Chemistry & Physics Department

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Distinguished Teaching Professor: Robert M. Hoyte, Emeritus
Professors: Fernando Espinoza, Duncan Quarless, Lori Zaikowski
Associate Professors: Michael Colaneri, Bright Emenike, Ruomei Gao, Chair, Youngjoo Kim
Assistant Professors: Jim Dimitrakopoulos, John Estes, Faisal Ibrahim, Camille Jones, Matthew Lippert, Andrew O’Bannon

Laboratory Manager: Eric Doucet
Laboratory Technicians: Aquela Hutton, Nikki Rodgers

Chemistry and Physics Department Mission Statement

The mission of the Chemistry and Physics Department is to provide a sound, broadly-based foundation in chemistry and physics to enable graduates to perform effectively in the chemical industries, graduate and professional school, and other work environments. Along with this foundation, the department’s learning outcomes focus on the development of students’ critical thinking and communication skills. In keeping with the College’s social justice mission, we strive to accomplish these goals through close interaction between students and faculty, and by creating a learning environment that is welcoming to all.

The Major in Chemistry

The Chemistry major is intended to serve three student constituencies: (1) first time to college and lower division transfer students; (2) transfer students who have earned either an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, or Associate of Applied Science degree; (3) non-matriculated students wishing to complete courses in chemistry to further career or personal goals. Since this student clientele will vary greatly in ability, preparation, and goals, the program is designed to have substantial flexibility. This flexibility is accomplished by offering two degree options: the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree and the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree.

The B.A. degree program requires fewer courses in chemistry than the B.S. program, leaving greater freedom for selection of courses in other areas, e.g., the biological sciences and liberal arts. This frequently is the preferred route for students preparing for entry into the health professions, as well as for students seeking opportunities in public school education or direct employment in scientific industries.

The B.A. degree in Chemistry is the logical option for those who wish to prepare for postgraduate study in medicine, dentistry, other health professions, law, and related professions.

The B.S. degree program is the recommended program for students planning graduate study in chemistry. It also prepares graduates for baccalaureate careers in the chemical sciences, and scientific positions related to the environment, energy, and health professions. In contrast to the B.A., the B.S. degree requires more course work in chemistry and mathematics.

The Major in Biochemistry

The Biochemistry major is also intended to serve the three student constituencies identified above for the chemistry major, but will appeal to students whose interests overlap the fields of chemistry and biology. The B.S. degree program in Biochemistry is designed to prepare students for careers in biotechnology and scientific work in emerging fields at the interface of biology and chemistry. It is a highly interdisciplinary curriculum that also prepares students for graduate study in biochemistry and related fields such as molecular and cellular biology. In addition, the Biochemistry major provides excellent preparation for students intending to seek entry into medical, dental, and other health professional schools.

The Major in Physics

Physics is the most fundamental of the sciences, investigating the basic laws of nature and asking deep questions about the properties of matter, the origin and fate of the universe, and nature of space and time. Undergraduate training in physics provides a solid grounding in quantitative problem solving, analytical reasoning, and mathematical modeling.

The Bachelor of Science degree in physics has both a standard track and several alternative career-oriented concentrations.  All bachelor’s students will take the full physics core of foundational courses and upper division core courses.  Further advanced courses will be determined by the choice of concentration.

General Physics concentration: A traditional physics B.S. program meant for students intending to continue to graduate school or pursue a career in STEM.  Students will take a further two advanced math and two advanced physics courses, for a total of 69 credits.

Health Science concentration: For students pursuing a career in the medical professions.  Beyond the physics core curriculum, students will take an additional 21 credits coursework in biology and chemistry that is appropriate for MCAT preparations, for a total of 76 credits.

Quantitative Finance concentration: This track contains an additional 32 credits of coursework in finance and computer science, with a capstone course in econophysics, giving a total of 79 credits.

Applied/Computational concentration: The coursework will consist of the foundational physics core, the upper division core, and an additional 5 courses in mathematics and computer science, for a total of 74 credits.

Other Services

In addition to its degree-granting role, the Chemistry/Physics Department provides vital support both to science majors in fields other than chemistry and to non-science majors. The Department offers courses which appeal to broad segments of the college community, and provides non-science majors with the scientific concepts needed to function effectively in today’s society.

American Chemical Society Certification

For those who wish to continue their education on the graduate level, an optional program based on recommendations of the American Chemical Society’s Committee on Professional Training has been designed as an integral extension of the B.S. degree programs.

This optional curriculum has received full certification from the American Chemical Society (ACS). Students who complete the ACS approved program will be awarded an ACS certified B.S. degree in chemistry or in Biochemistry.

Transfer Students

The Chemistry and Biochemistry majors are designed to articulate with a typical community college program. Transfer students who have followed a science curriculum at a two-year college, including one year each of introductory chemistry, organic chemistry, calculus and physics can expect to complete the chemistry major in two years. Transfer students must complete at least 18 credits of CP courses at or above the 3000 level at Old Westbury.

Evening Students

At the present time, it is not possible to earn a degree in Chemistry or Biochemistry by attending classes only during the evening.

Competency Requirement for Graduation with a Degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry or Physics

Students must achieve a 2.0 average in chemistry (CP) courses at Old Westbury.

Policy on Repeated Courses

No CP course may be taken more than three times. Students who can not achieve a grade of C in a course after three attempts, are advised to change majors. Failed attempts include grades of F, W, D-, D, D+, and C-.

Programs

• Chemistry, B.A.

• Biochemistry, B.S.
• Chemistry, B.S.
• Physics, B.S.

• Chemistry, Minor
• Physics, Minor

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