Chemistry is one of the fundamental physical sciences dealing with the structure and properties of matter, along with changes that matter undergoes. Chemistry's scope encompasses all substances, living and non-living. Its study and practice include (1) the theoretical and experimental aspects of chemical bonding and structure using computational, spectroscopic, and diffraction techniques; (2) the laboratory synthesis from simple starting materials of desirable compounds in the inorganic, organic and biological classes; and (3) the total analysis of complex mixtures using modern spectroscopic and electrochemical methods. Since we live in a material world, applications of chemical knowledge influence most areas of human endeavor: scientific, economic, political and social. Many of the advances in the areas of new materials, medicines, biotechnology, food production, new energy sources and semiconductor technology associated with the "computer revolution" are based on chemistry and chemical principles. Some understanding of these chemical principles should be part of every educated person's knowledge.

Because of the broad scope of this discipline, the Department of Chemistry offers a variety of courses and programs. These programs meet the needs of students planning professional careers in chemistry and those wishing to major in chemistry for other objectives. In particular, chemistry is a traditional preprofessional major for students interested in medicine and dentistry. Specific courses are offered to serve other major areas and as part of University Studies and A&S core requirements.

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