College of Arts and Sciences

Department of Biology and Chemistry

Fawwaz Jumean, Head

Faculty

• Mohamed Abouleish
  
• Imad Abu-Yousef
  
• Mohammad Al-Sayah
  
• Oussama El-Kadri
  
• Aaron Bartholomew
  
• William Heidcamp
  
• Sofian Kanan
  
• Mustafa Khamis
  
• Sandra Knuteson
  
• Amin Majdalawieh
  
• John Mosbo
  
• Mustafa Musameh
  
• Lucia Pappalardo
  
• Dennis Russell

Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (BSC)

Chemistry is the central science that is involved in almost everything with which we come in contact. Chemists apply the scientific method to study the composition and properties of matter. They are concerned with the essential processes involved in rearrangement of the atoms of substances to produce new products. Since the life processes of all organisms involve chemical changes, chemists play a key role in the development of such fields as medicine, biochemistry and genetic engineering. In other domains, chemistry is essential for the evolving of nanotechnology and the tackling of environmental issues. In general, chemistry offers students an exciting array of intellectual adventures and builds their technical and problem-solving skills.

Career Opportunities

Chemists have the ability to work in a wide range of industries such as the following: agricultural companies, chemical distributors, chemical laboratories, chemical manufacturing plants, chemistry consulting firms, cosmetic companies, food and beverage companies, government, health protection branches, hospital research laboratories, industrial laboratories, mineral and metal industries, oil companies, petroleum refineries, pharmaceutical/biotechnology industries, police laboratories, pulp and paper industries, quality control laboratories, research centers/institutes, textile manufacturers and waterworks departments.

Degree Requirements

A minimum of 120 credits, including the following, is required:

• a minimum of 44 credits in general education requirements, including a minimum of 12 credits in English language competency, a minimum of 15 credits in humanities and social sciences, a minimum of 3 credits in Arabic heritage, 8 credits in science (CHM 101, PHY 101 and PHY 101L) and 6 credits in mathematics and/or statistics (MTH 103 and STA 201)
  
• a minimum of 61 credits of major requirements and major electives
  
• a minimum of 15 credits of free electives
  
• a minimum CGPA of 2.0

Major Requirements (52 credits)

• CHM 102 General Chemistry II
  
• CHM 215 Organic Chemistry I
  
• CHM 216 Organic Chemistry II
  
• CHM 217 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
  
• CHM 218 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
  
• CHM 221 Basic Concepts of Inorganic Chemistry
  
• CHM 241 Quantitative Analysis
  
• CHM 315 Organic Chemistry III
  
• CHM 321 Chemistry of Transition Metals                          
  
• CHM 330 Physical Chemistry I
  
• CHM 331 Physical Chemistry II
  
• CHM 335 Physical Chemistry Laboratory
  
• CHM 345 Instrumental Analysis
  
• CHM 350 Introduction to Biochemistry
  
• ENV 252  Environmental Chemistry
  
• MTH 104 Calculus II
  
• MTH 205 Differential Equations
  
• PHY 102 General Physics II                
  
• PHY 102L General Physics Laboratory II

Major Electives (minimum of 9 credits)

• CHE 467 Corrosion
  
• CHM 332 Physical Chemistry III
  
• CHM 394/494 Special Topics in Chemistry
  
• CHM 415 Spectroscopy in Organic Chemistry
  
• CHM 431 Biophysical Chemistry
  
• CHM 491 Senior Research Project I
  
• CHM 492 Senior Research Project II
  
• ENV 352 Environmental Toxicology
  
• ENV 452  Soil and Water Chemistry
  
• ENV 453 Environmental Monitoring and Analysis Techniques

Bachelor of Science in Environmental Sciences (BSES)

The mission of Environmental Sciences Program is to provide graduates with qualifications for meaningful employment in the ever-expanding environmental field. It utilizes a holistic approach to environmental sciences so that students are prepared to deal with a wide range of environmental concerns as they receive their on-the-job training and perform tasks specific to their professions. The overall organization of the program reflects this philosophy with a broad core curriculum, a concentration area and the opportunity to perform a senior research project providing advanced, hands-on experience.

Environmental sciences majors must choose among the following options:

• a concentration in biology and ecosystems
  
• a concentration in environmental chemistry and analysis
  
• a double concentration in the two above areas

Recent events and current issues have raised major concerns related to the preservation of the environment. Local governments and private industries have begun to recognize the importance of conservation, recycling and environmental awareness. The Environmental Sciences Program at American University of Sharjah gives students an understanding of these issues, the skills needed to function as an environmental science professional and the necessary undergraduate education to pursue a graduate program in environmental sciences.

Environmental scientists, biologists, chemists and physicists participate in the instruction of the core and concentration requirements for this major.

Career Opportunities

Environmental scientists can work in four general areas:

• environmental protection, which targets air, water and land quality and often has a human and environmental health and safety perspective
  
• conservation and protection of natural resources, which deal both with park, fisheries and wildlife management and the operation of resource-based industries such as oil, mining, forestry and agriculture
  
• environmental education and communications, which are relevant to both the public and private sectors
  
• environmental research, which includes developing analytical methods for detecting environmental pollutants and improving prediction of environmental and geophysical changes. Job opportunities are available in public and academic-supported research facilities

Employers of environmental scientists include government, the natural resources sector, utilities, manufacturers and industry, as well as small business. Governments at all levels need environmental scientists in the areas of enforcing regulations, writing public information, writing and researching regulations, and ensuring government departmental compliance with existing regulations.

