Chemistry

Major Map: B.S. Chemistry

Chemistry is important, both as an area in liberal education and as a professional field. Fisk's Chemistry undergraduate program is on the approved list of the American Chemical Society (ACS) -- a rare accomplishment for small institutions.

The Chemistry Department offers both undergraduate and graduate programs (See, School of Graduate Studies, Chemistry) . The department's undergraduate offerings are designed to be serve three types of students: those who intend to pursue chemistry as a profession or to do graduate work in chemistry; those who need training in chemistry as part of their preparation for professional fields such as medicine, dentistry, nursing, and secondary school teaching; and those who wish a knowledge of chemistry as part of a liberal education. Students intending to major in chemistry should consult with a member of the chemistry faculty regarding a program of study.

Departmental honors in Chemistry are awarded to exceptional graduating seniors. In addition to Fisk University's requirement for a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 3.3 in Chemistry courses, Chemistry majors must also have participated in Senior Research in CHEM 355 and/or 356 and must be examined on an Honors Thesis based on this research.

The Chemistry Department has the following goals and objectives:

  1. To provide a challenging curriculum with effective methods for teachers to teach and students to learn chemistry.
  2. To prepare students for graduate study, professional training or careers in industry, education and government through study and research.

Students who complete the chemistry major will be able to demonstrate:

  1. Working knowledge of chemistry, including inorganic, organic, physical, analytical and biochemistry, in chemistry topics and research concepts.
  2. Knowledge of the integration of chemistry with other sciences and in everyday life. This objective will be accomplished through participation in interdisciplinary projects performed during and outside of class.
  3. Practice and knowledge of technical and safety skills in the laboratory that will increase the awareness of chemistry in everyday life.

GET THE COURSES YOU NEED

 

Fall Semester [16 credits]
CHEM 113/103L General Chemistry I and Lab 4 credits
BIO 101/101L General Biology I and Lab 4 credits
Math 110 Pre-Calculus 4 credits
CORE 100 New Student Orientation 1 credit
CORE 150 Composition I 3 credits
Spring Semester [17 credits]
CHEM 114/114L General Chemistry II and Lab 4 credits
BIO 102/102L General Biology II and Lab 4 credits
Math 120 Calculus I 4 credits
CORE 120 Critical Thinking 2 credits
CORE 160 Composition II 3 credits

 

 

Fall Semester [16 credits]
CHEM 233/206L Organic Chemistry I and Lab 5 credits
PHYS 117/117L Physics for Life Sciences I and Lab 4 credits
Math 130 Calculus II 4 credits
CORE 201 Introduction to Business 3 credits
Spring Semester [17 credits]
CHEM 234/204L Organic Chemistry II and Lab 4 credits
PHYS 118/118L Physics for Life Sciences I and Lab 4 credits
CORE Group C 3 credits
CORE 360 The world and its people 4 credits
CORE Group A World Music 2 credits

 

Fall Semester [16 credits]
CHEM 341/341L Physical Chemistry I and Lab 4 credits
CSCI 110 Computer Science I 4 credits
NSCI 361 Biochemistry I and Lab 4 credits
CORE 260 Humanities 4 credits
Spring Semester [16 credits]
CHEM 342/342L Physical Chemistry II and Lab 4 credits
Math 390 B Biostatistics or 140 Calculus II 4 credits
SPAN/FREN Language requirement 4 credits
  GENERAL ELECTIVES 4-6 credits

 

Fall Semester [15.5 credits]
CHEM 501 Chemical Colloquium I 0.5 credits
CHEM 470/470L Analytical Chemistry and Lab 4 credits
CHEM 355 Senior Research I 3 credits
CORE Group E 4 credits
SPAN/FREN Language requirement 4 credits
Spring Semester [16.5 credits]
CHEM 502 Chemical Colloquium II 0.5 credits
CHEM 316/316L Inorganic Chemistry 4 credits
CHEM 356 Senior Research II 3 credits
SPAN/FREN Language requirement 4 credits
GENERAL ELECTIVES 4-5 credits

 

GET RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

  • Complete on-line assessment to ascertain career interests.
  • Meet with staff in Career services, your academic advisor, and discipline coordinator to identify potential internships.
  • Create a core resume and CV. Ask a STEM professor and staff in the Office of Career Planning and Development to review.
  • Connect with your STEM professors so that they can write you strong letters of recommendation.
  • Apply for summer research internships at Fisk University.
  • Consider volunteering in a research lab (at least 10 hours during the academic year, ~20 hours during the summer).
  • Meet with staff in Career services to identify potential internships.
  • Update your resume and CV. Obtain feedback.
  • Join a research lab at Fisk University. You will gain critical experience, mentoring, and professional development.
  • Apply for summer research internships at other universities.
  • Consult with your letter writers and research advisor for help in crafting strong applications.
  • Apply for summer research internships at Fisk University.
  • Meet with staff in Career services to identify potential internships.
  • Update your resume and CV. Obtain feedback.
  • Join a research lab at Fisk University. You will gain critical experience, mentoring, and professional development.
  • Apply for summer research internships at other universities. Consult with your letter writers and research advisor for help in crafting strong applications.
  • Apply for summer research internships at Fisk University.
  • Meet with staff in Career services to identify potential internships.
  • Update your resume and CV. Obtain feedback.
  • Conduct Senior Research Project at Fisk University. You will gain critical experience, mentoring, and professional development.

