Chemistry, American Chemical Society Certified, B.S.

The ACS certified Bachelor of Science in Chemistry program emphasizes laboratory and advanced courses that prepare students for careers in chemical research, laboratory work, or master’s and doctoral programs in the chemical sciences. It is intended for those who wish to obtain a degree certified by a professional organization and can lead to careers in the pharmaceutical industry, environmental testing, laboratory research, and health professions.

Program Learning Outcomes

Content Knowledge

Students will demonstrate knowledge of fundamental concepts in chemistry and the breadth of its subdisciplines, including analytical, biochemistry, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry.
Students will apply chemistry principles in problem solving, critical thinking and analytical reasoning related to current scientific and societal issues.
Students use modern information science, technical databases, and the chemical literature to obtain information about a chemical, chemical technique, or topic relating to chemistry.

Laboratory Proficiency

Students will demonstrate skill in laboratory techniques, methods, and instrumentation in chemistry and its subdisciplines.
Students will apply scientific methods to design, carry out, and interpret the results of chemistry experiments.
Students will use chemical safety, laboratory hazard, and green chemistry principles when conducting chemistry experiments.

Professional Skills

Students will demonstrate the ability to clearly communicate scientific results in multiple contexts, including written, graphical, and oral formats.
Students will use team skills and collaboration to solve interdisciplinary problems and explore new areas of research.
Students will be prepared for careers in the field of chemistry, and to enter selective graduate programs or professional school, including medical, dental, law, and business programs, upon graduation.

General Education Requirements (30-40 Credits)

Prerequisite coursework may be required to satisfy certain General Education courses and will count as elective credit.

Total Credits Required to Complete Major: 55-68

Basic Requirements: (49-52 Credits)

CHEM 116 - Chemistry I Credit(s): 3 or CHEM 203 - Principles of Chemistry I Credit(s): 3
CHEM 118 - Chemistry II Credit(s): 3 or CHEM 204 - Principles of Chemistry II Credit(s): 3
CHEM 119 - Introductory Chemistry Lab Credit(s): 1
CHEM 129 - Introduction to Laboratory Research in Chemistry Credit(s): 1 or CHEM 209 - Intermediate Chemistry Laboratory Credit(s): 2
CHEM 211 - Organic Chemistry I Credit(s): 3 or CHEM 223 - Principles of Organic Chemistry I Credit(s): 3
CHEM 213 - Organic Chemistry II Credit(s): 3 or CHEM 224 - Principles of Organic Chemistry II Credit(s): 3
CHEM 216 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory Credit(s): 2
CHEM 300 - Principles of Biochemistry Credit(s): 3 or CHEM 302 - Biochemistry I Credit(s): 3
CHEM 320 - Physical Chemistry I Credit(s): 3 or CHEM 324 - Principles of Physical Chemistry Credit(s): 3
CHEM 330 - Inorganic Chemistry Credit(s): 3
CHEM 340 - Modern Analytical Chemistry Credit(s): 3
CHEM 451 - Current Topics in Chemistry Credit(s): 1
CHEM 452 - Chemistry Senior Seminar Credit(s): 1
5 advanced laboratories from the following list:
CHEM 301 - Biochemistry Laboratory Credit(s): 2
CHEM 313 - Laboratory Techniques in Organic Chemistry Credit(s): 2
CHEM 331 - Laboratory Techniques in Inorganic Chemistry Credit(s): 2
CHEM 342 - Analytical Chemistry Laboratory Credit(s): 2
CHEM 361 - Physical Chemistry Laboratory Credit(s): 2
CHEM 490 - Advanced Chemistry Research Credit(s): 2
3 advanced courses from the following list:
BIOL 300 - Cell Biology Credit(s): 3
CHEM 304 - Biochemistry II Credit(s): 3
CHEM 493 - Honors Research Credit(s): 4
CHEM 401 - Senior Capstone Research Course Credit(s): 3
CHEM 434 - Bioinorganic Chemistry Credit(s): 3
CHEM 438 - Inorganic Chemistry II Credit(s): 3
CHEM 439 - Solid State Chemistry Credit(s): 3
CHEM 441 - Modern Analytical Methods Credit(s): 3
CHEM 405 - Topics in Anticancer Therapeutic Biochemistry Credit(s): 3
CHEM 415 - Bioorganic Chemistry Credit(s): 3
CHEM 418 - Advanced Organic Chemistry Credit(s): 3
CHEM 322 - Physical Chemistry II Credit(s): 3
CHEM 429 - Topics in Physical Chemistry Credit(s): 3
PHYS 344 - Statistical Thermodynamics Credit(s): 3
PHYS 352 - Quantum Mechanics I Credit(s): 3

Footnotes:

*CHEM 304 cannot be taken if CHEM 300 is taken.

Related Requirements: (16 Credits)

PHYS 123 - Analytical Physics I Credit(s): 3
PHYS 114 - Physics I Lab Credit(s): 1
PHYS 125 - Analytical Physics II Credit(s): 3
PHYS 116 - Physics II Lab Credit(s): 1
MATH 221 - Calculus I Credit(s): 4
MATH 222 - Calculus II Credit(s): 4

Sample Course Map

For students who matriculated prior to Fall 2022: please select the bulletin year in which you entered the college (matriculated) at the top right of this page.

