Students major in chemistry to pursue industrial or graduate opportunities in medicine,
environmental science, computational molecular modeling, forensics, plastics, chemistry,
textiles, health sciences, materials science, energy production, biotechnology, chemical
engineering, pharmaceutical sciences, ceramics, environmental engineering, or toxicology.
Chemists represent the largest group of industrial scientists in the United States;
approximately 50% of all research and development positions in this country are filled
by professionals with chemistry or chemical engineering backgrounds.
Students majoring in chemistry can select one of five programs of study to tailor
their curricula to meet their long-term professional objectives. The ACS chemistry
degree track meets American Chemistry Society (ACS) requirements for a professional
certification upon graduation. The ASBMB Biochemistry track was the nation's first
American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB)-Accredited program.
The Health and Chemical Sciences degree track is designed for maximum flexibility
to meet a broad array of student interests or needs. Because it allows students to count math and science elective courses toward the chemistry
degree, it is ideal for students interested in health professions that do not require
undergraduate research, as well as for
double-majors and transfer students. The Forensic Chemistry and Pre-Engineering degree
tracks prepare students for
technical positions in government or industry.
Students who wish to prepare for application to medical school should acquire a broad
foundation in the natural sciences, mathematics, humanities, and the social sciences.
Chemistry is a popular major for such students since it allows them to complete the
premed requirements without taking a large number of courses outside the major. In
addition, the percentage of chemistry majors applying and being accepted to medical
school is higher than observed for most other majors. Medical schools generally require
two semesters of each of the following courses:
Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, General Biology, Physics, Mathematics, and
English Composition and Literature. (Biochemistry, anatomy and physiology, genetics,
and microbiology are strongly recommended.) All of the courses listed above can be
used to fulfill requirements necessary for a major in chemistry.
|
General Education |
Semester Hours |
|
|---|---|---|
| ACAD 101 | Principles of the Learning Academy | 1 |
| Shared Skills and Proficiencies |
||
| Writing and Critical Thinking | ||
| WRIT 101 | Composition | 3 |
| HMXP 102 | Human Experience | 3 |
| CRTW 201 | Critical Reading, Thinking & Writing | 3 |
| Oral Communication | See approved list; may be met in major with CHEM 552 |
0-3 |
| Technology | See approved list; may be met in major | 0-3 |
| Intensive Writing | See approved list; may be met in major with CHEM 552 | 0-3 |
| Constitution Requirement | See approved list; may be met with other requirement | 0-3 |
| Physical Activity | See approved list | 1 |
| Thinking Critically Across Disciplines | ||
| Global Perspectives | See approved list | 3 |
| Historical Perspectives | See approved list | 3 |
| Introducing Students to Broad Disciplinary Perspectives |
||
| Social Science | See approved list; must include 2 designators | 6 |
| Humanities and Arts | See approved list; must include 2 designators | 6 |
| Quantitative Skills and Natural Science | (3 courses) | 0 |
