Dec 07, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog

Chemistry 7-12, B.S., Secondary Education Concentration


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Department Contact:

Chair (Chemistry): Dr. Michele Hargittai, mhargittai@francis.edu, 814-472-2775

Chair (Education): Dr. Stephanie Ivory, sivory@francis.edu, 814-472-2844

Program Description:

The Chemistry major follows a curriculum that helps students acquire a strong foundation in basic concepts and principles of modern chemistry while gaining an appreciation of chemistry’s central role in society. All courses are taught and all research is facilitated by faculty members who are generous with their time and knowledge. Students can expect individual attention in their small lecture and laboratory classes. Course work is designed to help students develop critical thinking, problem-solving, laboratory, computer, data acquisition and analysis, and research skills needed to be successful in their future endeavors. The Secondary Education concentration meets the demands of the students who plan to supplement the bachelor’s degree by a career in teaching.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Department Learning Objectives

  1. Ability to use and read chemical formulas, nomenclature and chemical reactions and to do calculations involving stoichiometry, mixtures, solutions, solubility, and chemical equilibrium
  2. Ability to describe and recognize bonding, structure and stereochemistry and to predict organic reactions, mechanisms and synthesis
  3. Ability to explain how cells and organisms sense and control their internal environment and respond to change, and how molecular structure dictates function
  4. Ability to apply the laws of thermodynamics to evaluate conditions of chemical equilibrium and direction and rates of chemical reactions
  5. Ability to describe the chemistry of metallic and nonmetallic elements and their industrial importance and to apply valence bond, molecular orbital theories and group theory in order to understand the properties and chemistry of inorganic complexes
  6. Ability to read primary sources (peer reviewed literature) and verbally communicate chemical concepts effectively

Estimated Completion Time:

Typically 4 years of full-time study

Progression and/or Retention Criteria:

A student must complete an application for admission and be accepted into the Professional Teacher Preparation Program prior to registering for 300/400 level Education courses.

To be accepted into the Professional Teacher Preparation Program, the candidate must have:

  • Completed no less than 48 credits as required by the PDE;             
  • Achieved at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA;                                                                          
  • Achieved no grade lower than C in major and collateral courses;                                          
  • Demonstrate proficiency in Basic Skills: Reading, Writing, and Mathematics (SAT exemption, ACT exemption, PAPA, and/or CORE, EDUC 421);                      
  • Completed at least 6 semester hour credits in college level English;
  • Complete at least 6 semester hour credits in college level Math;
  • Completed EDUC 150;
  • Met with advisor in the Education Department;
  • A brief essay (“Why I Want to Pursue Teaching as a Career”);
  • Letter of recommendation (Candidate must have a letter endorsed by a faculty member outside the Education Department).

Total Credits Required:

128 credits minimum

See requirements for Education 

Courses Required for the Major: (52 credits)


American Chemical Society Certified Degree


To obtain an ACS certified degree, students must take the following classes with the associated laboratories: CHEM 121 CHEM 122 CHEM 192 CHEM 221 CHEM 222 CHEM 251 CHEM 292 CHEM 321 CHEM 322 CHEM 323 CHEM 324 CHEM 392 CHEM 398 /CHEM 399  Or CHEM 499 CHEM 405 , and TWO additional CHEM electives (CHEM 305 CHEM 308 CHEM 401 CHEM 404 CHEM 407 CHEM 410 CHEM 501 ). 

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