Chemistry Program

The curricula for the B.S. and B.A. degrees in Chemistry satisfy the requirements for certification by the American Chemical Society. This program is recommended for those planning research careers and/or graduate study in chemistry. In accordance with the guidelines established by the American Chemical Society it is recommended that Chemistry majors study a foreign language. Individualized programs of study appropriate to students’ interests and specialized career objectives may be designed. Careers which may be pursued with a degree in chemistry, some of which may require graduate study, include science writing, environmental science, forensic chemistry, information and computer sciences, chemical business, and patent law.

Core requirements

CHEM 111, 112, L111, L112, 211, 212, L211, L212, 313, 314, L314, 331, 411, 412, L411, L412, 423, 425 or 426, L426, 428, 429, or L428, L429 CMPSC 121 or 131 MATH 161, 162, 261, 262 PHYS 151, 152, L151, L152

The recommended course sequence leading to the B.S. degree is as follows:

Freshman Year Semester Hours CHEM 111, 112, L111, L112 8
CMPSC 121 or 131 3
MATH 161, 162 6
ENG 101, 102 6
Freshman Integrated Studies 6

29 Total Semester Hours

Sophomore Year Semester Hours CHEM 211, 212, L211, L212 8
PHYS 151, 152, L151, L152 8
Second Year English 6
CJN 103/Ethics 6
Elective 3

31 Total Semester Hours

Junior Year Semester Hours CHEM 313 1
CHEM 314, L314 4
CHEM 411, 412, L411, L412 8
CHEM 331 3
MATH 261, 262 6
Humanities Requirement 3
Social Science Requirement 3
Elective 3

31 Total Semester Hours

Senior Year Semester Hours CHEM 423 3
CHEM 425 or 426, L426 4
CHEM 428, 429 or L428, L429 2
Advanced Chemistry Elective 3
Advanced Chemistry Lab
(May be taken Junior or Senior Year) 1
Humanities Requirement 6
Social Science Requirement 6
Free Electives 6

31 Total Semester Hours

Chemistry/Computer Science

The Chemistry/Computer Science program adds an integral interdisciplinary dimension to the undergraduate study of chemistry. Reflecting the increasing importance of computer science expertise in technological endeavors, the program should provide expanded career opportunities for Chemistry majors whether their goal is graduate study or immediate employment.

Program requirements

Core requirements in Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics and Physics. In addition, CMPSC 132, 253 (or ECE 251), 265 and six more hours of Computer Science electives or Computer Engineering approved by the Department of Chemistry.

The recommended course sequence leading to the B.S. degree is outlined as follows:

Freshman Year Semester Hours CHEM 111, 112, L111, L112 8
CMPSC 131 3
MATH 161, 162 6
ENG 101, 102 6
Freshman Integrated Studies 6

29 Total Semester Hours

Sophomore Year Semester Hours CHEM 211, 212, L211, L212 8
CMPSC 132 3
PHYS 151, 152, L151, L152 8
Second Year English 6
CJN 103/Ethics 6

31 Total Semester Hours

Junior Year Semester Hours CHEM 313 1
CHEM 314, L314 4
CHEM 411, 412, L411, L412 8
CMPSC 253 3
Computer Science Elective 3
MATH 261, 262 6
Humanities Requirement 3
Social Science Requirement 3

31 Total Semester Hours

Senior Year Semester Hours CHEM 423 3
CHEM 425 or 426 3
CHEM 428, 429 or L428, L429 2
CMPSC 265 3
Computer Science Elective 3
Humanities Requirement 6
Social Science Requirement 6
Electives 6

32 Total Semester Hours

Chemistry/General Business Minor

The program in Chemistry/General Business Minor combines training in chemistry with a general business minor in the Sawyer Business School. It is intended for those students who wish varying career choices in industry or wish to ultimately enter an M.B.A. program. Since the business component is included without compromising the requisite professional preparation in chemistry, students are not limited in their choice of graduate study.