| Quantitative Skills | Met in major with MATH 201 and 202* | 0 |
| Natural Science | Met in major with PHYS 201 or 211 | 0 |
| Subtotal | 29-41 | |
| *MAED is co-requisite | ||
| Requirements in Major: Complete one of five Degree Tracs (Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biochemistry, Health and Chemical Sciences, Pre-Engineering, or Forensic Chemistry) | ||
| Chemistry Degree Track (Students completing this degree track will be ACS-certified chemistry graduates.) |
65-68 | |
| BIOL 220/222 | Principles of Cell and Molecular Biology & Lab | 4 |
| MATH 201, 202 | Calculus I, Calculus II | 8 |
| PHYS 211, 212 | Physics with Calculus I & II | 8 |
| CHEM 105, 108 | General Chemistry and Lab | 6 |
| CHEM 301, 302/304 | Organic Chemistry I & II with Lab | 8 |
| CHEM 305 | Chemical Hygiene and Safety | 1 |
| CHEM 312 | Introductory Chemometrics | 1 |
| CHEM 313/314 | Quantitative Analysis & Lab | 4 |
| CHEM 323 | Introduction to Biochemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 330, 332 | Introductory Inorganic Chemistry & Lab | 4 |
| CHEM 407- 410 | Physical Chemistry I & II with Labs | 8 |
| CHEM 491, 492, 493, 494 | Department Seminars | 0 |
| CHEM 495 | Senior Seminar in Chemistry | 1 |
| Additional Requirement for ACS-Certified degree: | ||
| Complete Option A or B below: | ||
| Option A | ||
| CHEM 551, 552 | Research | 6 |
| Complete at least 3 hours of In-depth courses: | 3-5 | |
| CHEM 307, 420, 502/503, 505/506, 523/525, 529, 530, 541, 570, 571 | ||
| Option B | ||
| CHEM 526 or 570 | Advanced Techniques in Biochemistry, Chemical Synthesis | 2 |
| Two of the following: | ||
| CHEM 502/503, 505/506, 523/525 | 8-9 | |
| Foreign Language Requirement | 3-8^ | |
| General Electives | 1-18 | |
| Total | 120 | |
| Biochemistry Degree Track (Students completing this degree track will be ACS-certified chemistry and ASBMB Accredited biochemistry graduates.) |
80-82 | |
| BIOL 220, 222 | Principles of Cell and Molecular Biology & Lab | 4 |
| Three courses from BIOL 310, 315, 316,317, or approved advanced BIOL courses | Microbiol, Cell Biol, Human Genetics, Genetics, Molecular Biol | 10-12 |
| MATH 201, 202 | Calculus I, Calculus II | 8 |
| PHYS 211, 212 | Physics with Calculus I & II | 8 |
| CHEM 105, 108 | General Chemistry and Lab | 6 |
| CHEM 301, 302/304 | Organic Chemistry I & II with Lab | 8 |
| CHEM 305 | Chemical Hygiene and Safety | 1 |
| CHEM 312 | Introductory Chemometrics | 1 |
| CHEM 313/314 | Quantitative Analysis & Lab | 4 |
| CHEM 323 | Introduction to Biochemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 330, 332 | Introductory Inorganic Chemistry | 4 |
| CHEM 407-410 | Physical Chemistry I & II | 8 |
| CHEM 491, 492, 493, 494 | Department Seminars | 0 |
| CHEM 495 | Senior Seminar in Chemistry | 1 |
| CHEM 523/525 | Biochemistry I | 5 |
| CHEM 524 | Biochemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 551, 552 | Research | 6 |
| Foreign Language Requirement | 3-8^ | |
| General Electives | 0-8 | |
| Total | 120 | |
| Pre- Engineering Degree Track Students may choose to complete 6-12 hours of optional additional requirements to earn an ACS-certified degree. |
69-70 | |
| BIOL 220/222 | Principles of Cell and Molecular Biology & Lab | 4 |
| MATH 201, 202 | Calculus I, Calculus II | 8 |
| MATH 301, 305 | Calculus III, Introd to Differential Equations | 7 |
| CHEM 105, 108 | General Chemistry and Lab | 6 |
| CHEM 301, 302/304 | Organic Chemistry I & II with Lab | 8 |
| CHEM 305 | Chemical Hygiene and Safety | 1 |
