Degrees Offered
- Associate of Arts
- Associate of Science
Nature of the Program
The chemistry program at WVU Potomac State College includes the first two years of courses toward a bachelors degree in chemistry. Courses provide a strong foundation in general and organic chemistry. Laboratory work includes classical wet chemistry, volumetric and instrumental analysis as well as the applications of computers to analysis of data collected in laboratory experiments. The goal of the program is to prepare students to transfer to the Morgantown campus to complete a bachelor of arts degree in chemistry. Students planning to transfer to another institution should discuss their plans with their advisor to determine the requirements of that program. An associate of science in chemistry is also available, which is intended to transfer into a bachelor of science degree. The associate of arts degree requires six credit hours of a foreign language at the intermediate level, which is not required for the associate of science degree. Students should discuss the differences between a bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degree with their academic advisor.
Career Opportunities
Upon completion of the B.S. in chemistry, a student can secure employment as a chemist in various chemical industries such as iron and steel, petrochemical, or paper industries. Another option is to pursue an advanced degree in chemistry such as a Master's or Doctorate degree.
The B.A. program allows students to pursue an advanced degree in chemistry or to apply for admission to professional schools such as medicine, pharmacy, or dentistry. Admission requirements for these professional schools are easily accomplished by adjustments to specific courses taken within the B.A. program.
Faculty
Chair
- Erin Cunningham - M.S. Biology
Year @ PSC 2007
Professor
- Jay Badenhoop - Ph.D. Chemistry
Year @ PSC 1997
Assistant professors
- Ganesh Ghimire - Ph.D. Organic Chemistry
Year @ PSC 2018 - Roshan Lamichhane - Ph.D. Curriculum and Instruction; M.S. Chemistry
Year @ PSC 2020