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Environmental Chemistry

College of Sciences

	QUICK JUMP
	Environmental Chemistry
	Requirements and Core Courses
	Careers in Environmental Chemistry
	Salaries
	Suggested Strengths, Interests, and Preparation
	Scholarships and Financial Aid
	Campus Organizations and Activities
	Contact Information

Environmental Chemistry

Environmental chemistry, an option within the chemistry major, applies the knowledge of chemical interactions to the study of the environment, focusing on the identification and measurement of chemical compositions in rocks and minerals, natural waters, and the atmosphere. • Offered at WSU: Bachelor of science in chemistry with an environmental chemistry option, minor • Available at: Pullman

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Requirements and Core Courses

In addition to the courses listed below, students must complete courses to fulfill University general education requirements and College of Sciences and degree requirements, as well as a writing portfolio. Students should consult the General Catalog for course planning and must meet course requirements as outlined in the General Catalog in order to graduate. CHEMISTRY CORE COURSES Chem 105 & 106—Principles of Chemistry I & II Chem 106—Chemical Principles II or Chem 116 Honors (by invitation) Math 171, 172 & 273—Calculus I, II & III Biol 106 or 107—Introductory Biology Chem 345, 346, 347—Organic Chemistry I & II, Labs Phys 201 & 202—Physics for Scientists and Engineers I & II MBioS 303—Introductory Biochemistry Math 220—Introductory Linear Algebra Chem 220 & 222—Quantitative Analysis & Lab Chem 330—Problem Solving in Physical Chemistry Chem 331 & 333—Physical Chemistry I & II, Lab Chem 332 & 334—Physical Chemistry I & II and Labs Chem 398—Undergraduate Seminar Chem 401—Modern Inorganic Chemistry ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY OPTION COURSES Chem 499—Special Problems Chem 425 & 426—Quantitative Instrumental Analysis & Lab Chem 482—Environmental Chemistry II Chem 489—Environmental Chemistry Project Chem 495—Directed Research Environmental Chemistry Electives (see below) APPROVED ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY ELECTIVES Electives must be carefully chosen and may require prerequisites that are best taken in the first two years. See the environmental chemistry advisor for sample programs with electives that feature work in the areas of geology, microbiology, and engineering. Chem 415—Trace Elemental Analysis Chem 416—Trace Organic Analysis Chem 421—Radio Chemistry & tracers Chem 422—Radiochemistry Lab Chem 424—Activation Analysis Chem 427—Environmental Chemistry Chem 430—Applied Spectroscopy Chem 461—Atomic & Molecular Phenomena Chem 480—Solid State Chemistry Chem 481—Environmental Chemistry I Chem 514—Mass Spectrometry Chem 517—Chromatography Chem 518—Electrochemistry Chem 5XX—Graduate Level courses CE 341—Intro to Environmental Engineering CE 401—Global Climate Change CE 415—Environmental Measurements Geol 102—Physical Geology Geol 350—Mineralogy & Crystallography Geol 403—Environmental Geology Geol 475—Groundwater Geol 480—Intro Geochemistry Geol 483—Radiogenic Isotopes & Geochronology SoilS 201—Soil: A living System Soil S 301—Land Use and Soil Management SoilS 415—Environmental Biophysics SoilS 416—Environmental Biophysics Laboratory SoilS 421—Environmental Soil Chemistry ES/RP 101—Environment & Human Life ES/RP 150—Natural Science in the Environment ES/RP 406—Intro to Radiological Sciences ES/RP 445—Hazardous Waste Management Phil 370—Environmental Ethics MBioS 452—Environmental Microbiology BsysE 351—Environmental Hydrology Biol 372—General Ecology Micro 301—General Microbiology Micro 452—Environmental Microbiology Micro 412—Immunology Micro 413—Immunology Laboratory

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Careers in Environmental Chemistry

Environmental chemists are employed by industry, governmental agencies, and consulting firms. They become toxicologists, water purity chemists, nuclear chemists, technical writers, food inspectors, and quality control specialists. Because of their strong undergraduate training, WSU chemistry majors are highly successful in finding satisfying employment and gaining acceptance to internationally recognized graduate schools and professional schools. Many go to on to medical and dental schools.

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Salaries

A 2000 survey conducted by the American Chemical Society showed the unemployment rate among chemists at approximately half that of the general population. In 1999, the median starting salary for chemists was $30,000 for those with a bachelor's degree, $42,000 for those with a master's degree, and $61,000 for those with a Ph.D.

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Suggested Strengths, Interests, and Preparation

• Students planning to major in chemistry at WSU should take at least three years of mathematics in high school and high school science through chemistry (calculus and advanced chemistry recommended). • Writing courses are essential, as effective writing is very important in science. • Students need two years of one foreign language, which fulfills a WSU graduation requirement.

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Scholarships and Financial Aid

Each year the Department of Chemistry awards about $12,000 in undergraduate scholarships and hires many to work in laboratories. Additional scholarships are available from the College of Sciences and the University. A variety of federal, state, and University-sponsored programs, loans, grants, and scholarships are also available to assist qualified students with education costs.

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Campus Organizations and Activities

• The Chemistry Club (sponsored by the American Chemical Society) provides student mentoring, sponsors social events, creates undergraduate computer labs, and develops high school and junior high school programs. • Women in Mathematics, Science, and Engineering is a group that offers support and enrichment programs. • Chemistry majors have use of an undergraduate lounge, meeting room, and computer lab for activities and individual study.

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Contact Information

Department of Chemistry

Washington State University P.O. Box 644630 Pullman, WA 99164-4630 Phone: 509-335-1516

pjb@wsu.edu

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Strengths of the Program

• Work in excellent laboratory facilities with specialized state-of-the-art equipment for study and research.
• WSU’s chemistry department has produced numerous winners of the prestigious national Goldwater Scholarship during the past several years.
• Chemistry graduates at WSU have a high success rate at finding satisfying employment and gaining acceptance to internationally recognized graduate and professional schools.
• Pursue opportunities to conduct independent research and present findings at national and international meetings.
• Benefit from successful faculty who publish research papers in journals and attract more than $2.5 million in external funding each year.
• You can join a math, science, and engineering community residence hall at WSU Pullman—share classes with your neighbors, study together, get free tutoring, and use the hall’s computer lab.

Office of Enrollment Management, PO Box 641067, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-1067, 888-GO TO WSU (888-468-6978), Contact Us