2008 Woodie Awards
Chemistry Major attempts change
Nisha Sharma
Issue date: 2/3/05 Section: News
The Chemistry department, in hopes of changing with current trends, proposed two alterations to the existing fifteen-course major.
Under the consideration of the department's faculty and careful evaluation of two different choices, both were recently rejected. Now the faculty is seeking out other possible solutions to increase the flexibility of the major.
After years of unchanging requirements, the department finally considered readjusting. Due to technological advancements, there are now a wide variety of new careers for the rising generation of college graduates who specialize in this technical field.
The chemistry department is aware of these modifications, and had proposed two different tracks students can take in order to finish their major requirements."There is nothing wrong with the major. It is very strong, and the students do very well in it, but it is still in need of some flexibility," said Dr. Marsha Baar, professor of Chemistry.
The first track excludes Physics and gives students the option of whether to take other classes in place of a second semester in Analytical and Physical Chemistry.
A replacement class could be something related such as Biochemistry. The second proposed track included Physics, but in place of the advanced labs required as upper level classes a variation of half credit courses would be offered for students.
Examples of these half credit courses would include Robotics and Automation, Lasers, and advanced seminar classes such as Clinical Chemical Sensors.
Dr. Donald Shive, head of the Chemistry department, discussed the importance of flexibility in the major to respond to the changes.
"The major is in need of flexibility because it is expanding into so many areas and we would like to address a curriculum that studies more deeply in environmental areas because it can lead to a more diverse array of job options," stated Shive.
The first track was not well received and ultimately rejected because it would create a difference in the amount of credits to complete the chemistry major. The new track would also allow students to graduate with a chemistry degree without requiring Physics.
"A course in physics is important for a full understanding of a number of chemical topics, particularly in analytical chemistry and physical chemistry," said Dr. Robert Milligan, head of the Physics department.
The second track was considered, and was also refused. The Chemistry department is currently devising another proposal, and is confident that a similar version of their plan will be approved next month.
With new possibilities for careers, Muhlenberg's Chemistry department strives to educate their students to prepare for their years beyond college.
In addition, even though the curriculum, as it stands, is a solid basis for learning a wide area of topics in the subject, the department has decided to take these steps to keep up with evolving times.
Under the consideration of the department's faculty and careful evaluation of two different choices, both were recently rejected. Now the faculty is seeking out other possible solutions to increase the flexibility of the major.
After years of unchanging requirements, the department finally considered readjusting. Due to technological advancements, there are now a wide variety of new careers for the rising generation of college graduates who specialize in this technical field.
The chemistry department is aware of these modifications, and had proposed two different tracks students can take in order to finish their major requirements."There is nothing wrong with the major. It is very strong, and the students do very well in it, but it is still in need of some flexibility," said Dr. Marsha Baar, professor of Chemistry.
The first track excludes Physics and gives students the option of whether to take other classes in place of a second semester in Analytical and Physical Chemistry.
A replacement class could be something related such as Biochemistry. The second proposed track included Physics, but in place of the advanced labs required as upper level classes a variation of half credit courses would be offered for students.
Examples of these half credit courses would include Robotics and Automation, Lasers, and advanced seminar classes such as Clinical Chemical Sensors.
Dr. Donald Shive, head of the Chemistry department, discussed the importance of flexibility in the major to respond to the changes.
"The major is in need of flexibility because it is expanding into so many areas and we would like to address a curriculum that studies more deeply in environmental areas because it can lead to a more diverse array of job options," stated Shive.
The first track was not well received and ultimately rejected because it would create a difference in the amount of credits to complete the chemistry major. The new track would also allow students to graduate with a chemistry degree without requiring Physics.
"A course in physics is important for a full understanding of a number of chemical topics, particularly in analytical chemistry and physical chemistry," said Dr. Robert Milligan, head of the Physics department.
The second track was considered, and was also refused. The Chemistry department is currently devising another proposal, and is confident that a similar version of their plan will be approved next month.
With new possibilities for careers, Muhlenberg's Chemistry department strives to educate their students to prepare for their years beyond college.
In addition, even though the curriculum, as it stands, is a solid basis for learning a wide area of topics in the subject, the department has decided to take these steps to keep up with evolving times.