Nine or Eight and one-half units in chemistry (depending on the 'track') and four units in cognate areas. The specific course requirements for a chemistry major are shown below in two "tracks" plus a set of core courses which is common to both tracks. The Chemistry Track concentrates upon the more traditional areas of chemistry and is recommended for students who intend to pursue graduate work in any area of chemistry (including biochemistry) or who expect to use their chemistry background as a basis for a laboratory-based career. The Biochemistry Track is recommended for students in the health sciences and related careers. In either track, the timing of course sequences is crucial, and students should consult with a member of the chemistry staff as early as possible in the planning of their major.

COMMON CORE

• Chem 121: Structure and Equilibrium

• Chem 123: Inorganic Chemistry; Introduction

• Chem 206: Chemical Analysis (1 unit)

• Chem 211: Organic Chemistry: Structure

• Chem 212: Organic Chemistry: Reactions

• Chem 301: Chemical Energetics and Kinetics
   

CHEMISTRY TRACK

• Chem 321: Advanced Laboratory: Synthesis (1/2 unit)  

• Chem 327: Advanced Laboratory: Physical and Analytical (1/2 unit)

• Chem 340: Physical Chemistry

• Chem 350: Advanced Organic Chemistry (1/2 unit)
  OR
  Chem 353: Spectroscopy (1/2 unit)

• Chem 356: Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (1/2 unit)
   

• Plus: One year of calculus (Math 141, 143 or equivalent)
  One year of physics, preferably Physics 167-168 (115-116 is acceptable)
   

BIOCHEMISTRY TRACK

• Chem 321: Advanced Laboratory: Synthesis (1/2 unit)
  or
  Chem 327: Advanced Laboratory: Physical and Analytical (1/2 unit)

• Chem 323: Advanced Laboratory: Biochemistry

• Chem 337: Biochemistry

• Chem 351: Biophysical Chemistry (1/2 unit)
   

• Plus: One semester of calculus (Math 141 or equivalent)
  One year of physics (115-116 or 167-168)
  One unit of biology numbered over 300 (Biology 391, 392 do not count for this requirement.)

NOTE: Students planning to enroll in Chemistry 121 need basic algebra skills. