Major in Chemistry, Materials Concentration

Chemists study the atomic and molecular structure of physical matter and analyze how it changes. Materials chemists study large and/or extended materials without defined molecular bounds such as polymers and extended inorganic solids. More specifically, they investigate how atoms and molecules may be combined to create materials that can produce useful or improved products. They also develop methods to measure materials properties such as strength and conductivity, enabling insight into a range of processes solar photo conversion, renewable plastics, energy storage, and drug delivery.

Chemistry majors are encouraged to participate in undergraduate research. Ample opportunities exist for undergraduate students to become involved in ground-breaking research in the laboratories of individual faculty members. Students have access to state-of-the-art equipment in faculty laboratories and the Central Instrument Facility including NMR, FTIR, UV/Vis, fluorescence, and mass spectrometers, vacuum lines, x-ray diffractometers, and many more. Undergraduate research is strongly encouraged for any student considering a career in chemistry and many students complete supervised research for academic credit.

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate rigorous in-depth skills and knowledge in materials chemistry, and at least one other sub-discipline.
2. Describe how the characterization and analysis of materials is distinct from molecular species.
3. Describe one or more applications of materials that cannot be accomplished by typical molecular species.
4. Demonstrate use and analysis of data acquired by one of the methods used to analyze material, such as scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, wide-angle x-ray diffraction, small angle x-ray diffraction, and/or dynamic light scattering.

Effective Fall 2024

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

Advanced Electives List

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
ATS 350	Introduction to Weather and Climate	2
ATS 351	Introduction to Weather and Climate Lab	1
ERHS 320	Environmental Health--Water Quality	3
ERHS 332	Principles of Epidemiology	3
ERHS 400	Radiation Safety	3
ERHS 410	Environmental Health-Air and Waste Management	3
ERHS 430	Human Disease and the Environment	3
ERHS 446	Environmental Toxicology	3
ERHS 448	Environmental Contaminants	3
ERHS 450	Introduction to Radiation Biology	3
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, CHEM 113, CHEM 114) do not have to take CHEM 120 and CHEM 121.

²

Students may complete the organic chemistry 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 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 120 requires 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.