General Catalog 2022-2023

Chemistry (BS)

The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry is designed to provide extensive knowledge in chemistry with an emphasis on scientific reasoning, problem solving and the use of laboratory techniques and instrumentation that foster the development of competent, responsible and ethical leaders.

The Program responds to the advancements in the cognitive sciences and incorporates new technology into the teaching-learning process. It foments the search for scientific knowledge leading to students’ intellectual and professional development.

The Program offers the Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry and is designed for students planning to work as chemists in industry or government or to take graduate studies in chemistry, or in any other branch of science.

The Arecibo, Guayama, Metropolitan and San Germán campuses are authorized to offer this Program.

Program Objectives

The program aims to develop professionals capable of:

  1. Integrate knowledge of chemistry for problem solving and scientific information analysis.
  2. Develop the technical and communication skills necessary to effectively and safely carry out laboratory and scientific research experiences.
  3. Develop the ability to work in a team and apply the ethical principles of the profession.

Competencies Profile of Graduates

The program is designed to permit the development of the following competencies:

Knowledge

To demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

  1. the physical properties and the chemical behavior of the substance based on its composition and structure.
  2. the chemical reactions based on their mechanisms and the factors that affect them.
  3. the procedures and regulations for the handling, use and disposal of chemical agents.

Skills

  1. To demonstrate effective written and oral communication, in English and Spanish and in the analysis of technical texts.
  2. To solve qualitative and quantitative problems of chemistry using instrumentation and suitable technology.
  3. To interpret experimental data and scientific literature.

Attitudes

  1. To act in agreement with the ethical standards and the laws that regulate the practice of the profession.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry

General Education Requirements 45 credits
Major Requirements 44 credits
Related Requirements 26-27 credits
Prescribed Distributive Requirements 6 or 7 credits
Elective Courses 3 credits
Total 124 or 126 credits

General Education Requirements - 45 credits

Forty-five (45) credits are required as explained in the section “General Education Requirements for Bachelors’ Degrees.” Students will take the course GEMA 1200 in the Basic Skills in Mathematics category. Students of this Program are exempt from taking the course GEST 2020 or 2030 in the Scientific and Technology Context category.

Major Requirements - 44 credits

CHEM 1111General Chemistry I

4

CHEM 2212General Chemistry II

4

CHEM 2221Organic Chemistry I

4

CHEM 2222Organic Chemistry II

4

CHEM 3230Structure Determination by Spectroscopic Analysis

3

CHEM 3320Analytical Chemistry

4

CHEM 3400Computation Laboratory and Its Applications to Chemistry

2

CHEM 3910Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics

4

CHEM 3920Physical Chemistry: Quantum and Kinetic

4

CHEM 4200Advanced Inorganic Chemistry

3

CHEM 4240Instrumental Analytical Chemistry

5

CHEM 4965Senior Seminar

3

Related Requirements - 26 or 27 credits

BIOL 1101General Biology I

3

BIOL 1103Biology Skills Laboratory I

1

 

MATH 1500Precalculus

5

Or

MATH 1511Precalculus I

3

And

MATH 1512Precalculus II

3

 

MATH 2251Calculus I

5

MATH 2252Calculus II

4

PHYS 3001General Physics I

4

PHYS 3002General Physics II

4

Prescribed Distributive Requirements - 6 or 7 credits

A minimum of six (6) credits from the following courses is required:

CHEM 3360Food Chemistry

3

CHEM 3370Green Chemistry

3

CHEM 3380Introduction to Nanotechnology

3

CHEM 3390Biotechnology for Chemists

3

CHEM 3900Research in Chemistry

1 to 3

CHEM 397_Special Topics

3

CHEM 4220Biochemistry

4