Undergraduate Degree Requirements
For information about whom to contact regarding various advising activities, please refer to the Undergraduate Studies Committee.
Minor in Chemistry
- Any six courses (four units or greater) in Chemistry.
Total: at least 24 credit-hours in chemistry
Bio 250 (Biochemistry) may be used as one of the six courses. Courses at the 300 level are not included. Courses at the 400-level may be included with the permission of the instructor. Prerequisites for advanced courses, such as mathematics and physics prerequisites for courses in physical chemistry, must be taken in addition to the six required chemistry courses.
Particular attention should be given to the intellectual coherence of the program in terms of the student's goals. Two courses with substantial overlap of content should not be included in a program. In addition, no major and minor may overlap by more than two courses; no two minors may overlap by more than two courses. The overlap rule does not apply to core allied field classes that are required for both your major and minor.
A member of the Undergraduate Studies Committee must approve the student's proposed program by signing an "Approval Form for Majors and Minors" (available at the College Center for Advising Services, 312 Lattimore). This normally is done near the end of the sophomore year. Please contact the Undergraduate Studies Coordinator, Deb Contestabile, or another member of the Undergraduate Studies Committee for more information.
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) Program
The B.A. program makes fewer specifications at the advanced level than the B.S. degree and encourages a wide range of elective courses. It is particularly suitable for students with interdisciplinary scientific interests in the health professions, biology, physics, geological sciences, engineering, or education. B.A. students may elect advanced courses in chemistry, including independent research, and can, thereby, create a curriculum best suited to their individual interests.
B.A. Program Checklist (pdf)
- General Chemistry (4 credits)
- CHM 131 - Chemical Concepts I (or equivalent AP credit)
- Organic Chemistry (9 credits)
- CHM 171Q - Quest Organic Chem. I or CHM 203 - Organic Chem. I
- CHM 172Q - Quest Organic Chem. II or CHM 204 - Organic Chem. II
- CHM 173Q - Quest O. Chem. Lab II or CHM 207 - O. Chem. Lab II (1 cr.)
- Three of the following theory courses (12 credits)
- CHM 132 - Chemical Concepts II
- CHM 211 - Inorganic Chemistry
- CHM 251 - Physical Chemistry I
- CHM 252 - Physical Chemistry II
- Two of the following laboratory courses (6-8 credits)
- CHM 210 - Honors Organic Chemistry Lab (2 cr.)
- CHM 231 - Chemical Instrumentation
- CHM 232 - Molecular Spectroscopy
- CHM 234 - Advanced Laboratory Techniques
- CHM 244W - ANSEL (Advanced Nuclear Science Education Laboratory)
- Two additional 200-level (or higher) chemistry courses or other science courses approved by the Undergraduate Studies Committee (8 credits)
- Note: No more than four credits may be from laboratory courses, and no credits can be from independent research.
- Satisfaction of the upper-level writing requirement
- Mathematics Coursework (12-16 credits)
- MTH 140 Sequence (12 credits) or MTH 160 Sequence (8 credits)
- MTH 141, MTH 142, and MTH 143 (Calculus I, II, & III)
- MTH 161, and MTH 162 (Calculus IA & IIA)
- MTH 165/MTH 163 or a course in computer science (CSC 170 or CSC 171) or statistics (STT 201, STT 211, or STT 212)
- MTH 140 Sequence (12 credits) or MTH 160 Sequence (8 credits)
- Physics Coursework (8 credits)
- PHY 113 - General Physics I
- PHY 114 - General Physics II
Total: at least 31 credit-hours in chemistry, and at least 59 credit-hours overall
B.A. candidates considering employment in the chemical profession or graduate work in chemistry should include CHM 210, 211, 231, 232, 251, and 252 in their curriculum.
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) Program
The B.S. program is designed primarily for students who anticipate professional careers in chemistry and related science. The program provides the range of knowledge, skills, and experience required for work as a professional chemist or for entry into graduate studies in chemistry. The fundamental work is completed by the end of the third year, leaving the senior year free for graduate-level coursework and a full year of independent research with one of the department faculty. The B.S. program that includes a biochemistry course meets all of the requirements for an American Chemical Society approved degree.
B.S. Program Checklist (pdf)
- One General and Organic Chemistry Sequence (21 credits)
- Standard Sequence
- CHM 131 - Chemical Concepts I (or equivalent AP credit)
- CHM 132 - Chemical Concepts II
- CHM 203 - Organic Chemistry I
- CHM 204 - Organic Chemistry II
- CHM 207 - Organic Chemistry Lab I (1 cr.)
- CHM 210 - Honors Organic Chemistry Lab II (2 cr.)
- Quest Sequence
- CHM 131 - Chemical Concepts I (or equivalent AP credit)
- CHM 171Q - Quest Organic Chemistry I
- CHM 172Q - Quest Organic Chemistry II
- CHM 173Q - Quest Organic Chemistry Lab I (1 cr.)
