Degree: Bachelor of Science (BS)
Major: Chemistry

Program Overview

The BS program in chemistry is designed for students who seek professional careers in the chemical sciences and is certified by the American Chemical Society. The BS curriculum provides a rigorous background in chemistry, yet offers considerable flexibility in the senior year in the choice of electives, allowing BS majors to pursue areas of chemistry of particular interest to them in greater depth. At least three units of research (CHEM 397 / CHEM 398) are required, and up to nine units of research may be credited toward the degree.

Undergraduate Policies

For undergraduate policies and procedures, please review the Office of Undergraduate Studies section of the General Bulletin.

Accelerated Master's Programs

Undergraduate students may participate in accelerated programs toward graduate or professional degrees. For more information and details of the policies and procedures related to accelerated studies, please visit the Office of Undergraduate Studies section of the General Bulletin.

Program Requirements

Students seeking to complete this major and degree program must meet the general requirements for bachelor's degrees and the general requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences. Students completing this program as a secondary major while completing another undergraduate degree program do not need to satisfy the latter set of requirements.

Required Chemistry Courses

*

The chemistry elective may be any chemistry department course at the 300 level or above which is not part of the "core set," or selected courses with a strong chemistry content at the 300 level or above from other science departments. Only three units of CHEM 397 may be applied to a chemistry elective.

**

The technical electives may be chosen more widely from any of the physical sciences, math, or engineering courses. An additional six units of CHEM 397 may be taken as technical electives. Further additional units of CHEM 397 may be taken as free electives. Students may wish to group their electives into "tracks" of specialization in order to tailor their degree to a particular area of chemistry.

Additional Required Courses

The chemistry elective may be any chemistry department course at the 300 level or above which is not part of the "core set," or selected courses with a strong chemistry content at the 300 level or above from other science departments. Only three units of CHEM 397  may be applied to a chemistry elective.

The technical electives may be chosen more widely from any of the physical sciences, math, or engineering courses. An additional six units of CHEM 397  may be taken as technical electives. Further additional units of CHEM 397  may be taken as free electives. Students may wish to group their electives into "tracks" of specialization in order to tailor their degree to a particular area of chemistry.

Advanced Coursework

BS majors who plan to go on to graduate study may elect to take advanced courses in:

Students can also elect to take other graduate offerings. Interdisciplinary strengths can be achieved by selecting technical electives in biochemistry, biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, macromolecular science, and materials science as well as in biology; earth, environmental, and planetary sciences; mathematics, applied mathematics, and statistics; and physics.

Total Units Required for Graduation: 120

Sample Plan of Study

 Required Chemistry Courses and Sequencing