Fort Valley State University

The Department of Chemistry supports the land-grant mission of the University and the College of Arts and Sciences. The mission of the Chemistry Department is to encourage the advancement of chemistry in all branches of science, to promote research in science, to improve the qualifications and usefulness of chemists in the workplace through high educational standards and professional ethics. The department prepares each student for a B.S. degree in chemistry and a career in science. Students are prepared to work effectively as laboratory chemists, or in other science related fields. Students are also prepared to pursue graduate studies in science disciplines, chemistry, biological and physical sciences, and in professions requiring a background in chemistry.

The Chemistry Department’s curriculum provides each student with comprehensive, stimulating and challenging academic experiences. The course content serves as vehicles for critical thinking in the fundamental areas of modern chemistry.

Student Profile

Approximately 30 majors: 70% female, 30% male

Clubs and Organizations

American Chemical Society (ACS), Student Affiliate and Beta Kappa Chi (BKX)

Graduation Requirements

For a B.S. degree in chemistry, each student must fulfill all the requirements of the University System of Georgia by satisfying the core curriculum by taking specific tests administered on behalf of the State Board of Regents. Students must meet all graduation requirements as stated in the University catalog, and all the chemistry departmental requirements stated in the catalog.

Programs

FVSU Department of Chemistry has hosted the newly formed American Chemical Society’s Central Georgia meetings twice. Our students are not only exposed to renown scientists at these meetings at FVSU, but are also exposed to local industries and research scientists from various parts of the country throughout the year at other meetings.

Support Services

The staff and students provide public service by tutoring in high risk public schools of Fort Valley and central locations in Perry for their at-risk students. Staff members are active in the American Chemical Society and the Science Olympiad for high school students. Staff members serve as judges for various city and county-wide science fairs.

Scholarships

Chemistry majors’ tuition hardship scholarship. Peach State Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation in the STEM majors

Internships

As a departmental policy, our students are expected to spend a summer of their tenure working in a laboratory in industry or research at major universities. The experiences give our students the exposure of the various instrumentations that may not be available at this time at our University.

Career Opportunities

The Chemistry Curriculum is designed to offer each student a B.S. degree and prepares him/her for careers in science. Students are also prepared to work effectively as laboratory chemists in the chemical, biological and physical science disciplines or in professions requiring a background in chemistry. The curriculum provides each student with comprehensive, stimulating and challenging academic experience. The chemistry course content serves as vehicles for critical thinking in the fundamental area of modern chemistry.

Presentations

Students participated and gave presentations at the Beta Kappa Chi (BKX) National Honor Society’s meetings. The Department of Chemistry students presented papers at the ACS meetings.

Program Requirements

The Department of Chemistry offers a Bachelor of Science Degree in chemistry and two Dual Degree Programs in Chemistry-Geology and, Chemistry-Health Physics jointly. The two programs are offered in collaboration with Oklahoma University and University of Nevada, Las Vegas respectively. The Dual Degree Program consists of three years of course work at FVSU and two years work at OU or UNLV. Upon completion of the dual degree program students will receive a B.S. degree in Chemistry from FVSU and a second B.S. degree in Geology from OU or second degree in Health Physics from UNLV. The department also offer the core courses in chemistry and physical science for the College of Arts and Sciences.Admission criteria are the same as those required by the University which require that applicants to be graduates of accredited high schools or hold General Educational Development Equivalency certificates. Applicants who graduated after 1988 are also required to satisfy the College Preparatory Curriculum.

The Chemistry Curriculum is designed to offer each student a B.S. Degree which prepares him/her for career in science. Students are also prepared to work effectively as laboratory chemists in chemistry disciplines, biological and physical sciences or in professions requiring a background in chemistry. The curriculum provides each student with comprehensive stimulating and challenging academic experiences. The course of study content serves as vehicles for critical thinking in the fundamental areas of modern chemistry.

In pursuance of a B.S. degree in chemistry, each student must fulfill all the requirements of the University System of Georgia by satisfying the core curriculum and by taking specific tests administered on behalf of State Board of Regents. Students must meet all graduation requirements as stated in the University catalog, and all the chemistry departmental requirements in chemistry beyond the core.

James L. Mack, Ph.D.
Miller Science Bldg, Room 248-249
(478) 825-6840
mackj@fvsu.edu