- CHM 210 - Honors Organic Chemistry Lab II (2 cr.)
- Standard Sequence
- All of the following theory courses (20 credits)
- CHM 211 - Inorganic Chemistry
- CHM 251 - Physical Chemistry I
- CHM 252 - Physical Chemistry II
- CHM 262 or BIO 250 - Biochemistry
- Four credits of 400-level chemistry coursework
- All of the following laboratory courses (12 credits)
- CHM 231 - Chemical Instrumentation
- CHM 232 - Molecular Spectroscopy
- CHM 234 - Advanced Laboratory Techniques or CHM 244 (ANSEL - Advanced Nuclear Science Education Laboratory) or an approved laboratory course in another science department
- Senior Research (8 credits)
- CHM 393 - Senior Thesis Research
- Satisfaction of the upper-level writing requirement
- Mathematics Coursework (16-20 credits)
- MTH 140 Sequence (12 credits) or MTH 160 Sequence (8 credits)
- MTH 141, MTH 142, and MTH 143 (Calculus I, II, & III)
- MTH 161, and MTH 162 (Calculus IA & IIA)
- MTH 165 (Linear Algebra and Differential Equations) or MTH 163 (Ordinary Differential Equations)
- One of the following courses:
- MTH 164 (Multidimensional Calculus)
- a course in Statistics (STT 201, STT 211, or STT 212)
- a course in Computer Science (CSC 170 or CSC 171)
- any 200-level mathematics course
- MTH 140 Sequence (12 credits) or MTH 160 Sequence (8 credits)
- Physics Coursework (8 credits) - it is recommended to take the Physics 121, 122, 123 series
- PHY 113 - General Physics I
- PHY 114 - General Physics II
Total: at least 61 credit-hours in chemistry, and at least 85 credit-hours overall
While the required courses leading to a B.S. in chemistry may be scheduled with some flexibility (e.g., the mathematics and physics courses), the following program is suggested:
| Regular Sequence | |
|---|---|
| Fall, Year 1 | Spring, Year 1 |
| CHM 131 | CHM 132 |
| MTH 161 | MTH 162 |
| Elective | PHY 1215 |
| Elective | Elective |
| Fall, Year 2 | Spring, Year 2 |
| CHM 203 | CHM 204 |
| CHM 207 | CHM 210 |
| MTH 163/165 | PHY 123/114 |
| PHY 122/113 | (MTH/CSC/STT)4 |
| Elective | Elective |
| Fall, Year 3 | Spring, Year 3 |
| CHM 211 | CHM 232 |
| CHM 231 | CHM 2341 |
| CHM 251 | CHM 252 |
| Elective | Elective |
| Fall, Year 4 | Spring, Year 4 |
| CHM 3932 | CHM 3932 |
| 400-level CHM3 | CHM 262 or BIO 250 |
| Elective | Elective |
| Elective | Elective |
| Quest Sequence | |
|---|---|
| Fall, Year 1 | Spring, Year 1 |
| CHM 171Q | CHM 172Q |
| CHM 173Q | CHM 210 |
| MTH 161 | MTH 162 |
| Elective | PHY 1215 |
| Elective | Elective |
| Fall, Year 2 | Spring, Year 2 |
| CHM 211 | CHM 2341 |
| MTH 163/165 | PHY 123/114 |
| PHY 122/113 | (MTH/CSC/STT)4 |
| Elective | Elective |
| Fall, Year 3 | Spring, Year 3 |
| CHM 231 | CHM 232 |
| CHM 251 | CHM 252 |
| Elective | Elective |
| Elective | Elective |
| Fall, Year 4 | Spring, Year 4 |
| CHM 3932 | CHM 3932 |
| 400-level CHM3 | CHM 262 or BIO 250 |
| Elective | Elective |
| Elective | Elective |
-
Notes
- CHM 234 may be replaced by CHM 244W (ANSEL) or an approved laboratory course in another science department.
- Students must prepare a senior research thesis, and have the thesis read and approved by the research adviser and a second faculty member in Chemistry.
- Four credits of a 400-level chemistry course may be taken anytime during the junior or senior year.
- Students must select one course from the following:
- MTH 164 or 200-level MTH
- CSC 170 or 171
- STT 201, 211, or 212
- It is recommended for students to take the PHY 121 - 123 series. The sequence begins in the spring with PHY 121.
Students should speak with a chemistry advisor to tailor their programs specifically to their career goals. Particular electives that are not included in the chemistry curriculum may be required for some graduate programs.
Double Major/Double Degree Programs
Students who are interested in pursuing a double major or double degree, are advised to consult the College website which outlines the course overlap rules and additional credit requirements.