Chemistry

Department Office
Darwin Hall 300
(707) 664-2119
chemistry.sonoma.edu

Department Chair
Carmen Bustos-Works
Darwin 312
(707) 664-3084
works@sonoma.edu

For faculty information, please see Faculty or the Chemistry faculty web page.

Chemistry is the study of matter, its properties, and how it changes. An understanding of chemical principles is required to fully understand most scientific disciplines such as biology, medicine, physics, environmental science, geology, materials science, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, forensic science, most branches of engineering, and even studio art. Chemists not only study molecules that nature provides but also synthesize new molecules to be used in many of these fields.

The department offers both bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees. Both degrees provide students with a solid chemical foundation to prepare them for graduate school, professional school, or the workforce. The B.S. degree requires more science coursework, while the B.A. allows more flexibility for other academic interests. The B.S. in biochemistry is designed for students with an interest in the biological aspects of chemistry and the pre-health professions.

Careers in Chemistry

Sonoma State University is fortunate to be situated within the greater Bay Area, which is rapidly becoming a leading area for research in disciplines such as biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, materials science, and proteomics. Sonoma State graduates have a high success rate for acceptance into advanced degree programs in chemistry and biochemistry; medical, dental, and veterinary schools; cell and molecular biology; and materials science. They have also entered the job market in a variety of careers, including government agencies (FBI, forensics), technical writing, chemical and biochemical research, cosmetics and perfumes, space chemistry, teaching at all levels, medical technology, pharmaceuticals, patent law, materials research, consulting, and applications of chemistry in business.

Students seeking teaching credentials may elect chemistry as their major within the teaching credential program in science.

The Chemistry Department

The small size and educational philosophy of the department encourages students to develop close relationships with other students, faculty, and staff. Coursework and individual research projects place an emphasis on laboratory experiences in which students are expected to become familiar with a variety of techniques and instruments. In their freshman year, students participate in a learning community with other chemistry and biochemistry majors and in their senior year participate in a capstone experience to further prepare themselves for entry into industry or graduate education. Novel undergraduate research experiences are an integral part of our program. In 2006, the department returned to the newly remodeled Darwin Hall, equipped with new lower-division teaching laboratories and facilities for advanced laboratory courses and undergraduate research. Our laboratories are equipped with many modern, computerized instruments that include ultraviolet, visible, infrared, atomic absorption, and fluorescence spectrophotometers; a high field resonance spectrometer; high-pressure liquid, gas, and ion exchange chromatographs; and gas chromatographs with mass spectrometer detectors, and an LCMS with time of flight detector.

Repeat Policy

Any student wishing to repeat a chemistry course must first fill out a course repeat form and have it approved by the chemistry department chair before they will be allowed a seat in the class. Students repeating a class will be given last priority at registration. Students that register for the class without following this policy will be administratively dropped from the course. Course repeat forms are available in the department office.

Chemistry and Biochemistry majors may only repeat a total of three chemistry courses, any combination, in order to graduate with a chemistry or biochemistry degree. Students can petition the department for reinstatement on a case-by-case basis.

Programs

Major

Minor

Chemistry, Minor