GOAL 1:

Provide a broad background in chemical principles and in-depth study of chemistry, biochemistry, and related areas.

Specific Objectives

a. Students will demonstrate understanding of chemical principles and research across the five traditional areas of chemistry: Analytical, Biochemistry, Inorganic, Organic, and Physical.

b. Students will be able to make connections between the chemical disciplines as applied to complex chemical problems.

GOAL 2:

Provide and promote active learning through inquiry based laboratory experiences that include modern synthetic techniques, the measurement of chemical and physical properties, biochemical analysis, hands-on experience with modern instrumentation, and computational data analysis and modeling.

Specific Objectives

a. Students will demonstrate understanding of modern synthetic techniques and the measurement of chemical and physical properties.

b. Students will gain significant hands-on experience with state-of-the-art chemical instrumentation and the associated relevant theoretical bases.

c. Students will design and execute experiments, and critically evaluate experimental data.

GOAL 3:

Develop student skills, including: problem-solving, chemical literature evaluation, laboratory safety, written and spoken communications, teamwork, and ethics. Provide professional development activities and advising specific to careers and opportunities for undergraduate majors.

Specific Objectives

a. Students will be able to address complex scientific problems, critically examine relevant chemical literature, and effectively communicate current viewpoints and potential solutions in both written and spoken form.

b. Students will acquire proficiency in safe laboratory practices and working in teams.

c. Students will understand the ethical treatment and reporting of data, and will have the ability to assess the broader impacts of chemical issues.

d. Students will learn about professional careers and opportunities for chemists and biochemists.

GOAL 4:

Provide research experiences in context across the curriculum.

Specific Objectives

a. Students will practice modern research methods in teaching laboratories across the curriculum.

b. Students will have access to cutting edge, independent research activities with faculty research mentors

The Graduate Program in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry is dedicated to equipping students with the skills and knowledge needed to excel as independent chemists in industrial, government, or academic roles. Expert faculty provide students with individualized attention and educational opportunities to help them achieve their career goals, including continued graduate education or career advancement in industrial settings.       

The Program will provide:

1.     a variety of high-quality graduate-level courses, representing all major areas of chemistry and biochemistry,

2.     a collaborative learning environment fostered by a dedicated faculty,

3.     opportunities to apply modern research methods and instrumentation to address complex problems, and

4.     guided research and teaching experience through assistantships for students who pursue a thesis-track MS degree in chemistry.

GOAL 1:

Provide an advanced treatment of chemical principles and in-depth study of chemistry, biochemistry, and related areas, such that students achieve mastery of chemical content beyond their baseline knowledge.

Specific Objectives

•      Students will demonstrate comprehensive understanding of chemical principles and research in at least two of the five traditional areas of chemistry: Analytical, Biochemistry, Inorganic, Organic, and Physical.

•      Students will be able to make connections between the chemical disciplines as applied to special topics and current interdisciplinary chemical problems.

GOAL 2:

Develop advanced skills, including collaborative problem-solving, chemical literature evaluation, written and spoken communications.

Specific Objectives

•      Students will be able to critically examine relevant chemical literature, effectively communicate current research findings, and address complex scientific problems and potential solutions both individually and collaboratively.

•      Students will complete oral presentations and written research projects during their courses to develop scientific communication skills.

GOAL 3:

Provide thesis students with cutting edge, independent research experiences and opportunities to disseminate their research.

Specific Objectives

•      Students will demonstrate adequate research progress at the midpoint of their programs through presentation and defense of a progress seminar.

•      Students will conduct independent research projects culminating in a written thesis and public thesis defense.

•      Students will be active participants in the dissemination of their research through talks or poster presentations at research conferences, contributions to peer reviewed research manuscripts, and/or proposals seeking external grant funding.

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry values and embraces diversity in our student, faculty and staff populations and strives to create a community of mutual respect and inclusion. We recognize and value the perspectives from individuals from diverse backgrounds and identifications, and believe these perspectives bring a wealth of ideas and experiences to bear on our classes, our science, and the functioning of our Department. Thus, we are committed to enhancing the diversity of our Department and our curriculum. We are also committed to listening, learning, and implementing new strategies to best encourage and assist all community members in their learning, growth, and fulfillment of various responsibilities. We recognize that our actions at the Departmental level have an impact on the climate of the University and society, and we use this knowledge to motivate and guide our efforts.