Chemistry, as the central science," makes important contributions to all other technical and scientific fields. Modern chemists are deeply involved in trying to solve problems about energy sources, environmental cleansing and protection, food production, and improving products for home, commerce and communication. Chemistry is basic to modern fields of pharmacy, medicine, molecular biology, microbiology, and geology, and chemical applications are found in all modern fields of technology.
Basically, chemistry involves study of the atoms of which matter is composed and the multitudes of ways in which these atoms combine to make such things as gasoline, hormones, plastics, scents, or genes. Studying chemistry also requires the use of modern mathematics and physics.
At this time there is no prerequisite of high school chemistry for either introductory chemistry courses. Of course, students who are better prepared in chemistry, physics and math will have an easier time learning the material in these courses, but in each course the material is presented in such a way that all students can master if they are willing to work. A study room is available where students can get help.
All majors in chemistry complete certain core courses in math, physics and chemistry. Those students who get a Bachelor of Arts degree in chemistry will take only a small amount of additional chemistry and may concentrate in an additional field such as biology, mathematics, physics, or even fields such as sociology and English. Students who receive a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry will take additional courses involving instrumental analysis, advanced chemistry and research.
The chemistry department also offers a combined Bachelor of Science/Master of Science degree program. This program is designed for students to enter at the beginning of their junior year. Among other stipulations, this program requires that the entering student have completed 64 credits and have maintained a 3.0 grade point average. The graduating student will have completed 158 credits which includes 128 credits for the B.S. degree and 30 credit hours for the M.S. degree.
All chemistry majors at Idaho State University conduct some research under faculty direction. Some well prepared students can begin research during their freshman year, although research can be started at any time during a students undergraduate study. Examples of student projects include studies on environmental pollutants, plasmas, drug synthesis, computer modeling, and geothermal prospecting.