Students can take additional courses to receive American Chemical Society (ACS) Certification.
Please note, these are not Lake Forest College requirements. View the major and minor requirements.
The rigorous requirements of the American Chemical Society certification help you stand out and provide excellent career and educational advantages.
- Industry Recognition: It's highly respected, giving you a competitive edge in the job market.
- Better Career Opportunities: Employers, especially in research or industry, prefer ACS-certified graduates.
- Strong Academic Foundation: It prepares you well for graduate studies and research roles.
- Higher Salary and Job Stability: Graduates often enjoy higher starting salaries and more stable career prospects.
A student seeking an ACS certification must complete a full year of General Chemistry (CHEM 115 & 116) and course in each of the five areas of chemistry:
- Organic (CHEM 220)
- Biochemistry (CHEM 300)
- Physical (CHEM320)
- Inorganic (CHEM 340)
- Analytical/Instrumental (CHEM 410).
In addition, four advanced courses, possibly including one semester of research (CHEM 393 or 493 or 494), must be taken. Advanced courses include:
- CHEM 221: Organic Chemistry II*
- CHEM 321: Physical Chemistry II*
- CHEM 305: Advanced Biochemistry: the biochemistry of tuberculosis
- CHEM 430: Advanced organic chemistry
Typically, a student will have completed the two courses with asterics above to meet the department major requirements (e.g. CHEM 221, CHEM 321). So, a student will need to take additional course(s) and/or perform research for credit in order to earn ACS certification. All other requirements for ACS certification are met through the standard department requirements.