Majors & Minors

The Chemistry Department offers three majors: chemistry, biochemistry, and an ACS Certified major in chemistry.

GUIDELINES FOR THE MAJOR IN CHEMISTRY

Core courses (required for all three options):

  • General Chemistry (CHEM 110A,B; 8 credits)
  • Quantitative Analysis (CHEM 220A,B; 5 credits)
  • Organic Chemistry (CHEM 231A,B; 6 credits)
  • Organic Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 233A, B; 2 credits)
  • Physical Chemistry (CHEM 321A; 4 credits)
  • Seminar (CHEM 491; 2 credits)
  • Integrated Laboratory (CHEM 486: 3 credits)
  • Calculus and Analytical Geometry I, II (MATH 141A, B; 8 credits); or
  • Integrated Pre-Calculus/Calculus I, II (MATH 139 A, B; 7 credits, and
    MATH 141B; 4 credits)
  • College Physics I, II (PHYS 135A, B; 8 credits); or
  • Introductory Kinematics and Mechanics, Introductory Electricity,
    Magnetism, and Thermodynamics (PHYS 150, 180; 9 credits)

Option 1: Major in Chemistry (minimum 36 chemistry credits)

  • Core program plus 6 additional chemistry credits (300 level or above).

Option 2: Major in Biochemistry (minimum 41 chemistry credits)

  • Biochemistry (CHEM 471A, B; 6 credits)
  • Biochemistry Laboratory (CHEM 472; 1 credit)
  • Advanced Biochemistry Laboratory (CHEM 473; 1 credit)
  • Biophysical Chemistry (CHEM 480; 3 credits)
  • Cell and Molecular Biology (BIOL 151; 4 credits)
  • Molecular Genetics (BIOL 381; 4 credits)

And choice of one:

  • Microbiology (BIOL 343; 4 credits); or
  • Immunology (BIOL 331; 4 credits); or
  • Developmental Biology (BIOL 404; 4 credits)

Option 3: Major in Chemistry with ACS Certification (minimum 47 chemistry credits)

  • Biochemistry (CHEM 471A; 3 credits)
  • Physical Chemistry (CHEM 321B; 2 credits)
  • Physical Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 325; 1 credit)
  • Instrumental Analysis (CHEM 442; 4 credits)
  • Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (CHEM 452; 4 credits)

Choice of three additional 400 level chemistry credits. Study of a foreign language, although not required, is highly recommended, particularly for students who plan to pursue graduate studies in chemistry.

CHEM 85 and 95 may not be applied toward a major in Chemistry.

GUIDELINES FOR THE MINOR IN CHEMISTRY

A minor in chemistry requires 21 credits: CHEM 110A, B; CHEM 220A, B; CHEM 231A,B; CHEM 233A, B.