Chemistry, Physics, & Engineering Studies

Department Chairperson: Mel Sabella

Email: msabella@csu.edu

Phone: (773) 995-2180

Location: WSC-309

Department Overview

The Chemistry, Physics and Engineering Studies Department offers Bachelor of Science degrees in chemistry & physics, and a foundational program for further study in engineering. The American Chemical Society (ACS) has recognized Chicago State University’s Chemistry CHEM option as an ACS-approved chemistry degree offering the highest level of collegiate instruction. Physics does not have an accrediting body like Chemistry but has been recognized for high quality teaching and mentoring by the American Physical Society and the American Institute of Physics.

The general goal of the chemistry program is to prepare students for scientific careers in industry, government, and education, as well as for advanced study in chemistry or a related discipline, such as biochemistry, medicine, forensic science, dentistry, patent law, or pharmacy. The chemistry program aids students in developing the following:

A broad foundation in the theory, principles, and history of chemistry.
Skills in analytical reasoning and problem solving.
Necessary laboratory, safety, and literature skills.
Effective oral and written communication skills, including notebook-keeping, graphing, writing laboratory reports, using computers for data analysis, and conducting research presentations.
An understanding of the impact of chemistry on industry, society, and the environment, and an appreciation of the roles and responsibilities of chemists in today’s world.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry consists of five options:

Students following the Chemistry Option (CHEM) prepare for research, industrial, and governmental careers or for graduate study in chemistry or related fields. Students completing this option will receive a degree certified by the American Chemical Society.
The Industrial Chemistry Option (CHMI) serves students preparing for positions in industry or in technical sales.
Students who wish to prepare for careers in biomedical research or to gain admission to medical, dental, or pharmacy school usually follow the Biochemistry Option (CHMB).
Students who seek admission to the pharmacy school as incoming first year students will follow the CHMP option. Students in this option will receive their B.S. in chemistry after successful completion of their first year of pharmacy school.
Completion of the Secondary Teaching Option in Chemistry qualifies students for an Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL) with an endorsement for teaching Science-Chemistry for grades 9-12. Licensure requires the successful completion of the ACT or SAT (see College of Education Handbook), Science-Chemistry Content Area test and edTPA. The Secondary Teaching Program is accredited by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and meets Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) standards in science education.

The general goal of the physics program is to prepare students for scientific careers in industry, government, and education, as well as for advanced study in physics or other disciplines, such as engineering, architecture, medicine, material science, or medicine and health. The physics program aids students in developing

a broad foundation in the theory, principles, and history of physics.
skills in analytical reasoning and problem solving.
necessary laboratory, safety, and literature skills.
effective oral and written communication skills, including notebook keeping, graphing, writing laboratory reports, using computers for data analysis, and conducting research presentations.
an understanding of the impact of physics on industry, society, the environment, and an appreciation of the role and responsibilities of physicists in today’s world.

The Bachelor of Science degree in Physics consists of four options:

Physics Option (PHYS): prepares students for research, industrial, and governmental careers or for graduate study in physics or related fields.
Biomedical Physics Option (PHYMB): prepares students for careers and graduate programs in medical physics, motion science or to gain admission to medical, dental, or pharmacy schools.
Engineering Physics (PHYE): prepares students for Engineering careers or Engineering graduate programs.
Secondary Teaching Option in Physics (PHYT) qualifies students for an Illinois Professional Educator Licensure (PEL) with an endorsement in Science-Physics for grades 9-12. Licensure requires the successful completion of the ACT or SAT (see College of Education Handbook), Physics Content Area Test and edTPA. The Secondary Teaching Program is accredited by the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) and meets Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) standards in science education.

Accreditation

Chicago State University offers a chemistry degree approved by the American Chemical Society. The ACS Approval Program promotes excellence in undergraduate baccalaureate chemistry programs. An ACS-approved program offers a broad-based and rigorous chemistry education so that students develop intellectual, experimental, and communication skills to become effective scientific professionals.

The ACS Committee on Professional Training (CPT) establishes guidelines and standards for the approval of bachelor’s degree programs in chemistry. Details can be found here: https://www.acs.org/education/policies/acs-approval-program.html

Assessment

Course revision is strongly linked to our classroom practices and our instructional materials and delivery are guided by the results of our assessment tools. Faculty and students in our department write papers and give presentations on education reform and our department has been successful in obtaining grants to innovate in our courses.

Program Specific Graduation Requirements

CHEM, CHMB, CHMP, CHMI students must complete 180 hours of research prior to registering for senior thesis.
PHYS, PHYE, PHYM students must complete 120 hours of research prior to registering for senior thesis.
CHMT and PHYT will follow the College of Education guidelines for licensure

Honors Program in Chemistry or Physics

Admission Requirements

Students who desire to graduate with honors in Chemistry or Physics must

Have a GPA of 3.25 in chemistry or physics courses (respectively) and an overall GPA of 3.0
Have completed 60 credit hours (sophomores may apply during their second semester)
Have completed two semesters of general chemistry adn one semester of organic chemistry (chemistry honors) or three semesters of physics (physics honors)
Be approved by the Departmental Honors Committee
Maintain a GPA of 3.25 in their major courses and an overall GPA of 3.00 once admitted. Should a student’s GPA fall below these levels, the honors student will be given one semester to bring their GPA up to the required levels.
Students entering the Honors Program will be advised by the Departmental Honors Committee until an Honors Thesis Committee is established for a particular student. The student’s thesis committee will be composed of the primary mentor (chosen by the student) and two additional science faculty (chosen by the student in consultation with the primary mentor). One of the committee members could be from an area other than chemistry or physics.
Complete 6-9 credit hours in courses designated as honors
- Honors courses will be given a unique number designation and will be cross-listed with non-honors courses. Students in the honors section of the courses will be required to read a scientific paper from a journal pertinent to the course and published by the American Chemical Society or American Journal of Physics, or similar as chosen by the instructor. The student will be required to provide a detailed analysis of the publication in the form of a final paper.
- Chemistry Honors Courses: CHEM 4205 - Honors Microscopic Physical Chemistry, CHEM 4305 - Honors Biochemistry I,CHEM 4375 - Honors Analytical Chemistry II, CHEM 4105 - Honors Advanced Inorganic Chemistry,CHEM 4315 - Honors Advanced Organic Chemistry.
- Physics Honors courses: PHYS 3115 - Honors Classical Mechanics I, PHYS 3155 - Honors Electricity and Magnetism I, PHYS 3255 - Honors Quantum Mechanics I
- Students may choose any two of the above honors courses, depending on the students’ interests. Students would be permitted to take all five courses if desired. Students must earn a B or higher in all honors courses. Students in all chemistry options are required to take three non-honors chemistry courses from the subject areas listed in b); thus, a student in any chemistry option could participate in the Honors Program by substituting two honors chemistry courses
Honors students will propose and be engaged in at least one outreach activity.
- Honors students will write a brief outreach proposal that must be approved by the student’s Honors Committee. O
- Once approved, the student should initiate the outreach activity and is encouraged to involve other members of the department (students, staff, and faculty).
- These activities might include inviting students to CSU for a science activity, visiting a local school to perform an activity, holding a session about careers in science, tutoring several hours a week for a semester, mentoring younger students in research, etc.

Programs

Bachelor of Science

Minor