Program requirements

Core requirements in Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics and Physics with the exception of CHEM 423 and 425 and MATH 262. In addition the General Business Studies minor as specified by the Sawyer Business School.

The recommended course sequence leading to the B.S. degree is outlined as follows:

Freshman Year Semester Hours
CHEM 111, 112, L111, L112 8
CMPSC 110 or 121 3
MATH 161-162 6
ENG 101-102 6
Freshman Integrated Studies 6

29 Total Semester Hours

Sophomore Year Semester Hours
CHEM 211, 212, L211, L212 8
STATS 250 3
PHYS 151, 152, L151, L152 8
Second Year English 6
CJN 103 3
Ethics 

31 Total Semester Hours

Junior Year Semester Hours
CHEM 313 1
CHEM 314, L314 4
CHEM 411, 412, L411, L412 8
MATH 261 3
ACCT 201 3
EC 101*, 102 6
SOM 101 3
Humanities Requirement 3

31 Total Semester Hours

Senior Year Semester Hours
CHEM 428, 429 or L428, L429 2
Elective 3
CIS 310 3
Humanities Requirement 6
Social Science Requirement 6
Chemistry Elective 3
SSOM Minor options** 9 

32 Total Semester Hours

To be used in partial fulfillment of the Social Science Option.
   
**SSOM Minor options are to be chosen from the following list (substitution requires prior approval from the academic advisor): MGT 201, ACCT 202, BLW 214, FIN 310, MKT 310, MGT 317, MGT 320, IBMK 321.

Chemistry/Education Program

In accordance with the guidelines of the American Chemical Society, the Chemistry-Education program includes a broadbased experience in the physical and biological sciences as well as in the major areas of chemistry: inorganic, organic, analytical, physical, and biochemistry. An individual completing this program in Chemistry/Education qualifies for Initial Licensure as a secondary teacher of chemistry in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and for Certification by the American Chemical Society.

Program requirements

CHEM 111, 112, L111, L112, 211, 212, L211, L212, 331, L331, 313, 314, L314, 411, 412, L411, L412, 428, 429

BIO 111, L111, 114, L114

MATH 161, 162

CMPSC 110 or 121

PHYS 151, 152, L151, L152 EHS 503, 504, 505, 506, 507, 509, 511

Recommended Course Sequence

The recommended course sequence leading to the B.S. degree is outlined as follows:

Freshman Year Semester Hours
CHEM 111, 112, L111, L112 8
BIO 111, L111 4
MATH 161, 162 6
ENG 101, 102 6
Freshman Integrated Studies 6
CMPSC 110 3

   
Sophomore Year Semester Hours
CHEM 211, 212, L211, 212 8
BIO 114, L114 4
PHYS 151, 152, L151, L152 8
Second Year English 6
CJN 103 3
Ethics 3 

32 Total Semester Hours

Junior Year Semester Hours
CHEM 411, 412, L411, L412 8
CHEM 314, L314 4
CHEM 313 1
Humanities Requirement or Language (B.A.) 6
EHS 509 3
EHS 507 3
EHS 503 (Soc. Sci. Requirement) 3
EHS 504 (Soc. Sci. Requirement) 3

31 Total Semester Hours 
   
Senior Year Semester Hours
CHEM 331, L331 4
Social Science Requirement 3
Humanities Requirement 3
EHS 505, 506 6
EHS 511 (Practicum) 6
CHEM 428, 429 2
CHEM 426, L426** 4

29 Total Semester Hours 
 

Biochemistry Program

The program in Biochemistry is based on curriculum interaction between the disciplines of Chemistry and Biology. Since the areas of concentration are broadened and well-integrated, several career options are possible upon successful completion of the program. It is recommended particularly for those planning careers in allied health areas, including clinical chemistry, graduate study in biochemistry, pharmacology or toxicology, and pre-professional study for medicine or dentistry.

The Curricula for the B.S. and B.A. degrees in Biochemistry satisfy the requirements for Certification by the American Chemical Society.

