Majors and More

Chemistry

Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Premedical Program with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry

Bachelor of Science in Chemistry

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.

Premedical Program with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry

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 (pdf - 306 KB); may be met in major with CHEM 552
(pdf - 306 KB)
0-3
Technology See approved list (pdf - 306 KB); may be met in major 0-3
Intensive Writing See approved lis (pdf - 306 KB)t; may be met in major with CHEM 552 0-3
Constitution Requirement See approved list (pdf - 306 KB); may be met with other requirement 0-3
Physical Activity See approved list (pdf - 306 KB) 1
Thinking Critically Across Disciplines    
Global Perspectives See approved list (pdf - 306 KB) 3
Historical Perspectives See approved list (pdf - 306 KB) 3
Introducing Students to Broad Disciplinary Perspectives
 
Social Science See approved list (pdf - 306 KB); 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
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.