Search
Close this search box.

DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICAL SCIENCES

Office:
138 Beauregard Hall
Phone:
985-448-4502
Professor:
Dou, Lo
Associate Professors:
Giannamore (Head), D. Smith, Wayment, C. Young.
Assistant Professors:
Cortez, Marlow, Moloney, Pokharel, K. Young.
Instructors:
Beyer.

The Department of Physical Sciences offers courses in astronomy, chemistry, geology, physical science and physics. The university awards from this department the Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry. Three of the four concentrations for the B.S. degree lead to degrees certified by the American Chemical Society (ACS) Committee on Professional Training (CPT).

Chemistry Program

The university awards the Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Chemistry to a student who completes the minimum requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences and earns a minimum grade of C in required mathematics and physical science courses. The curriculum provides both experimental and theoretical work in the five principal branches of chemistry – analytical, biochemistry, organic, inorganic, and physical. The Chemistry Program is designed to be flexible and to allow students to choose elective courses best suited for their future career goals.

The chemistry curriculum offers four concentrations: Professional Chemistry (CHPR), Biochemistry (CHBC), Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental Chemistry (CHDM), and Pre-Pharmacy (CHPH). The CHPR, CHBC and CHDM concentrations lead to a Bachelor of Science degree that is ACS certified. The CHPR concentration is designed for students preparing for graduate school or for work in industry in chemistry or a related science. The CHBC concentration is for students with goals similar to the CHPR, except that their interests are in biochemistry and the biomolecular sciences. The CHDM concentration is for students who will be seeking admission to medical, dental, or related professional school. The CHPH concentration is designed such that a student will earn a B.S. degree in chemistry while preparing for Pharmacy school. Colleges of Pharmacy are increasingly admitting students who have earned undergraduate degrees. If you intend to seek admission to Pharmacy without completing your undergraduate degree, work closely with your advisor in Physical Sciences to plan your curriculum.

Students majoring in pre-professional curricula like Pre-Pharmacy and Pre-Optometry who leave Nicholls for professional school before completing requirements for the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry may have completed all requirements for the Associate of General Studies degree and would be entitled to receive that degree. Such students should contact the Department of Physical Sciences for an assessment of eligibility.

In addition, some coursework completed at professional schools may be applicable toward the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry.  Therefore, students who leave Nicholls before completing requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree and who attend professional school may have completed acceptable coursework toward the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and would be entitled to receive that degree. Such students should contact the Department of Physical Sciences for an assessment of eligibility.

Minor

A minor in Chemistry must include CHEM 105, 106, 110 (or 113 and 114), 221, 222, 226, 300, 302 and at least 3 additional semester hours chosen from other chemistry courses numbered 300 or above. A minimum grade of C is required in all courses used for the chemistry minor.

Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry

  • Professional Chemistry Concentration (CHPR)
  • Biochemistry Concentration (CHBC)
  • Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental Concentration (CHDM)
  • Pre-Pharmacy Concentration (CHPH)

Suggested Course Sequence:

YEAR* COURSE NAME COURSE NUMBER REQUIREMENT CREDIT HRS
1 BIOL 155 GER 4
1 CHEM 105 GER 3
1 CHEM 106 GER 3
1 CHEM 113 1
1 CHEM 114 1
1 ENGL 101 GER 3
1 ENGL 102 GER 3
1 Freshman Seminar Course UR 1
1 HIST Elective GER 3
1 Humanities Elective GER 3
1 MATH 165** GER 5
2 CHEM 221 3
2 CHEM 222 3
2 CHEM 226 2
2 CHEM 300 3
2 CHEM 302 2
2 CMPS 130 CLR 3
2 Concentration Course See below 4
2 SPCH 101 OCR 3
2 PHYS 201 3
2 PHYS 202 3
2 PHYS 203 1
2 PHYS 204 1
3 CHEM 303 3
3 CHEM 304 3
3 CHEM 305 1
3 CHEM 306 1
3 ENGL 368 GER 3
3 Literature Elective GER 3
3 Concentration Course See below 4
3 Concentration Course See below 3
3 Concentration Course See below 3
3 Concentration Course See below 3
3 Concentration Course See below 3
4 Fine Arts Elective GER 3
4 CHEM 405 3
4 CHEM 407 2
4 CHEM 412 3
4 CHEM 413 1
4 Concentration Course See below 3
4 CHEM 435 3
4 CHEM 437 1
4 CHEM 450 1
4 Concentration Course See below GER 3
4 Social Sciences Elective GER 3
4 Concentration Course See below 3
  TOTAL HOURS     120

*Recommend complete as Freshman (1), Sophomore (2), Junior (3), Senior (4)

**MATH 165 is the entry-level course for this major. All prerequisites for MATH 165 must be met.

NOTES: Student should obtain curriculum sheet from department.

Professional Concentration (CHPR)

  • MATH 166 (4)
  • MATH 265 (4)
  • MATH Elective (3 hours) from MATH 355 or 360 or 401 or 407
  • CHEM 319 (1)
  • CHEM 327 (2)
  • CHEM 421 (3)
  • Social Science Elective (3)
  • Electives – 4 hours (300-level or above)
  • CHEM Electives  (5) hours required from:
    • CHEM 436 (3)
    • CHEM 451 (2)
    • CHEM 452 (4)
    • CHEM 480 (3)
    • CHEM 481 (3)
    • CHEM 490 (3)

Biochemistry Concentration (CHBC)

  • MATH 166 (4)
  • CHEM 319 (1)
  • CHEM 327 (2)
  • CHEM 436 (3)
  • BIOL 156 (4)
  • BIOL 203 (3)
  • BIOL 204 (1)
  • Social Science Elective (300-level or above) (3)
  • BIOL/CHEM Electives (8) hours required from:
    • BIOL 320 (4)
    • BIOL 328 (3)
    • BIOL 329 (2)
    • BIOL 440 (3)
    • BIOL 441 (1)
    • CHEM 451 (2)

Pre-pharmacy Concentration (CHPH)

  • BIOL 156 (4)
  • BIOL 203 (3)
  • BIOL 204 (1)
  • BIOL 320 (4)
  • BIOL 371 (4)
  • BIOL 440 (3)
  • MATH 301 (3)
  • BIOL 326 (4) or BIOL 327 (4)
  • Social Science Elective (3)

Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental Concentration (CHDM)

  • MATH 166 (4)
  • BIOL 156 (4)
  • BIOL 203 (3)
  • BIOL 204 (1)
  • CHEM 319 (1)
  • CHEM 327 (2)
  • CHEM 421 (3)
  • Social Science Elective (3)
  • BIOL/CHEM Electives (8) hours selected from the following:
    • BIOL 320 (4)
    • BIOL 326 (4)
    • BIOL 328 (3)
    • BIOL 332 (4)
    • BIOL 370 (3)
    • BIOL 371 (4)
    • BIOL 408 (3)
    • BIOL 440 (3)
    • CHEM 451 (2)
    • MATH 301 (3)

Pre-Optometry Non-Degree Program

Pre-Optometry is a two-year non-degree program that prepares a student to enter a school of optometry. Each pre-optometry student will follow the first two years of the chemistry curriculum with appropriate substitutions as approved by the advisor and the head of the Department of Physical Sciences. Most schools of optometry recommend that the student complete three or four years of undergraduate study prior to admission. The typical school of optometry prefers the student with the baccalaureate degree.

[Back] [Top]

The owner of this website has made a commitment to accessibility and inclusion, please report any problems that you encounter using the contact form on this website. This site uses the WP ADA Compliance Check plugin to enhance accessibility.