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