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.
1. Effectively uses the language, concepts, and models of chemistry fluently in written and oral communication (Communication)
2. Accurately applies the frameworks and methodology of chemistry to solve problems independently and collaboratively (Analysis, Problem Solving, Social Interaction)
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)
Blom, Alex, Professor of Physical Science, PhD, Physical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Instrumental Analysis, alex.blom@alverno.edu
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
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 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-328 | Biochemistry With Laboratory | 4 |
| CH-337 | Instrumental Methods of Analysis Lab | 3 |
| or CH-395 | Biochemistry of Micronutrients | |
| CH-441 | Physical Chemistry 1 | 3 |
| CH-442 | Physical Chemistry 2 | 3 |
| CH-450L | Physical Chemistry Lab | 2 |
| INTERN-383 | Internship Seminar | 2 |
| MT-152 | Calculus 1 | 4 |
| or MT-268 | Intro to Python Programming | |
| MT-253 | Calculus 2 | 4 |
| or MT-368 | Think Like A Data Scientist | |
| PH-231 & PH-231L | Algebra-Based Physics I and | 4 |
| or PH-241 & PH-241L | Calculus-Based Physics 1 W/Laboratory and | |
| PH-232 | Algebra-Based Physics With Laboratory 2 | 4 |
| or PH-242 | Calculus-Based Physics 2 W/Laboratory | |
| Total Credits | 53 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Electives | 16 | |
| Total Credits | 25-24 | |