Course Requirements
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry
The four-year outline of BS-CHEM courses is designed for the student who wishes to become a chemist, and wishes to prepare for further education beyond the college level in the field. Most students intending to pursue professional careers in the field of chemistry pursue this degree.
The BS-Chem degree can be obtained with emphasis in various areas of chemistry. The department offers BS options in the areas of Biochemistry, Environmental Chemistry, Nanotechnology and Polymer Chemistry. All of these options contain the core required courses in chemistry, while allowing enough scheduling flexibility for the student to pursue his or her individual specialty area.
BS Chemistry Degree: Requirements, Sequence, and Recommended Program Plans
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (Biochemistry Option)
Millersville University is one of the few universities in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania that awards an ACS approved Bachelor of Science Degree with an option in Biochemistry. The program provides the student with a basic background in chemistry and biology as well as a flexible science elective block that will allow the student to pursue any one of a number of major areas of interest upon graduation. The student may also elect to participate in the Cooperative Education Program during his or her course of study. This opportunity affords the student with invaluable practical on-the-job experience, as well as earning college credits and a salary. The career opportunities available in biochemistry are many and diverse.
BS Biochemistry Degree: Requirements, Sequence, and Recommended Program Plans
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (Environmental Option)
Millersville University Department of Chemistry offers a B.S. Chemistry degree with an option in Environmental Chemistry. The curriculum offers courses whose contents are consistent with similar programs offered elsewhere and, with electives in inorganic chemistry and biochemistry, that will satisfy the guidelines of an option in Environmental Chemistry approved by the ACS. In addition to course requirements, the curriculum includes opportunities for industrial and government internship programs related to environmental analysis, engineering, and regulation. Of more immediate promise is the interest expressed by Lancaster Laboratories in generating a student internship program with the Chemistry Department. These internships include such areas as research in sampling and instrumental analysis of many different kinds of materials, toxicity and risk assessment, field testing and monitoring, drug screening, environmental law and regulations, analysis of food products, and quality assurance in the chemical laboratory.
BS Environmental Chemistry Degree: Requirements, Sequence, and Recommended Program PlansBachelor of Science in Chemistry (Nanotechnology Option)
The Chemistry Department at Millersville offers a B.S. Chemistry degree with an option in Nanotechnology. The curriculum includes courses that give students a strong background in chemistry and electives in nanotechnology and other sciences. As part of the current program, students spent a semester at Penn State University Park Campus to gain practical experience in nanofabrication and the use of clean room facilities. Nanotechnology - which is the control of materials at very small dimensions to make smaller, cheaper and better products is being adopted in many industries. Upon graduation students can pursue graduate studies in chemistry or materials sciences, or work in industry or government usually in an environment involving interaction with scientists from other disciplines such as biology, physics and engineering.
BS Nanotechnology Chemistry Degree: Requirements, Sequence, and Recommended Program Plans
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (Polymer Option)
The Chemistry Department at Millersville offers a B.S. Chemistry degree with an option in Polymer Chemistry that satisfies the guidelines set forth by the American Chemical Society. The Department of Chemistry is currently initiating the process of having the option certified by the American Chemical Society.
Polymer chemistry has become an important area in the chemical industry. It is estimated that 50% of all chemists will work in polymer chemistry in some capacity during their careers. Polymer chemistry forms the basis for the production of plastics, synthetic fibers, paints, coatings, adhesives, and many other chemical products. Although most polymer chemists are employed by industry there are also jobs available in academics and in the government.
BS Polymer Chemistry Degree: Requirements, Sequence, and Recommended Program Plans
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (Engineering Instrumentation Automation Option)
Chemical analysis and instrumentation plays an important role in modern chemistry. Automation of the control of instruments is increasingly being accomplished using robotics. Students who both understand chemistry and robotics will be well-prepared to not only use instruments to analyze chemical samples, but also to troubleshoot, modify, and design new instrumentation controls.
