Chemistry Program
Department Contact
Dr. Mostafizur Rahman
Department Chair
Email: Mostafizur.Rahman@benedict.edu
Office Phone: (803) 705-7986
The Chemistry program offers a B.S. degree in Chemistry with a strong foundation in the chemical sciences. Our program prepares the next generation of chemists for careers in chemical research, industry, healthcare, or graduate and professional schools to advance their career paths.
Why Chemistry?
Chemistry is the central science of all sciences and is vital throughout industry, medicine, biology, biochemistry, pharmacy, geology, physics, environmental science, and other sciences.
Career Opportunities
Chemists work in Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology, Forensics, Cosmetics, Agriculture, Food industry, Environmental Sciences, Healthcare, Waste Management, Local, State, Federal Government Agencies, and Academia.
Graduate Placements
Our alumni are currently employed, attending, or have attended graduate schools at the following:
University of Wisconsin Madison, University of Pittsburgh, University of South Carolina, Nephron Pharmaceuticals, LabCorp, SC State Government, Merck, and Samsung.
This program requires a total of 120 credit hours, listed below.
Program Requirements
General Education Courses (30 credit hours)
- ENG 131 Analysis and Argumentation (3 credits)
- ENG 132 Information, Literacy, and Research (3 credits)
- ENG 237 Oral Communication (3 credits)
- HIST 130 African American History (3 credits)
- Global & Intercultural Learning (3 credits)
- Intermediate Foreign Language (Spanish, French, or Arabic) (3 credits)*
- Mathematics courses (Math 138, College Algebra and Math 139, Pre-calculus) (6 credits)
- Natural Sciences with lab (Bio 137 Principles of Biology I and Bio 117L Principles of Biology I Lab) (4 credits)Â
- AA 111 College Experience (1 credit)
- AA 211 Professional Pathways Development (1 credit)
*This course has a pre-requisite of Introductory Foreign Language. Students may place out of the pre-requisite with a placement test.
Major Courses (51 credit hours)
- CHEM 137 Chem 137 Principles of Chemistry I (3 credits)
- CHEM 117L Principles of Chemistry I Lab (1 credit)
- CHEM 138 Principles of Chemistry II (3 credits)
- CHEM 118L Principles of Chemistry II Lab (1 credit)
- CHEM 220 Introduction to Chemistry Careers and Research (2 credits)
- CHEM 237 Organic Chemistry I (3 credits)
- CHEM 217L Organic Chemistry I Lab (1 credit)
- CHEM 238 Organic Chemistry II (3 credits)
- CHEM 218L Organic Chemistry II Lab (1 credit)
- CHEM 232 Scientific Writing (3 credits)
- CHEM 333 Analytical Chemistry (3 credits)
- CHEM 313L Analytical Chemistry Lab (1 credit)
- CHEM 335 Inorganic Chemistry (3 credits)
- CHEM 315L Inorganic Chemistry Lab (1 credit)
- CHEM 334 Instrumental Methods of Analysis (3 credits)
- CHEM 314L Instrumental Methods of Analysis Lab (1 credit)
- CHEM 431 Physical Chemistry I (3 credits)
- CHEM 411L Physical Chemistry I Lab (1 credit)
- CHEM 432 Physical Chemistry II (3 credits)
- CHEM 412L Physical Chemistry II Lab (1 credit)
- CHEM 437 Biochemistry I (3 credits)
- CHEM 417L Biochemistry I Lab (1 credit)
- CHEM 430 Senior Research in Chemistry (3 credits)
- CHEM Elective (CHEM 336, Medicinal Chemistry or CHEM 438, Biochemistry II or ENVE 330, Environmental Chemistry) (3 credits)
Support Courses (39 credit hours)
- BIO 138 Principles of Biology II (3 credits)
- BIO 118L Principles of Biology II Lab (1 credit)
- PHYS 233 Principles of Physics I (3 credits)
- PHYS 213L Principles of Physics I Lab (1 credit)
- PHYS 234 Principles of Physics II (3 credits)
- PHYS 214L Principles of Physics II Lab (1 credit)
- MATH 143 Calculus I (4 credits)*
- MATH 144 Calculus II (4 credits)
- CSC 132 Introduction to Computing and Programming Logic (3 credits)
- STEM 233 Data Analysis (3 credits)
- General Elective (6 credits)Â
- 300 Level STEM Lecture (6 credits)
- 300 Level STEM Lecture Lab (1 credit)
* MATH 143 has pre-requisites of MATH 138 (College Algebra) and MATH 139 (Precalculus). Students may place out of these courses via a placement test.
Clubs and Activities
- National Organization for the Professional Advancement of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers (NOBCCHe)
- National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
- American Chemistry Society (ACS)