GET CONNECTED WITH THE COMMUNITY

  • Join ASBMB Student Affiliate Chapter.
  • Consider joining the Nashville Chapter of NOBCChE.
  • Apply for the W.E.B. DuBois Honors program.
  • Attend professional conferences (SERMACS, NOBCChE, ABRCMS, NCUR).
  • Take advantage of service learning opportunities offered in courses and as scholarship requirements.
  • Join student organizations with community outreach programs.
  • Frequently check Fisk e-mail for news of volunteer opportunities shared by faculty/advisors and by the Office of Leadership and Service.
  • Join ASBMB Student Affiliate Chapter.
  • Consider joining the Nashville Chapter of NOBCChE.
  • Apply for the W.E.B. DuBois Honors program.
  • Attend professional conferences (SERMACS, NOBCChE, ABRCMS, NCUR).
  • Take advantage of service learning opportunities offered in courses and as scholarship requirements.
  • Join student organizations with community outreach programs.
  • Frequently check Fisk e-mail for news of volunteer opportunities shared by faculty/advisors and by the Office of Leadership and Service.
  • Join ASBMB Student Affiliate Chapter.
  • Consider joining the Nashville Chapter of NOBCChE.
  • Apply for the W.E.B. DuBois Honors program.
  • Attend professional conferences (SERMACS, NOBCChE, ABRCMS, NCUR).
  • Take advantage of service learning opportunities offered in courses and as scholarship requirements.
  • Join student organizations with community outreach programs.
  • Frequently check Fisk e-mail for news of volunteer opportunities shared by faculty/advisors and by the Office of Leadership and Service.
  • Join ASBMB Student Affiliate Chapter.
  • Consider joining the Nashville Chapter of NOBCChE.
  • Apply for the W.E.B. DuBois Honors program.
  • Attend professional conferences (SERMACS, NOBCChE, ABRCMS, NCUR).
  • Take advantage of service learning opportunities offered in courses and as scholarship requirements.
  • Join student organizations with community outreach programs.
  • Frequently check Fisk e-mail for news of volunteer opportunities shared by faculty/advisors and by the Office of Leadership and Service.

GET THINKING GLOBALLY

  • Begin foreign language course requirements (placement examination determines beginning course)
  • Begin planning potential study abroad (see staff in Office of Global Initiatives).
  • Be intentional in interacting with international students and students from other subcultures.
  • Pay close attention to textbooks and lectures offering cross-cultural comparisons.
  • Begin foreign language course requirements (placement examination determines beginning course)
  • Begin planning potential study abroad (see staff in Office of Global Initiatives).
  • Be intentional in interacting with international students and students from other subcultures.
  • Pay close attention to textbooks and lectures offering cross-cultural comparisons.
  • Finalize arrangements for study abroad (see staff in Office of Global Initiatives). Meet with advisor to ensure courses earned abroad will meet student course requirements for general studies, electives, and major.
  • Be intentional in interacting with international students and students from other subcultures.
  • Pay close attention to textbooks and lectures offering cross-cultural comparisons.
  • Be intentional in interacting with international students and students from other subcultures.
  • Pay close attention to textbooks and lectures offering cross-cultural comparisons.

GET READY FOR LIFE AFTER GRADUATION

  • Create a LinkedIn profile. Participate in professional development webinars.
  • Set up a profile with National Research Mentoring Network. Build your virtual network and identify mentors.
  • Send an email to your potential letter-writers. Tell them your latest milestones and accomplishments.
  • Interested in a career in healthcare? Contact Pre-Health Advisor to discuss opportunities in nursing, physical therapy, dentistry, pharmacy, and medicine.Apply to BA/MD program.Consider applying for a Pre-Health Summer Enrichment program Database available https://services.aamc.org/summerprograms/
  • Interested in exploring a career in biomedical research? Identify yourself as a Pre-MARC scholar.
  • Update your LinkedIn profile. Participate in professional development webinars.
  • Update your profile with National Research Mentoring Network. Build your virtual network and identify mentors.
  • Send an email to your potential letter-writers. Tell them your latest milestones and accomplishments.
  • Interested in Health-Professional Careers? Shadow professionals in field of interest. A short intensive experience is most efficient (full time for 2-4 works during winter break is ideal).
  • Interested in research career? Apply to MARC Program.
  • Update your LinkedIn profile. Participate in professional development webinars.
  • Update your profile with National Research Mentoring Network. Build your virtual network and identify mentors.
  • Send an email to your potential letter-writers. Tell them your latest milestones and accomplishments.
  • Interested in Health-Professional Careers? Shadow professionals in field of interest. A short intensive experience is most efficient (full time for 2-4 works during winter break is ideal).Take MCAT prep course.
  • Applications for Professional Schools begin as early as the end of Junior Year. Applications should be submitted during the Summer between Junior and Senior year.
  • Interested in Research Careers? Identify potential graduate school programs that include faculty doing research in a field you are passionate about.
  • Interested in Health-Professional Careers? Submit applications and prepare for interview season. Work with your mentoring team to craft a strong application.
  • Interested in Research Careers? Many graduate school application deadlines are due late Fall semester (November/December). Start working on these as soon as you can.
  • Prepare to take the GRE. Take a prep course if you can.
  • Attend graduate school fair (September).

WHERE COULD I GO AFTER GRADUATION?

Health-care, Research, Education, Consulting, Wall street, Chemical Industry R&D, Manufacturing, Intellectual Property

Examples of Graduate/ Professional Degrees

Ph.D. , M.D. , D.D.S. , D.O. , M.S.N. , M.P.H. , J.D.

Selected job titles for BS:

Research assistant, Chemist, Teacher, Associate Scientist, Laboratory Technician, Manager, QC Analyst

Selected job titles for 'Terminal Degree':

Professor, Staff Scientist, Research Scientist, Consultant, Data Analyst, Patent Attorney, Patent Examiner, Physician, Physician-Scientist, Nurse Practitioner, Nobelist