The undergraduate program in the Department of
Chemistry has two primary missions. One of these is to help its majors
attain a mastery of the discipline in preparation for further study in
chemistry or a chemical science, or for immediate employment in chemistry.
The other is to provide an opportunity for students majoring in other
disciplines to acquire a basic knowledge of the fundamental areas of
chemistry.
The program for majors is designed to enable
students to develop in-depth understanding of chemical principles; a working
knowledge of the properties of chemical substances; a familiarity with the use
of the chemical literature; skill in basic laboratory methods, including
modern instrumentation; the ability to observe, record, critically interpret,
and communicate experimental results; and a facility in analytical and logical
problem solving.
The curriculum leading to the Bachelor
of Science (B.S.) degree, a rigorous program certified by the American
Chemical Society, consists of a full spectrum of chemistry courses as well as
supporting courses in mathematics and physics, and is designed to prepare
students for a professional career in chemistry. The Bachelor
of Arts (B.A.) degree program, with fewer required courses, allows
students to obtain a broader knowledge of areas outside of chemistry, or to
tailor their chemistry program for specific or unique objectives.
What do our former students think of our
undergraduate program? In a recent poll of alumni, over 90 percent of
the 350 survey participants gave the responses.....
The KU Chemistry undergraduate
curriculum...
- highly flexible
- is well conceived
- is academically and intellectually
stimulating
- provides an excellent knowledge base
The Chemistry faculty...
- is of high quality
- has a relationship of mutual respect with
its students
The KU undergraduate chemistry
degree...
- has a national reputation
- is very effective in helping achieve career
goals