BS in Chemical Physics
Selinsgrove, USA
DURATION
4 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline *
EARLIEST START DATE
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TUITION FEES
USD 54,440 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* November 1 — Early Action 1. November 15 — Early Decision. December 1 — Early Action 2. February 1 — Regular Decision admission application deadline; late applications welcome as space permits. March 1 — International Students
** tuition 2022-23
Scholarships
Explore scholarship opportunities to help fund your studies
Introduction
Chemistry + physics + math
Combine your love of physics, interest in chemistry, and outstanding math skills into career opportunities with exciting growth potential. Chemical physics is the perfect major if you’re interested in how our world works on a chemical level but don’t want to pursue a double major.
Chemical physics graduates have a variety of career options that span many industries:
- Material engineering
- Physics and/or chemistry research
- Biotechnology
- Electronics
- Petroleum
- Pharmaceuticals
- Medicine
Expanded educational opportunities
You will develop a firm foundation in the fundamentals and applications of chemical theories in the physical world and be ready to pursue an advanced degree in physics, chemistry, chemical physics, theoretical chemistry/physics, or biophysics.
You can choose from a selection of upper-level courses that expose you to spectroscopic, computational, instrumental, and mathematical methods. You will also gain analytical, critical thinking, scientific writing, and oral communication skills.
Important topics like quantum mechanics and thermodynamics will be viewed through a broader context by examining them from both chemical and physical perspectives.
And you’ll have access to state-of-the-art facilities with more than $1 million in instrumentation.
Broad competitive edge
Get involved in research with chemistry and physics faculty beginning your first semester, and graduate having had opportunities to co-author research papers or travel to or present at national conferences.
With this broad education in chemistry, physics, and math, you’ll be highly marketable to graduate school programs and prospective employers.
Gallery
Curriculum
Requirements for Major
When you enroll at Susquehanna, you’ll be paired with an advisor and application tool to guide you in your course planning and scheduling. The following is an excerpt from the complete course catalog. Enrolled students follow the requirements of the course catalog for the academic year in which they declare each major and/or minor, consult with their advisor(s) and the Academic Planning Tool.
American Chemical Society Accreditation
The department’s major in chemistry is accredited by the American Chemical Society.
Requirements for the Majors in Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Chemical Physics
Susquehanna offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in chemistry and Bachelor of Science degrees in chemistry, biochemistry, and chemical physics. Two biochemistry tracks are available: an ACS-Certified track and a Biology-Intensive track. The ACS-Certified track includes courses that cover properties of metals, spectroscopic techniques, and instrumental methods that will prepare students for careers or graduate programs in the areas of biochemistry or biophysics. The Biology-Intensive track includes courses that will offer a solid foundation in chemical principles in addition to biological systems and will prepare students for careers or graduate programs in the biological sciences or biochemistry or the health care professions.
Double-counting restriction
Students majoring in chemical physics cannot double-count courses towards a chemistry or physics major.
Requirements for the degree in Chemical Physics
The Bachelor of Science degree in chemical physics requires the following courses with grades of C- or better:
- 4 General Chemistry I
- Choose from: CHEM-101, CHEM-103 or CHEM-111
- 4-8 General Chemistry II
- Choose from: CHEM-102 or CHEM-104
- or CHEM-232 and CHEM-242
- 4 Introductory Physics I: Calculus
- Choose from: PHYS-203 or PHYS-204
- 4 Introductory Physics II: Calculus (PHYS-206)
- 4 CHEM-221 Organic Chemistry I
- 4 CHEM-341 Physical Chemistry I
- 4 CHEM-342 Physical Chemistry II
- 4 PHYS-404 Thermodynamics and Statistical Methods
- 4 MATH-111 Calculus I
- 4 MATH-112 Calculus II
- 4 MATH-201 Linear Algebra
- 2 Capstone
- Choose from CHEM-500 Problems in Chemistry and Biochemistry
- or PHYS-550 Physics Research.
Students must complete at least 2 SH of CHEM-400 Research Experience prior to taking CHEM-500.
Other requirements
Students must select at least four courses from the following list, with at least one course from each department and no more than two courses from a single department. Students may take additional courses as long as the total number of semester hours in the major does not exceed 64.
