Chemistry Major, 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.

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.
This degree is an extended major. 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.

Ethnic Studies & Social Justice Requirement: 0 or 3 credits

Students should consult the Ethnic Studies & Social Justice Graduation Requirement for a list of courses that fulfill the ESSJ Requirement for degree completion.

Required Ancillary Courses: 22 credits

All students must complete the following courses. These courses can also count towards the General Studies Requirements.

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

Required Major Courses: 40 credits

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 3300 - Inorganic Chemistry Credits: 3
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: 10 credits

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 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 4130 - Quality in the Chemical Industry Credits: 3
CHE 4160 - QA/QC Methods Laboratory Credits: 1
CHE 4300 - Advanced Inorganic Chemistry Credits: 4
CHE 4310 - Biochemistry I 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 4300 - Advanced Inorganic Chemistry Credits: 4
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

Summary of Requirements

General Studies Requirements	33 credits
ESSJ Requirement	0-3 credits
Required Ancillary Courses	22 credits
Required Major Courses	40 credits
Electives	10 credits
Senior Experience	3-4 credits
Unrestricted Electives	8-21 credits
Total for the Chemistry Major, B.S.	120 credits

Required courses for the major may also count for General Studies and ESSJ 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.