Undergraduate Degree Programs

Introduction

The Chemistry Major is designed for those who intend to pursue graduate study in chemistry, biochemistry, or a health-related discipline and those who wish to immediately enter a career in which broad scientific training is beneficial, like technology policy, business management, and law. Students may choose from four degree programs. Included here is information on degree programs and requirements.

Chemistry Major Degree Options

The Bachelor of Arts degree is intended for students who want solid training in the chemical sciences and intend to study other subjects in which chemical training would be an asset, such as technology policy, economics, the environment, or medicine.

In addition to prerequisite courses and common degree requirements, the B.A. degree requires four additional course credits of advanced chemistry lecture or laboratory courses. At least one of the advanced courses must be a lecture course in the Chemistry Department, and at least one must be a chemistry laboratory course. CHEM 3330 may count toward the advanced-course requirement, although not as the only lecture course.

The B.S. degree is intended to prepare students for graduate study while permitting extensive exploration of other disciplines.

In addition to the prerequisites and common degree requirements, the B.S. degree requires completion of a second term of physical chemistry (CHEM 3330), one term of physical chemistry laboratory (CHEM 3300L), and four additional course credits of advanced chemistry lecture or laboratory courses. At least one of the advanced courses must be a lecture course in the Chemistry Department, and at least one must be a Chemistry laboratory course.
 

The B.S. degree with an intensive major provides more focused preparation for a career in chemical research, and requires greater breadth in laboratory courses and electives.

In addition to the prerequisites and common degree requirements, the B.S. degree with an intensive major requires completion of a second term of introductory physics numbered 1710 or higher, a second term of physical chemistry (CHEM 3330), one term of physical chemistry laboratory (CHEM 3300L), and five additional course credits of advanced chemistry lecture or laboratory courses. At least two of the advanced courses must be lecture courses in the Chemistry Department, and at least one must be a Chemistry laboratory course.

The combined B.S./M.S. is designed for students whose advanced preparation qualifies them for graduate-level work in their third and fourth years of college.

Exceptionally well-prepared students may complete a course of study leading to the simultaneous award of the B.S. and M.S. degrees after eight terms of enrollment. Formal application for admission to this program must be made no later than the last day of classes in the fifth term of enrollment. To be considered for admission, by the end of their fifth term, applicants must have achieved at least two-thirds A or A– grades in all of their course credits and all of the course credits directly relating to the major, including prerequisites. Two terms of CHEM 4900 must be taken in the fifth and sixth terms with grades of A or A– to continue in the program.

The B.S./M.S. degree program requires completion of the intensive major requirements. The introductory physics requirement must be fulfilled with PHYS 2000, 2010 or 2600, 2610; a term course in physics numbered 4000 or higher and approved by the director of undergraduate studies may be substituted for the introductory sequence. In addition, eight graduate courses in chemistry, four of which count toward the B.S., are required. Four terms of research are required, including two terms of research taken in CHEM 9900. Students in the program must earn A grades in at least two of their graduate-level term courses (or one yearlong course) and have a B average in other graduate-level courses. B.S./M.S. candidates also are expected to continue their independent research in a summer internship between their junior and senior years.

Chemistry Major Roadmaps

Prerequisites for entering the major

  • CHEM 1610 and 1650 or CHEM 1700; CHEM 1340L and 1360L or CHEM 1710L
  • Note: CHEM 163 and CHEM 167 will no longer be offered in AY 2025-2026 but will still count as fulfillment of General Chemistry pre-requisites for the major.
  • MATH 1150, MATH 1200, or ENAS 1510
  • PHYS 1700, 1800, 2000, or 2600, or equivalents in advanced placement

Requirements - 10 credits

  • Two Semesters of Organic Chemistry (with labs): CHEM 1740 or 2200 and CHEM 1750, 2210, or 2300 CHEM 2220L and 2230L
  • Physical Chemistry (CHEM 3320 or 3280)
  • Inorganic Chemistry CHEM 2520
  • Four credits of advanced electives, at least 1 CHEM lecture, and 1 credit of lab

Senior Requirements

  • CHEM 4000

Substitutions

  • Up to 2 credits of relevant advanced science courses in other departments.