Chemistry
- 4 CHEM-306 Nanoscience
- 4 CHEM-430 Instrumental Analysis
Mathematics
- 4 MATH-211 Multivariate Calculus
- 4 MATH-353 Differential Equations
Physics
- 4 PHYS-101 Introduction to Digital and Analog Electronics
- 4 PHYS-195 Independent Thought and Exploration in Physics
- 4 PHYS-306 Modern Physics
Courses Options
- CHEM 100 Trends in Chemistry, Credits: 4
- CHEM 100L Trends in Chemistry Lab, Credits: 0–0
- CHEM 101 General Chemistry I, Credits: 4
- CHEM 102 General Chemistry II, Credits: 4
- CHEM 103 General Chemistry I Teams, Credits: 4
- CHEM 104 General Chemistry II, Credits: 4
- CHEM 105 General Chemistry I Lab, Credits: 0–0
- CHEM 106 General Chemistry II Lab, Credits: 0–0
- CHEM 111 General Chemistry I Teams WS, Credits: 4
- CHEM 200 Research Exploration, Credits: 1–4
- CHEM 221 Organic Chemistry I, Credits: 4
- CHEM 221L Organic Chemistry I Lab, Credits: 0–0
- CHEM 222 Organic Chemistry II, Credits: 4
- CHEM 222L Organic Chemistry II Lab, Credits: 0–0
- CHEM 232 Structure and Reactivity, Credits: 4
- CHEM 242 Methods of Chemical Analysis, Credits: 4
- CHEM 300 Topics in Chemistry, Credits: 1–4
- CHEM 302 Medicinal Chemistry, Credits: 4
- CHEM 303 Science Ethics, Blunders, and Fraud, Credits: 4
- CHEM 304 Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Credits: 4
- CHEM 305 Forensic Chemistry, Credits: 4
- CHEM 306 Nanoscience, Credits: 4
- CHEM 311 Analytical Chemistry, Credits: 4
- CHEM 314 Survey of Biochemistry, Credits: 4
- CHEM 341 Physical Chemistry I, Credits: 4
- CHEM 342 Physical Chemistry II, Credits: 4
- CHEM 400 Research Experience, Credits: 1–4
- CHEM 422 Biochemistry of Nucleic Acids, Credits: 3
- CHEM 423 Biochemistry Nucleic Acids Lab, Credits: 1
- CHEM 424 The Biochemistry of Metabolism, Credits: 3
- CHEM 426 Biochemistry of Proteins & Enzymes, Credits: 3
- CHEM 427 Biochemistry of Proteins & Enzymes Lab, Credits: 1
- CHEM 429 Biochemistry of Metabolism Lab, Credits: 1
- CHEM 430 Instrumental Analysis, Credits: 4
- CHEM 450 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry, Credits: 4
- CHEM 490 Independent Study, Credits: 1–6
- CHEM 500 Problems in Chemistry and Biochemistry, Credits: 2
- CHEM 501 Independent Study, Credits: 1–4
- CHEM 505 Seminar, Credits: 1–4
- CHEM 590 Chemistry Internship, Credits: 1–4
Program Outcome
Learning Goals
- Demonstrate the ability to apply appropriate chemical and physical models to make predictions or draw conclusions regarding chemical systems or phenomena. Examples of chemical systems are compound formation (synthesis), energy transfer, equilibrium composition, various physical properties, chemical reactivity, etc.
- Demonstrate mastery of laboratory skills and execute common experimental techniques.
- Demonstrate the ability to design, prepare, execute and adjust experiments.
- Describe the theoretical and operational principles of common laboratory instrumentation such as NMR, FT- IR, UV-Vis, AA, fluorescence spectrometers, GC-MS, HPLC, and electrochemical analysis instrumentation, as well as their typical uses, sensitivities, and limitations. Interpret the data collected with such instrumentation.
- Find topic-specific chemical literature, interpret and evaluate chemical studies as described in scientific journals, and describe these conclusions through written and oral presentations.
- Analyze and interpret data to detect trends, evaluate the quality of data and reach scientifically valid conclusions.
Career Opportunities
Graduate School Opportunities
Our students go on to graduate school at:
- University of Utah
- Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab
- Lehigh University
This is a new program, so check back later for updated placements!
English Language Requirements
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