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Chemistry Requirements

Requirements for the majors

Chemistry – Bachelor of Arts
11 credits as follows:

  • General Chemistry: CHEM 100A and CHEM 102A
  • Analytical Chemistry: CHEM 205
  • Organic Chemistry: CHEM 211 and CHEM 212
  • Inorganic Chemistry: CHEM 215
  • Physical Chemistry: CHEM 321 and CHEM 321A (.5 credit)
  • Presentation Skills in Chemistry: CHEM 399 (.5 credit)
  • Advanced Studies: The Advanced Studies requirement is the means by which students engage themselves in a more in-depth study of one of the sub-disciplines of chemistry: analytical, organic, inorganic, physical, or biological. It is met by one of:
    • One or more elective courses at the 300 level that make up at least one credit (BCHM 301 may be used as the elective course)
    • An independent research project at the 350 level for a minimum of one credit
    • An Honors Project in Chemistry or Biochemistry (for a double major)
  • Calculus: MATH 145 and MATH 146

Chemistry – Bachelor of Science
15 Credits as follows:

  • General Chemistry: CHEM 100A and CHEM 102A
  • Analytical Chemistry: CHEM 205
  • Organic Chemistry: CHEM 211 and CHEM 212
  • Inorganic Chemistry: CHEM 215
  • Physical Chemistry: CHEM 321 and CHEM 321A (.5 credit)
  • Presentation Skills in Chemistry: CHEM 399 (.5 credit)
  • Advanced Studies: The Advanced Studies requirement is the means by which students engage themselves in a more in-depth study of one of the sub-disciplines of chemistry: analytical, organic, inorganic, physical, or biological. It is met by one of:
    • One or more elective courses at the 300 level that make up at least one credit (BCHM 301 may be used as the elective course)
    • An independent research project at the 350 level for a minimum of one credit
    • An Honors Project in Chemistry or Biochemistry (for a double major)
  • Calculus: MATH 145 and MATH 146
  • Three credits from: CHEM 315, CHEM 316, CHEM 317A, CHEM 317B, CHEM 318, CHEM 319, CHEM 322/322A, CHEM 325, CHEM 328, CHEM 331, CHEM 395, CHEM 350*, or CHEM 400* , or BCHM 301
  • One course from: PHYS 110, PHYS 120, PHYS 130, PHYS 130A

*Up to 1.5 credits may be applied towards major requirements for BA/BS combined

Requirements for the minor

5 credits as follows:

  • General Chemistry: CHEM 100A and CHEM 102A
  • 2 courses from: CHEM 205, CHEM 211, or CHEM 215
  • 1 course from: CHEM 212, CHEM 220, CHEM 250, CHEM 315, CHEM 325, CHEM 328, CHEM 331

Note: Students double majoring in Biochemistry and Chemistry may count no more than 4 courses to both majors. For major-minor combinations of Biochemistry and Chemistry, no more than 2 courses may apply simultaneously to both programs.

Certification by the American Chemical Society*

Students interested in chemistry as a profession or for graduate school training should consider completing the requirements for the curriculum certified by the American Chemical Society. In addition to the CHEM B.S. Major requirements listed above, students must complete the requirements below as below.  

  • Additional Foundations (One from): CHEM 322/322A (1.5 credits) or BCHM 265
  • Chemical Instrumentation (One from): CHEM 325 or CHEM 328
  • Green Chemistry (One from): CHEM 220 (0.5 or 1.0 credit) or CHEM 315
  • Biological Macromolecules Topic: BCHM 301
  • Additional Topic (One from):  – Nanoscale Materials: CHEM 233 (0.5 or 1.0 credit) – Synthetic Polymers: CHEM 315 – Supramolecular Aggregates: BCHM 302, BIOL 332, or BIOL 333
  • One additional course to the BS from: PHYS 110, PHYS 120, PHYS 130 or PHYS 130A •  Advanced Laboratory Experience (choose an option from either I or II below): 
    • Undergraduate research (choose one):
      • 1.5 credit of CHEM 350/400 or BCHM 399/400
      • At least 107 hours of a research experience (on or off campus) with a lab report approved by your academic advisor
    • Advanced Laboratory Courses (choose either: (i) two from Group A OR (ii) one from Group A and one from Group B OR (iii) one from Group A and two from Group C):
      • Group A: CHEM 317A, CHEM 317B, or BCHM 310
      • Group B: CHEM 325 or 328 (the course not used for the chemical instrumentation  requirement), CHEM 319 (0.5 credit), CHEM 250/350 (0.5 credit)
      • Group C: BCHM 334, BIOL 332, or BIOL 333 

In satisfying the BA, BS, and ACS-certification requirements, 5.5 credits are required from among the following “in depth” courses (or 4.5 credits if undergraduate research satisfies the advanced laboratory experience requirement): CHEM 220 (0.5 or 1.0 credit), 233 (0.5 or 1.0 credit), 315, 316, 317A, 317B, 318, 319 (0.5 credit), 325, 328, 331, BCHM 302, 310, 334, BIOL 332, 333 

*Courses may satisfy requirements for both the BA and BS degrees or major/minor combinations; courses may also satisfy multiple categories unless otherwise stated.