Academic Programs Catalog

College of Natural Science

Department of Chemistry

Undergraduate Programs
Chemistry - Bachelor of Science

The degree Bachelor of Science with a major in chemistry is designed to provide a thorough foundation in the various fields of chemistry and the related sciences, as well as a proper educational balance in the liberal arts. The program is intended for students planning careers in industry or in governmental laboratories and for those planning graduate study in chemistry.

The Bachelor of Science degree program in chemistry is approved by the American Chemical Society.

The completion of one or more semesters of independent research (Chemistry 400H or 420) is strongly recommended for students in this program.
A detailed description of this program may be obtained from the Department of Chemistry. 
 

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry

  1. The University requirements for bachelor's degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry.

    The University's Tier II writing requirement for the Chemistry major is met by completing Chemistry 395, 415, 435, and 495. Those courses are referenced in items 3. b. (3) and 3. b. (4) below.

    Students who are enrolled in the College of Natural Science may complete the alternative track to Integrative Studies in Biological and Physical Sciences that is described in item 1. under the heading Graduation Requirements in the College statement.  Certain courses referenced in requirement 3. below may be used to satisfy the alternative track.
  2. The requirements of the College of Natural Science for the Bachelor of Science degree.

    The credits earned in certain courses referenced in requirement 3. below may be counted toward College requirements as appropriate.
  3. The following requirements for the major:
                   
    a. The following courses outside the Department of Chemistry (28 to 33 credits):
    (1) One of the following courses (3 or 5 credits):
    BS 161 Cell and Molecular Biology 3
    BS 181H Honors Cell and Molecular Biology 3
    LB 145 Biology II: Cellular and Molecular Biology 5
    (2) One of the following courses (3 or 4 credits):
    LB 118 Calculus I 4
    MTH 132 Calculus I 3
    MTH 152H Honors Calculus I 3
    (3) One of the following courses (4 credits):
    LB 119 Calculus II 4
    MTH 133 Calculus II 4
    MTH 153H Honors Calculus II 4
    (4) One of the following courses (4 credits):
    LB 220 Calculus III 4
    MTH 234 Multivariable Calculus 4
    MTH 254H Honors Multivariable Calculus 4
    (5) One of the following courses (3 credits):
    MTH 235 Differential Equations 3
    MTH 340 Ordinary Differential Equations I 3
    MTH 347H Honors Ordinary Differential Equations 3
    (6) One of the following groups of courses (8 or 10 credits):
    (a) PHY 183 Physics for Scientists and Engineers I 4
    PHY 184 Physics for Scientists and Engineers II 4
    PHY 191 Physics Laboratory for Scientists I 1
    PHY 192 Physics Laboratory for Scientists II 1
    (b) PHY 191 Physics Laboratory for Scientists I 1
    PHY 192 Physics Laboratory for Scientists II 1
    PHY 193H Honors Physics I - Mechanics 4
    PHY 294H Honors Physics II - Electromagnetism 4
    (c) LB 273 Physics I 4
    LB 274 Physics II 4
    (d) PHY 173 Studio Physics for Scientists and Engineers I 5
    PHY 174 Studio Physics for Scientists and Engineers II 5
    (7) The following course (3 credits):
    BMB 461 Advanced Biochemistry I 3
    b. The following courses in the Department of Chemistry (46 or 47 credits):
    (1) One of the following pairs of courses (7 or 8 credits):
    (a) CEM 151 General and Descriptive Chemistry 4
    CEM 152 Principles of Chemistry 3
    (b) CEM 181H Honors Chemistry I 4
    CEM 182H Honors Chemistry II 4
    (c) LB 171 Principles of Chemistry I 4
    LB 172 Principles of Chemistry II 3
    (2) One of the following groups of courses (5 credits):
    (a) CEM 161 Chemistry Laboratory I 1
    CEM 162 Chemistry Laboratory II 1
    CEM 262 Quantitative Analysis 3
    (b) CEM 185H Honors Chemistry Laboratory I 2
    CEM 262 Quantitative Analysis 3
    (c) CEM 262 Quantitative Analysis 3
    LB 171L Introductory Chemistry Laboratory I 1
    LB 172L Principles of Chemistry II - Reactivity Laboratory 1
    (3) All of the following courses (31 credits):
    CEM 351 Organic Chemistry I 3
    CEM 352 Organic Chemistry II 3
    CEM 355 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I 2
    CEM 356 Organic Laboratory II 2
    CEM 395 Analytical/Physical Laboratory 2
    CEM 411 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry 4
    CEM 434 Advanced Analytical Chemistry 3
    CEM 435 Analytical Chemistry Laboratory 3
    CEM 444 Chemical Safety 1
    CEM 483 Quantum Chemistry 3
    CEM 484 Molecular Thermodynamics 3
    CEM 495 Molecular Spectroscopy 2
    (4) The following capstone course (3 credits):
    CEM 415 Advanced Synthesis Laboratory 3