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Contact Information
Dr. Richard Sinden (Department Head)
Department of Chemistry and Applied Biological Sciences
Chemistry/Chemical Engineering 219
(605) 394-1678
E-mail: Richard.Sinden@sdsmt.edu
Faculty
Professor Bang, Boyles and Sinden; Associate Professors DeVeaux, Fong, Heglund, Sani and Zhu; Assistant Professor Smirnova; Senior Lecturer Meyer; Lecturer Filipova; Instructors Christofferson, Coble, K. Gilgrease, and Marshall.
Staff
Department of Chemistry and Applied Biological Sciences Secretary, Tara Huber; Chemical and Instrumentation Specialist, Margaret Smallbrock.
Chemistry
The Department of Chemistry and Applied Biological Sciences offers undergraduate chemistry and biology courses that meet the requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry and support other programs on campus. The chemistry program offers an American Chemical Society (ACS) certified degree, meeting the national requirements of the ACS. The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry requires 120 semester credits. A degree in applied biology is under development and should be available in school year 2013 – 2014. The applied biology degree will also require 120 semester credits.
Upon graduation with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, students have knowledge of chemical and physical phenomena at the molecular level. They possess critical thinkng skills in chemical problem-solving and have a command of the four major sub-disciplines of Chemistry: Analytical, Inorganic, Organic, and Physical Chemistry, as well as exhibiting a familiarity with chemical literature.
Chemistry graduates of the department distinguish themselves in other disciplines as well. The chemistry curriculum provides students ample opportunity to supplement their chemistry knowledge through the diverse offerings of other departments on campus, including mathematics, engineering, humanities, social and behavioral sciences, biological and physical sciences, art and music, physical education, and more. The distinctive latitude inherent within the chemistry curriculum allows students to develop as well-rounded individuals who are able to face and meet the challenges anticipated in their chosen careers
Many students use their chemistry degree as a solid foundation for graduate study in chemistry or in a closely related field, as well as for further study in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, forensic science, materials science, environmental science, medical technology, physical therapy, patent or environmental law, and education. Likewise, students who opt not to further their education beyond their bachelor of science degree are also prepared for a wide variety of employment opportunities. Former School of Mines chemistry graduates have served in research and quality assurance positions in academic, industrial, governmental, and private sectors.
The Department of Chemistry and Applied Biological Sciences also participates in the following SDSM&T graduate programs: M.S. and Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering, M.S. and Ph.D in Chemical and Biological Engineering, M.S. and Ph.D. in Materials Engineering and Science, and Ph.D. in Nanoscience and Nanoengineering. Students seeking these degrees may choose to emphasize any of the representative sub-disciplines of chemistry and biology in addition to interdisciplinary research specialties.
The Department of Chemistry and Applied Biological Sciences prides itself in having modern laboratory facilities and instrumentation available not only for research but as an integral part of undergraduate education. The instrumentation within the department currently includes FT-IR spectrometers, a 300-MHz superconducting heteronuclear nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer, a spectrofluorometer, a diode-array spectrophotometer, a voltammograph, an atomic absorption spectrometer, a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer, and many other instruments.
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 school), and is knowledgeable about post-graduation options and employment opportunities.
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