| CHEM 312 | Introductory Chemometrics | 1 |
| CHEM 313/314 | Quantitative Analysis & Lab | 4 |
| CHEM 323 | Introduction to Biochemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 330, 332 | Introductory Inorganic Chemistry & Lab | 4 |
| CHEM 407- 410 | Physical Chemistry I & II with Labs | 8 |
| CHEM 491, 492, 493, 494 | Department Seminars | 0 |
| CHEM 495 | Senior Seminar in Chemistry | 1 |
| CHEM 530/531 or 523/525 | Inorganic Chemistry & lab, Biochemistry I & lab | 4-5 |
| PHYS 211, 212 | Physics with Calculus I & II | 8 |
| PHYS 321 | Materials Science | 3 |
| Additional requirements for ACS-certified degree (optional)Complete Option A or Option B below: | (6-12) | |
| Option A: CHEM 551/552 | Research | 6 |
| Option B: CHEM 526 or 570 plus additional lab hours.If CHEM 523/525 is taken, add one of CHEM 503/503, 505/506, 526, 570. If CHEM 530 is taken, add one of CHEM 526, 570 OR add two of CHEM 503/503, 505/506, 523/525 |
||
| Foreign Language Requirement |
3-8^ |
|
| General Electives | 1-19 | |
| Total | 120 | |
| Forensic Chemistry Degree Track Students may choose to complete 3-6 hours of optional additional requirements to earn an ACS-certified degree |
68 |
|
| BIOL 220/222 | Principles of Cell and Molecular Biology & Lab |
4 |
| MATH 201, 202 | Calculus I, Calculus II |
8 |
| PHYS 211/212 | Physics with Calculus I & II |
8 |
| CHEM 105, 108 | General Chemistry and Lab |
6 |
| CHEM 301, 302/304 | Organic Chemistry I & II with Lab |
8 |
| CHEM 305 | Chemical Hygiene and Safety |
1 |
| CHEM 312 | Introductory Chemometrics |
1 |
| CHEM 313/314 | Quantitative Analysis & Lab |
4 |
| CHEM 323 | Introduction to Biochemistry |
3 |
| CHEM 330 | Introductory Inorganic Chemistry |
3 |
| CHEM 407- 410 | Physical Chemistry I & II with Labs |
8 |
| CHEM 491, 492, 493, 494 | Department Seminars |
0 |
| CHEM 495 | Senior Seminar in Chemistry |
1 |
| CHEM 523/525 | Biochemistry I & Lab |
5 |
| CHEM 530 | Inorganic Chemistry |
3 |
| CHEM 502/503 or 505/506 | Instrumental Analysis or Forensic Analytical Chemistry |
4 |
| Additional requirements for ACS-certified degree (Optional): |
(3-6) |
|
| CHEM 551/552 | Research |
6 |
| CHEM 526 or 570 | Advanced Techniques in Biochemistry, Chemical Synthesis |
2 |
| Foreign Language Requirement | 3-8^ | |
| General Electives | 3-20 | |
| Total | 120 | |
| Health and Chemical Sciences Degree Track |
67 |
|
| MATH 201, 202 | Calculus I & II |
8 |
| BIOL 220/222 | Principles of Cell & Molecular Biology |
4 |
| CHEM 105, 108 | General Chemistry and Lab |
6 |
| CHEM 301, 302/304 | Organic Chemistry I & II with Lab |
8 |
| CHEM 305 | Chemical Hygiene and Safety |
1 |
| CHEM 312 | Introductory Chemometrics |
1 |
| CHEM 313/314 | Quantitative Analysis |
4 |
| CHEM 407-410 | Physical Chemistry I & II with Labs |
8 |
| CHEM 491, 492, 493, 494 | Department Seminars |
0 |
| CHEM 495 | Senior Seminar in Chemistry |
1 |
| CHEM (>299) | Chemistry electives |
6 |
| PHYS 211, 212 | Physics with Calculus I & II |
8 |
| OR PHYS 201, 202 | General Physics I & II |
|
| Math or science electives (BIOL, CHEM, CSCI, GEOL, QMTH, PHYS, MATH above the 299 level) |
12 |
|
| Foreign Language Requirement |
3-8 ^ |
|
| General Electives |
4-21 |
|
| Total |
120 |
|
^This requirement may be met by a satisfactory score on a recognized examination or by passing any foreign language course numbered 102 or any course with 102 as a prerequisite.
For additional degree requirements, please visit the Degree Requirements page.
