Chemistry and Biochemistry
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers the Bachelor of Arts in chemistry, the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, and the Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry. The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry degree is certified by the American Chemical Society. To enter one of these degree programs, students should have completed a minimum of two years of high school algebra, one-half year of trigonometry, one year each of chemistry and physics, and three or four years of a modern world language. Those who have not completed the suggested high school mathematics are advised to take a semester of precalculus mathematics as soon as possible in preparation for MATH-M 215 Calculus I.
A person with a chemistry or biochemistry major could work as an industrial chemist; enter a professional school (medical, dental, optometry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, law) or a medical technology program; enter graduate school in chemistry or in a related field such as anatomy, biochemistry, biophysics, chemical physics, computer science, chemical engineering, medical biophysics, medicinal chemistry, microbiology, pharmacology, physiology, toxicology, materials science, or biotechnology.
Introductory Courses
General interest courses offered for students in programs requiring only one semester of chemistry:
- CHEM-N 190 The Natural World
- CHEM-C 120 Chemistry Laboratory (2 cr.)
Courses offered for students required to complete two semesters of chemistry:
- CHEM-C 101 Elementary Chemistry 1
- CHEM-C 102 Elementary Chemistry 2
- CHEM-C 121 Elementary Chemistry Laboratory 1 (2 cr.)
Courses offered for students needing basic courses that provide the foundation for advanced work in scientific fields:
- CHEM-C 105 Principles of Chemistry I
- CHEM-C 106 Principles of Chemistry II
- CHEM-C 125 Experimental Chemistry I (2 cr.)
- CHEM-C 126 Experimental Chemistry II (2 cr.)
Placement Examination
Students planning to enroll in CHEM-C 101 Elementary Chemistry 1 or CHEM-C 105 Principles of Chemistry I must place at Level 4 of the mathematics placement examination before registering for the course. This examination is used to determine whether or not a student has the mathematical skills required for CHEM-C 101 Elementary Chemistry 1 and CHEM-C 105 Principles of Chemistry I.
Information about the mathematics placement examination may be found in the mathematics section of this publication.