The natural resource/utility sector (i.e., oil, mining, forestry, agriculture and hydro) is interested in having environmental scientists consult on the sustainability of their operations; monitor and mitigate environmental effects on wildlife, fisheries, the watershed and natural beauty; and advise them on liability issues. Manufacturers (particularly those involved in the production of chemicals, plastics, paints, pesticides, etc.) employ environmental scientists due to concerns that include smokestack specifications and volatile emissions, wastewater quality, minimization and disposal of hazardous waste, and health and safety issues. The service sector, including banks, real estate companies, lawyers and insurance companies, also relies on environmental scientists to accurately describe environmental risk so that they can assess potential liability. Businesses have been formed that service all these sectors in such areas as environmental impact consulting, compliances, recycling and waste management.

Currently, most work in the environmental sector is responsive to existing or anticipated problems, such as treating or monitoring effluent or gaseous emissions; preparing environmental impact statements, assessments and audits as required by law; conducting land reclamation and remediation; and completing public consultations. People with an entrepreneurial inclination to take a proactive approach to environmental stewardship and sustainable development have the opportunity to innovate current practices. There are ample prospects for individuals to generate inventions and ideas that would fundamentally change the way business, society and technology function through the creation of realistic alternatives to environmentally hazardous practices.

Degree Requirements

A minimum of 121 credits, including the following, is required:

• a minimum of 44 credits in general education requirements, including CHM 101 General Chemistry I, CHM 102 General Chemistry II, MTH 103 Calculus I, and STA 201 Introduction to Statistics for Engineering and Natural Sciences
  
• 30 credits of major requirements
  
• a minimum of 32 credits of concentration requirements and concentration electives
  
• a minimum of 15 credits of free electives
  
• six to eight weeks of full-time, satisfactory internship in environmental sciences with a business or governmental organization
  
• a  minimum CGPA of 2.0

Major Requirements (30 credits)

Basic Mathematics and Sciences (11 credits)

• BIO 101 General Biology I
  
• MTH 104 Calculus II
  
• PHY 101 General Physics I 
  
• PHY 101L General Physics Laboratory I

Core Requirements (19 credits)

• CHM 215 Organic Chemistry I
  
• CHM 217 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
  
• CHM 345 Instrumental Analysis
  
• ENV 201 Fundamentals of Environmental Science
  
• ENV 311 Environmental Modeling
  
• ENV 411 Environmental Assessment and Management
  
• ENV 453 Environmental Monitoring and Analysis Techniques
  
• ENV 497 Internship in Environmental Science

Concentration in Environmental Biology and Ecosystems (minimum of 32 credits)

Concentration Requirements   (17 credits)

• BIO 102 General Biology II
  
• BIO 260 Genetics
  
• ENV 251/BIO 251 Environmental Ecology
  
• ENV 335/BIO 335 Environmental Microbiology
  
• ENV 361/BIO 361 Evolution and Biodiversity

Concentration Electives         (minimum of 15 credits)

• BIO 330 Ecosystems Management
  
• BIO 394/494 Special Topics in Biology
  
• CHM 221 Basic Concepts of Inorganic Chemistry
  
• CHM 241 Quantitative Analysis
  
• CHM 350 Introduction to Biochemistry
  
• ENV 252 Environmental Chemistry
  
• ENV 261 Physical Geography
  
• ENV 352 Environmental Toxicology
  
• ENV 394/494 Special Topics in Environmental Sciences
  
• ENV 421/BIO 421 Aquatic Environments
  
• ENV 451 Waste Treatment
  
• ENV 491 Senior Research Project I
  
• ENV 492 Senior Research Project II
  
• PHY 105 Physics for Environmental Sciences and PHY 105L Physics for Environmental Sciences Laboratory
  
• PHY 251 Meteorology
  
• PHY 301 Energy Sources

Concentration in Environmental Chemistry and Analysis (minimum of 32 credits)

Concentration Requirements (15 credits)

• CHM 221 Basic Concepts of Inorganic Chemistry
• CHM 241 Quantitative Analysis
• CHM 330 Physical Chemistry I
• ENV 252 Environmental Chemistry
• ENV 451 Waste Treatment

Concentration Electives (minimum of 17 credits)

• CHE 467 Corrosion
• CHM 216 Organic Chemistry II
• CHM 218 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
• CHM 331 Physical Chemistry II
• CHM 335 Physical Chemistry Laboratory
• CHM 350 Introduction to Biochemistry
• CHM 394/494 Special Topics in Chemistry
• ENV 261 Physical Geography
• ENV 335/BIO 335 Environmental Microbiology
• ENV 352 Environmental Toxicology
• ENV 394/494 Special Topics in Environmental Sciences
• ENV 452 Soil and Water Chemistry
• ENV 491 Senior Research Project I
• ENV 492 Senior Research Project II
• PHY 105 Physics for Environmental Sciences and PHY 105L Laboratory
• PHY 251 Meteorology
• PHY 303 Atmospheric Physics

Double Concentration in Biology/Ecosystems and Environmental Chemistry/Analysis

Students must fulfill the requirements of both concentrations, as detailed in the respective sections above.

