Students have access to a variety of sophisticated instrumentation for course work and research experience and training. Plattsburgh is on the list of schools approved by the American Chemical Society, and its accreditation is reviewed periodically by the Society's Committee on Professional Training. Students take an additional 32 credit hours as electives. They choose them with the help of advisors while considering their personal and professional goals. This flexibility allows students to specialize in fields other than chemistry.
Environmental chemistry is among the more popular secondary areas of specialization.
Students may also select courses as pre-professional requirements for graduate study in medicine, veterinary medicine and dentistry. Elective hours may be selected through advisement to fulfill the American Chemical Society's additional requirements for certification. Students electing this option acquire technical and intellectual skills necessary to work on the complex chemical problems arising from society's technological impact on the environment. Course requirements are flexible, so that each student can pursue individual goals while learning the fundamental science necessary to work effectively in this field. The program leading to ACS certification expands upon the core B.A. program by specifying additional courses that will satisfy the ACS requirements for total laboratory hours, instrumental methods and inorganic chemistry.