methods and techniques
  • Develops methods and procedures
  • Gains experience critically evaluating data generated

COMPUTATION

PLC #4. Upon completion of a B.S. degree in Chemistry, graduates are able to develop and use scientific software to support research endeavors

  • Utilizes discipline specific software effectively
  • Develops and uses computation modeling as a proxy for physical experimentation
  • Creates and modifies scientific software
  • Develops and uses computational methods to analyze large data sets

EDUCATION AND TRAINING

PLC #5. Upon completion of a B.S. degree in Chemistry, graduates are able to instruct students, colleagues or co-workers in scientific procedure

  • Teaches chemistry and scientific concepts and knowledge at a level appropriate to the audience
  • Assesses achievement of learning outcomes
  • Trains and supervises others to perform scientific/laboratory procedures

FIELD WORK

PLC #6. Upon completion of a B.S. degree in Chemistry, graduates are able to conduct research in the field

  • Observes behaviour/properties of subjects/phenomena of interest in situ
  • Makes measurements of the subjects/phenomena or their environment
  • Identifies and collects samples for analysis
  • Operates and uses equipment/tools/machinery appropriately