This Bachelor of Science in Chemistry is certified by the American Chemical Society (ACS). Chemistry, the central science, engages biochemistry, biology, engineering, and environmental and materials sciences. Chemists synthesize compounds ranging from life-enhancing medicines to the materials of modern society, with the understanding that there can be unintended consequences. Chemists collect and analyze data used in policy decisions, including those involving the air, food, soil, and water. Chemists develop materials and processes that are safer, and are more energy and material efficient. Chemists develop processes for the recovery and conversion of waste to raw material. 

With these important and diverse roles, chemists need to be skilled at the various arts of chemistry, conversant with other scientists as well as policy decision makers, and cognizant of the diverse impacts that their works have on society. Chemistry majors develop a solid foundation in general chemistry and mathematics, followed by coursework in organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, physical chemistry, inorganic chemistry, chemical biology, and physics. The curriculum is rounded out by courses in the liberal and communications arts.

Learning Outcomes

Upon earning a bachelor of science degree in chemistry, students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate foundational skills and knowledge in all the major sub-disciplines of chemistry (analytical, biological, inorganic, materials, organic, and physical).
  • Demonstrate rigorous in-depth skills and knowledge in at least two of the sub-disciplines.
  • Exhibit valuable laboratory skills in all fundamental areas of chemistry, enabling them to contribute effectively to a professional laboratory as well as engage in original research.  
  • Use visualization tools, theory, computation, and simulations to explain experimental results, make predictions, and test hypotheses.
  • Obtain, organize, and critically evaluate chemical information, and effectively present it coherently through oral and written discourse with specialists and non-specialists alike.
  • Ethically and responsibly engage their knowledge of chemistry to address current global and societal challenges.
  • Apply sustainability principles that incorporate complex environmental, economic, and social factors.
     

Potential Occupations

Chemists are employed in a vast array of professional fields in private industry, government, and education. Chemists work in research and development, analysis and testing, consulting, industrial quality control and assurance, environmental resource management, and forensics. Principal employers are petrochemical firms, biotechnology firms, consumer chemical firms, environmental testing laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, agricultural companies, governmental regulatory agencies, governmental and educational research laboratories, and manufacturing firms. Many chemists are also engaged in startup companies. Chemistry is also an excellent major for those preparing for careers in veterinary medicine and the health professions. Students whose career goals involve teaching at the secondary school level have the opportunity to complete the teacher licensure program through the School of Education.

Many possible occupations for chemists include, but are not limited to: agricultural chemist, air and water quality analyst, biochemical technician, chemical sales and marketing representative, clinical chemist, consultant, educator, forensic analyst, laboratory technician/bench chemist, materials analyst, patent examiner, pharmaceutical chemist, polymer technician, technical writer, and toxicologist.

Concentrations

Effective Fall 2022

Chemistry majors must achieve a minimum grade of C (2.000) in all the listed courses required for the major in chemistry.

Freshman
AUCCCredits
CHEM 1201Foundations of Modern Chemistry (GT-SC2)3A4
CHEM 1211Foundations of Modern Chemistry Laboratory (GT-SC1)3A1
CHEM 192Introductory Seminar in Chemistry 2
CHEM 2412Foundations of Organic Chemistry 4
CHEM 2422Foundations of Organic Chemistry Laboratory 1
CHEM 263Foundations of Inorganic Chemistry 4
CHEM 264Foundations of Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory 1
CO 150College Composition (GT-CO2)1A3
Select one course from the following: 4
Calculus for Biological Scientists I (GT-MA1)1B 
Calculus for Physical Scientists I (GT-MA1)1B 
Arts and Humanities3B3
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion1C3
 Total Credits 30
Sophomore
 
CHEM 231Foundations of Analytical Chemistry 3
CHEM 232Foundations of Analytical Chemistry Lab 2
CHEM 322Foundations of Chemical Biology Laboratory 1
Select one course from the following: 4
Principles of Biochemistry  
Foundations of Chemical Biology  
Select one group from the following: 8
Group A  
Applied Mathematics for Chemists I  
Applied Mathematics for Chemists II  
Group B  
Calculus for Physical Scientists II (GT-MA1)1B 
Calculus for Physical Scientists III  
Select one course from the following: 5
General Physics I (GT-SC1)3A 
Physics for Scientists and Engineers I (GT-SC1)3A 
Select one course from the following: 5
General Physics II (GT-SC1)3A 
Physics for Scientists and Engineers II (GT-SC1)3A 
 Total Credits 28
Junior
 
CHEM 371Fundamentals of Physical Chemistry 4
CHEM 372Fundamentals of Physical Chemistry Lab4A1
In-depth Chemistry Courses (see list below) 4
Advanced Electives 3
Advanced Writing323
Arts and Humanities3B3
Social and Behavioral Science3C3
Historical Perspectives3D3
Electives 6
 Total Credits 30
Senior
 
Select one course from the following: 2
Senior Seminar4C 
Senior Thesis4C 
In-depth Chemistry Courses (see list below) 8
Advanced Electives (see list below) 12
Electives5 10
 Total Credits 32
 Program Total Credits: 120

In-depth Chemistry Courses

Code Title AUCC Credits
CHEM 311 Introduction to Nanoscale Science 3
CHEM 315 Foundations of Polymer Chemistry 3
CHEM 320 Chemistry of Addictions 3
CHEM 333 Forensic Chemistry 3
CHEM 338 Environmental Chemistry 3
CHEM 431 Instrumental Analysis 4B 4
CHEM 433 Clinical Chemistry 3
CHEM 440 Advanced Organic Chemistry Laboratory 4B 2
CHEM 445 Synthetic Organic Chemistry 4B 3
CHEM 448 Medicinal Chemistry 3
CHEM 461 Inorganic Chemistry 4B 3
CHEM 462 Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory 2
CHEM 476 Physical Chemistry II 4B 3
CHEM 477 Physical Chemistry Laboratory II 1
CHEM 498 Research 1-3