Minor in Biology

A minor in biology trains students in the most important aspects of ecology and genetics, which makes them better qualified to enter professions that require knowledge of living organisms and the environment.

Students enrolling in the biology minor should have normally completed a minimum of 30 credits of course work and be in good academic standing.

The following rules apply:

• The minor consists of a minimum of 20 credits, including at least nine credits in courses at or above the 300 level.
  
• At least nine credits of the 20 credits required for the minor must be taken in residence at AUS.
  
• At least six credits of the nine credits at or above the 300 level must be taken in residence at AUS.
  
• Free electives can be taken toward the minor.
  
• A grade of at least C- in each course and a GPA of at least 2.0 must be earned in courses taken to satisfy the minor.

Students seeking a minor in biology must complete the following courses or their equivalent. All course prerequisites must be satisfied.

The minor is not open to environmental sciences students.

Minor Requirements (8 credits)

• BIO 101 General Biology I
  
• BIO 102 General Biology II

Minor Electives (minimum of 12 credits)

• BIO 210 Human Anatomy and Physiology for Engineers
  
• BIO 251/ENV 251 Environmental Ecology
  
• BIO 260 Genetics
  
• BIO 330 Ecosystems Management
  
• BIO 335/ENV 335 Environmental Microbiology
  
• BIO 361/ENV 361 Evolution and Biodiversity
  
• BIO 394/494 Special Topics in Biology
  
• BIO 421/ENV 421 Aquatic Environments
  
• BIO 461 Desert and Maritime Plants

Minor in Environmental Policy

This interdisciplinary minor draws on the resources and expertise of several departments. Students enrolling in the environmental policy minor should have normally completed a minimum of 30 credits of course work and be in good academic standing.

The following rules apply:

• The minor consists of a minimum of 18 credits, including at least nine credits in courses at or above the 300 level.
  
• At least nine credits of the 18 credits required for the minor must be taken in residence at AUS.
  
• At least six credits of the nine credits at or above the 300 level must be taken in residence at AUS.
  
• Free electives can be taken toward the minor.
  
• A grade of at least C- in each course and a GPA of at least 2.0 must be earned in courses taken to satisfy the minor.

Students seeking a minor in environmental policy must complete the following courses or their equivalent. All course prerequisites must be satisfied.

The minor is not open to environmental sciences students.

Minor Requirements (3 credits)

• CHM 105 Chemistry and the Environment or ENV 100 Principles of Environmental Science

Minor Electives (minimum of 15 credits)

• ECO 404 Economics of Environmental and Natural Resources
  
• ENV 294/394/494 Special Topics in Environmental Sciences
  
• ENV 381 Environmental Strategies and Regulations
  
• ENV 411 Environmental Assessment and Management
  
• ENV 412 Concepts and Models in Environmental Management Systems
  
• PHI 309 Ethics and the Environment
  
• SOC 302 Environmental Sociology

Credit cannot be given for both ENV 411 and ENV 412.

Minor in Environmental Sciences

This interdisciplinary minor draws on the resources and expertise of several disciplines. Students enrolling in the environmental sciences minor should have normally completed a minimum of 30 credits of course work and be in good academic standing.
The following rules apply:

• The minor consists of a minimum of 18 credits, including at least nine credits in courses at or above the 300 level.
  
• At least nine credits of the 18 credits required for the minor must be taken in residence at AUS.
  
• At least six credits of the nine credits at or above the 300 level must be taken in residence at AUS.
  
• Free electives can be taken toward the minor.
  
• A grade of at least C- in each course and a GPA of at least 2.0 must be earned in courses taken to satisfy the minor.

Students seeking a minor in environmental sciences have two options: (1) to complete three courses from the minor requirements and three courses from the minor electives or (2) four courses from the minor requirements and two courses from the minor electives. All course prerequisites must be satisfied.

The minor is not open to environmental sciences students.

Minor Requirements (9–12 credits)

• ENV 201 Fundamentals of Environmental Science
  
• ENV 311 Environmental Modeling
  
• ENV 411 Environmental Assessment and Management
  
• ENV 453 Environmental Monitoring and Analysis Techniques

Minor Electives (6–9 credits)

• BIO/ENV 251 Environmental Ecology
  
• BIO 330 Ecosystems Management
  
• BIO 335/ENV 335 Environmental Microbiology
  
• CHE 461 Air Pollution
  
• CHE 467 Corrosion
  
• CHM 345 Instrumental Analysis
  
• ENV 252 Environmental Chemistry
  
• ENV 352 Environmental Toxicology
  
• ENV 394/494 Special Topics in Environmental Sciences
  
• ENV 451 Waste Treatment
  
• ENV 452 Soil and Water Chemistry
  
• ENV 491 Senior Research Project I

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