Chemistry (BS, BA, minor)

Program Overview

Chemistry is the “central science.” Such diverse subjects as art, anthropology, geology, biology, materials science, environmental science, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry, medicine and psychology have areas in which fundamental principles and process details are understood in terms of chemistry.

Our undergraduate program offers BA and BS degrees with a BS/American Chemical Society certification option and with BS/emphases in biological and materials chemistry.

In addition to the traditional areas of analytical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry, we have faculty in a number of fertile cross-disciplinary areas such as bioanalytical, bioorganic and biophysical chemistry; electrochemistry; environmental chemistry, photochemistry, and materials chemistry.

Degrees Offered

• BS in Chemistry
• BA in Chemistry
• BS in Chemistry: ACS Certified
• BS in Chemistry: Biological Chemistry
• BS in Chemistry: Materials

Minors

• Chemistry

Internships, Research Opportunities and More

Undergraduate participation in research is actively encouraged. We also participate in a five-year Fast-Track Chemistry BA/Teaching Chemistry MAT program and we jointly sponsor the biochemistry degree program with the Department of Biological Sciences. Our facilities support a wide variety of research within and across the traditional boundaries. Our ties with the chemical industry and with government agencies stimulate the generation of new ideas while increasing the range of job opportunities open to our graduates.

Coursework

Some courses to consider in your first year:

• MATH 224 - Differential Calculus

  This is a 2-credit course in differential calculus covering limits, continuity, and differentiation. Prerequisites: MATH 223 with a grade of C- or better, or Placement Exam. Offered each half semester. 2 credits. Levels: Undergraduate

• MATH 225 - Integral Calculus

  This is a 2-credit course in integral calculus covering optimization and integration. Prerequisites: MATH 224 with a grade of C- or better. Offered 2nd half of fall semester and both half semesters of spring semester. 2 credits. Levels: Undergraduate

• MATH 226 - Integration Tech & Application

  This is a 2-credit course covering the calculus of transcendental & inverse functions, L’Hospital’s Rule, integral techniques, improper integrals, calculus of parametric curves, and polar coordinates. Prerequisites: Math 225 with a grade of at least a C- or consent of instructor. 2 credits. Levels: Undergraduate

• MATH 227 - Infinite Series

  This is a 2-credit course covering sequences, series, power series, and Taylor series. Prerequisites: Math 226 with a grade of at least a C- or consent of instructor. 2 credits. Levels: Undergraduate

• CHEM 104 - General Chemistry I

  Fundamentals of chemistry, including atomic structure, stoichiometry, chemical reactions, kinetic theory of gases, thermochemistry, chemical bonding, molecular geometry and bonding theories, as well as properties of liquids, solids, and solutions. This material provides the foundation for CHEM 105; together, CHEM 104 and CHEM 105 provide a thorough treatment of chemical principles. This course is recommended for pre‐health students and science majors (other than Chemistry and Biochemistry majors). Not open to students who have credit for CHEM 111, CHEM107 or CHEM 108. Offered regularly. 4 Credits. Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate

• CHEM 105 - General Chemistry II

  Thermochemistry and thermodynamics; equilibrium; chemical kinetics; electrochemistry; nuclear chemistry; descriptive inorganic, organic and biochemistry. This course is recommended for pre‐health students and science majors (other than Chemistry and Biochemistry majors). Prerequisite: CHEM 104 or equivalent. Not open to students who have credit for CHEM 111, CHEM107 or CHEM 108. Offered regularly. 4 credits. Levels: Undergraduate

• CHEM 106 - General Chemistry Laboratory

  Experiments designed to teach students basic laboratory skills and provide them with an authentic research experience in chemistry through a combination of lecture and laboratory sessions. This course is recommended for pre‐health students and science majors (other than Chemistry and Biochemistry majors). Co or Prerequisite: CHEM 104. Offered regularly. 2 credits. Course fee applies. Refer to the Schedule of Classes. Levels: Undergraduate

• CHEM 107 - Gen Chem I CHEM/BCHEM Majors

  First of two courses for students who want a one-year, two-semester introductory general chemistry course as basis for further work in a science. Scientific measurement, atomic structure, periodic relationships, theories of bonding, states of matter, solution properties. Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisite: high school chemistry. Not open to students who have credit for CHEM 111. Credits: 4. Format: 3 hour lecture; 2 hour discussion; 3 hour laboratory per week. Offered: Fall. Course fee applies. Refer to the Schedule of Classes. Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate

• CHEM 108 - Gen Chem II CHEM/BCHEM Majors

  Continuation of CHEM 107. Thermochemistry and thermodynamics; equilibrium; chemical kinetics; electrochemistry; nuclear chemistry; descriptive inorganic, organic and biochemistry.. Prerequisite: CHEM 107 or equivalent. Not open to students who have credit for CHEM 111. Credits: 4. Format: 3 hour lecture; 2 hour discussion; 3 hour laboratory per week. Offered: Spring. Course fee applies. Refer to the Schedule of Classes. Levels: Undergraduate

• CHEM 111 - Chemical Principles

  A one-semester introductory course in modern chemistry for potential science and engineering majors. Covers molecular structure and bonding, solids, organic chemistry and polymers, acid/base and redox chemistry, thermodynamics, electrochemistry and kinetics in both lecture and laboratory. Fulfills all requirements met by CHEM 107-108.Credits: 4. Format: 3 hour lecture; 2 hour discussion; 3 hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: high school chemistry. Not open to students who have credit for CHEM 107 or CHEM 108 or CHEM 104 or CHEM 105 or CHEM 106. If taken as a part of a pre-health track an additional semester of inorganic chemistry must be taken to fulfill the requirement. Offered in the fall semesters only. Course fee applies. Refer to the Schedule of Classes. Levels: Graduate, Undergraduate

• CHEM 231 - Organic Chemistry I

  Introduction to organic chemistry through a systematic treatment of the structure, reactivity and stereochemistry of the basic types of hydrocarbons (alkane, alkene, alkyne, arene), alkyl hadies, and alcohols, as well as interconversion among these most important classes of organic compounds. Prerequisite: CHEM 105 or CHEM 108 or 111 or equivalent. Credits 4. Format: 3 hours of lecture, 2 hour discussion. Offered: Fall; Spring; Summer I. Levels: Undergraduate

After You Graduate

One of the attractive features of a chemistry degree is the flexibility it offers students with regard to career opportunities. Chemistry majors gain valuable critical reasoning, analytical and laboratory skills that allow them to enter a wide array of graduate and professional programs or find immediate employment in an industrial position.

Notable employers include pharmaceutical, petroleum and large chemical companies, as well as private laboratories and small industries. Depending upon the industry, the responsibilities of the baccalaureate chemist range from being completely independent to functioning as a technician. Baccalaureate chemists also find employment in sales and marketing, as there is a high level of demand for instruments, chemicals and supplies. Visit future jobs for more information.

Accelerated/4+1 Degrees

You may also be interested in our accelerated/4+1 degree programs which allow students to complete their bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in just 5 years!