Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry

Return to: Colleges

Location: Herrmann Science Center 204F
Telephone: 859-572-5409
Fax: 859-572-5162
Email Address: chemistry@nku.edu
Web Address: http://nku.edu/chemistry
Department Chair: Keith Walters
Other Key Personnel:

Assistant Chair: P.J. Ball
Academic Advisor/Retention Specialist: Julia Yang Bedell
Department Coordinator: Kathryn Lovold
Stockroom Manager: Kris Mason
Laboratory Coordinator: Jim Wilkinson

Full-Time Faculty: P.J. Ball, Charlisa Daniels, Grant A. Edwards, John Farrar, Gwen Fields, Kebede Gemene, Michael Guy, Patrick Hare, Molly Hopper, Isabelle Lagadic, Lili Ma, Diana McGill, Amber Onorato, Laura L. Padolik, K.C. Russell, Catherine Shelton, Bradley Sieve, Keith Walters

Thinking about the discipline: Students who choose to major in chemistry are inquisitive and good problem solvers. A degree in chemistry prepares students to become professional chemists and biochemists and to enter graduate programs or professional programs such as medical, pharmacy, dental, veterinary, and law school. Graduates from NKU’s chemistry & biochemistry program are successful industrial and environmental chemists, forensic scientists, physicians, pharmacists, college professors, and high school teachers. Some graduates choose unconventional career paths such as pharmaceutical and medical equipment sales, public health administration, and even banking or finance. In short, the training students receive in this rigorous, student-centered curriculum prepares them to be successful in any field that requires creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

Special opportunities for our students: Students interested in chemistry & biochemistry have many opportunities outside the classroom where they can apply their skills and interests. The department is extremely well equipped to support faculty-student collaborative work, and the department strongly encourages students to work with a professor on an undergraduate research project. Students can participate in several different vibrant research groups as well as regional internship experiences. The department also provides several international opportunities. The department has a very active student group, the Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society, as well as an honor society, Gamma Sigma Epsilon Chemistry Honor Society (www.gammasigmaepsilon.org).

Special admission requirements: The admission standards for all students pursuing degrees in chemistry and those interested in pre-professional areas of emphasis offered by the department are: mathematics ACT ≥ 22, English ACT ≥ 18 and reading ACT ≥ 20 (or their equivalencies), or successful completion of appropriate developmental courses. Transfer students must meet these requirements before declaring a chemistry major as well. There are also requirements for registering for CHE 120 General Chemistry I - NS (3 credits) . The prerequisite is high school chemistry and one of the following: 1) a minimum score of 22 on the ACT mathematics section or equivalent, 2) a B- or better in CHE 102 Introduction to Chemistry (3 credits) , or 3) satisfactory performance on the department’s placement exam. Students should contact the department to schedule the placement exam if they had high school chemistry but scored less than 22 on the ACT mathematics section and wish to try to place into this course.

You should also know: Many upper-level labs require completion of CHE 391W Chemical Information and Writing - WC (3 credits)  as a prerequisite, so students are encouraged to take this course in their sophomore year. For all major tracks in chemistry, students must take a minimum of 9 hours of chemistry courses at NKU, 1 credit hour of which must be CHE 400 Chemistry Seminar (1 credit) .

Pre-Professional programs: **

• Pre-Dental  
• Pre-Medical or Physician Assistant  
• Pre-Optometry  
• Pre-Pharmacy  
• Pre-Physical Therapy  
• Pre-Veterinary Medicine  

**These areas may be selected by majors in the B.S. General Chemistry, B.S. Biochemistry, or B.A. Chemistry tracks, and more information is found in the pre-professional section of the catalog.

Programs

• Chemistry, B.A.
• Chemistry, B.S.

• Chemistry Minor

Return to: Colleges