Chemistry Major
College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) – Department of Chemistry and Food Science
The Department of Chemistry and Food Science is unique in that it offers strong majors in Biochemistry, Chemistry, and Food Science. The programs complement one another, producing Food Science majors with an exceptionally strong background in chemistry and providing Chemistry and Biochemistry majors with the opportunity to take electives in more applied areas such as food chemistry and food analysis. Undergraduate research opportunities are also enhanced by the combination of these program areas. An excellent undergraduate education is provided by the structured curricula for the Biochemistry, Chemistry, and Food Science majors coupled with a strong general education component. The strength of these programs is clearly indicated by the excellent graduate school placement, achievement records, and employment opportunities enjoyed by graduates.
The Chemistry major offers two concentrations: one is approved by the American Chemical Society (ACS) and the other is a general chemistry concentration. The ACS-approved curriculum allows flexibility to specialize in a particular area through choice of the elective, the advanced course, and the senior research project. The General Chemistry concentration requires a minor.
Pre-Health Program
A pre-health curriculum for pre-medical, pre-dental, and pre-veterinary studies is also offered in cooperation with the Biology Department.
The General Education Requirement
All students must satisfy a general education requirement consisting of ten (10) courses outside of the major department. The General Education Domain II-B (Natural Sciences) and laboratory requirement are satisfied through the completion of the Biochemistry, Chemistry, and Food Science majors.
Course Prerequisites
Courses may have specified conditions for enrollment, such as prior completion of less advanced courses, permission of the instructor, or appropriate placement test scores. Students should refer to course descriptions in the department listings for prerequisite requirements.
Requirements for the Major in Chemistry (U_CH)
Major Core Requirements (8)
The following eight (8) core requirements are required of Chemistry majors in all concentrations:
- CHEM 107/107L Principles of Chemistry with Lab
- CHEM 108/108L Principles of Chemistry and Quantitative Analysis with Lab
- CHEM 207/207L Organic Chemistry I with Lab
- CHEM 208/208L Organic Chemistry II with Lab
- MATH 219 Calculus I (Gen. Ed. Domain II-A)
- MATH 220 Calculus II
- PHYS 211/211L Principles of Physics I with Lab
- PHYS 212/212L Principles of Physics II with Lab
CONCENTRATIONS
All students majoring in Chemistry must choose one (1) of the two (2) concentrations: ACS-Approved Program or General Chemistry.
American Chemical Society Approved Concentration (UCHA)
Concentration Requirements (11):
- CHEM 301/301L Biochemistry I with Lab
- CHEM 303/303L Physical Chemistry I with Lab
- CHEM 304/304L Physical Chemistry II with Lab
- CHEM 321/321L Instrumental Analysis with Lab
- CHEM 401/401L Inorganic Chemistry with Lab
- CHEM 480 Chemical Research I
- CHEM 481 Chemical Research II
- CSCI 120 Introduction to Information Technology
Choose one (1) Advanced Chemistry course from:
- CHEM 332/332L Biochemistry II with Lab
- CHEM 390 Special Topics in Chemistry
Choose two (2) electives from:
- COMM 215 Science Communication
- CSCI 108 HTML, JavaScript Programming, and Web Site Development
- CSCI 130 Computer Science I Using Java
- CSCI 215 Computer Science II Using Java
- CSCI 258 Introduction to Operating Systems Using UNIX
- ENGL 286 Professional Writing
- ENGL 311 Writing About Science
- ENGL 372 Technical Writing
- ENVS 202 Data Analysis for Scientists
- MATH 206 Discrete Mathematics I
- MATH 221 Calculus III
- MATH 226 Linear Algebra and Applications
- STAT 157 Probability and Statistics or
- STAT 208 Biostatistics
General Chemistry Concentration (UCHG)
Concentration Requirements (6):
- CHEM 303/303L Physical Chemistry I with Lab
- CHEM 321/321L Instrumental Analysis with Lab
- CHEM 401/401L Inorganic Chemistry with Lab
- CSCI 120 Introduction to Information Technology
- Choose two (2) chemistry elective courses from:
- CHEM 301/301L Biochemistry I with Lab
- CHEM 304/304L Physical Chemistry II with Lab
- CHEM 390 Special Topics in Chemistry
- FDSC 405/405L Food Analysis with Lab
- FDSC 408/408L Food Chemistry with Lab
A minor in one the following areas is required with the General Chemistry concentration: business, computer science, earth science, secondary education, or mathematics. Other minors may be approved by the Department of Chemistry and Food Science. Students choosing to minor in secondary education must take CHEM 301 Biochemistry I.
PROGRAM IN EDUCATION
Chemistry majors with a concentration in General Chemistry may minor in secondary education to obtain Initial Licensure at the high school level.