B.S. Chemistry Degree
The B.S. in Chemistry degree is designed for students who desire a rigorous chemistry education. It is ideal for students wishing to pursue a Ph.D. degree in the chemical sciences, attend medical school, or who wish to obtain employment as chemists in industrial or government laboratories. The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers four different pathways to students seeking the Bachelor of Science degrees in Chemistry. The first option is a traditional chemistry track that prepares students well for graduate school in organic or inorganic chemistry or a career in the chemical industry. The second track has a biochemistry emphasis and is specifically designed for students who wish to go on to medical school or graduate school in biochemistry. The third path is an environmental chemistry emphasis for student who have an interest in analytical chemistry and wish to either go to graduate school or work in industry. The fourth option is a chemical physics emphasis designed for student who enjoy both physics and chemistry and wish to attend graduate school in physical chemistry or chemical physics. Participation in undergraduate research, starting as early as in the freshman year, through Chem 251 and 351 is strongly encouraged as part of the B.S. in Chemistry degree program.
Students enrolling in CHEM 463 their senior year should click here.
In addition to the courses below, students must also complete additional requirements for the College of Liberal Arts.
The B.S. Chemistry degree is certified by the American Chemical Society.
Standard Traditional Emphasis
A major in chemistry for the B.S. degree (chemistry track) consists of the following 50 hours of chemistry courses: Chem 105, 106, 115, 116; 221, 222, 225, 226; 314; 331, 332, 337; 401, 402; 423, 469, 471, two semesters of 463, and two advanced courses chosen from 512, 514, 527,528, 529, 530, 531, 532, 534, 536, 544, or 563. Math 261, 262, 263, 264, and either 353, 319 or 375 as well as Phys 211, 212, 221, 222 are also required. Students seeking the B.S. degree in chemistry who have already completed Phys 213/214 instead of Phys 211/212 must complete one calculus-based physics course chosen from Phys 303, 315, 319 or 321.
Click here for a recommended typical curriculum for the Chemistry Track.
Biochemistry Emphasis
A major in chemistry for the B.S. degree (biochemistry track) consists of the following 47-50 hours of chemistry courses: Chem 105, 106, 115, 116; 221, 222, 225, 226; 314; 331, 332, 337; 401, 402; 469, 471, 472, 473, two semesters of 463, and one advanced course chosen from Chem 580, 581 or Bisc 333, 336. Math 261, 262, 263, 264, and either 353, 319 or 375 as well as Phys 211, 212, 221, 222 are also required. Students seeking the B.S. degree in chemistry who have already completed Phys 213/214 instead of Phys 211/212 must complete one calculus-based physics course chosen from Phys 303, 315, 319 or 321.
Environmental Chemistry Emphasis
A major in chemistry for the B.S. degree (environmental chemistry track) consists of the following 45 hours of chemistry courses: Chem 105, 106, 115, 116; 221, 222, 225, 226; 314; 331, 332, 337; 401, 402; 469; 471; 512, and two semesters of 463 (for a total of 4 hours). Also required are Phys 211, 212, 221, 222; Math 261, 262, 263, 264 as well as one course chosen from Math 319, 353, or 375; and one advanced course chosen from Chem 554, Bisc 322, 451, Engr 540, G E 503, or Phcl 347. Students seeking the B.S. degree in chemistry with an environmental chemistry emphasis who have already completed Phys 213/214 instead of Phys 211/212 must complete one calculus-based physics course chosen from Phys 303, 315, 319, or 321.
Click here for a recommended typical curriculum for the Environmental Chemistry Track.
Chemical Physics Emphasis
A major in chemistry for the B.S. degree (chemical physics track) consists of the following 48 hours of chemistry courses: Chem 105, 106, 115, 116; 221, 222, 225, 226; 314; 331, 332, 337; 401, 402; 469; 471, two semesters of 463 (for a total of 4 hours), and two advanced courses chosen from Chem 531, 532, 536, 544, or 563. Also required are Phys 211, 212, 221, 222; Math 261, 262, 263, 264 as well as one course chosen from Math 319, 353, or 375; and one course chosen from Phys 303, 308, 315, 317, 319, 321, 401, 422, or Astr 325. Students seeking the B.S. degree in chemistry with a chemical physics emphasis who have already completed Phys 213/214 instead of Phys 211/212 must complete one additional calculus-based physics course chosen from Phys 303, 315, 319, or 321.
Click here for a recommended typical curriculum for the Chemical Physics Track.
Additional Details
Students are advised to complete algebra and trigonometry in high school and enroll in Mathematics 261 during the fall semester of the freshman year. The curricula for the B.S. degree as shown below is certified by the American Chemical Society (ACS).
The following courses may not be used for major or minor credit: Chem 101, 102, 103, 104, 113, 114, 121, 201, 202, 271, 381, 382, or 383.
