Bachelor of Science in Chemistry
Mission
The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry program aims to inspire discovery and innovation while providing a solid understanding of chemistry principles. Our curriculum combines theoretical learning with practical laboratory experience, preparing students to address real-world challenges in science and industry. We encourage teamwork across disciplines and promote scientific inquiry with a focus on sustainability. By fostering critical and creative thinking, we prepare graduates to be leaders in chemistry and make a positive impact on society. The program aligns perfectly with the university’s mission, reflecting a strong commitment to academic excellence while embracing the rich tradition of liberal arts education.
Program Educational Objectives
Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry shall be able to:
- Critically assess chemical concepts to solve problems associated with the various disciplines of chemistry,
- Implement research methods while abiding by high ethical and safety standards as individuals or as part of a team, and
- Prepare graduates for employment and graduate studies.
Student Outcomes
Upon completion of the B.S. in Chemistry, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate a solid foundation of analytical, organic, inorganic and physical chemistry.
- Analyze theoretical principles through proficient application of laboratory techniques and through instrumentation and modeling methods.
- Apply computational tools to model theoretical processes and experimental data.
- Apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills in the development and implementation of a research project.
- Critically analyze scientific information.
- Explain chemical concepts to a diversified audience through effective written and oral presentation.
- Employ high ethical standards and good laboratory practice as chemists and as members of society.
- Employ teamwork to perform a task collectively and effectively.
- Develop independent learning skills.
Curriculum
A total of 94 credits are required to graduate, distributed as follows:
- Chemistry Core Requirements (42 credits)
- Chemistry Elective Courses (6 credits)
- Elective Laboratory Courses (2 credits)
- Mathematics Requirements (6 credits)
- Physics Requirements (7 credits)
- Computer Skills Requirements (1 credit)
- Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) Core Curriculum (6 credits)
- Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) Change Makers Courses (6 credits)
- Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) Digital Cultures Courses (3 credits)
- Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) Electives (12 credits: Arts and Humanities: 3 credits, Free Liberal Arts Elective Courses: 9 credits)
- Free Electives (3 credits)
Chemistry Core Requirements (42 credits)
- CHM005 Preparatory Chemistry (0 cr.)
- CHM201 Chemical Principles (3 cr.)
- CHM203 Qualitative Analysis (1 cr.)
- CHM204 Quantitative Analysis (2 cr.)
- CHM301 Analytical Chemistry (3 cr.)
- CHM302 Instrumental Analysis (3 cr.)
- CHM311 Organic Chemistry I (3 cr.)
- CHM312 Organic Chemistry II (3 cr.)
- CHM313 Organic Chemistry I Lab (1 cr.)
- CHM314 Organic Chemistry II Lab (1 cr.)
- CHM330 Physical Chemistry I (4 cr.)
- CHM332 Physical Chemistry II (3 cr.)
- CHM334 Physical Chemistry Laboratory (2 cr.)
- CHM421 Inorganic Chemistry (3 cr.)
- CHM422 Inorganic Chemistry II (3 cr.)
- CHM423 Synthesis and Identification of Inorganic Compounds (2 cr.)
- CHM425 Computational Chemistry (2 cr.)
- CHM499P Capstone Project or CHM499R Undergraduate Research (3 cr.)
Chemistry Elective Courses (6 credits)
- BCH301 Introduction to Biochemistry (4 cr.)
- CHM340 Environmental Chemistry (3 cr.)
- CHM350 Drug Discovery and Medicinal Chemistry I (3 cr.)
- CHM352 Method Validation and Quality Assurance (3 cr.)
- CHM402 Chemistry of Materials (3 cr.)
- CHM403 Polymer Science (3 cr.)
- CHM404 Forensic Chemistry (3 cr.)
- CHM405 Statistical Mechanics (3 cr.)
- CHM450 Drug Discovery and Medicinal Chemistry II (3 cr.)
- CHM451 Chemical Pharmacology (3 cr.)
- CHM488 Topics in Chemistry (3 cr.)
Elective Laboratory Course (2 credits)
- CHM351 Drug Discovery Lab (1 cr.)
- CHM406 Forensic Chemistry Lab (2 cr.)
- CHM412 Synthesis & Identification of Organic Compounds (2 cr.)
- CHM424 Synthesis & Identification of Nanomaterials (2 cr.)
Mathematics Requirements (6 credits)
Students must take:
- MTH201 Calculus III (3 cr.)
And choose one course (3 cr.) from:
- MTH301 Linear Algebra (3 cr.)
- MTH303 Numerical Methods (3 cr.)
- MTH304 Differential Equation (3 cr.)
- MTH305 Probability & Statistics (3 cr.)
