Student ID:__________________________ Student Name:_______________________ Adviser Name:_______________________ Catalog: 2023 - 2024 College Catalog Degree Requirement: Chemistry, BS Minimum Credits Required:__________________

Chemistry, BS

View Chemistry Department website

The general educational objective of the chemistry major is the development by the student of a fundamental understanding of basic principles, concepts, models, and practices employed by chemists in characterizing the structure and behavior of matter.

The chemistry major is structured to ensure that this fundamental knowledge is based on experiences that include the four major divisions of chemistry (analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical). The chemistry program is designed to foster development of an understanding of (1) the nature of the underlying scientific processes employed in the acquisition of chemical knowledge, (2) the application of current principles and modern practices used in solving chemical problems, (3) the current state of chemical knowledge, and (4) the applications of the concepts of chemistry in addressing societal needs. The program is particularly well-suited to prepare students for careers in chemistry or related areas and for admission to graduate, medical, or other professional schools.

Learning Outcomes

  • Correctly use the fundamental concepts of chemistry.
  • Solve problems by understanding and implementing the stages of the research process.
  • Effectively communicate and disseminate the results of the scientific process to a diverse audience.
  • Demonstrate the ability to identify, locate, and evaluate primary literature.
  • Work both individually and collaboratively with other students and faculty.
  • Exhibit the skills of a successful professional.

Degree Requirements

General College Requirements

General College Requirements (see Curriculum section), including the following requirements to satisfy the major

Required Chemistry Core Courses (28 credit hours)

Course NameCredit Hours:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
CHEM 106 - General Chemistry II Credit Hours: 4
CHEM 305 - Quantitative Analysis Credit Hours: 4
CHEM 311 - Organic Chemistry I Credit Hours: 4
CHEM 312 - Organic Chemistry II Credit Hours: 4
CHEM 405 - Inorganic Chemistry Credit Hours: 4
CHEM 451 - Physical Chemistry I Credit Hours: 4
CHEM 452 - Physical Chemistry II Credit Hours: 4

Required Cognate Courses

Course NameCredit Hours:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
MATH 151 - Calculus I Credit Hours: 4
MATH 152 - Calculus II Credit Hours: 4

 

PHYS 141 - General Physics I (recommended) Credit Hours: 4

OR

PHYS 151 - Fundamentals of Physics I Credit Hours: 4

 

PHYS 142 - General Physics II (recommended) Credit Hours: 4

OR

PHYS 152 - Fundamentals of Physics II Credit Hours: 4

Elective Courses

Option 1: ACS-Certified Major

Course NameCredit Hours:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
CHEM 325 - Introduction to Chemical Literature (Required) Credit Hours: 1
CHEM 420 - Biochemistry I (Required) Credit Hours: 4
Elective (Required) one of the 4 options:
Course NameCredit Hours:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
CHEM 306 - Instrumental Analysis Credit Hours: 4
CHEM 425 - Biochemistry II Credit Hours: 4
CHEM 480 - Topics in Chemistry Credit Hours: 2-4
PHYS 462 - Quantum Mechanics Credit Hours: 4

Option 2: non-ACS-Certified Major

Four credits hours selected from the following list of options:

Course NameCredit Hours:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
MTSC 301 - Introduction to Materials Science Credit Hours: 4
CHEM 306 - Instrumental Analysis Credit Hours: 4
CHEM 325 - Introduction to Chemical Literature Credit Hours: 1
CHEM 420 - Biochemistry I Credit Hours: 4
CHEM 480 - Topics in Chemistry Credit Hours: 2-4
CHEM 397 - Directed Research in Chemistry or Biochemistry (as approved by the chemistry faculty) Credit Hours: 1-4
CHEM 399 - Independent Study (as approved by the chemistry faculty) Credit Hours: 1-4
CHEM 497 - Directed Research in Chemistry or Biochemistry (as approved by the chemistry faculty) Credit Hours: 1-4
CHEM 499 - Independent Study (as approved by the chemistry faculty) Credit Hours: 1-4
PHYS 462 - Quantum Mechanics Credit Hours: 4

St. Mary’s Project

Every chemistry major must complete a St. Mary’s Project. This project may be in chemistry or in another major discipline or study area. The guidelines established in the selected area apply. The project must be proposed to a mentor and to the chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at least three weeks before the last day of classes of the second semester of the student’s junior year, and it must be approved by the mentor and the department chair.

Minimum Grade and GPA Requirements

Students must earn a grade of C- or better in all courses listed above, and maintain an overall GPA of 2.0 or better in these required courses.

ACS Certification

The ACS certification is not a requirement for graduation

Students wishing to have their degrees certified by the American Chemical Society (ACS) must take the following:

Course NameCredit Hours:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
CHEM 325 - Introduction to Chemical Literature Credit Hours: 1
CHEM 420 - Biochemistry I Credit Hours: 4

and One 4 Credit Elective From the Following List:

Course NameCredit Hours:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
CHEM 306 - Instrumental Analysis Credit Hours: 4
CHEM 425 - Biochemistry II Credit Hours: 4
CHEM 480 - Topics in Chemistry Credit Hours: 2-4
PHYS 462 - Quantum Mechanics Credit Hours: 4

Sequence of Study

First Year:

Course NameCredit Hours:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
  • Core Curriculum requirements
  • CHEM 103 - General Chemistry I (or earned a 4 or 5 on the Chemistry AP exam) Credit Hours: 4
    CHEM 106 - General Chemistry II Credit Hours: 4

     

    MATH 151 - Calculus I AND Credit Hours: 4
    MATH 152 - Calculus II Credit Hours: 4

    Sophomore Year:

    Course NameCredit Hours:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
  • Core Curriculum requirements
  • CHEM 311 - Organic Chemistry I Credit Hours: 4
    CHEM 312 - Organic Chemistry II Credit Hours: 4

     

    PHYS 141 - General Physics I AND Credit Hours: 4
    PHYS 142 - General Physics II Credit Hours: 4

    Junior Year:

    Course NameCredit Hours:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
  • Core Curriculum requirements
  • CHEM 305 - Quantitative Analysis Credit Hours: 4
    CHEM 405 - Inorganic Chemistry Credit Hours: 4
    CHEM 451 - Physical Chemistry I Credit Hours: 4
    CHEM 452 - Physical Chemistry II Credit Hours: 4
  • and elective courses
  • Senior Year:

    • Mary’s Project
    • Core Curriculum requirements
    • and elective courses
    Notes: