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.
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 333 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 333), one term of physical chemistry laboratory (CHEM 330L), 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 171 or higher, a second term of physical chemistry (CHEM 333), one term of physical chemistry laboratory (CHEM 330L), and five additional course credits of advanced chemistry lecture or laboratory courses. At least two of the advanced courses must be lecture course 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 490 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 200, 201 or 260, 261; a term course in physics numbered 400 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 990. 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.
Prerequisites for entering the major
Requirements - 10 credits
Senior Requirements
Substitutions
Prerequisites for entering the major
Requirements - 13 credits
Senior Requirements
Substitutions
Prerequisites for entering the major
Requirements - 15 credits
Senior Requirements
Substitutions
Prerequisites for entering the major
Requirements - Intensive + 4 credits from graduate courses
Senior Requirements
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.
Two terms of general chemistry and laboratory, single-variable calculus at the level of MATH 115, and one term of introductory physics numbered 170 or higher, or the equivalents in advanced placement, are prerequisites to all four degree programs. Students also are encouraged to complete a course in multivariable calculus (MATH 120 or ENAS 151).
All degrees require two terms of organic chemistry (CHEM 174 or 220, and CHEM 175, 221, or 230) with laboratory (CHEM 222L and 223L), one term of physical chemistry (CHEM 332 or 328), and one term of inorganic chemistry (CHEM 252).
No chemistry courses taken Credit/D/Fail may be counted toward the major (including substitutions for advanced courses).