Why do so many diverse subjects such as biology, engineering, agriculture or geology share an essential tie to chemistry? The answer is that chemistry, by its very nature, is the central science. Our interactions with the material world raise basic questions about the materials around us. What are their composition and properties? How do they interact with us and our environment? How, why, and when do they undergo change? These questions are important whether the material is part of high-tech computer chips, an aged pigment used by a Renaissance painter, or DNA that transmits genetic information in our body. Chemistry provides answers to these and countless other questions. By studying chemistry you will learn to use the powerful language and ideas that have evolved to describe and understand the world around us.

The Chemistry and Physics Department offers an American Chemical Society accreditated major in chemistry with optional concentrations in biochemistry or forensics. Each program prepares the student for immediate job entry or for graduate and professional (medical) study. The opportunities in chemistry are many and varied. Recent chemistry graduates are in medicine, law, college and secondary education, ecology, biotechnology, and industrial research.

The Chemistry and Physics Department frequently uses synthesis techniques, chemical instrumentation, and computer technology in the classroom and the laboratory to elucidate chemical concepts. There are opportunities for students to do research with members of the department.

Chemistry Major Required Courses

B.S. in Chemistry

CHEM1101 Principles of Chemistry I

CHEM1102 Principles of Chemistry II

CHEM2101 Organic Chemistry I

CHEM2102 Organic Chemistry II

CHEM2104 Analytical Chemistry

CHEM3105 Physical Chemistry I

CHEM3106 Physical Chemistry II

CHEM3160 Social Justice Chemistry Seminar

CHEM 4194 Internship in Chemistry

 

MATH1111 Calculus I

MATH1112 Calculus II

PHYS2201 General Physics I (Calculus based)

PHYS2202 General Physics II (Calculus based)

Three electives chosen from:CHEM 2111 – Biochemistry, CHEM 2114 – Chemistry of Fire and Explosives, CHEM 2115 – Inorganic Chemistry, CHEM 3108 – Instrumental Methods of Analysis, CHEM 3115 – Introduction to Toxicology, CHEM 3121 – Molecular Modeling, CHEM 3123 – Research Methods in Synthesis

 

B.S. in Chemistry – ACS Accredited

CHEM1101 Principles of Chemistry I

CHEM1102 Principles of Chemistry II

BIOL1105 Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology

CHEM2101 Organic Chemistry I

CHEM2102 Organic Chemistry II

CHEM2104 Analytical Chemistry

CHEM2111 Biochemistry

CHEM2115 Inorganic Chemistry

CHEM3105 Physical Chemistry I

CHEM3106 Physical Chemistry II

CHEM3160 Social Justice Chemistry Seminar

CHEM4194 Internship in Chemistry

 

MATH1111 Calculus I

MATH1112 Calculus II

PHYS2201 General Physics I (Calculus based)

PHYS2202 General Physics II (Calculus based)

Two electives chosen from: CHEM 2114 – Chemistry of Fire and Explosives, CHEM 3108 – Instrumental Methods of Analysis, CHEM 3115 – Introduction to Toxicology, CHEM 3121 – Molecular Modeling, CHEM 3123 – Research Methods in Synthesis

 

B.S. in Chemistry with

Concentration in Biochemistry

BIOL1105 Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology

BIOL1106 Introduction to Organismic and Evolutionary Biology

CHEM1101 Principles of Chemistry I

CHEM1102 Principles of Chemistry II

CHEM2101 Organic Chemistry I

CHEM2102 Organic Chemistry II

CHEM2104 Analytical Chemistry

CHEM2111 Biochemistry

CHEM3105 Physical Chemistry I

CHEM3106 Physical Chemistry II

CHEM3160 Social Justice Chemistry Seminar

CHEM 4194 Internship in Chemistry

 

MATH1111 Calculus I

MATH1112 Calculus II

PHYS2201 General Physics I (Calculus based)

PHYS2202 General Physics II (Calculus based)

Two chemistry/physics electives and one biology elective

 

B.S. in Chemistry – ACS with

Concentration in Biochemistry

BIOL1105 Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Biology

BIOL1106 Introduction to Organismic and Evolutionary Biology

CHEM1101 Principles of Chemistry I

CHEM1102 Principles of Chemistry II

CHEM2101 Organic Chemistry I

CHEM2102 Organic Chemistry II

CHEM2104 Analytical Chemistry

CHEM2111 Biochemistry

CHEM2115 Inorganic Chemistry

CHEM3105 Physical Chemistry I

CHEM3106 Physical Chemistry II

CHEM3160 Social Justice Chemistry Seminar

CHEM4194 Internship in Chemistry

 

MATH1111 Calculus I

MATH1112 Calculus II

PHYS2201 General Physics I (Calculus based)

PHYS2202 General Physics II (Calculus based)

One chemistry elective and one biology elective

 

B.S. in Chemistry with

Concentration in Forensic Science

CHEM1101 Principles of Chemistry I

CHEM1102 Principles of Chemistry II

CHEM1117 Forensic Chemistry

CHEM2101 Organic Chemistry I

CHEM2102 Organic Chemistry II

CHEM2104 Analytical Chemistry

CHEM2114 Chemistry of Fire and Explosives

CHEM3105 Physical Chemistry I

CHEM3106 Physical Chemistry II

CHEM3108 Instrumental Methods of Analysis

CHEM3115 Introduction to Toxicology

CHEM3160 Social Justice Chemistry Seminar

CHEM 4194 Internship in Chemistry

 

Additional Major Courses:

MATH1111 Calculus I

MATH1112 Calculus II

PHYS 2201 General Physics I (Calculus-based)

PHYS 2202 General Physics I (Calculus-based)

 

B.S. in Chemistry – ACS with

Concentration in Forensic Science

CHEM1101 Principles of Chemistry I

CHEM1102 Principles of Chemistry II

CHEM1117 Forensic Chemistry

CHEM2101 Organic Chemistry I

CHEM2102 Organic Chemistry II

CHEM2104 Analytical Chemistry

CHEM2111 Biochemistry

CHEM2114 Chemistry of Fire and Explosives

CHEM2115 Inorganic Chemistry

CHEM3105 Physical Chemistry I

CHEM3106 Physical Chemistry II

CHEM3108 Instrumental Methods of Analysis

CHEM3115 Introduction to Toxicology

CHEM4160 Senior Seminar

CHEM3160 Social Justice Chemistry Seminar

CHEM 4194 Internship in Chemistry

 

Additional Major Courses:

MATH1111 Calculus I

MATH1112 Calculus II

PHYS 2201 General Physics I (Calculus-based)

PHYS 2202 General Physics I (Calculus-based)

 

Minor in Chemistry

CHEM1101 Principles of Chemistry I

CHEM1102 Principles of Chemistry II

Four additional chemistry courses 2000 or 3000 level, except CHEM 4178, CHEM 4194-4195