Albright offers a modern chemistry program fully accredited by the Committee on Professional Training of the American Chemical Society. This program provides sound fundamental training for those who plan to pursue graduate studies; work in chemical or chemical-related industry; or enter medical, dental or other health-science professional schools. A chapter of the Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society (SAACS) is active on campus.

Concentration in Chemistry

Requirements:
• CHE 105 and 106 (should be completed in the first year)
• CHE 207, 208
• CHE 321, 322, 323, 324, 325
• CHE 411 and 412
• MAT 131 and 132 (should be completed in the first year)
• PHY 201 and 202
• IDS 255
• A research experience is recommended.

Students interested in graduate work in chemistry may wish to consider a course in computer science and additional courses in mathematics and physics.

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Concentration in Biochemistry

An interdisciplinary program for students interested in biochemistry is specially designed for those who plan professional careers in medicine, medical technology, pharmacology, bacteriology, cellular biology, molecular biology, microbiology, toxicology or physiology.

Requirements
• CHE 105, 106
• CHE 207, 208
• CHE 321, 322, 325 and 326
• BIO 201, 203, and 343
• MAT 131 and 132
• PHY 201 and 202
• A 400-level course selected from CHE 411, 412 or 420, or BIO 495 or 498.
• A research experience is recommended.

Biochemistry concentrators who wish to receive accreditation in biochemistry by the Committee on Professional Training of the American Chemical Society must elect CHE 323 and 324 in addition to the required courses. Students interested in graduate work in biochemistry and related fields may wish to consider additional courses from the 400-level courses (listed above) or from CHE 323 and 324 and BIO 304, 321, 323 and 332.

Since biochemistry is already an interdisciplinary program, no courses are dropped from this program to create a combined program in biochemistry. However, this does not preclude students from combining biochemistry with another program.

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Environmental Chemistry

The Chemistry Department's program in environmental chemistry provides a sound general background in chemistry with a specific emphasis on the chemistry of the environment.

It prepares students for graduate programs in chemistry, environmental chemistry and environmental science; for immediate employment in solving environmental problems; or for further study in a variety of other professional programs. The program emphasizes practical experience in solving environmental problems.

Requirements:
• CHE 105, 106
• CHE 207, 208
• CHE 321, 322, 323, 324
• CHE 420
• MAT 131 and 132
• PHY 201 and 202
• BIO 201 and 202
• EVS 101 and 400
• A research experience is recommended.

Students interested in graduate work in environmental chemistry and related fields may wish to consider elective courses from the following: BIO 311, 381, 481, and 482; CHE 325, 326, 381, 411, 412 and 482; and IDS 255.

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Chemistry Education

The Chemistry Department offers a program in chemistry/education that provides a sound general background in chemistry combined with secondary education courses. Graduates of the program will be certified for secondary teaching in chemistry, meeting all the requirements in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Students can complete the program, including practice teaching, in eight semesters. Students interested in teacher certification in chemistry should consult Education Department faculty for specific requirements to meet both state regulations and ACS standards.

Requirements:
• CHE 105, 106
• CHE 207, 208
• CHE 321, 322, 323, 324, 325
• CHE 470
• MAT 131 and 132
• PHY 201 and 202
• EDU 230
• PSY 100
• EDU 214, 301, 303, 345, 346, 403, 407 and 408
• SPE 215

A second option for teaching certification in chemistry incorporates completion of the ACS certified concentration in chemistry, as described above, plus additional courses to meet state regulations. This option for completion of secondary teaching certification in chemistry requires students to complete the professional semester during a ninth semester. Students may choose either approach to teacher training in chemistry.

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Co-Concentration in Chemistry

Requirements.
• CHE 105, 106
• CHE 207, 208
• CHE 321, 322
• Two more chemistry courses from CHE 323, 324, 325, and 326
• One 400 level chemistry
• MAT 131 and 132 and PHY 201 and 202 (prerequisites for CHE 321 and 322)

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Instrumentation

The department has a wealth of modern sophisticated instrumentation. Available for teaching and research are FT-IR spectrometers; a CD spectrometer; ultraviolet-visible and atomic absorption spectrophotometers; spectrofluorometers; a 300 MHz FT-NMR spectrometer; HPLCs; a variety of gas chromatographs including an autosampling model and a GC-mass spectrometer; an LC-MS; and refrigerated superspeed and ultraspeed centrifuges. Use of these instruments by students begins in the first year in CHE 105 and 106 and continues throughout the 200-, 300- and 400-level laboratories.

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Faculty/Student Research

Faculty directed research by upper-class students is available in biological, environmental, inorganic, organic or physical chemistry. Students may apply for support from the Albright Creative Research Experience (ACRE) program for summer or interim research or opt for independent study, CHE 281/381/481, for course credit. To obtain Departmental Distinction, students must have a GPA of 3.5 or better in their concentration and complete two semesters of CHE 481 culminating in submission of an honors thesis and presentation of their work during Honor’s Week. Members of the College Honors Program complete two semesters of research and honors thesis/presentation to receive College Honors. Additionally, students may pursue internship credit (CHE 282/383/482) through off-campus research experiences. Independent study and internship credit are available by arrangement with departmental faculty.

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