Majors & Minors in Chemistry

Requirements for the Major in Chemistry

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

Core courses (required for all three options):

  • CHEM 110 A/B General Chemistry (8 credits)
  • CHEM 220 A/B Quantitative Analysis (5 credits)
  • CHEM 231 A/B Organic Chemistry (6 credits)
  • CHEM 233 A/B Organic Chemistry Laboratory (2 credits)
  • CHEM 321A Physical Chemistry (4 credits)
  • CHEM 491 Seminar (2 credits)
  • CHEM 486 Integrated Laboratory (3 credits)
  • MATH 141 and MATH 142 Calculus and Analytical Geometry I, II (8 credits)
  • PHYS 135 A/B College Physics I, II (8 credits) or PHYS 150, 180 Calculus-Based Physics I, II (8 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)

Core program plus the following courses:

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

And choice of one:

  • BIOL 343 Microbiology (4 credits)
  • BIOL 331 Immunology (4 credits)
  • BIOL 341 Neurobiology (4 credits)
  • BIOL 380 Cell Physiology (4 credits)
  • BIOL 390 Pathologies of Aging (4 credits)
  • BIOL 435 Oncology (4 credits)
  • BIOL 450 Introduction to Bioinformatics (4 credits)
  • BIOL 404 Developmental Biology (4 credits)

 

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

Core program plus the following courses:

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

Requirements for the Minor in Chemistry

A minor in chemistry requires 21 credits:

  • CHEM 110 A/B
  • CHEM 220 A/B
  • CHEM 231 A/B
  • CHEM 233 A/B

The content on this page is for informational purposes only. Official degree requirements can be found in the Whittier College Catalog.