Chemistry and Biochemistry

Chemistry is the study of the composition, structure, and properties of substances and the changes they undergo. Chemists perform experiments, conduct research, and investigate and analyze substances, helping develop new products and adding new knowledge not only to chemistry but also to fields as diverse as nutrition, genetics, and environmental protection. Biochemistry involves the study of life on the molecular level. Biochemists use a variety of chemical techniques to affect this study.

Degree Programs

Miami offers the following bachelor's degree programs:

• The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry program is chosen by those interested in a career in chemistry and by those planning to go to graduate school in chemistry, biochemistry, or another field strongly tied to chemistry. This program meets the certification requirements of the American Chemical Society, which means that upon graduation you are a certified chemist. It is also a good choice for students interested in medicine or other health care fields.
  
  
• Those who want a good background in chemistry with less extensive advanced knowledge may choose a program leading to the Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry. This degree requires fewer courses in chemistry and more courses in the liberal arts. The program is often chosen by students who are interested in careers in the chemical industry or in teaching chemistry in secondary school. It is also a popular program for students who want to complete a double major.
  
  
• A third degree is the Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry, in which life science and biochemistry courses substitute for some of the advanced chemistry courses. This program, which meets course requirements recommended by the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, is for students who are interested in studying biological problems at the chemical level. It is chosen by students planning on attending graduate school in biochemistry, cell, or molecular biology and those interested in careers in medicine and biotechnology.
  
  
• The Bachelor of Arts in Biochemistry offers courses in chemistry, biochemistry, and the life sciences and is intended for students interested in a career in the life or health sciences.

Distinctive Features at Miami

Ranked first in Ohio: In recent years, Miami's chemistry department has ranked first in Ohio in the total number of chemistry graduates. About half go on to graduate or professional school each year. Chemistry is the second most common major, behind zoology, for Miami students choosing to attend medical or dental school. Others go on to graduate school in chemistry, biochemistry, biology, business, and education. During the past 25 years, about a fourth of our B.S. graduates have gone on to earn a Ph.D. degree.

Modern laboratory facilities: Miami's chemistry and biochemistry department offers hands-on training on modern instrumentation. Through grants from the NSF and support from the university, we have acquired an impressive array of state-of-the-art instrumentation especially for use by undergraduates. Since 2000, the department has received more than $2 million in teaching and research equipment that is available for undergraduate use in the classroom or as part of independent study projects.

Undergraduate research projects: Many students collaborate with faculty members on individual research projects. Chemistry majors can begin research work as early as the freshman year. Summer research fellowships are also available. Undergraduates are given the opportunity to publish and present their work at national conferences and have been co-authors of more than 50 research articles published in chemistry or biochemistry journals in the last five years.

Your Program of Study

The curriculum for the Bachelor of Science degree includes a strong concentration in chemistry courses, as well as courses in calculus, mathematics, and physics. Laboratory work is an integral part of the program. Advisers are available to guide students who are interested in applying to medical schools.

For the Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry, you take courses and laboratory work in biochemistry and the life sciences during the third and fourth years with somewhat fewer courses in other areas of chemistry.

The Bachelor of Arts degrees in chemistry and biochemistry are designed to provide students with a solid foundation in chemistry, with the flexibility to incorporate training in engineering and the other physical sciences, or the life sciences, respectively. Either degree can be taken in a teaching certification track, which requires additional related credit hours taken from the School of Education and Allied Professions and results in teaching certification.

Students in chemistry or biochemistry are strongly encouraged to take a technical writing class. This class teaches you viable skills in both written and oral communication, enabling you to explain things clearly and concisely to others who may not have a technical background and to develop interpersonal skills. Written skills are essential in order to provide accurate documentation. As our undergraduates are given the opportunity to publish their research work in scientific journals, this is an especially important asset.

Presentation skills are also emphasized. You will present the results of your research in class, and some students also present their work at national conferences.

Credit by Examination

Advanced placement (AP) credit is available in chemistry for a score of 4 or 5 on the AP test. College Level Examination Program (CLEP) credit is also available in chemistry. In both cases, the level and amount of credit depends on the score you receive on the test.

Laboratories and Computing Facilities

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry is located in a modern research and teaching facility, Hughes Hall, which recently completed a $13 million renovation to provide more modern teaching and research laboratory space. In addition to classrooms, laboratories, and stockrooms, the building also houses the Brill Science Library, the Instrumentation Laboratory, and the Office of Environmental Health and Safety. This central location is a major convenience to the students and faculty of the chemistry department.

The department is well-equipped with modern instrumentation to support its research and teaching programs. Major efforts are constantly underway to expand and improve these facilities, which include spectrometers, electrochemical instrumentation, biochemical instrumentation, and a wide variety of chromatographic apparatus.

The Molecular Microspectroscopy Laboratory is a facility dedicated to developing techniques for identifying and characterizing microscopic amounts of material. The Instrumentation Laboratory is a university service facility that maintains and operates fully-equipped glass, machine, and electronics shops.

The Brill Science Library contains the university's collections in science and mathematics. National and international journals pertinent to the field of study are available, and the library provides computer terminal access to the holdings of other Miami libraries and libraries throughout the United States.

Numerous microcomputers located throughout the department provide you with full access to the Internet. For example, you can carry out literature searches using the Chemical Abstracts Online Service. You will use computers in both the teaching and research laboratories to acquire and process data. In addition to word processing, you'll get experience with spread sheets and presentation software.

Student Organizations

Through student, honorary, and professional organizations, you can develop leadership skills, interact with professionals in your field, and take part in educational activities which have significance beyond the campus. Some of these organizations include:

• American Medical Student Association of Miami
• Gamma Theta Phi (Chemistry Honorary)
• Miami Chemical Society
• Miami Medical Education Development (Miami M.E.D.)
• MU Science Educators (MUSE)
• Phi Beta Kappa (College of Arts & Science Honorary)
• Pre-Dentistry Club of MU
• Pre-Optometry Club
• Pre-Physical Therapy Club
• Pre-Veterinary Medicine Club
• Women in Math, Science, and Engineering 

After You Graduate

Of the B.S. graduates who seek employment immediately after graduation, most take positions as chemists and biochemists in industry. Major employers are chemical, petroleum, pharmaceutical, and rubber companies; many manufacturing industries also employ chemists.

Most A.B. graduates who go on to work immediately after graduation are also employed by industry, but often not as chemists. Many work in technical or scientific sales; others report job titles as diverse as staff programmer and market research analyst.

About half of our students enter graduate or professional school after graduation. These additional degrees are often earned in biochemistry, business or medicine. Our B.S. graduates with excellent academic records have been accepted for graduate studies in chemistry or biochemistry at nearly every major university in the country. Several have gone on to college or university teaching careers. For those interested in medical research, this degree is also a good choice. Our A.B. degree recipients often pursue further studies in the chemical and health professions, business, or the life sciences. Both B.S. and A.B. graduates with excellent academic records are accepted to medical and dental schools; most frequently, these are schools in the state of Ohio.

Chemistry is also an attractive major for pre-law students. Today patent law and environmental law are rapidly expanding fields which require a scientific background.

For More Information

For general information about Miami University, please contact:

Office of Admission
301 S. Campus Ave.
Miami University
Oxford, Ohio 45056-3434
513-529-2531 (v/t)
www.muohio.edu/requestinfo

For specific information on the Chemistry or Biochemistry major, please contact:

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
160 Hughes Hall
Miami University
Oxford, Ohio 45056
513-529-2813
www.cas.muohio.edu/chm