http://www.umsl.edu/divisions/artscience/chemistry/chemistry.html
Degrees and Areas of Concentration
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers courses leading to the B.A. in chemistry; the B.A. in chemistry with a biochemistry certificate; the B.S. in chemistry (chemistry or biochemistry option); in cooperation with the College of Education, the B.S. in education with emphasis in chemistry and the B.A. in chemistry with teacher certification.
The department is accredited by the American Chemical Society. Students completing the B.S. degree in chemistry are certified to the American Chemical Society and are well prepared for graduate study in chemistry or a career in the chemical industry.
The department also offers work leading to the M.S. degree in chemistry, with or without a thesis. The Ph.D. degree in chemistry is offered in the emphasis areas: inorganic, organic, physical, and biochemistry. In addition to a balanced program of basic graduate courses, the department offers special topics courses and seminars in current research areas. Research is being carried on in each of the above areas by faculty members, postdoctoral associates, and graduate and undergraduate students.
The department provides students with opportunities for strong interaction with faculty representing the various areas. Students and faculty working in one area consult freely with members in other areas. In addition, there are joint research projects involving faculty and students from two or more areas.
Fellowships and Scholarships
William and Erma Cooke Chemistry Scholarships are given annually to outstanding full-time chemistry majorswho are at least sophomores and have financial need.
The Lawrence Barton Scholarship is given annually to a chemistry major who isenrolled in at least 9 credit hours persemester. Preference is given to juniors andtofirst generation college students, and to students who demonstrate financial need.
The Barbara Willis Brown Scholarship for Women in Chemistry is given to a female student over the age of 24, who is a chemistry major and has completed at least 60 credit hours. The student is expected to work with a faculty member on an undergraduate research project.
The Eric G. Brunngraber Memorial Scholarship is given to a chemistry major based on GPA, statement of research interests, and performance in completed course work.
Aid to Education Scholarships are given to junior or senior chemistry majors annually. The awardees are selected by the faculty on the basis of merit, and the scholarships consist of a stipend for books, educational materials, and Student Affiliate membership dues to the American Chemical Society.
The Mallinckrodt Fellowship is given annually to an outstanding chemistry doctoral student who has completed the teaching and course work component of the program. It consists of a full stipend for the academic year.
The M. Thomas Jones Fellowship is given each semester to the graduate student who is deemed by his/her peers to have presented the best research seminar.
The Graduate Research Accomplishment Prize is given annually. The recipient is chosen based on his/her publications, presentations at professional meetings, and seminars given at UMSL.
Alumni Graduate Research Fellowships are available for summer study for selected chemistry graduate students.Several undergraduate awards are given each year to outstanding students. The Chemical Rubber Company Freshman Chemistry Award is given to the outstanding student in introductory chemistry, the American Chemical Society Division of Analytical Chemistry Award is given to the outstanding student in analytical chemistry, the American Chemical Society-St. Louis Section, Outstanding Junior Chemistry Major Award is given to the outstanding junior chemistry major, and the outstanding senior receives the Alan F. Berndt Award Outstanding Senior and the American Institute of Chemists Award.
Departmental Honors
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry will award departmental honors to those B.A. and B.S. degree candidates in chemistry with an overall grade point average of 3.2. They must also successfully complete Chemistry 290(3905), Chemical Research, and must have presented an acceptable thesis.
Career Outlook
The B.S. degree in chemistry is the usual foundation for graduate study in chemistry, while any bachelor's degree in chemistry provides students with professional competence to enter the chemical industry. The St. Louis metropolitan area is a major center for industrial chemistry, and the demand for graduates consistently exceeds the supply.
A major in chemistry provides students with excellent preprofessional training in the health sciences. A double major in chemistry and biology is often chosen by premedical and predental students and those interested in graduate work in biochemistry and biology. A minor in chemistry provides the minimum qualifications and training for a position as a laboratory technician in industry, hospital laboratories, etc.