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Chemistry and Biochemistry

Degree Requirements

Jump to: Chemistry Major | Chemistry Minor | Biochemistry Major | Biochemistry Minor

Chemistry and Biochemistry

Dmytrejchuk, Mohan, Rettich, Waduge

The department meets the needs of students majoring in chemistry, bio­chemistry, and allied sciences through rigorous training in the principles and applications of modern chemistry. The department also aims to meet the needs of general education students who wish to learn and appreciate the atomic-molecular conception of matter as a background for understanding the scientific issues of importance to all in the modern world.

The department is approved by the American Chemical Society as offering a program of study that will lead to individual certification, upon graduation, by that society. Such a course of study will equip the chemistry or biochemistry major to (1) excel in chemistry and biochemistry graduate programs or medical or dental schools; or (2) enter governmental or industrial laboratories as a scientist. A major in chemistry or biochemistry can also lead to a wide variety of other occupations ranging from forensic laboratory science to chemical patent law to business management or to pharmacy.

The department, through grant funds, gifts, and its own funds, routinely acquires new instrumentation and expands its library holdings to ensure a modern program in chemistry. All instrumentation and library materials are available for direct use by the undergraduate student. Some state-of-the-art instruments include a 400 MHz FT-NMR, a fluorescence spectrometer, an ATR Infrared spectrophotometer and an atomic absorption spectrometer. Students are encouraged to put their classroom learning into practice by participating in research programs directed by members of the faculty. Other opportunities for learning outside the classroom are provided through internships, externships, summer research, and study abroad. The department hosts guest research seminars featuring prominent scientists from academic, government, and industrial laboratories.

Requirements for the Chemistry  major

The regular chemistry major consists of the following courses:

Those students desiring certification by the American Chemical Society must take the following courses:

*The prerequisite for CHEM 202 can be met through completion of CHEM 201 or its equivalent or with a score of 4 or 5 on the Chemistry AP test.

Proficiency in courses outside the department that are required as prerequisites for upper level Chemistry courses are:

  • Math 176 and 177 or proficiency.  Students who have scored a 4 or 5 on the AP Calculus BC exam, or who have studied calculus at another university, should consult with the Chemistry Department Chair to determine whether they have the needed calculus proficiency.
  • Physics 101 and 102 or Physics 105 and 106 or proficiency. Students should consult with the Chemistry Department Chair to determine whether they meet the proficiency.

Courses outside the department that majors are recommended to take include:

  • Biology 101 and 102 or Biology 107 and 108.
    (Students who plan to study biochemistry, plan to pursue a health profession, or are interested in biomedical research will need to take one of these introductory biology sequences.)

Printable checklist 

Requirements for the Chemistry  minor

The chemistry minor consists of the following courses:

Printable checklist

Requirements for the Biochemistry  major

The Biochemistry major is offered through the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department and allows students the opportunity to study the physical and chemical mechanisms underlying biological systems. The major requires students to complete a common set of courses in the Chemistry and Biology departments while allowing enough flexibility for focus on specific areas of interest.

Satisfactory completion of the major will provide students with the neces­sary background to (1) pursue graduate studies in biochemistry, (2) enter a wide variety of professional programs (e.g. medicine, dentistry, physical ther­apy, optometry, forensic science, law), or (3) enter governmental or industrial laboratories as biochemists.

The Biochemistry major consists of the following courses:

Proficiency in courses outside the department that counts as prerequisites for upper level Chemistry courses are:

  • Math 176 and or proficiency. Students who have scored a 4 or a 5 on the AP Calculus, BC exam, or who have studied calculus at another university, should consult with the Chemistry Department Chair to determine whether they have the required calculus proficiency.
  • Physics 101 or Physics 105 or proficiency. Students should consult with the Chemistry Department Chair to determine whether they meet the proficiency. 

*The prerequisite for CHEM 202 can be met through completion of CHEM 201 or its equivalent or a score of 4 or 5 on the Chemistry AP test.

Requirements for the Biochemistry  minor

There are two ways in which one can complete the Biochemistry minor. Since courses cannot be double counted for a major and a minor, the two tracks are designed so that either Biology or Chemistry majors could obtain a Biochemistry minor.

Track 1: (Excludes chemistry majors)

Track 2: (Excludes biology majors)

 

Special Notes: Students will not receive credit toward a Chemistry major, Chemistry minor, Biochemical major or Biochemistry minor for the following courses: 110, 130, 135, and 140.

 

Ram Mohan headshot

Ram Mohan - Wendell and Loretta Hess Endowed Professor of Chemistry and Chair of Chemistry

Department - Chemistry

(309) 556-3829