USI Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education receives six-year American Chemical Society accreditation renewal

The University of Southern Indiana Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education has received a six-year extension on its accreditation for its Chemistry and Biochemistry programs from the American Chemical Society (ACS). 

The ACS Approval Program promotes excellence in chemistry education for undergraduate students by offering “a broad-based and rigorous chemistry curriculum that gives students intellectual, experimental and communication skills to become effective scientific professionals.” Employers find graduates from ACS-approved programs better prepared for technical employment. USI is one of 701 institutions approved by the ACS. 

“ACS accreditation communicates the quality of our program to employers and to graduate programs, and it means the students who complete our program will be well prepared for their future careers in chemistry or biochemistry," says Dr. Kenneth Walsh, Chair of Chemistry and Biochemistry Department and Associate Professor of Chemistry. "It also underlines the Pott College and University commitment to academic excellence, and we would like to acknowledge the institutional support received that enables the department to support our students.”

In addition to ensuring undergraduate students are qualified and prepared to enter the post-undergrad world, the accreditation also evaluates the department's programs with respect to the breadth and depth of course offerings, qualifications of faculty, sustainability of facilities, level of instrumentation, access to current chemical literature and opportunities for a meaningful research experience.

“Accreditation by the ACS is critical to our Biochemistry and Chemistry programs at USI to ensure quality classroom instruction, providing hands-on laboratory experiences and access to state-of-the-art instrumentation,” said Dr. William Elliot, Interim Dean of the Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education. “It also guarantees that USI delivers a coherent and meaningful curriculum to prepare students for chemistry careers or the pursuit of an advanced degree.” 

For more information on Chemistry and Biochemistry programs at USI, visit USI.edu/chemistry.