Other Requirements
ACS Certification
Since the 1920s, the Juniata chemistry department has been authorized to certify that specific students have completed an undergraduate program that meets the professional standards established by the American Chemical Society (ACS). The fact that the department can issue these certifications is important in itself, since it shows that the ACS regards our program and facilities as being sound. (Both are subject to periodic review by the Society's Committee on Professional Training, and the standards are strict.) Anyone receiving ACS certification is immediately eligible to join the ACS, whereas others must first serve an on-the-job apprenticeship. In other words, certified graduates are recognized as being full-fledged chemists.
In order to acquire ACS certification, a student must complete all of the courses that the department has determined are necessary to meet the current ACS criteria, which are described in an ACS booklet available from the department chairman. In particular, this means choosing Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (CH 406) as the elective in the chemistry POE. Several other courses, such as Calculus III and a language, are recommended but not required. Certification is by no means mandatory. Neither graduate schools nor employers require it, although the set of courses required for certification is a reasonable guide to what a good undergraduate program in chemistry would include, and careful thought and conversation with one or more faculty members would be warranted before choosing to exclude a recommended course.
Research
All students who intend to become chemists or continue graduate study in related areas are strongly encouraged to participate in chemical research while in college. The most straightforward way of doing so at Juniata is to take the senior-level fall-semester course Introduction to Research (CH 450), followed by Advanced Chemical Research (CH 451). In Introduction to Research one learns something about what it means to do research and, most importantly, plans a research project of one's own: selecting a topic, studying the background, formulating a specific question that needs to be addressed, and figuring out how an answer might be obtained, all with the guidance and help of a faculty member with experience and interest in the area. The two courses give one the opportunity to find out what it is like to be a creative chemist, and can be compared to the internships offered in other disciplines.
Often the possibility exists for underclassmen to acquire a sort of "research apprenticeship," working alongside a senior or a faculty member on a project in progress. This may occur during the academic year, or it may be a possibility during the summer. Occasionally, a modest salary is provided. Information about such opportunities may be obtained by contacting any faculty member.
For descriptions of some of the research opportunities available in chemistry, see our Research Opportunities page.
Capstone Experience
In addition to completing their coursework, students intending to graduate with a designated POE that includes the word "chemistry" are required to:
- Perform satisfactorily on a two-part comprehensive exam given during the senior year consisting of:
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- a written GRE-like exam
- an oral exam usually given by three faculty (The chemistry department feels that a comprehensive examination encourages students to review and integrate their knowledge of chemistry. Students must score a minimum of 25th percentile on the GRE-like exam to graduate in chemistry, within three tries.)
- Engage in a POE-relevant professional experience. This could include an internship, summer research (here or elsewhere), work as a teaching assistant (for more than one semester), student teaching (for Chem-Ed students), work under the supervision of a health professional (for pre-Health students), senior research, or some other POE-related activity acceptable to the department. We are not referring here to a one-time event, but a significant experience equivalent to at least a three-credit course. Be sure that you consult with your advisor to ensure that you graduate with a truly relevant experience.
Failure to meet any part of the capstone requirement will result in the student having to remove "chemistry" from the POE title.
Students with interdisciplinary POEs that include the word "chemistry" must meet the same requirements listed above, except that if students think the available GRE-like exams are inappropriate for their POE, they should propose an equivalent alternative assessment. Both the assessment chosen and the professional experience must be approved by the chair of the chemistry department.
Distinction in Chemistry
To become candidates for distinction in chemistry, students must have a minimum of 3.0 average at the end of the junior year in the courses of the chemistry POE and complete a full year of research during the senior year. To receive distinction, students must apply to the department chair during the fall of their senior year, score a minimum of 50th percentile on the chemistry portion of the GRE (or practice GRE) on their first try, and present and defend a thesis before a committee of three (or more) faculty. The defense will include an oral exam on the candidates' knowledge of chemistry in general in addition to their knowledge in their thesis area. The committee will consider the quality of the research, the thesis, and the defense in determining whether to award distinction.
Safety
The degree to which one follows safe laboratory practices is a primary indication of one's competence. The chemistry department takes safety very seriously, and expects students to do likewise. We have attempted to codify our procedures in a Chemical Hygiene Plan. All chemistry majors should obtain a copy of the plan from the stockroom. One of its requirements is that students be familiar with the American Chemical Society booklet Safety in Academic Chemistry Laboratories, which is available in the College bookstore. The material in these documents is also summarized in a safety web page, which is required reading for Chem/Bio Lab 1.
One key aspect of safety is neatness. A sloppy lab is a dangerous lab. For this reason we are determined to do everything possible to maintain neatness in our labs. One way this is accomplished is to tie 10% of the grade for every lab course directly to the neatness of a student's activities, as well as to the neatness of the lab as a whole. Our experience shows that this policy substantially improves the cleanliness and livability of our facilities.
Eye safety is of critical importance in a chemical laboratory. Department policy is that safety glasses will be worn at all times in all labs, including the stockroom.
Seminar Policy
Each student with a chemistry POE is required to attend a minimum of four chemistry seminars during a term in which the student in enrolled in a chemistry course numbered 300 or higher. The Chemistry Department normally sponsors about two such seminars per month. One can also attend seminars at other nearby institutions (realistically, Penn State) or at local ACS Section meetings. For seminars given outside the department, a brief written summary of acceptable quality must be submitted to the instructor. Failure to complete this requirement will result in a grade of incomplete for the course.
Foreign Study
The chemistry department strongly supports the college's foreign study programs. Please visit our Study Abroad page for more information.