The BS program in Chemistry is arranged so that a student obtains a comprehensive, solid foundation in all of the major branches of chemistry, combined with a suitable measure of individual flexibility. The latter objective is met in part by a strong emphasis on involving the undergraduate BS chemistry major in exciting, innovative, state-of-the-art research programs. Most students in the BS program become involved in research during their junior year and continue this until graduation. Students frequently receive research scholarships and fellowships, which include opportunities for summer research programs. It is not uncommon for an undergraduate chemistry major to be a coauthor of scientific publications in major research journals before graduation.
Undergraduate chemistry research activities involve substantial use of modern scientific equipment, including major instrumentation. The student involved in this activity also gains considerable insight into the profession by means of substantial individual contact with chemistry department faculty.
The BS degree in Chemistry is the appropriate program for students planning advanced degree programs in chemistry, biochemistry, forensics, chemical physics and other fields. Students planning careers in chemical industry should also choose the BS degree in Chemistry. Students may wish to choose electives suggested in the biological or environmental chemistry tracks. This degree program satisfies fully the accreditation requirements of the American Chemical Society.
Plan of Study Grid First Year |
Fall |
CHEM 100 | Horizons in Chemistry | 1 |
CHEM 119 | Fundamentals of Chemistry I 1 | 4 |
ENGL 104
| Composition and Rhetoric
or Technical and Professional Writing | 3 |
MATH 151
| Engineering Mathematics I
or Calculus I | 4 |
| 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 |
Spring |
CHEM 120 | Fundamentals of Chemistry II 1 | 4 |
MATH 152
| Engineering Mathematics II
or Calculus II | 4 |
PHYS 206 | Newtonian Mechanics for Engineering and Science | 3 |
PHYS 226 | Physics of Motion Laboratory for the Sciences | 1 |
| 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 |
Second Year |
Fall |
CHEM 227 | Organic Chemistry I 1 | 3 |
CHEM 231 | Techniques of Organic Chemistry | 2 |
PHYS 207 | Electricity and Magnetism for Engineering and Science | 3 |
PHYS 227 | Electricity and Magnetism Laboratory for the Sciences | 1 |
| 3-4 |
| Several Variable Calculus | |
| Engineering Mathematics III | |
| Engineering Mathematics III | |
| Semester Credit Hours | 13 |
Spring |
CHEM 228 | Organic Chemistry II 1 | 3 |
CHEM 234 | Organic Synthesis and Analysis 2 | 3 |
CHEM 362 | Descriptive Inorganic Chemistry | 3 |
| 3 |
| Linear Algebra | |
| Differential Equations | |
| Principles of Statistics I | |
| 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 |
Third Year |
Fall |
CHEM 315 | Fundamentals of Quantitative Analysis | 3 |
CHEM 318 | Quantitative Analysis Laboratory | 1 |
CHEM 327 | Physical Chemistry I | 3 |
CHEM 433 | Advanced Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory | 2 |
CHEM 491 | Research | 3 |
POLS 206 | American National Government | 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 |
Spring |
CHEM 325 | Physical Chemistry Laboratory I | 1 |
CHEM 328 | Physical Chemistry II | 3 |
CHEM 491 | Research | 3 |
POLS 207 | State and Local Government | 3 |
| 3 |
3 | 3 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 16 |
Fourth Year |
Fall |
CHEM 326 | Physical Chemistry Laboratory II | 1 |
CHEM 415 | Analytical Chemistry | 3 |
5 | 3 |
| Comprehensive Biochemistry I | |
| Comprehensive Biochemistry II | |
| Biochemistry I | |
| Biochemistry II | |
| Organic Chemistry III | |
| Chemical Biology | |
| Inorganic Chemistry | |
| Nuclear Chemistry | |
| Polymer Chemistry | |
| Materials Chemistry of Inorganic Materials | |
| Industrial Chemistry | |
| Green Chemistry | |
| Special Topics in... | |
| Modern Physics | |
| 3 |
3 | 6 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 16 |
Spring |
CHEM 434 | Analytical Instrumentation Laboratory | 2 |
CHEM 481 | Seminar 2 | 2 |
5 | 3 |
| Comprehensive Biochemistry I | |
| Comprehensive Biochemistry II | |
| Biochemistry I | |
| Biochemistry II | |
| Organic Chemistry III | |
| Chemical Biology | |
| Inorganic Chemistry | |
| Nuclear Chemistry | |
| Polymer Chemistry | |
| Materials Chemistry of Inorganic Materials | |
| Industrial Chemistry | |
| Green Chemistry | |
| Special Topics in... | |
| Modern Physics | |
| 3 |
3 | 5-6 |
| Semester Credit Hours | 15 |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 120 |
Graduation requirements include a requirement for 3 hours of International and Cultural Diversity courses and 3 hours of Cultural Discourse courses. A course satisfying a Core category, a college/department requirement, or a general elective can be used to satisfy this requirement.
The total hours of CHEM 484, CHEM 485, and CHEM 491 taken by BS chemistry majors on a graded (A–F) basis may not exceed 15. Additional hours of these courses may be taken on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
Electives should be chosen in consultation with the chemistry advisor and should be selected to meet the residency requirement.