Chemistry and Applied Biological Sciences Department

Contact Information

Lori D. Coble, Interim Department Head
Department of Chemistry and Applied Biological Sciences
Chemical and Biological Engineering/Chemistry 3317
Office Phone: 605-394-5132
E-mail: Lori.Coble@sdsmt.edu

Faculty

Professors Fong, Sani, and Sinden; Associate Professors Gilley, Heglund, Novak, Smirnova, and Zhu; Assistant Professor Kunza; Senior Lecturer Filipova; Lecturer Rácz; Instructors K. Gilcrease, and Marshall; Emeritus Professors Bang and Boyles; Emeritus Senior Lecturer Coble.

Staff

Department Senior Secretary, Deborah K.Tompkins; Chemical and Instrumentation Specialist, Darren Schwede.

The Department of Chemistry and Applied Biological Sciences offers Bachelor of Science degrees in both Applied Biological Sciences and Chemistry.

APPLIED BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

Mission

The mission of the Bachelors of Science in Applied Biological Sciences (ABS) supports the Vision and Mission of SD MINES by providing students a solid foundation in biology with a strong focus at the molecular and cellular level combined with the relevant sciences of chemistry, math, and physics. Maintenance of a high quality curriculum with excellent classroom teaching as well as state of the art research and practical hands on experience will prepare students for career opportunities or entrance into competitive pre-professional and graduate programs. This includes careers in health care, biotechnology, environmental sciences, pharmaceutical sciences, education, law, and related disciplines.

Program Learning Objectives

Discipline-specific knowledge:

Graduates will understand Applied Biological Sciences based on principles of basic sciences and mathematics, preparing them for professional careers and graduate or professional school in Applied Biological Sciences.
Graduates will acquire laboratory and data analysis skills required for careers in ABS, graduate or professional school through laboratory courses and independent research experiences.

Communication

Graduates will communicate effectively and professionally through written and oral means on aspects of applied biological sciences.

Critical Thinking

Graduates will master problem-solving skills in applied biological sciences.

Program Description

Applied Biological Sciences (ABS) graduates are rigorously trained in the biological sciences, with a strong background in the foundation areas of biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics. The Department of Chemistry and Applied Biological Sciences offers both fundamental and advanced courses in biology and chemistry. The department prepares students for meaningful and productive careers in diverse areas within the biological sciences by offering various emphases within ABS.

Pre-Medicine, Pre-Professional, or Pre-Health Emphasis

Students wishing to pursue careers or graduate study in medicine, physician assistant, pharmaceutical science, or other areas related to health can choose this emphasis. Relevant courses, including ABS program electives include:

Goal 3: SOC 100 ; PSYC 101
Math: MATH 381
ABS Program Electives:
BIOL 221 /BIOL 221L
BIOL 326 /BIOL 326L
BIOL 375
BIOL 423 /BIOL 423L
BIOL 455/555
BIOL 470/570
BIOL 478/578
BIOL 498
CP 297/397/497

Biomedical Research, Cancer Research, Molecular Genetics Emphasis

Students wishing to pursue careers or graduate study in biomedical or pharmaceutical research can choose this emphasis. Relevant courses, including ABS program electives include:

Math: MATH 381
ABS Program Electives:
BIOL 221 /BIOL 221L
BIOL 326 /BIOL 326L
BIOL 375
BIOL 423 /BIOL 423L
BIOL 438/538
BIOL 455/555
BIOL 470/570
BIOL 478/578
BIOL 498
CP 297/397/497
CHEM: any advanced Chemistry courses

Biomedical Engineering or Biotechnology Emphasis

Students wishing to prepare for graduate study in biomedical engineering or pursue career fields such as bioprocessing or bioenergy can choose a biomedical engineering emphasis, which provides an opportunity to meld biology with world-class engineering courses available at SDSM&T. This emphasis involves academic preparation in various engineering disciplines, including civil, materials and metallurgical, or mechanical. Relevant courses, including ABS program electives include:

Math: MATH 225 ; MATH 321
ABS Program Electives:
BME 408/508
BIOL 326 /BIOL 326L
MET 232
EM 214  or EM 216
ME 216
ME 211
ME 221
ME 316
ME 331
CBE 218
CBE 222
MET 320
MET 422

Environmental Science Emphasis

Students wishing to pursue careers or graduate study in environmental sciences can choose this emphasis. Relevant courses, including ABS program electives include:

Math: MATH 381
ABS Program Electives:
AES 403/503
BIOL 311 /BIOL 311L
BIOL 333/333L
BIOL 406/506 /AES 406/506
CHEM 332 /CHEM 332L
CHEM 482/582
GEOL 361
GEOL 416/416L/516/516L

ABS graduates are also well-positioned, with further certification, to fill the demand for highly-trained middle and high school science teachers.