Prerequisites for entering the major

  • CHEM 1610 and 1650 or CHEM 1700; CHEM 1340L and 1360L or CHEM 1710L
  • Note: CHEM 163 and CHEM 167 will no longer be offered in AY 2025-2026 but will still count as fulfillment of General Chemistry pre-requisites for the major
  • MATH 1150, MATH 1200, or ENAS 1510
  • PHYS 1700, 1800, 2000, or 2600, or equivalents in advanced placement

Requirements - 13 credits

  • Two Semesters of Organic Chemistry (with labs) CHEM 1740 or 2200 and CHEM 1750, 2210, or 2300. CHEM 2220L and 2230L
  • Two Physical Chemistry courses with 1 lab (CHEM 3320 or 3280, 3330; 3300L)
  • Inorganic Chemistry CHEM 2520
  • Four credits of advanced electives, at least 1 CHEM lecture, and 1 credit of lab

Senior Requirements

  • CHEM 4900 (two semesters) or CHEM 4000 + 1 additional credit of advanced courses

Substitutions

  • Up to two relevant advanced science courses in other departments for advanced chem electives

Prerequisites for entering the major

  • CHEM 1610 and 1650 or CHEM 1700; CHEM 1340L and 1360L or CHEM 1710L
  • Note: CHEM 163 and CHEM 167 will no longer be offered in AY 2025-2026 but will still count as fulfillment of General Chemistry pre-requisites for the major
  • MATH 1150, MATH 1200, or ENAS 1510
  • PHYS 1700, 1800, 2000, or 2600, or equivalents in advanced placement

Requirements - 15 credits

  • Two Semesters of Organic Chemistry (with labs) CHEM 1740 or 2200 and CHEM 1750, 2210, or 2300. CHEM 2220L and 2230L
  • Two Physical Chemistry courses with 1 Lab (CHEM 3320 or 3280, 3330; 3300L)
  • Inorganic Chemistry CHEM 2520
  • PHYS 1710, 1810, 2010, or 2610
  • Five credits of advanced electives, at least 2 CHEM lectures and 1 credit of lab

Senior Requirements

  • CHEM 490 (two semesters)

Substitutions

  • Up to two relevant advanced science courses in other departments for advanced chem electives

Prerequisites for entering the major

  • CHEM 1610 and 1650 or CHEM 1700; CHEM 1340L and 1360L or CHEM 1710L
  • Note: CHEM 163 and CHEM 167 will no longer be offered in AY 2025-2026 but will still count as fulfillment of General Chemistry pre-requisites for the major
  • MATH 1150, MATH 1200, or ENAS 1510
  • PHYS 1700, 1800, 2000, or 2600, or equivalents in advanced placement

Requirements - Intensive + 4 credits from graduate courses

  • Application by the end of the 5th term
  • CHEM 4900 during 5th/6th term
  • Research between junior and senior year
  • Advanced credits include eight graduate courses (4 credits applied to the B.S.)

Senior Requirements

  • Four research semesters

No substitutions are allowed.

The requirements for the different degree programs explained above are also summarized in the Chemistry Degree Roadmaps Table.

Helpful for double majors: See Registrar’s major roadmaps for all degrees.

Prerequisite Courses

Two terms of general chemistry and laboratory, single-variable calculus at the level of MATH 1150, and one term of introductory physics numbered 1700 or higher, or the equivalents in advanced placement, are prerequisites to all four degree programs. Students are also encouraged to complete a course in multivariable calculus (MATH 1200 or ENAS 1510.

Course Requirements

All degrees require two terms of organic chemistry (CHEM 1740 or 2200, and CHEM 1750, 2210, or 2300) with laboratory (CHEM 2220L and 2230L), one term of physical chemistry (CHEM 3320 or 3280), and one term of inorganic chemistry (CHEM 2520).

No chemistry courses taken Credit/D/Fail may be counted toward the major (including substitutions for advanced courses).
 

Planning Form

Complete a course of study form to plan your Chemistry major.