Physics Requirements (7 credits)
Students must take:
And choose one course (3 cr.) from:
Computer Skills Requirements (1 credit)
- CSC201 Computer Applications (1 cr.)
LAS Courses
Free Electives (3 credits)
Recommended Study Plan
Year One
Fall (16 credits)
- CHM005 Preparatory Chemistry (0 cr.)
- CHM201 Chemical principles (3 cr.)
- CHM203 Qualitative Analysis (1 cr.)
- MTH201 Calculus III (3 cr.)
- Arts and Humanities Elective (LASC) (3 cr.)
- ENG202 Advanced Academic English (LASC) (3 cr.)
- Digital Cultures (LASC) (3 cr.)
Spring (16 credits)
- CHM204 Quantitative Analysis (2 cr.)
- CHM301 Analytical Chemistry (3 cr.)
- PHY201 Electricity & Magnetism (3 cr.)
- PHY201B Electricity & Magnetism Lab (1 cr.)
- COM203 Art of Public Communication (3 cr.)
- Change Makers (LASC) (3 cr.)
- CSC201 Computer Applications (1 cr.)
Year Two
Fall (17 credits)
- CHM311 Organic Chemistry I (3 cr.)
- CHM313 Organic Chemistry I Lab (1 cr.)
- CHM330 Physical Chemistry I (4 cr.)
- MTH Elective (3 cr.)
- Change Makers (LASC) (3 cr.)
- Free Elective (LASC) (3 cr.)
Spring (14 credits)
- CHM312 Organic Chemistry II (3 cr.)
- CHM314 Organic Chemistry II Lab (1 cr.)
- CHM332 Physical Chemistry II (3 cr.)
- CHM334 Physical Chemistry Lab (2 cr.)
- Chemistry Elective (3 cr.)
- Chemistry Lab Elective or CHM425 Computational Chemistry (2 cr.)
Year Three
Fall (18 credits)
- CHM302 Instrumental Analysis (3 cr.)
- CHM421 Inorganic Chemistry I (3 cr.)
- CHM499R Undergraduate Research (3 cr.)
- Physics Elective (3 cr.)
- Free Elective (3 cr.)
- Free Elective (LASC) (3 cr.)
Spring (13 credits)
- CHM422 Inorganic Chemistry II (3 cr.)
- CHM423 Synthesis and Identification of Inorganic Compounds (2 cr.)
- CHM425 Computational Chemistry or Chemistry Lab Elective (2 cr.)
- Chemistry Elective (3 cr.)
- Free Elective (LASC) (3 cr.)
Recommended Pre-med Study Plan
You are required to complete 97 credits to graduate.
Year One
Fall (17 credits)
- CHM005 Preparatory Chemistry (0 cr.)
- CHM201 Chemical principles (3 cr.)
- CHM203 Qualitative Analysis (1 cr.)
- MTH201 Calculus III (3 cr.)
- ENG202 Advanced Academic English (LASC) (3 cr.)
- Digital Cultures (LASC) (3 cr.)
- BIO201 General Biology I (3 cr.)
- BIO201B General Biology I Lab (1 cr.)
Spring (17 credits)
- CHM204 Quantitative Analysis (2 cr.)
- CHM301 Analytical Chemistry (3 cr.)
- PHY201 Electricity & Magnetism (3 cr.)
- PHY201B Electricity & Magnetism Lab ( 1cr.)
- COM203 Art of Public Communication (3 cr.)
- CSC201 Computer Applications (1 cr.)
- BIO202 General Biology II (3 cr.)
- BIO202B General Biology II Lab (1 cr.)
Year Two
Fall (17 credits)
- CHM311 Organic Chemistry I (3 cr.)
- CHM313 Organic Chemistry I Lab (1 cr.)
- CHM330 Physical Chemistry I (4 cr.)
- BIO321 Genetics (3 cr.)
- MTH Elective (3 cr.)
- PHY301 Classical Physics for Life Sciences (3 cr.)
Spring (17 credits)
- CHM312 Organic Chemistry II (3 cr.)
- CHM314 Organic Chemistry II Lab (1 cr.)
- CHM332 Physical Chemistry II (3 cr.)
- CHM334 Physical Chemistry Lab (2 cr.)
- Chemistry Elective (3 cr.)
- Chemistry Lab Elective of CHM425 Computational Chemistry (2 cr.)
- Arts and Humanities Elective (LASC) (3 cr.)
Year Three
Fall (16 credits)
- CHM302 Instrumental Analysis (3 cr.)
- CHM421 Inorganic Chemistry I (3 cr.)
- CHM499R Undergraduate Research (3 cr.)
- BCH301 Intro to Biochemistry (4 cr.)
- Free Elective (LASC) (3 cr.)
Spring (16 credits)