Chemistry
Being a chemist requires an inquiring mind. At Alverno, our faculty will encourage you to use your curiosity to make accurate observations, design and execute experiments and evaluate data and hypotheses.
When you study chemistry, you will observe the properties and behavior of materials. You will learn laboratory techniques that allow you to study the contents of a solution, the human body and the environment. You'll delve into concepts and theories to unlock the mysteries of the materials which make up our world.
Courses, specialized and integrated
Alverno chemistry faculty teach specialized courses in analytical, inorganic, organic, physical, and biochemistry. But they also have designed courses that will help you understand science as a whole and connections between science and society.
Laboratory
Projects
All chemistry courses, except senior seminar, have
a laboratory component. You will learn important laboratory
techniques and apply them in projects which you choose. In these projects you will modify a published procedure or
design your own procedure. For example, in analytical chemistry, you might adapt a procedure for the
measurement of calcium in milk, sodium in seafood, and nitrates
in water. In organic chemistry, you might choose to separate the raw material for aspirin from willow bark. As you work on these projects, you will function as a practicing chemist, using the technologies and collaborative skills required
in the workplace.
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Internships for real-life experience as a chemist
All chemistry majors complete at least one semester-long internship
at an industrial, medical or government laboratory. Your internship
site depends
on your interests. You may choose to work in a medical research laboratory, do product development at a food company, or college and analyze environmental samples. In addition, your internship will provide you with valuable experience and professional contacts. Click here for more information about internships.
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Sample list of courses:
- Chemistry of Inorganic Materials
- Organic Chemistry
- Precalculus
- Analytical Chemistry
- Calculus
- Biochemistry
- Physics
- Spectroscopic Methods of Analysis
- Analytical Separation Techniques
- Physical Chemistry
- Science Seminar
- Internship
- Advanced Organic Chemistry
Career Opportunities
Alverno's ability-based curriculum will help you prepare for your career. Alverno graduates have attended medical, veterinary, dental, pharmacy, and graduate school. They have worked as laboratory technologists in industry and medicine. They have become high school teachers, quality-control technicians, and formulation chemists. A degree in chemistry prepares you for work or graduate study in a variety of fields such as biotechnology, environmental chemistry, forensic science, food and flavor chemistry, hazardous waste management, and materials science and others.
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Click here for more information about environmental science and biology.
Credit for Prior Learning
Alverno offers a program to determine if you are eligible to receive
college credit for prior learning. Click
here for information.
Your Next
Step
To find out more about Alverno's chemistry major or minor, contact
the Alverno Admissions Office. An Admissions Counselor can answer
your questions about the program, admissions, credit transfers and
financial aid.
Call 414-382-6100 or toll-free 1-800-933-3401 or e-mail Admissions.