Advanced Electives

ATS 350Introduction to Weather and Climate2
ATS 351Introduction to Weather and Climate Lab1
ERHS 320Environmental Health--Water Quality3
ERHS 332Principles of Epidemiology3
ERHS 400Radiation Safety3
ERHS 410Environmental Health-Air and Waste Management3
ERHS 430Human Disease and the Environment3
ERHS 446Environmental Toxicology3
ERHS 448Environmental Contaminants3
ERHS 450Introduction to Radiation Biology3
Upper-Division regular courses (300-379; 400-479) from the following subject codes:
AA
AB
ANEQ
BC
BIOM
BMS
BSPM
BZ
CBE
CHEM
CS
CT
ESS
FTEC
FW
HES
HORT
LIFE
MATH
MIP
NR
NSCI
PH
PSY
SOCR
STAT
1

Students who complete General Chemistry in Freshman year (CHEM 111 or CHEM 107, CHEM 112 or CHEM 108, and CHEM 113, CHEM 114) do not have to take CHEM 120 and CHEM 121.

2

Students may complete the organic requirement by taking CHEM 341, CHEM 343, and CHEM 344. Students who take CHEM 245/CHEM 246 may complete the organic chemistry requirement by taking CHEM 343/CHEM 344. For both sets of these students, CHEM 343/CHEM 344 together count as an in-depth chemistry course.

3

CHEM 301 is recommended.

4

 CHEM 499 Senior Thesis by department approval. Students fulfilling the AUCC 4C requirement with CHEM 499 must write a thesis and present it to the department. 

5

Select enough elective credits to bring the program total to a minimum of 120 credits, of which at least 42 must be upper-division (300- to 400-level).

Distinctive Requirements for Degree Program:
TO PREPARE FOR FIRST SEMESTER:   The curriculum for the new American Chemical Society Certified Chemistry major assumes students enter college prepared to take calculus. Entering students who are not prepared to take calculus will need to fulfill pre‐calculus requirements in the first semester. CHEM 111 and CHEM 120 require Algebra II as a prerequisite (this prerequisite is met by having Algebra II by test credit, transfer credit, or placement out of MATH 117 and MATH 118 on Math Placement Exam). Earned grades of C (2.000) or better are required in all listed courses for the major in chemistry.

Freshman
Semester 1CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
CHEM 120Foundations of Modern Chemistry (GT-SC2)X 3A4
CHEM 121Foundations of Modern Chemistry Laboratory (GT-SC1)X 3A1
CHEM 192Introductory Seminar in ChemistryX  2
CO 150College Composition (GT-CO2)X 1A3
Arts and Humanities X3B3
Diversity, Equity, and InclusionX 1C3
 Total Credits   16
Semester 2CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
CHEM 241Foundations of Organic ChemistryX  4
CHEM 242Foundations of Organic Chemistry LaboratoryX  1
CHEM 263Foundations of Inorganic ChemistryX  4
CHEM 264Foundations of Inorganic Chemistry LaboratoryX  1
MATH 160 or 155Calculus for Physical Scientists I (GT-MA1)
Calculus for Biological Scientists I (GT-MA1)
X 1B4
 Total Credits   14
Sophomore
Semester 3CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
CHEM 231Foundations of Analytical Chemistry   3
CHEM 232Foundations of Analytical Chemistry Lab   2
PH 121 or 141General Physics I (GT-SC1)
Physics for Scientists and Engineers I (GT-SC1)
X 3A5
Select one course from the following:X  4
Group A:    
Applied Mathematics for Chemists I    
Group B:    
Calculus for Physical Scientists II (GT-MA1)  1B 
 Total Credits   14
Semester 4CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
CHEM 321 or BC 351Foundations of Chemical Biology
Principles of Biochemistry
X  4
CHEM 322Foundations of Chemical Biology LaboratoryX  1
PH 122 or 142General Physics II (GT-SC1)
Physics for Scientists and Engineers II (GT-SC1)
X 3A5
Select one course from the following:X  4
Group A:    
Applied Mathematics for Chemists II    
Group B:    
Calculus for Physical Scientists III    
 Total Credits   14
Junior
Semester 5CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
CHEM 371Fundamentals of Physical ChemistryX  4
CHEM 372Fundamentals of Physical Chemistry LabX 4A1
Advanced Writing  23
Arts and Humanities X 3
Social and Behavioral Science X 3
 Total Credits   14
Semester 6CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
In-depth Chemistry Courses (see list on Program Requirements tab)X 4B4
Advanced ElectivesX  3
Electives X 6
Historical Perspectives X3D3
 Total Credits   16
Senior
Semester 7CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
In depth Chemistry Courses (see list below)X  4
Advanced Electives (See list on Program Requirements tab)X  5
Electives X 7
 Total Credits   16
Semester 8CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
Select one course from the following:X  2
Senior Seminar  4C 
Senior Thesis  4C 
In depth Chemistry Courses (see list on Program Requirements tab)X  4
Advanced Electives (See list on Program Requirements tab)X  7
Elective X 3
The benchmark courses for the 8th semester are the remaining courses in the entire program of study. X   
 Total Credits   16
 Program Total Credits:   120