Department of Physical Sciences
You’re the kind of person who wants to know why things happen - and how they work. Maybe you’re fascinated by chemical reactions, curious about the relationship between science and sustainability or drawn to a future career in forensic science. At Lander University, you can explore your curiosity and turn it into a powerful foundation for your future.
In the Department of Physical Sciences, we have a wide variety of degree offerings with your future career in mind. You can choose focus in chemistry, health sciences, forensic science or environmental science. Or, you may choose to pursue our dual-degree program offered in cooperation with Clemson University, which allows you to earn two marketable degrees from two excellent schools. A chemistry degree is also a good first step towards medical school, pharmacy school or another health-related professional program.
At Lander, you’ll alongside caring professors who know your name, support your growth and challenge you to think critically. With small classes and modern labs, you’ll build the scientific skills needed for graduate school or the workforce.
The Department of Physical Sciences offers the following undergraduate degree programs:
BS in Chemistry
BS in Chemistry/Engineering (offered as a dual degree program with Clemson University)
BS in Chemistry with Forensic Science Concentration
BS in Chemistry with Health Sciences Concentration
BS in Chemistry with Secondary Certification
BS in Environmental Science
BS in Environmental Science with Forensic Science Concentration
The Department’s webpage contains information about the individual programs of study, scholarships available for students majoring in Chemistry, Chemistry/Engineering Dual Degree, Chemistry with a concentration in Forensic Science, Chemistry with a concentration in Health Sciences, Chemistry with Secondary Education, Environmental Science, or Environmental Science with a concentration in Forensic Science, and links to the faculty members.
An honors program is available in chemistry. Minors are available in chemistry, environmental science, and forensic science.
Curricular programs are also offered in pre-medicine, pre-pharmacy, pre-dentistry, and other pre-professional allied health science fields.
Courses in astronomy, chemistry, physics, and physical science are offered as support courses for professional, pre-professional, and general education areas of study.
Chemistry Minor
A minor in chemistry consists of 18 credit hours distributed as follows: CHEM 111, CHEM 112, CHEM 221, plus a minimum of 6 hours of additional chemistry courses above CHEM 221, of which 3 hours are at the CHEM 260 or above level. (CHEM 381 may not be used to satisfy the requirements of the chemistry minor.) A grade of “C” or better is required in all chemistry courses taken for the minor.
Environmental Science Minor
A minor in environmental science consists of a minimum of 18 credit hours. Requirements are BIOL 111, CHEM 111 or ES 111 or PSCI 112, and at least three additional courses in ES. A grade of “C” or better is required in all courses counted for the minor.
Forensic Science Minor
A minor in forensic science consists of 25 credit hours distributed as follows: CHEM 101, CHEM 111, CHEM 112, CHEM 221, CHEM 260, CHEM 360, and BIOL 112. A grade of “C” or better is required in all courses taken for the minor.
Pre-Professional Curricula
Lander University offers curricular programs in the following areas: pre-medicine, pre-dentistry, pre-optometry, pre-veterinary medicine, pre-pharmacy, pre-physical therapy, and pre-occupational therapy. Because of the nature of the courses required to fulfill the requirements of these programs, most students in these programs major in Chemistry or Biology.
All pharmacy degree programs in the State of South Carolina are now 6-year Pharm. D. programs. As such, they require students to have a minimum of 66 credit hours before applying to pharmacy school.
Although most professional schools have common core curriculum requirements, there are differences. In addition, some schools have regular admission programs, early decision programs, and early admission programs. In the early admission program, the student can be accepted as early as the third semester of undergraduate study. There are variations in the number of hours and courses required by similar programs offered at different institutions. To better serve Lander’s students, each program has a designated faculty advisor. As soon as the decision to enter one of the health-related programs is made, the student and his/her advisement records will be turned over to the appropriate health program advisor in the Department of Physical Sciences.
Successful completion of the following Lander courses will allow a student to apply to pharmacy programs at the Medical University of South Carolina, the University of South Carolina, and Presbyterian College:
Successful completion of the following Lander courses will prepare students to score well on the MCAT and will make the students very competitive once admitted to a school of medicine. The prerequisites for medical school include:
Other science courses are recommended to better prepare the student.