Chemistry Programs

Chemistry Major/Minor Information:

The field of chemistry touches every aspect of our lives, and the work of chemists shows up in all types of settings. The chemist has a role in the development of new pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and medical tests, in monitoring and remediating pollution, in developing new energy sources and technologies, in analyzing evidence for criminal investigations, in the preservation of art and artifacts, and in the development of AI technologies. Chemists are critical to the food and beverage, packaging, paint, adhesive and textiles industries. Chemists work in academia, in industry, in governmental capacities, as consultants and as entrepreneurs. In all these settings, they play an important role in ensuring that decisions about equipment and materials are sound. We live in a material world, and the chemist has a significant role in the workings of this world. 

A chemist approaches the world’s problems and finds solutions by considering what is going on at the molecular level and how it informs an understanding of observed phenomena. Chemistry students learn to ask chemical questions and develop a deep understanding of their solutions, grounded in the conceptual and practical knowledge that is needed to do pure and applied research. Chemistry students learn collaboratively and independently. Across the curriculum, from 100 to 400 levels courses, they design, implement, and evaluate laboratory investigations. They gain hands-on experience with state of the art instrumentation such as nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, infrared, ultraviolet, fluorescence and visible spectroscopy, gas and high performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry.  They learn to communicate, in both written and spoken word, effectively using the language and concepts of chemistry, and presenting to audiences with a variety of scientific backgrounds. 

Chemistry students gain knowledge and appreciation for the diversity of uses and needs for the world's raw materials. Their ability to approach a situation or setting from a chemist’s perspective, a strong foundation in communication, analysis, and problem solving, means that they are informed citizens, effective advocates, responsible consumers, principled business owners, and strong community leaders. 

Chemistry students have strong mentor relationships with faculty. Chemistry majors are interns across the Milwaukee area and beyond, applying their knowledge and abilities in a variety of settings. These internships lead to networking opportunities and employment in chemistry. The demand for Chemists in Wisconsin and beyond remains strong.  The mean annual wage for a chemist with a bachelor’s degree working in Southeastern Wisconsin is over $70,000 and the employment rate for chemistry is high.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Effectively uses the language, concepts, and models of chemistry fluently in written and oral communication (Communication)

  • Consistently uses scientific and chemical vocabulary fluently and precisely in developing coherent and substantiated communications of chemical concepts and applications
  • Effectively uses graphs, tables, diagrams, chemical structures, and equations to represent chemical data and relationships
  • Adeptly matches communication content, style, and structure to the purpose of the communication and to the audience
  • Consistently and thoroughly meets standards of academic integrity in selection and citation of source material and in use of data to construct arguments and draw conclusions

2. Accurately applies the frameworks and methodology of chemistry to solve problems independently and collaboratively (Analysis, Problem Solving, Social Interaction)

  • Selects and applies appropriate strategies and models of chemistry to analyze and synthesize chemical data
  • Expresses valid interpretations based on a sound understanding of fundamental chemical concepts and analytical frameworks
  • Demonstrates appropriate and effective social interaction skills and professional behaviors in group problem solving experiences in the classroom and laboratory
  • Demonstrates creativity and sophistication in structuring, carrying out, and critiquing scientific investigations

3. Uses a wide variety of laboratory techniques with accuracy, precision, safety and an attention to local and global implications of chemical practices (Developing a Global Perspective, Valuing in Decisions Making)

  • Explains the theoretical underpinnings and demonstrates the practical application of chemical techniques and instrumentation
  • Applies valuing frameworks to make responsible decisions about the safe handling and conscientious disposal of chemicals, the safe and appropriate use of equipment and technology, and the ethical use of chemical information
  • Cultivates a professional identity by integrating experiences from academic and professional settings and by demonstrating initiative in engaging with contemporary issues in chemistry

Contact for Chemistry Programs

Blom, Alex, Professor of Physical Science, PhD, Physical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Instrumental Analysis, alex.blom@alverno.edu