The B.S. Chemistry degree with an option in Engineering Instrumentation Automation is focused on using, controlling, and improving instruments for chemical analysis and interpreting/analyzing data. Many chemistry employment opportunities exist in analytical laboratories or graduate school where sophisticated instrumentation is used extensively. This option maintains a core chemistry curriculum and supplements the chemistry knowledge content with industrial electronics, control systems, and robotics. This option is a unique learning experience available at Millersville due to the collaboration of the Department of Chemistry and the Department of Applied Engineering Safety and Technology. Graduate of this option will be well prepared for positions where instrumentation and analysis plays a key role.
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (3+4 Pre-Pharmacy Option)
The 3+4 Pre-Pharmacy option is designed within the B.S. Chemistry program, allowing students to complete both B.S. Chemistry and Doctor of Pharmacy degrees in seven years. Students will be admitted into this program by Millersville University and complete a 3-year program in the Chemistry department that includes all courses required in the first three years (101.0 credits) of a B.S. chemistry degree. To remain in the program, each student must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 as well as a science GPA of 3.0 at Millersville University. The students will then enroll in a 4-year Pharm. D. degree program at the pharmacy school of their choice. Upon successful completion of the first-year pharmacy program coursework, the chemistry department will accept a professional block of 19.0 credits from the pharmacy school. The 120.0 total credits earned will be the basis for awarding a B.S. chemistry degree from Millersville University, provided the student has completed all other requirements.
Should students not complete their first year in the pharmacy program, they will have to change their option in the chemistry degree and complete the requirements to fulfill a B.S. Chemistry (19.0 credits) at Millersville University. These credits in the chemistry degree will vary depending on the program to which they change (ex. B.S. Biochemistry or other B.S. options).
BS Chemistry/3+4 Pre-Pharmacy Degree: Requirements, Sequence, and Recommended Program Plans
Bachelor of Science in Secondary Ed. / Chemistry
The BSE-CHEM degree leads to certification to teach chemistry at the secondary level in the public schools of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Note also that CHEMISTRY requirements of the BSE-CHEM curriculum and that of the BA-CHEM degree are almost identical. BSE-CHEM requires Analytical Chemistry (CHEM 465) while BA-CHEM requires Inorganic Chemistry (CHEM 452), and both curricula require at least one elective chemistry course. A student majoring in either program would be wise to take both CHEM 452 and CHEM 465, as well as either Russian or German at the elementary level.
It is possible to graduate with the BA-CHEM degree and also be certified to teach chemistry at the secondary level. Several students have done so in the past and some have reported that school districts look more favorably on an application with the BA-CHEM degree than they do on one with the BSE-CHEM degree. To do this, one simply adds the courses in the Professional Education (33.0 credits), Bachelor of Science in Education degree requirements, of the BSE-CHEM curriculum record form to the requirements of the BA-CHEM degree. You should initially consult the Chemistry Department Chairperson and then, as necessary, the Secondary Education Department if you plan to pursue this option.
BSE Chemistry Secondary Education Degree: Requirements, Sequence, and Recommended Program Plans
Chemistry Minor
Students pursuing other degrees at Millersville University who wish to have a special understanding of Chemical Systems or Chemical Principles can opt to minor in Chemistry. This emphasis can greatly increase a graduate's employment opportunities in certain areas, such as Occupational Safety and Health, Industrial Technology, Biology and others. The Chemistry minor option allows students to take a concentration of courses in the area of chemistry while pursuing their primary degree.
Biochemistry Minor
Like the Minor in chemistry, the Biochemistry Minor allows students to follow their primary major through to graduation, while completing a strong program in chemistry. The advantages to the student are increased understanding of the applicability of their major to chemical systems, increased adaptability to changing circumstances in employment, and the ability to cross-reference knowledge and expand one's ability to understand more complex problems and discover solutions through research and testing.
Environmental Chemistry Minor
The environmental chemistry minor provides an opportunity for students to develop an in depth understanding of current environmental issues from a chemistry perspective. An underlying theme is the role of chemistry in sustainability. Students enrolled in the minor have the advantage of broadening their understanding of chemistry and the environment while still pursuing their chosen major. This will make them more attractive for jobs and future career placement.