Independent Research:

Applied Biology is a hands-on discipline - not a spectator sport. Critical thinking and research skills are reinforced in professor-directed, one-on-one independent research experiences available to exceptional students. This experience is critical in preparing students for Graduate or Medical School. Nearly 50% of ABS graduates go to Graduate School, while more than 30% go to Medical or Professional schools.

The program offers a Minor in Applied Biological Sciences .

CHEMISTRY

Mission

The mission of the Bachelors of Science in Chemistry is to provide students a high-quality foundation of study in areas of analytical, inorganic, organic, physical, polymer, and biochemistry. Through faculty-directed, hands-on, laboratory and independent research opportunities, students integrate formal classroom knowledge to address real-world chemistry related issues. Our ACS-certified Chemistry Degree prepares undergraduate students for career opportunities in industry and government. In addition they are well prepared for graduate studies in chemistry, chemistry related disciplines and professional programs such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, forensics, and law.

Program Learning Objectives

Discipline-specific knowledge:

Graduates will understand Chemistry based on principles of basic sciences and mathematics, preparing them for careers, graduate school, or professional school.
Graduates will acquire laboratory and data analysis skills required for careers in Chemistry, graduate or professional school through laboratory courses and independent student research.

Communication:

Graduates will communicate effectively and professionally through written and oral means on aspects of Chemistry.

Critical Thinking:

Graduates will master problem-solving skills in Chemistry.

Program Description

The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry degree fulfills the recommendations of the Committee on Professional Training of the American Chemical Society (ACS), the world’s largest scientific society. Graduates with the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry are certified by ACS as having completed coursework recommended by ACS. The coursework within the department offers a broad-based and rigorous education which emphasizes a molecular approach to chemical phenomena, an approach central to the heart of any chemical field. The department offers foundation and in-depth coursework in the five major sub-disciplines of Chemistry: Analytical, Biochemistry, Inorganic, Organic, and Physical Chemistry.

The department prepares students for careers in the chemical sciences by affording the intellectual, technical, and communications opportunities conducive to the development of future generations of scientists. Students find opportunities to work with faculty who hold high caliber, peer-reviewed, externally-funded research grants awarded by federal agencies including the Air Force Research Laboratory, Office of Naval Research, Army Research Office, United States Department of Agriculture, the National Science Foundation, and many other agencies. This affords students opportunities to present their research at local or national biannual meetings of the American Chemical Society.

As chemistry is pervasive in the economy of the United States, graduates of the department find diverse employment opportunities in government, private, and academic sectors, and are highly sought after by employers. Additionally, the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry degree is an excellent choice as a pre-professional degree option for those students seeking further study in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, materials science, environmental science, patent or environmental law, and education.

Advisors work closely with their assigned students in order to ensure each student completes all degree requirements in a timely manner, meets prerequisites for further education (such as medical or other professional schools), and are knowledgeable about post-graduation options and employment opportunities.

The program offers a minor in Chemistry .

Graduate Opportunities in CABS

For students interested in graduate studies, the faculty of the Department of Chemistry and Applied Biological Sciences participate in several SDSM&T graduate programs including the M.S. and Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering, M.S. and Ph.D. in Materials Engineering and Science, and Ph.D. in Nanoscience and Nanoengineering. Students opting for a graduate degree in these disciplines have the opportunity to perform cutting-edge research to complete a Thesis or Dissertation in their area of interest, be it Applied Biological Sciences or Chemistry. Accelerated Masters programs, in which students can earn a M.S. in as little as one year after completion of their B.S. degree, are available for the Biomedical Engineering and Materials Engineering and Science degrees.