Undergraduate Bulletin > Chemistry and Biochemistry > Major-B.S.

Chemistry Major (CHEM)

The Chemistry Major (B.S.) differs from the B.A. in requiring additional advanced courses in chemistry and/or related sciences. It provides very thorough undergraduate training in chemistry and an excellent background for students planning to undertake graduate work or to enter the chemical industry. Students who complete this program will be certified to the American Chemical Society upon graduation as having fulfilled the Society’s requirements for undergraduate professional training. The sequence in which the required courses are taken is important, and the student should work closely with a chemistry advisor in planning a schedule.

The concentration in Chemistry Research offers students the option to specialize in research and be exposed to four years of research. The concentration is designed to prepare students for graduate training in chemistry, biochemistry, medicine, and related professions or for employment in chemistry, biochemistry, or related industries. The exposure to research will build strong research, communication, and leadership skills. Such skills are in great demand.

The concentration in Biochemistry offers students the option to specialize in biochemistry within the curriculum leading to the B.S. in Chemistry. This concentration is designed to prepare students for graduate training in biochemistry, medicine and related professions, or for employment in biochemistry or biotechnology related industries. The sequence in which the required courses are taken is important, and the student should work closely with a chemistry advisor in planning a schedule.

Requirements

I General Education Core Requirements (GEC)

See complete GEC requirements and approved course listings for all categories.

Core Category	S.H.
Students may select courses for:
Literature (GLT)	3
Fine Arts (GFA)	3
Philosophical, Religious, Ethical Principles (GPR)	3
Historical Perspectives on Western Culture (GHP)	3
Reasoning and Discourse (GRD) ENG 101 or FMS 115 or RCO 101, and one additional GRD course	6
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GSB)	6
Department specifies courses for:
Mathematics (GMT) required: MAT 191	3
Natural Sciences (GNS) required: CHE 111 and 112, and PHY 291 Students in the Chemistry Research concentration may also choose PHY 211	7

 

II General Education Marker Requirements

See details and courses. It is possible to meet all GE Marker Requirements while completing the GE Core requirements or courses required by the major/concentration.

 

III College of Arts and Sciences Additional Requirements (CAR)

See requirements and approved courses.

Category	S.H.
Historical Perspectives on Western Culture either a GHP/GPM or GMO course	3
Humanities and Fine Arts one additional Literature (GLT) course	3
Natural Sciences (GNS/GLS) any GLS course	3–4
Social and Behavioral Sciences (GSB) one additional GSB course	3
Foreign Language (GFL) intermediate-level proficiency in one language, demonstrated by placement test, or completion of course work through course number 204	0–12
Writing Intensive Courses (WI) a total of four WI courses

 

IV Major Requirements

Chemistry Concentration

CHE 111*, 112*, 114, 115, 331, 333, 342, 351, 352, 354, 372, 401 (audit), 402, 420 or (556 and 557 which counts as one course), 442, 461, 462, 463, 464, 481, 531, 533

Only major requirement and related area requirement courses in which grades of C- or better are earned will be counted toward the major. Students must earn a C- or better in prerequisite major requirement and related area requirement courses before advancing to subsequent courses.

Chemistry Research Concentration

1. CHE 111*, 112, 114, 191, 291, 292, 331, 333, 342, 351, 352, 354, 372, 391, 392, 401 (audit), 402, 406 or 461, 491, 492
2. Two courses from among: CHE 420 or 556 and 557 (which count as one course), 442, 481, 531, 553.

Only major requirement and related area requirement courses in which grades of C- or better are earned will be counted toward the major. Students must earn a C- or better in prerequisite major requirement and related area requirement courses before advancing to subsequent courses.

Biochemistry Concentration

CHE 111*, 112*, 114, 115, 331, 333, 342, 351, 352, 354, 372, 401 (audit), 402, 407, 461, 462, 531, 533, 556, 557, 558

Only major requirement and related area requirement courses in which grades of C- or better are earned will be counted toward the concentration. Students must earn a C- or better in prerequisite major requirement and related area requirement courses before advancing to subsequent courses.

V Related Area Requirements

Chemistry Concentration

1. MAT 191*, 292, 293
2. PHY 291*, 292
3. At least one course selected from: CHE 490, 491, 492, (minimum of 2 s.h. total for any combination of 491 and 492 count as one course), 493, 536, 553, 555, 570 (minimum 2 s.h. total for any combination of CHE 570 courses, counts as one course); BIO 355, 392, 477, 479, 506; CSC 230, 322, 330, 339, 523, 524; MAT 310, 311, 345, 390, 394, 395; PHY 321, 323, 325, 327, 412, 413, 421, 426

Only major requirement and related area requirement courses in which grades of C- or better are earned will be counted toward the major. Students must earn a C- or better in prerequisite major requirement and related area requirement courses before advancing to subsequent courses.

Chemistry Research Concentration

1. MAT 191*, 292
2. PHY 211*, 212 or PHY 291*, 292

Only major requirement and related area requirement courses in which grades of C- or better are earned will be counted toward the major. Students must earn a C- or better in prerequisite major requirement and related area requirement courses before advancing to subsequent courses.

*MAT 191 satisfies GMT; CHE 111, 112 and PHY 211 and 291 satisfy GNS.

Biochemistry Concentration

1. Advanced biochemistry: 3–4 s.h. from CHE 491 or 492
2. BIO 111*, 112, 392
3. MAT 191*, 292
4. PHY 291*, 292

Only major requirement and related area requirement courses in which grades of C- or better are earned will be counted toward the concentration. Students must earn a C- or better in prerequisite major requirement and related area requirement courses before advancing to subsequent courses.

*MAT 191 satisfies GMT; CHE 111, 112 and PHY 291 satisfy GNS; BIO 111 satisfies CAR GLS

VI Electives

Chemistry Concentration

Electives should be sufficient to complete the 122 semester hours required for the degree. Additional advanced mathematics courses are advised. Additional chemistry courses above the 100 level may be taken. CST 105, which fulfills the GRD requirement, is also recommended.

Chemistry Research Concentration

Electives should be sufficient to complete the 122 semester hours required for the degree. Additional advanced mathematics courses are advised. CST 105, which fulfills the GRD requirement, is recommended.

Biochemistry Concentration

Electives should be sufficient to complete the 122 semester hours required for the degree. One additional advanced biology course (e.g., BIO 355 or 481) is strongly recommended. CST 105, which fulfills the GRD requirement, is recommended.