Bachelor of Chemistry at West Virginia University

The Bennett Department of Chemistry offers the bachelor of science with a major in chemistry and the bachelor of arts with a major in chemistry.  These programs are configured to meet the needs of all students who have an interest in the broad field of chemistry.

The Department of Chemistry is located in Clark Hall, a state-of-the-art teaching facility for chemistry.  Clark Hall offers many new instruments, numerous safety features, excellent ventilation and ample hoods, and complete accessibility for the physically handicapped.  The department also has modern research facilities in the adjacent Chemistry Research Laboratory building where advanced undergraduates may participate in research projects.

The bachelor of science with a major in chemistry is approved by the American Chemical Society.  This program is for students who desire to qualify for professional positions in industrial and governmental laboratories as well as those who plan to do graduate work in chemistry or allied areas in preparation for research careers in industry or academia.

The bachelor of arts with a major in chemistry is for students who pursue careers requiring a good background in the basic principles of chemistry.  Areas such as medicine, dentistry, or other health-related sciences; secondary school teaching; chemical laboratory technical work; law; or business may be pursued with a proper choice of electives.

The two programs are similar during the first two years.  Students in the B.S. program should complete the calculus requirement as soon as possible as a prerequisite for both the physics and physical chemistry sequences.  The two degree programs differ primarily in the chemistry requirements.  The B.S. program requires more upper-level chemistry courses than the B.A. program.

Students who earn a degree in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences must complete the University requirements, the College requirements for their specific degree program, and their major requirements.

Chemistry Scholarships

In addition to financial aid offered by the University, the department maintains seven scholarships specifically for chemistry majors.  The John A. Moore Trust Scholarships, the Charles L. Lazzell Scholarship, the Carpenter Family Scholarship, the Robert L. and Patricia Miller Stultz Chemistry Scholarship, the Herbert and Hannah Seigel Chemistry Scholarship, the Willard W. Hodge Scholarship, the Morrissey-Ropp Chemistry Scholarships, the William R. and Phylis T. Moore Organic Chemistry Scholarship, the Joseph T. Green Memorial Scholarship, and the Bud and Patty Blizzard Scholarships are awarded to students in either the B.S. or B.A. programs with records of outstanding achievement and demonstrated financial need.  Several of these scholarships are restricted to West Virginia residents.  Scholarship recipients are expected to remain as chemistry majors and to maintain a 3.0 average in their degree programs in order to be eligible for continued support.

Minors

All students have the possibility of earning one or more minors; follow the link for a list of all available minors and their requirements. Please note that students may not earn a minor in their major field.

Chemistry

1. Will have sufficient knowledge of the fundamental chemical principles and an understanding of the methods of chemistry to be able to formulate solutions to problems of chemical relevance.
2. Will have acquired sufficient training to perform accurate and precise quantitative analyses, to utilize modern instrumental methods of analysis, to analyze and report the results of chemical experimentation, to work safely with chemicals, and to work effectively both as an individual and in a small group.
3. Will understand how to retrieve information from the chemical literature and be able to organize and communicate chemical information effectively in written reports and oral presentations.
4. Will possess the basic laboratory skills and chemical knowledge to qualify for entry level industrial or government laboratory positions or to be able to apply and gain admission to competitive graduate and professional schools.