Main Content

Chemistry

Mission Statement

The Department of Chemistry provides for the diverse community of San José State University: (1) a rigorous, intergrated curriculum for undergraduate programs in chemistry (BA and BS degrees, and minors), (2) a viable graduate program (MA and MS degrees), (3) undergraduate and graduate research opportunities, (4) lower and upper division service courses, (5) general education courses, including K-12 teacher training and professional development, and (6) professional and scholarly opportunties for faculty.

Departmental Goals (for all B.S. and B.A. Chemistry Degrees):

To demonstrate a general familiarity with the content, concepts, and to effectively be able to solve problems in the following areas: inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, physical chemistry and biochemistry.
To apply knowledge and understanding of the practice of safe laboratory work.
To effectively communicate science, both orally and written.

Learning Outcomes - B.S. or B.A. Chemistry

BS and BA Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon graduation, students obtaining a baccalaureate chemistry (B.S. or B.A) degree should be able to:

Demonstrate understanding of core concepts and to effectively solve problems in inorganic chemistry.
Demonstrate understanding of core concepts and to effectively solve problems in organic chemistry.
Demonstrate understanding of core concepts and to effectively solve problems in analytical chemistry.
Demonstrate understanding of core concepts and to effectively solve problems in physical chemistry.
Demonstrate understanding of core concepts and to effectively solve problems in biochemistry.
Answer questions regarding safe practices in the laboratory and chemical safety.
Demonstrate safe laboratory skills (including proper handling of materials and chemical waste) for particular laboratory experiments.
Effectively present a scientific paper in a poster session, as per at an American Chemical Society symposium.
Effectively present a scientific paper orally, as per at an American Chemical Society symposium.
Write a formal scientific laboratory report, using the format and style of an article in a peer-reviewed American Chemical Society journal.

BA/BS SLOs fall 2007 through fall 2010 (pdf)

Learning Outcomes - M.S. or M.A. Chemistry

Students obtaining a graduate chemistry (M.S or M.A.) degree should have upon graduation:

an increased depth of understanding of selected topics in chemistry.
the skills for acquiring knowledge in chemistry, both for matriculation and life-long learning.
an increased understanding of experimentation, observation and data analysis, and their application to defined questions in chemistry.
an awareness of available instrumentation for conducting specific scientific endeavors.
an enhanced ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, for the purposes of conveying chemical information to both professional scientists and the public.