The sustainable chemistry concentration is recommended for students who wish to pursue a career in the interdisciplinary field of sustainability, including renewable energy, green materials, pollution control, and waste remediation.  Because sustainability requires that chemists be well rounded, students will take courses that develop an understanding of the social, economic, and environmental pillars of sustainability as well as the intrinsic interconnectedness of these areas.

Chemistry majors in the sustainability track 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 Analytical Resources Core 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. Development of skills in all of the aforementioned analytical techniques will enable graduates to pursue a consultant, educator, or researcher career.

Learning Outcomes

  • Describe the unintended consequences associated with the synthesis of compounds ranging from life-enhancing medicines to the materials of modern society.
  • Articulate the thought process used to develop safer, more energy and material efficient processes, including the recovery and conversion of waste to raw material--the principles of Green chemistry.
  • Effectively communicate the results of the collection and analysis of data used in policy decisions for questions involving the air, food, soil, and water.

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: 3
Agricultural and Resource Economics (GT-SS1)3C 
Principles of Microeconomics (GT-SS1)3C 
Select one course from the following: 4
Calculus for Biological Scientists I (GT-MA1)1B 
Calculus for Physical Scientists I (GT-MA1)1B 
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
GES 101Foundations of Environmental Sustainability 3
PH 121 or 141General Physics I (GT-SC1)
Physics for Scientists and Engineers I (GT-SC1)
3A5
PH 122 or 142General Physics II (GT-SC1)
Physics for Scientists and Engineers II (GT-SC1)
3A5
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  
 Total Credits 31
Junior
 
CHEM 338Environmental Chemistry4B3
CHEM 371Fundamentals of Physical Chemistry 4
CHEM 372Fundamentals of Physical Chemistry Lab4A1
Select one course from the following: 3
Cultures and the Global System (GT-SS3)1C 
Environmental Issues in Agriculture (GT-SS3)1C 
Environment, Food, and Social Justice (GT-SS3)1C 
Advanced Electives (see list below) 6
In-depth Chemistry Courses (see list below) 5
Advanced Writing323
Arts and Humanities3B3
Historical Perspectives3D3
 Total Credits 31
Senior
 
CHEM 431Instrumental Analysis 4
Select one course from the following: 2
Senior Seminar4C 
Senior Thesis4C 
Select six credits from the following courses: 6
Chemistry of Sustainability  
Environmental Health-Air and Waste Management  
Sustainable Strategies for E-Waste Management  
Biobased Fuels, Energy, and Chemicals  
Advanced Electives (see list below) 3
Arts and Humanities3B3
Electives5 10
 Total Credits 28
 Program Total Credits: 120

In-depth Chemistry Courses

At least 1 credit must come from AUCC 4B designated 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 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 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 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. Students with credit for CHEM 111, CHEM 112,CHEM 113, CHEM 114 do not need to take CHEM 120, CHEM 121.  Students with credit for CHEM 341, CHEM 343, CHEM 344 do not need to take CHEM 241, CHEM 242.

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
Select one course from the following:X  3
Agricultural and Resource Economics (GT-SS1)  3C 
Principles of Microeconomics (GT-SS1)  3C 
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 155 or 160Calculus for Biological Scientists I (GT-MA1)
Calculus for Physical Scientists I (GT-MA1)
X 1B4
 Total Credits   14
Sophomore
Semester 3CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
CHEM 231Foundations of Analytical ChemistryX  3
CHEM 232Foundations of Analytical Chemistry LabX  2
GES 101Foundations of Environmental Sustainability   3
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   17
Semester 4CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
CHEM 321 or BC 351Foundations of Chemical Biology
Principles of Biochemistry
   4
CHEM 322Foundations of Chemical Biology Laboratory   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
Select one course from the following:X  3
Cultures and the Global System (GT-SS3)  1C 
Environmental Issues in Agriculture (GT-SS3)  1C 
Environment, Food, and Social Justice (GT-SS3)  1C 
In-depth Chemistry Courses (see list on Program Requirements tab)X  5
Advanced Writing  23
 Total Credits   16
Semester 6CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
CHEM 338Environmental ChemistryX  3
Advanced Electives (see list on Program Requirements tab)X  6
Arts and Humanities  3B3
Historical Perspectives X3D3
 Total Credits   15
Senior
Semester 7CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
Select six credits from the following courses:X  6
Chemistry of Sustainability    
Environmental Health-Air and Waste Management    
Sustainable Strategies for E-Waste Management    
Biobased Fuels, Energy, and Chemicals    
Arts and Humanities X3B3
Advanced Electives (See list on Program Requirements tab.)X  3
Elective X 3
 Total Credits   15
Semester 8CriticalRecommendedAUCCCredits
CHEM 431Instrumental Analysis   4
Select one course from the following:X  2
Senior Seminar  4C 
Senior Thesis  4C 
ElectivesX  7
The benchmark courses for the 8th semester are the remaining courses in the entire program of study.X   
 Total Credits   13
 Program Total Credits:   120