Chemistry Education, B.A. - Physical Chemistry Track
Program Transfer Guide
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Effective
Fall, 2024 - Current
Instruction Methods
In person
About the Program
Offered by Chemistry and Biochemistry, the Chemistry Education, B.A. provides a curriculum that gives students a solid foundation in chemistry and the coursework necessary for certification to teach chemistry at the secondary level. It is considered crucial that graduates be fully trained chemists, capable of working in a range of technical positions outside of secondary education. The curriculum also seeks to expand the scientific background/perspective of graduates by requiring courses in other scientific disciplines as well as a science history course.
Career and Academic Paths
More than 60 percent of the department’s graduates pursue further education (graduate programs in chemistry and biochemistry) or professional training (medical, dental, pharmacy, nutrition, veterinary medicine, and environmental science) at such distinguished schools as Harvard; MIT; Oxford; The Johns Hopkins University; Stanford; University of Virginia and University of Maryland, Baltimore. Many students choose to pursue graduate studies at UMBC, enrolling in the M.S. or Ph.D. programs in chemistry, the M.S. or Ph.D. programs in biochemistry (joint with UMB) or molecular and cell biology, or the M.S. program in applied molecular biology (joint with Biological Sciences).
Special Opportunities
Research
Undergraduate research performed under faculty mentors within the department is encouraged. Participating students may receive credit toward graduation for this research through two upper-level courses. CHEM 399, provides an introduction to research and may be taken for one to three credits. The department also offers industrial internships with various partners for additional hands-on experience. The Vitullo Award is presented each year to a junior or senior student working in a faculty member’s laboratory excelling in undergraduate research in the department.
Teaching
The department offers CHEM 396 - Undergraduate Learning Assistantship (1-3) for undergraduate learning assistants in non-laboratory chemistry courses.
The department offers CHEM 396 - Undergraduate Learning Assistantship (1-3) for undergraduate learning assistants in non-laboratory chemistry courses.
Chemistry Tutorial Center
The Chemistry Tutorial Center is staffed by a full-time chemistry instructor and 25 advanced undergraduates who provide free tutoring for students in introductory and intermediate chemistry courses. Small group tutoring and computer-assisted, special topics lessons are available.
Student Organizations
American Chemical Society Student Affiliate (ACSSA) Chapter Chemistry/Biochemistry Council of Majors. An American Chemical Society (ACS) student affiliate chapter supports an active lecture and tour program to acquaint UMBC students with various career options. The ACSSA outreach program into local elementary schools involves mentoring young students, as well as providing a program of science demonstrations to assist instructors in teaching chemical principles. The ACS affiliate chapter also sponsors the presentation of several undergraduate research projects at the student session of the national ACS meeting each year.