Core requirements

CHEM 111, 112, L111, L112, 211, 212, L211, L212, 313, 314, L314,
331, 332, L331, L332, 433, 428, 429, or L428, L429

BIO 111, L111, 114, L114 and two of the following: 274, L274; 285,
L285; 377, L377; 403, L403; 474, L474

CMPSC 121 or 110

MATH 161, 162

PHYS 151, 152, L151, L152

Recommended Course Sequence

The recommended course sequence leading to the B.S. degree is outlined as follows:

Freshman Year Semester Hours
CHEM 111, 112, L111, L112 8
BIO 111, L111, 114, L114 8
MATH 161, 162 6
ENG 101, 102 6
Freshman Integrated Studies 6

34 Total Semester Hours
  
Sophomore Year Semester Hours
CHEM 211, 212, L211, L212 8
CMPSC 121 or 110 3
PHYS 151, 152, L151, L152 8
Second Year English 6
CJN 103/Ethics 6

31 Total Semester Hours
  
Junior Year Semester Hours
CHEM 313 1
CHEM 314, L314 4
CHEM 331, 332, L331, L332 8
Biology Electives* 8
Humanities Requirement 3
Social Science Requirement 3
Elective 3

30 Total Semester Hours
  
Senior Year Semester Hours
CHEM 411, 412, L411, L412 8
CHEM 428, 429 or L428, L429 2
CHEM 433 3
Humanities Requirement 6
Social Science Requirement 6
Electives** 6

31 Total Semester Hours
  
*Must be chosen from the following: BIO 274, L274; 285, L285; 377, L377; 403, L403; 474, L474.
  
**CHEM 426, L426 required for those students seeking American Chemical Society Certification.

Biochemistry/Forensic Science Concentration

To meet the demand for qualified forensic scientists, Suffolk University offers a concentration in Forensic Science as part of its well-established degree in Biochemistry. Students electing the concentration in Forensic Science will receive a degree in Biochemistry with a specialization in Forensic Science.

Organizational Affiliation: Boston Police Crime Laboratory 

Degree requirements

Forensic Science students complete all course requirements for the degree in biochemistry including the basic biochemistry course, molecular biology, and an intensive laboratory including techniques in DNA science.

Related electives include genetics, biostatistics, criminalistics, and a criminalistics practicum. The practicum involves participation in government crime labs or biomedical laboratories and is limited to students approved by the Forensic Science Committee.

Freshman Year Semester Hours
CHEM 111,112,L111,L112 8
MATH 161,162 6
ENG 101,102 6
Freshman Integrated Studies 6
BIO 111,L111,114, L114 8

34 Total Semester Hours
   
Sophomore Year Semester Hours
CHEM 211,212,L211,L212 8
PHYS 151,152,L151,L152 8
ENG 213 3
ENG Option 3
CJN 103  3
CMPSC 121 or 101 3
CHEM 313 1
Ethics 3

32 Total Semester Hours
   
Junior Year Semester Hours
CHEM 331,332,L331,L332 10
BIO 273,274,L273*,L274* 8
CHEM 314, L314 4
SCI 303,L303 4
Humanities Option 3
Soc. Sci. Option 3

32 Total Semester Hours

Senior Year Semester Hours
CHEM 411,412,L411,L412 8
CHEM 433 3
Humanities Option 6
Soc. Sci. Option 6
Criminalistics practicum or elective** 6

29 Total Semester Hours
  

*Appear as science electives in Biochemistry program.
 
** Participation in government crime labs is subject to requirements of those laboratories and will be open only to those students approved by the Forensic Science Committee; students wishing to major in this program should consult the Committee Chair early in the program.

Career opportunities

Students who successfully complete the Forensic Science program will be qualified for employment in accredited crime laboratories. They may also pursue graduate studies in Forensic Science and related fields. Because they will have also completed degree requirements for the Biochemistry major, they will be qualified for employment in biotechnology and health sciences laboratories, or to pursue further studies in biochemistry or health sciences.

Contact us

For more information contact:

Dr. Steven Patterson
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Suffolk University
41 Temple Street
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 573-8253
spatters@suffolk.edu