Mar 28, 2024  
ARCHIVED 2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
ARCHIVED 2020-2021 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Chemical Microscopy. B.S.


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Majors, Minors and Programs of Study

Chemical Microscopy combines the chemical sciences, investigative research and allied industrial applications (energy and geo-sciences, forensic science, packaging, paints and coating, pharmaceutical sciences, electronics and nano-technologies) to solve microanalytical problems.  The Chemical Microscopy program provides students a hands-on experience using state-of-the-art microscopes, analytical instrumentation and techniques. Students learn how to apply analytical judgement and the necessary skills to a wide variety of industrial applications including: pharmaceutical contamination, forensic trace evidence, white powder and environmental particle identification, plastics, paints and polymer analysis, failure analysis, and cleanroom techniques including particle isolation and specialized sample preparation. A B.S. degree in Chemical Microscopy provides North Central students with a skill set that partners their interest in the physical sciences with a desire to do investigative research—a specialization applicable to virtually all industrial careers including research scientist, forensic scientist, trace evidence analyst or pharmaceutical researcher.

For additional programs and courses in this department, see Chemistry and Physics .

Major Requirements


Advanced Elective(s)


A minimum of four credit hours in CHEM at the 300-level or above.

Writing Intensive


A four credit hour Writing Intensive course.

Advanced Courses at Hooke College


Upper-level coursework taken during the 12-months at Hooke College of Applied Sciences in Westmont, Illinois includes courses such as Modern Polarized Light Microscopy, Techniques of Optical Crystallography, Scanning Electron Microscope, Transmission Electron Microscopy, Infrared Microscopy, Raman Microscopy, Introduction to Forensic Trace Evidence and Microscopic Particle Handling. In addition, with advisor approval students select 3-4 elective courses such that their total for CHMC courses is between 32.0 and 34.0 credit hours. For details, please contact a professor in the Chemistry department.

Additional Requirements for the B.S. Degree


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Majors, Minors and Programs of Study