SAMPLE PROGRAM (CHEMISTRY TRACK)
| FRESHMAN YEAR | |
| Courses: |
Hours:
|
| CHEM 105, 106, 115, 116 |
8
|
| WRIT 100 or WRIT 101 (or HON 101) and either WRIT 102 or LIBA 102 (or HON 102) |
6
|
| Foreign Language 101, 102 (or 111) |
6
|
| Mathematics 261, 262 |
6
|
| Social sciences and Humanities (in one area) |
6
|
|
32
|
|
| SOPHOMORE YEAR | |
| Courses: |
Hours:
|
| CHEM 221, 222, 225, 226 |
8
|
| Foreign Language 201, 202 (or 211) |
6
|
| Physics 211, 212, 221, 222 |
8
|
| Mathematics 263, 264 |
6
|
| Elective |
3
|
|
31
|
|
| JUNIOR YEAR | |
| Courses: |
Hours:
|
| CHEM 314, 423 |
6
|
| CHEM 331, 332, 337, 469 | 11 |
| English 221 ,222, 223, 224, 225 (choose 2) |
6
|
| Mathematics 319, 353, or 375 |
3
|
| Fine or Performing Arts |
3
|
|
29
|
|
| SENIOR YEAR | |
| Courses: |
Hours:
|
| CHEM 401, 402, 471 |
11
|
| CHEM 463 |
4
|
| CHEM 512, 514, 519, 527, 528, 529, 530, 531, 532, 534, 536, 544, 563 (choose 2) | 6 |
| Social sciences and Humanities (in a second area) |
6
|
| Elective |
3
|
| 30 |
SAMPLE PROGRAM (BIOCHEMISTRY TRACK)
| FRESHMAN YEAR | |
| Courses: |
Hours:
|
| CHEM 105, 106, 115, 116 |
8
|
| WRIT 100 or WRIT 101 (or HON 101) and either WRIT 102 or LIBA 102 (or HON 102) |
6
|
| Mathematics 261, 262 |
6
|
| Biology 160, 161, 162, 163 |
8
|
| Social Science chosen from PSY 201, PSY 202, SOC 101 |
3
|
|
31
|
|
| SOPHOMORE YEAR | |
| Courses: |
Hours:
|
| CHEM 221, 222, 225, 226 |
8
|
| Physics 211, 212, 221, 222 |
8
|
| Mathematics 263, 264 |
6
|
| Foreign Language 101, 102 (or 111) |
6
|
| Social Sciences chosen from PSY 201, PSY 202, SOC 101 |
6
|
|
34
|
|
| JUNIOR YEAR | |
| Courses: |
Hours:
|
| CHEM 314 | 4 |
| CHEM 331, 332, 337 |
7
|
| CHEM 471, 472, 473 |
8
|
| Mathematics 319, 353, or 375 |
3
|
| Foreign Language 201, 202 (or 211) |
6
|
| Social Science or Humanities chosen from PHIL 103, 321, 328 |
3
|
|
31
|
|
| SENIOR YEAR | |
| Courses: |
Hours:
|
| CHEM 401, 402 | 4 |
| CHEM 469 |
4
|
| CHEM 463 |
4
|
| CHEM 580, 581 or Biology 333, 336 (choose 1) | 3-4 |
| English 221 ,222, 223, 224, 225 (choose 2) |
6
|
| Fine or Performing Arts |
3
|
|
24-25
|
SAMPLE PROGRAM (ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY TRACK)
| FRESHMAN YEAR | |
| Courses: |
Hours:
|
| CHEM 105, 106, 115, 116 |
8
|
| WRIT 100 or WRIT 101 (or HON 101) and either WRIT 102 or LIBA 102 (or HON 102) |
6
|
| Foreign Language 101, 102 (or 111) |
6
|
| Mathematics 261, 262 |
6
|
| Social sciences and Humanities (in one area) |
6
|
|
32
|
|
| SOPHOMORE YEAR | |
| Courses: |
Hours:
|
| CHEM 221, 222, 225, 226 |
8
|
| Foreign Language 201, 202 (or 211) |
6
|
| Physics 211, 212, 221, 222 |
8
|
| Mathematics 263, 264 |
6
|
| Elective |
3
|
|
31
|
|
| JUNIOR YEAR | |
| Courses: |
Hours:
|
| CHEM 314 |
4
|
| CHEM 331, 332, 337, 469 |
11
|
| English 221 ,222, 223, 224, 225 (choose 2) |
6
|
| Mathematics 319, 353, or 375 |
3
|
| Electives |
6
|
|
30
|
|
| SENIOR YEAR | |
| Courses: |
Hours:
|
| CHEM 401, 402, 471, 512 |
14
|
| CHEM 463 |
4
|
| CHEM 554, BISC 322, 451, ENGR 540, GE 503, or PHCL 347 | 3 |
| Social sciences and Humanities (in a second area) |
6
|
| Fine or Performing Arts |
3
|
| 30 |
SAMPLE PROGRAM (CHEMICAL PHYSICS TRACK)
| FRESHMAN YEAR | |
| Courses: |
Hours:
|
| CHEM 105, 106, 115, 116 |
8
|
| WRIT 100 or WRIT 101 (or HON 101) and either WRIT 102 or LIBA 102 (or HON 102) |
6
|
| Foreign Language 101, 102 (or 111) |
6
|
| Mathematics 261, 262 |
6
|
| Social sciences and Humanities (in one area) |
6
|
|
32
|
|
| SOPHOMORE YEAR | |
| Courses: |
Hours:
|
| CHEM 221, 222, 225, 226 |
8
|
| Foreign Language 201, 202 (or 211) |
6
|
| Physics 211, 212, 221, 222 |
8
|
| Mathematics 263, 264 |
6
|
| Elective |
3
|
|
31
|
|
| JUNIOR YEAR | |
| Courses: |
Hours:
|
| CHEM 314 |
4
|
| CHEM 331, 332, 337 |
7
|
| English 221 ,222, 223, 224, 225 (choose 2) |
6
|
| Mathematics 319, 353, or 375 |
3
|
| Fine or Performing Arts |
3
|
| PHYS 303, 308, 315, 317, 319, 321, 401, 422, or ASTR 325 | 3 |
|
26
|
|
| SENIOR YEAR | |
| Courses: |
Hours:
|
| CHEM 401, 402, 469, 471 |
15
|
| CHEM 463 |
4
|
| CHEM 531, 532, 534, 536, 544, 563 (choose 2) | 6 |
| Social sciences and Humanities (in a second area) |
6
|
| 31 |