Chemistry (BS)

This program was approved for students entering the university in the Summer 2024–Spring 2025 catalog year. For more information about catalog year, go to Catalog Year Information.

Bachelor of Science in Chemistry
Unit: College of Arts and Sciences (AS)
Department: Chemistry
Academic Plan Code(s): See Track Requirements tab 

Program Information

The BS in Chemistry degree program is designed to prepare professional chemists for industrial, governmental, academic, and research positions. This curriculum meets approved requirements for professional training.

Completion of this degree requires work to be submitted for the department’s Learning Outcomes Measurement. For details, contact the department.

Degree Summary

¹

Some credit hours from the General Education Requirements may be satisfied by courses defined by the program, in which case additional electives may be required to complete the minimum hours for the degree. To complete the degree in the minimum number of hours listed for the Business track, some hours from the General Education Requirements must be satisfied by courses defined by the unit and/or program. Using other courses to satisfy General Education requirements will require additional hours to complete the degree requirements.

Specific coursework information can be found on the Degree Requirements tab.

Early Start Program (Jointly with the College of Education and Human Development)

The Master of Arts in Teaching program in conjunction with the undergraduate programs in Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics offers a comprehensive and professionally-focused program leading to an additional degree of MAT Middle or Secondary Education. This early start program enables superior students to receive two degrees within five years. A total of 148 credits are required for the dual degrees: 121 credits of coursework devoted toward the baccalaureate degree and 36 credits toward the MAT, with nine hours double-counted. This program will be available for students who are entering their junior year. They may take graduate level courses in the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) in their 4th year of study.

The current qualifications for the joint degree program have been agreed upon by discipline faculty from the Colleges of Arts and Sciences and Education and Human Development. The criteria vary by discipline. Students enrolling in the accelerated program will be non-thesis students and must adhere to all policies pertaining to Graduate Students. All interested students must submit an application to the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) MAT program and meet the admission criteria.

Departmental Admission Requirements

Admission to the major in Chemistry requires completion of CHEM 202 (or equivalent course from another institution) with a grade of C or better. 

The Application for Major form can be found on the Arts & Sciences Advising Center website.

General Education Requirements

*All degrees require the completion of the University-wide General Education Program (link provided above).  Some General Education requirements may be met in the requirements for the major or supporting coursework, in which case additional electives may be required to complete the minimum hours for the degree. To complete the Business track in the minimum number of hours listed, some hours from the General Education Requirements must be satisfied by courses defined by the unit and/or program. 

College/School Requirements

Program/Major Requirements

At least 50 of the total minimum hours required must be at the 300 level or above. 

¹

Completion of the second semester of a single foreign language; hours will vary depending on language taken

²

In addition to courses counted toward General Education

³

May be incorporated into other degree requirements

⁴

Fulfills General Education requirement.

⁵

CHEM 470 plus 3 semester hours of another WR course will fulfill the WR requirement.

Track Requirements

Students completing the BS in Chemistry may pursue the standard degree track or a specialized track in Biochemistry or a track in Business. Requirements for all three of these options are listed below.

Chemistry BS (non-track option)

Academic Plan Code(s): CHM_BS

¹

Electives in Mathematics, Physics, or Chemistry at 300 level or above.

²

Elective in Natural Sciences Division, other than Chemistry, at 300 level or above.

Chemistry BS (ACS track)

Academic Plan Code(s): CHEM_BS_ACS

¹

Electives in Mathematics, Physics or Chemistry at 300 level or above.

²

Elective in Natural Sciences Division, other than Chemistry, at 300 level or above.

Track in Biochemistry

Academic Plan Code(s): CHM_BS_BIO

This degree track is designed to prepare students for a career that combines both chemistry and modern biology.

NOTE: The B.S. Chemistry - Biochemistry Track option is open to students who were admitted prior to summer 2024. Students currently in the Biochemistry Track have the option to stay in the track or transition to the new degree.

¹

Fulfills General Education requirement.

²

CHEM 470 plus 3 semester hours of another WR course will fulfill the WR requirement

³

As many as 3 additional hours in Undergraduate Research in Chemistry may be applied toward the degree.  With the consent of the instructor, graduate level courses in Chemistry may also be used.

Track in Business

Academic Plan Code(s): CHM_BS_BUS

This degree track combines a general program in chemistry with a fundamental program in business. The curriculum is designed to prepare chemists for industrial and governmental positions.

Chemistry Electives

¹

Fulfills General Education requirement.

²

CHEM 470 plus 3 semester hours of another WR course will fulfill the WR requirement.

³

With the consent of the instructor(s), graduate level courses in Chemistry may also be used to fulfill these requirements.

Flight Plan

Chemistry BS

Track in Biochemistry

Track in Business

The Flight Plan outlined above is intended to demonstrate one possible path to completing the degree within four years.  Course selection and placement within the program may vary depending on course offerings and schedule, elective preferences, and other factors (study abroad, internship availability, etc.). Please consult your advisor for additional information about building a flight plan that works for you.

Degree Audit Report
Degree Audit reports illustrate how your completed courses fulfill the requirements of your academic plan, and which requirements are still outstanding. Degree audits also take transfer credits and test credits into account. "What-if" reports allow you to compare the courses you have completed in your current academic plan to the courses required in another academic plan.  Should you have questions about either report, please consult with your academic advisor.

Flight Planner
The Flight Planner tool is available for you to create a personalized Flight Plan to graduation.  Advisors have access to review your Flight Planner and can help you adjust it to ensure you remain on track to graduate in a timely manner.

To create these reports:

1. Log into your ULink account.
2. Click on the Academic Progress tile.
3. Select the appropriate report.
   1. To run a Degree Audit report, click on "View my Degree Audit."
   2. To create a What-if report, click on "Create a What-if Advisement Report."
   3. To run a Flight Planner report, click on "Use My Flight Planner."

Click here to run a Degree Audit report, create a What-if report, or run a Flight Planner report.