Major Requirements and Core Sequences
Either of two core sequences leads toward a degree in Chemistry.
| Fall: First Year | Spring: First Year | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Chem 103 | General Chemistry Lecture |
Chem 206 | Organic Chemistry Lecture |
| Chem 103L | General Chemistry Lab |
Chem 206L | Organic Lab |
| Fall: Second Year | Spring: Second Year | ||
| Chem 209 - OR - Chem 307 |
Organic Chemistry Lecture |
Chem 305 - OR - Chem 308 |
General Chem Lecture |
| Chem 353 | Organic Lab | Chem 354 - OR - Chem 356 |
General Chem Lab |
| Fall: Third Year | Spring: Third Year | ||
| Chem 309 | Instrumental Analysis Lecture and Lab |
Chem 320 | Introduction to Research |
| Chem 301 | Physical Chem | Chem 302 | Physical Chem |
| Chem 391 | Physical Chem Lab | Chem 392 | Physical Chem Lab |
Core Sequence A (Chem 209, 305) is recommended for students expecting to major in Chemistry. The first two years of Core Sequence B (Chem 307, 308) are the recommended and required courses for Biology majors. Students requiring one year of General Chemistry (such as Geology majors) should enroll in Chemistry 103 and Chemistry 308 along with the appropriate laboratory courses.
The minimum number of semester credits required for a major in Chemistry is 38. The 9 semester credits not included in the core sequences above are to be selected from the advanced Chemistry elective courses 401-406, 408, 411-412, 414-415, 456, 457.
Students wishing to fulfill the College GER and laboratory course requirement are encouraged to enroll in Chemistry 101 and 101L. Chemistry 101 may also be taken without the 101L lab.
NOTE: Preference for enrollment in the lab courses Chemistry 103L, 206L, 353 and 354 will be given to students concurrently enrolled in the appropriate lecture courses.
Chemistry 101, 101L, 150, 191, 291, 409, 410, 495 and 496 may not be included in the minimum 38 credits required for a major. No more than six semester credits in Chemistry 409, 495 and 496 may be applied toward a degree. Students may not obtain credit for both Chemistry 305 and Chemistry 335.
In a typical program majors will have completed Chemistry 103 and the sequence Chemistry 206 -209 - 305 or 206 - 307 - 308 plus Mathematics 111, 112 and 212 and Physics 101-102 before enrolling for Chemistry 301 in their junior year. The laboratory courses Chemistry 103L, 206L, 353, 354, 391 and 392 are taken concurrently with the appropriate lecture courses. Computer Science 141 is a valuable course in the general education of a chemist, and is strongly recommended; Mathematics 211 will also be valuable for many students.
Note: Most Chemistry majors choose to enhance their degrees with the American Chemical Society certification, which the department is authorized to award (see below).
The major writing requirement in the Department of Chemistry consists of two parts to be accomplished during the junior and senior years:
- Majors in Chemistry will be required to enroll in Chemistry 320, Introduction to Chemical Research, normally during their junior year.
- All majors are required to write a paper on which a grade of C or better is earned. This medium length paper (approximately 2000 words) will be required as part of one 400-level elective course in the student's program. Many students choose to apply the research report from Chemistry 409 or 496 toward this requirement.