Chemistry Major, B.S.

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The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry degree program provides students an in-depth study of the physical sciences, with an emphasis on chemistry. This program equips students with the chemical knowledge required for pursuing a career as a chemist in industry or government, attending graduate school in chemistry, or attending a professional school such as medicine, pharmacy, or dentistry. Students should consult with the department advisor for assistance with degree planning for specific careers after graduation.

This degree is an extended major and no minor is required. A grade of “C-” or better is required for each course in this program to count toward the bachelor’s degree. Students should note that programs differ in the minimum grade required.

Required Courses

CHE 1800 - General Chemistry I Credits: 4
CHE 1801 - General Chemistry I Laboratory Credits: 1
CHE 1810 - General Chemistry II Credits: 4
CHE 1811 - General Chemistry II Laboratory Credits: 1
CHE 3000 - Analytical Chemistry Credits: 3
CHE 3010 - Analytical Chemistry Laboratory Credits: 2
CHE 3100 - Organic Chemistry I Credits: 4
CHE 3110 - Organic Chemistry II Credits: 3
CHE 3120 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory 1 Credits: 1
CHE 3130 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory II Credits: 2
CHE 4450 - Physical Chemistry: Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy Credits: 4
CHE 4460 - Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics and Kinetics Credits: 4
CHE 4480 - Physical Chemistry Laboratory: Quantum and Spectroscopy Credits: 2
CHE 4490 - Physical Chemistry Laboratory: Thermodynamics and Kinetics Credits: 2
Subtotal: 37 credits

Electives

A minimum of 10 semester hours in upper-division, chemistry courses from the list below. CHE 4950 and CHE 4960 do not count as electives; however, CHE 4300 can be completed as both an elective and Senior Experience course.

The following courses are appropriate electives:

CHE 3050 - Environmental Chemistry Credits: 3
CHE 3300 - Inorganic Chemistry Credits: 3
CHE 3700 - Forensic Chemistry Credits: 4
CHE 3710 - Forensic Biochemistry Credits: 4
CHE 3810 - Chemistry Literature and Research Credits: 1
CHE 4010 - Advanced Organic Chemistry Credits: 3
CHE 4020 - Synthetic Organic Chemistry Credits: 3
CHE 4100 - Instrumental Analysis Credits: 3
CHE 4110 - Instrumental Analysis Laboratory Credits: 2
CHE 4300 - Advanced Inorganic Chemistry Credits: 3
CHE 4320 - Biochemistry II Credits: 4
CHE 4350 - Biochemistry Laboratory Credits: 2
CHE 4370 - Undergraduate Research in Chemistry Credits: 1-2
CHE 4800 - Special Topics in Chemistry Credits: 4
Subtotal: 10 credits

Required Ancillary Courses

MTH 1410 - Calculus I Credits: 4
MTH 2410 - Calculus II Credits: 4
MTH 2420 - Calculus III Credits: 4
Select one of the following Physics Lecture/Lab sequences:
PHY 2010 - College Physics I Credits: 4
PHY 2030 - College Physics I Laboratory Credits: 1
PHY 2020 - College Physics II Credits: 4
PHY 2040 - College Physics II Laboratory Credits: 1
OR
PHY 2311 - General Physics I Credits: 4
PHY 2321 - General Physics I Laboratory Credits: 1
PHY 2331 - General Physics II Credits: 4
PHY 2341 - General Physics II Laboratory Credits: 1
Subtotal: 22 credits
Note: MTH 1410 counts as a Quantitative Literacy General Studies course; the Physics courses count as Natural and Physical Science General Studies courses.

Additional Course Requirements

Students must complete a Senior Experience course offered by the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

NOTE: Students completing a degree with a Criminalistics Concentration must complete Criminalistics Internship II (CHE 4710) for Senior Experience.

CHE 4300 - Advanced Inorganic Chemistry Credits: 3
OR
CHE 4950 - Senior Experience in Chemistry Credits: 3
OR
CHE 4960 - Senior Experience in Biochemistry Credits: 3
OR (only for Criminalistics Concentration)
CHE 4710 - Criminalistics Internship II Credits: 3
Subtotal: 3 credits

Total Credits

Total for the Major: 72 credits

Minimum for Graduation: 120 credits