Curriculum Map

First Year
- Fall - 16 Credit Hours
  - CHEM 100 - Chemistry First Year Experience Credit(s): 1
  - CHEM 116 - Chemistry I Credit(s): 3 OR CHEM 203 - Principles of Chemistry I Credit(s): 3
  - CHEM 119 - Introductory Chemistry Lab Credit(s): 1
  - MATH 221 - Calculus I Credit(s): 4
  - WRTG 105 - Writing Seminar: (subtitle) Credit(s): 3
  - World Language 101 - Credit(s): 4
- Spring - 16 Credit Hours
  - CHEM 118 - Chemistry II Credit(s): 3 OR CHEM 204 - Principles of Chemistry II Credit(s): 3
  - CHEM 129 - Introduction to Laboratory Research in Chemistry Credit(s): 1 OR CHEM 209 - Intermediate Chemistry Laboratory Credit(s): 2
  - MATH 222 - Calculus II Credit(s): 4
  - World Language 102 - Credit(s): 4
  - Global Society: DPP - Credit(s): 3
Second Year
- Fall - 15 Credit Hours
  - CHEM 211 - Organic Chemistry I Credit(s): 3 OR CHEM 223 - Principles of Organic Chemistry I Credit(s): 3
  - CHEM 216 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory Credit(s): 2
  - PHYS 123 - Analytical Physics I Credit(s): 3
  - PHYS 114 - Physics I Lab Credit(s): 1
  - Global Society: CAI - Credit(s): 3
  - Global Society: CGC - Credit(s):
- Spring - 16 Credit Hours
  - CHEM 213 - Organic Chemistry II Credit(s): 3 OR CHEM 224 - Principles of Organic Chemistry II Credit(s): 3
  - CHEM 313 - Laboratory Techniques in Organic Chemistry Credit(s): 2
  - PHYS 125 - Analytical Physics II Credit(s): 3
  - PHYS 116 - Physics II Lab Credit(s): 1
  - Global Society: SST - Credit(s): 3
  - Global Society: WCV - Credit(s): 4
Third Year
- Fall - 15 Credit Hours Credit(s): 3
  - CHEM 324 - Principles of Physical Chemistry Credit(s): 3
  - CHEM 361 - Physical Chemistry Laboratory Credit(s): 2
  - CHEM 330 - Inorganic Chemistry Credit(s): 3
  - CHEM 331 - Laboratory Techniques in Inorganic Chemistry Credit(s): 2
  - Electives - Credit(s): 5
- Spring - 15 Credit Hours
  - CHEM 340 - Modern Analytical Chemistry Credit(s): 3
  - CHEM 342 - Analytical Chemistry Laboratory Credit(s): 2
  - CHEM 300 - Principles of Biochemistry Credit(s): 3
  - CHEM 301 - Biochemistry Laboratory Credit(s): 2 OR CHEM 490 - Advanced Chemistry Research Credit(s): 2
  - Electives - Credit(s): 5
Fourth Year
- Fall - 13 Credit Hours
  - CHEM 451 - Current Topics in Chemistry Credit(s): 1
  - Chemistry Electives* - Credit(s): 3
  - Integrative & Applied Learning** - Credit(s): 3
  - Electives - Credit(s): 6
- Spring - 13 Credit Hours
  - CHEM 452 - Chemistry Senior Seminar Credit(s): 1
  - Chemistry Elective* - Credit(s): 6
  - Electives - Credit(s): 6

Total Credit Hours: 120

*Choose three advanced chemistry electives from the following list: CHEM 304 , CHEM 401 , CHEM 405 , CHEM 415 , CHEM 418 , CHEM 429 , CHEM 434 , CHEM 438 , CHEM 439 , CHEM 441 , BIOL 300 , NEUR 420 , PHYS 344 and PHYS 352 to meet the degree requirements. Chemistry and other electives should be chosen in consultation with your academic advisor.

** CHEM 490 - Advanced Chemistry Research may be used to replace one of the required upper division laboratory courses (ie., CHEM 301 - Biochemistry Laboratory , CHEM 313 - Laboratory Techniques in Organic Chemistry , CHEM 342 - Analytical Chemistry Laboratory or CHEM 361 - Physical Chemistry Laboratory ); CHEM 490 also fulfills the Integrated & Applied Learning requirement.

Note: Variation in the order of courses is possible, depending upon prerequisites. Consult course information in the bulletin or your academic advisor to customize your eight semester plan.

KEY - Participation in a Global Society (PGS)

Attributes:

Sub Areas

Abbreviation	Definition
DPP	Diversity, Pluralism, Power
WCV	World Cultures & Values
CGC	Contemporary Global Challenges
CAI	Creativity & Innovation
SST	Sustainability

Learning Areas

Abbreviation	Definition
ARTS	Arts
HUMA	Humanities
SOSC	Social Science