Chemistry Major for ACS Certified B.S.

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Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

Available Program Format(s): In-Person

About the Program

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.

The American Chemical Society certified degree program offers students exposure to each of the major sub-disciplines of chemistry: analytical, organic, inorganic, physical, and biochemical.

Student Outcomes

Apply the fundamental principles of chemistry and/or biochemistry, showing core competency in chemistry areas (general, analytical, organic, biochemistry, and physical chemistry).
Design and conduct experiments using appropriate techniques and equipment.
Conduct scientific inquiry in an ethical manner.
Handle chemicals and chemical waste safely.
Search, critically evaluate, and properly cite scientific literature.
Use effective oral and written communication skills.

General Degree Requirements

To earn a degree, students must satisfy all requirements in each of the four areas below, in addition to their individual major requirements.

Program Requirements

A total of 120 semester hours are required for graduation.
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.
A minor is not required for this program.

General Studies Requirements: 33 credits

Students should consult the General Studies Requirements for a list of courses that fulfill the General Studies Requirements for degree completion.

Written Communication (6 credits)
Oral Communication (3 credits)
Quantitative Literacy (3 credits)
- Recommended: MTH 1410 - Calculus I *
Arts and Humanities (6 credits)
Historical (3 credits)
Natural and Physical Sciences (6 credits)
- Recommended: PHY 2010 - College Physics I * or PHY 2311 - General Physics I *
Social and Behavioral Sciences (6 credits)
Global Diversity (0 or 3 credits**)

* The listed courses are required ancillary courses for the major and can also fulfill general studies requirements

** Students will fulfill the global diversity requirement by taking an approved course within one of the following categories: arts and humanities; historical; natural and physical sciences; or social and behavioral sciences.

Multicultural Requirement: 0 or 3 credits

Students should consult the Multicultural Graduation Requirements for a list of courses that fulfill the Multicultural Requirement for degree completion.

Required Ancillary Courses: 22 credits

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
Note: MTH 1410 counts as a Quantitative Literacy General Studies course; the Physics courses count as Natural and Physical Science General Studies courses.

Required Courses: 25 credits

Chemistry Core

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

Additional Required Chemistry Courses: 24 credits

Additional Courses Required by the American Chemical Society for a Certified B.S.

CHE 3300 - Inorganic Chemistry Credits: 3
CHE 4100 - Instrumental Analysis Credits: 3
CHE 4110 - Instrumental Analysis Laboratory Credits: 2
CHE 4310 - Biochemistry I Credits: 4
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

Electives: 6 credits

A minimum of 6 upper-division semester hours in chemistry courses selected from the list below.

Restrictions: CHE 4950 and CHE 4960 do not count as electives; however, CHE 4300 can be completed as both an elective and Senior Experience course.

CHE 3050 - Environmental 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 4300 - Advanced Inorganic Chemistry Credits: 4
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

Senior Experience: 3-4 credits

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

CHE 4950 - Senior Experience in Chemistry Credits: 3
or
CHE 4960 - Senior Experience in Biochemistry Credits: 3
or
CHE 4300 - Advanced Inorganic Chemistry Credits: 4
OR (only for Criminalistics Concentration)
CHE 4710 - Criminalistics Internship II Credits: 3

Summary of Requirements

General Studies Requirements	33 credits
Multicultural Requirement	0-3 credits
Required Ancillary Courses	22 credits
Required Courses	25 credits
Additional Required Chemistry Courses	24 credits
Electives	6 credits
Senior Experience	3-4 credits
Unrestricted Electives	3-16 credits
Total for the Chemistry Major for ACS Certified, B.S.	120 credits

Required courses for the major may also count for General Studies and Multicultural requirements, so the total credits listed may be greater than the number required to complete the degree. Therefore, it is important that you work with your advisor to make sure you are meeting requirements for your degree.