Chemistry Research Certificate

Program: Research Certificate
Department of Chemistry  
College of Arts and Sciences

Science Building 496 ~ 260-481-6289

Pursuing a research certificate provides opportunities to engage in active learning situations integrating original research and the undergraduate curricula.  You will learn research methods and tools appropriate to your discipline, and research interests within the discipline; the foundations of research relating to the history, philosophy, and theory of the discipline; and advanced communications skills.  You will apply knowledge learned by designing and executing a research study or project and communicating the results to others.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Mathematical and quantitative reasoning
  • Student will be able to analyze, synthesize, and comprehend experimental and computational data describing the physical universe.  This skill requires knowledge of mathematical and statistical techniques that can be used analytically.
• Classical and instrumental laboratory techniques: both analytical and synthetic
  • Students will learn precise measuring techniques as well as careful and meticulous record-keeping.  They will master the use of a variety of modern instruments and will become proficient in fundamental organic synthetic methods.
• Individual and collaborative problem-solving
  • The student will develop independent problem-solving skills as well as the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment on complex chemical systems.
• Chemical literature
  • The student will learn basic tools and concepts for efficient use of chemical literature, including multiple computerized databases.  The student will also be expected to analyze sources for relevance and authority and to learn how scientific writings are constructed according to style.
• Philosophy of Science
  • The student will examine topics at the intersection of science and philosophy, specifically addressing fundamental issues in the history, philosophy, and theoretical structure of modern science.
• Research in Chemistry
  • The student will learn research methods and tools appropriate to chemistry and will apply them to the design and execution of a research project.  The student will present results of the research project.
• Summary of key concepts
  • In the teaching of Chemistry from the point-of-view of various sub-disciplines, the following concepts form the core course content.  It should be noted that courses offered by the Purdue University Fort Wayne Department of Chemistry will include, but are not simply limited to, the following points of emphasis:
    • Analytical Chemistry
      • Analytical methods (classical and instrumental)
      • Sensitivity and detection limits
      • Statistical treatment of data
    • Biochemistry
      • Structure, metabolic relationships, and regulation of biomolecules
    • General Chemistry
      • Semi-quantitative microscopic model of the physical universe based on macroscopic observations
      • Terminology
      • Periodic relationships
      • Elementary computational skills
      • Introductory laboratory skills
    • Inorganic Chemistry
      • Chemical bonding and structure
      • Reactivity, reaction mechanisms, and properties
      • Solid state and material science
      • Organometallic chemistry
      • Spectroscopic determination of structure
    • Organic Chemistry
      • Chemical bonding and structure including valence bond and molecular orbital theories
      • Reactivity, reaction mechanisms, and properties of the important functional groups
      • Synthesis
      • Spectroscopic determination of structure
      • Material science and bio-organic chemistry
    • Physical Chemistry
      • Mathematical and physical principles that underlie modern Chemistry
      • Detailed understanding of the modern microscopic model of the universe
      • The principal topic areas are:
        1. Quantum Chemistry
        2. Thermodynamics
        3. Statistical mechanics
        4. Spectroscopy
        5. Kinetics

Declaring this Certificate:

• Declare this certificate within the Department of Chemistry

Program Requirements:

• You must earn a GPA of 2.00 or higher for all courses required in the certificate
• The requirements for this certificate are in addition to those needed for the B.S. in Biochemistry or the B.S. or B.S.C in Chemistry.  For details on the bachelor’s programs, see the Program Descriptions  section in this catalog.

To earn the Chemistry Research Certificate, you must fulfill the requirements for the bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry or Chemistry (B.S. or B.S.C.), and the following requirements in addition to those noted above: