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.
