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Chemistry

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Why pursue a chemistry degree at North Central College?

A career in chemistry presents exciting opportunities across the greater scientific industry. Chemists study substances at the atomic and molecular level, analyzing the way they interact. Chemistry advancements have important impacts on society, including the development and improvement of products and quality control.

At North Central College, faculty are committed to preparing students for hands-on lab experiences. With proximity to BP, Ecolabs, Baxter Healthcare, Argonne National Laboratories and Perkin-Elmer, there is even more opportunity to interact with employers that value chemistry expertise. American Chemical Society-approved, North Central’s Chemistry program prepares students for graduate school or careers in laboratories, schools and corporate environments.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN

  • Analyzing substances to determine interactions
  • Preparing solutions, compounds and reagents used in laboratories
  • Carrying out complex research projects, such as developing new products and testing methods

then a degree in CHEMISTRY might be for you.

Why study chemistry at North Central College?

In the Classroom

Coursework topics:

  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Biological Chemistry
  • Calculus
  • Inorganic Chemistry
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Physical Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Instrumental Analysis
  • Statistics

Wentz Science Center
Take a virtual tour of the state-of-the-art Wentz Science Center, home to the chemistry program classes, labs and faculty offices.

Virtual Tour

Beyond the Classroom

As a chemistry major, you can:

  • Apply for internships and jobs through robust faculty and alumni networks or the Center for Career and Professional Development.
  • Take advantage of competitive science grant opportunities.
  • Join the nationally recognized Student Members of the American Chemical Society (SMACS) student group.
  • Present your research findings at North Central’s own Rall Symposium and summer colloquium as well as local, regional, and national conferences.

More Department information

ACS logo

Chemistry Education, B.S.

Chemists study the structure and transformations of matter, detect and quantify chemical species and create new substances. The chemistry- education track, B.S. prepares a student for employment as a secondary school educator. It allows students more breadth to their college degree where they pair their chemistry studies with requirements from another discipline. This degree track is tailored to be compatible and must be completed with a secondary education, B.A. major.

For additional information and courses in this program, see Chemistry and Physics.

Core Courses

Electives

Four Credit hours from the following:

Completion of the Secondary Education major requirements with EDUC 446 taken as the methods course.

Chemistry, ACS-Certified, B.S.

Chemists study the structure and transformations of matter, detect and quantify chemical species, and create new substances. A degree in chemistry prepares a student for employment in a private or government laboratory; continuing studies in medical, pharmacy, dental, veterinary or law school; secondary school teaching; a position in business; or graduate study and research in the sciences or engineering. The ACS-certified Chemistry B.S. degree is the curriculum approved by the American Chemical Society and allows students more depth where they work to master the theoretical and applied aspects of chemistry.

For additional programs and courses in this department, see Chemistry and Physics.

Core Courses

Characterization Courses

Two of the following:

Advanced Electives

Three credit hours from the following:

Physics Sequence

One of the following sequences:

Non-Calculus

Calculus-Based

Chemistry, B.A.

Chemists study the structure and transformations of matter, detect and quantify chemical species, and create new substances. A degree in chemistry prepares a student for employment in a private or government laboratory; continuing studies in medical, pharmacy, dental, veterinary or law school; secondary school teaching; a position in business; or graduate study and research in the sciences or engineering. The Chemistry B.A. degree allows students more breadth to their college degree where they can pair their chemistry studies with an emphasis in a discipline outside of chemistry.

For additional programs and courses in this department, see Chemistry and Physics.

Core Courses

Physical Chemistry

One of the following:

Electives

Eight credit hours from the following:

Professional Focus

A minimum of 12 additional credit hours in approved courses in an area of professional focus. These courses are intended to have students explore what can be done with a chemistry degree. The focus area will cover one of a variety of disciplines such as health, chemical engineering, law, scientific writing, business, computer science, environmental, foreign language, forensics, mathematics, physics, spectroscopy, or additional chemistry. Examples of the 12 credit hours of professional focus are given below or you can devise your own plan that is approved by the department chair.

Health

Medical, Dental, Veterinary, Podiatry, etc.

Pre-Pharmacy

Chemical Engineering

Law

Scientific Writing

Additional Calculus or Programming

One of the following:

Physics Sequence

One of the following sequences:

Non-Calculus

Calculus-Based

Foreign Language

Students must demonstrate elementary competence in a foreign language. For more information, see the B.A. Degree Requirements within the Academic Regulations section of this catalog.

Applied Chemistry, B.S.

An Applied Chemistry degree equips you with the practical knowledge and skills to tackle real-world challenges. The two tracks are Biological and Instrumental Chemistry. This program empowers you to intensely apply chemistry to the field of biology or using our outstanding instrumentation to delve into solving some real world problems.

Core Courses

Tracks

Complete coursework from one of the following two tracks:

Biological Chemistry Track

Instrumental Chemistry Track

Physics Sequence

One of the following sequences:

Non-Calculus

Calculus-Based

Chemistry Minor

For additional programs and courses in this department, see Chemistry and Physics.

At least 22 credit hours, including:

Note:

Research opportunities (CHEM*295/395/495), seminars (CHEM*391/392/491), and internships (CHEM*497) may not count toward the Chemistry Minor.

Chemistry Internships and Jobs

A North Central education integrates career preparation with rich academic study. Our faculty encourages you to refine and apply your knowledge in an interconnected world. Here you'll learn to think independently and work globally to solve problems and lead.

Graduate and Professional Schools

Recent graduates in chemistry have been accepted at:

  • Purdue University
  • University of Iowa
  • University of Oregon
  • University of North Carolina
  • University of Illinois
  • University of Minnesota
  • University of Arizona
  • University of Utah

Medical and Professional Schools

Recent graduates in chemistry have been accepted at:

  • Chicago College of Pharmacy at Midwestern University.
  • University of Illinois at Chicago, Pharmacy
  • Chicago Kent College of Law, IIT


Careers

Recent graduates in chemistry are employed by:

  • Particle Technology Labs
  • Blistex, Inc.
  • Fehr Solutions
  • CH2M HILL
  • Water Quality Association
  • Bisco Electronics
  • Wheaton Wastewater Treatment
  • Universal Oil Products (UOP)
  • Perkin Elmer
  • Flavors of North America
  • Micromeritics Instrumentation Corp.
  • BP Amoco
  • Volt Information Sciences
  • Los Alamos National Lab
  • Downers Grove Wastewater Treatment
  • Excelon
  • Underwriter Laboratories
  • AIT Laboratories as a forensic chemist
  • Inland Western Management
  • Illinois Crime Laboratory
  • Naperville North High School
  • Richards High School
  • Downers Grove South High School
  • Maine East High School
  • East Aurora High School

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