What is Chemical and Physical Sciences?
Chemical and Physical Sciences seeks answers to these fundamental questions: What are matter and energy? How can matter and energy be transformed? How do scientists study and measure matter and energy in complex systems?Chemical and Physical SCIENCES at Augustana
This program includes courses from Biochemistry, Chemistry and Physics. Students will encounter a mixture of technical and theoretical learning in both the classroom and laboratory to unravel how the universe is put together and the impact of science on our everyday lives.
Program Information
Chemical and Physical Sciences is available as a:
- Major in Bachelor of Science
Academic Innovations
All programs at Augustana include a wide-ranging liberal arts Core, taught within our unique “3-11” calendar
Careers
An undergraduate degree majoring in Chemical and Physical Sciences from Augustana is great for entry into careers such as:
- Cancer Researcher
- Food and Drug Inspector
- Forensic Laboratory Analyst
- Toxicologist
- and many more!
Featured AlumnUS
Ryan Schmidt
Optometrist
Optometrist
Ryan’s professors encouraged his love of science and passion for learning. “The science courses were an important foundation for my career: biology, chemistry, physics, and physiology are the backbone of healthcare.”
Course Highlights
220 - Analysis
Theoretical and practical aspects of chemical analysis. Topics include titrimetry, separations, acid-base equilibria, chromatography, and spectrophotometry. Examples emphasize the utility and limitations of analytical techniques.
230 - Structure and Bonding
An introduction to the principles of molecular structure and chemical bonding. Topics include: the electronic structure of atoms, bonding models and Molecular Orbital Theory, symmetry and point groups, structure and bonding of ionic solids, structure and bonding of transition metal complexes, stereochemistry and conformational isomerism.
250 - Synthesis
An introduction to bonding and functionality in organic compounds. Qualitative factors affecting acidity and basicity will be introduced, as well as the concept of aromaticity. A mechanistic approach to learning reactions will be emphasized, with discussion of the nucleophilic acyl additions and substitutions, nucleophilic reactions adjacent to carbonyls, simple substitutions, and electrophilic aromatic substitutions. The three-dimensional structure of molecules and the concept of stereochemistry will also be examined.
341 - Environmental Chemistry
This course serves as an introduction to the chemical processes responsible for natural environmental phenomena and anthropogenic environmental sampling, climate change, pollution, waste management, fossil fuels and alternative energy technologies, toxic organic compounds and the principles of green chemistry.
450 - Enzymes
Study of the mechanism of different classes of enzymes along with experimental techniques used in enzymology.
Related Information
James Kariuki, PhD
Dr. Kariuki teaches analytical, physical, and general chemistry courses. His research is focused on low-cost electrodes.
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Gerhard Lotz, PhD
Gerhard Lotz teaches courses in all areas of physics and some areas of mathematics. His research involves trying to better understand the nature of the atomic nucleus.
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Elizabeth McGinitie, PhD
Dr. McGinitie teaches general, physical, and inorganic chemistry courses. Her research focuses on catalyst development and continuous-flow chemistry.
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Brian Rempel, PhD
Dr. Rempel teaches in the areas of General and Organic chemistry. His research interests are in the synthesis and enzymatic evaluation of enzyme inhibitors and inactivators.
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