Fayetteville State University Chemistry Program Receives American Chemical Society Approval
Fayetteville State University (FSU) recently received notification from the American Chemical Society (ACS) that its baccalaureate chemistry program has been added to its list of ACS-approved programs.
With this approval, the FSU chemistry program joins 17 other ACS-approved undergraduate chemistry programs in North Carolina, including UNC Chapel Hill, NCSU, and Duke University, and 693 ACS-approved programs in the nation, including Harvard, Yale, and Cornell universities.
According to ACS "the primary objective of the ACS approval process is to improve the quality of undergraduate chemistry education... The ACS approval program provides a level of uniformity in programs and standards of excellence that benefit all students, as well as the profession as a whole... The approval process stresses program self-evaluation and provides external evaluation by the ACS' Committee on Professional Training (CPT). Self-evaluation combined with external evaluation enables a program to reflect upon and define a direction for, and vision of the future, thereby improving its ability to provide an excellent undergraduate education." Furthermore, the approval process, according to ACS, "provides a mechanism for departments to evaluate their program, identify areas of strengths and opportunities for change, and leverage support from their institutions and external agencies."
Chancellor James A. Anderson noted: "The faculty in the chemistry department at FSU should be praised for their long-term commitment to quality, excellence, and accountability. Their efforts prepare students to be very competitive as they pursue their goals and dreams.
Dr. Pam Jackson, Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, stated: "Our chemistry faculty has been working hard toward getting this recognition for Fayetteville State University. With it, we are now in a select group of universities whose chemistry programs have the seal of approval from one of the most prestigious accrediting agencies in the country."
Dr. Samuel Adu-Mireku, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences noted, "This was a collaborative process, and I am extremely proud of the role the leadership, faculty, staff, and students played to earn this prestigious accreditation. With this accreditation, the program has reached a major milestone, which will have a positive impact on the department and especially on our students."
Dr. Cevdet Akbay, professor and chair of the Department of Chemistry, Physics, and Materials Science, noted, "Our faculty, staff, and students are very excited with the recent approval granted by the American Chemical Society for our Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Chemistry program. FSU has been offering B.S. in chemistry degree since 1972; therefore, the accreditation has been our dream for over 40 years. Approval is given in recognition of both the rigorous nature of our program and the strong chemical and professional foundation it provides our students. Starting with the 2019-20 academic year, certificates will be available for presentation to our graduates that complete the approved curriculum."
The Department of Chemistry, Physics, and Materials Science, part of the College of Arts and Sciences, offers two degrees: The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Chemistry* (with six concentrations: Biochemistry, Chemistry Entrepreneurship, General Chemistry, Materials Science, Pre-Health, and Pre-Pharmacy) and Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering (BChE) as a 3 + 2 Dual Degree Program in conjunction with North Carolina State University (NCSU).
For more information about the FSU Chemistry Program, visit Chemistry Program or contact Dr. Cevdet Akbay at (910) 672-1943 or cakbay@uncfsu.edu.
About the American Chemical Society
The American Chemical Society, the world's largest scientific society, is a not-for-profit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress. ACS is a global leader in providing access to chemistry-related information and research through its multiple databases, peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences. ACS does not conduct research but publishes and publicizes peer-reviewed scientific studies. Through its Publications Division, the Society publishes 50+ peer-reviewed journals and eBooks. ACS journals are among the most-cited, most-trusted and most-read within the scientific literature. The Publications Division offers high-quality service to authors and readers, including rapid time to publication, cutting-edge web and mobile delivery platforms and comprehensive open access options. The Society's main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.
About Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville State University is a constituent institution of The University of North Carolina and the second-oldest public institution of higher education in the state, having been founded in 1867. FSU offers degrees at the baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral levels. With more than 6,300 students, Fayetteville State University is among the most diverse institutions in the nation. To learn more about Fayetteville State University, visit https://www.uncfsu.edu. Chancellor James A. Anderson is the 11th chief executive officer.