Chemistry Faculty

Blom, Alex, Professor of Physical Science, PhD, Physical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Instrumental Analysis, alex.blom@alverno.edu

Coss, Jenna, Physical Science Laboratory Manager, MS, General Chemistry and Biology, jenna.coss@alverno.edu

Mernitz, Heather, Professor of Physical Science, PhD, Biochemistry, Nutritional Biochemistry, heather.mernitz@alverno.edu

Thompson, Tracy, Professor of Physical Science, PhD, Organic Chemistry, tracy.thompson@alverno.edu

Chemistry Major (CH.D.BS) 25-26 Catalog

CH-213
213L
Chemistry of Bioorganic Molecules
and Chemistry of Bioorganic Molecules Lab (General Education )
4
CH-221
221L
Organic Chemistry 1
and Organic Chemistry 1 - Lab
4
CH-234
234L
Analytical Chemistry/Quantitative Analys
and Analytical Chem-Quant Analysis Lab
4
CH-260
260L
Chemistry of Inorganic Materials
and Chemistry/Inorganic Materials - Lab
4
CH-322
322L
Organic Chemistry 2
and Organic Chemistry 2 Lab
4
CH-328Biochemistry With Laboratory4
CH-337Instrumental Methods of Analysis Lab3
or CH-395 Biochemistry of Micronutrients
CH-441Physical Chemistry 13
CH-442Physical Chemistry 23
CH-450LPhysical Chemistry Lab2
INTERN-383Internship Seminar2
MT-152Calculus 14
or MT-268 Intro to Python Programming
MT-253Calculus 24
or MT-368 Think Like A Data Scientist
PH-231
231L
Algebra-Based Physics I
and Physics Lab
4
or PH-241
241L
Calculus-Based Physics 1
and Physics Lab
PH-232Algebra-Based Physics 23
or PH-242 Calculus-Based Physics 2
Total Credits52

Chemistry (CH.D.BS) Map  25-26 Catalog

Freshman
FallCreditsSpringCredits
AC 151CH-213
213L
4
CM-1204SC-120
120L
4
FSS-1252CM-1253
ILA-100
ILA-200
0MT-2564
QL-122 or BU 1514 
SC-119
119L
4 
 14 15
Sophomore
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CH-221
221L
4CH-234
234L
4
MT-152 or 2684MT-253 or 3684
HUM-1504CH-260
260L
4
CM-2253FA-1104
MT-12313 
ADV-2990 
 18 16
Junior
FallCreditsSpringCredits
PH-241
241L2
4PH-242
242L3
4
CH-337 or 3953CH-322
322L
4
CH-3740INTERN-3832
BSC-2152General Elective 3-5
PPS-2291 
GLS-200, POL 225, PSY 110, or SW 2003-4 
 13-14 13-15
Senior
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CH-3284CH-4423
CH-4413CH-450L2
HFA-210 or 2502HFA-310 or 2502
General Elective8Choose One Globally Effective Citizen Course: AHS 409, GEC 302, GEC 307, GEC 312, GEC 314, GEC 315, GEC 316, GEC 317, GEC 320, GEC 323, GEC 324, GEC 328, GEC 332, GEC 333, GEC 336, GEC 393, GEC 398, SW 3363
 General Elective4-6
 17 14-16
Total Credits 120-125
1

Take only if MP-0 or MP-1

2

Choose PH 231 & 231L OR PH 241 & PH 241L

3

Choose PH 232 & PH 232L OR PH 242 & PH 242L

Chemistry Minor (CH.D.SUP.2022) Requirements  25-26 Catalog

CH-213
213L
Chemistry of Bioorganic Molecules
and Chemistry of Bioorganic Molecules Lab
4
MT-123
MT-124
College Algebra
and Trigonometry
5-4
or MT-148 Functions & Modeling
or MT-152 Calculus 1
or MT-268 Intro to Python Programming
Chemistry Electives16
Total Credits25-24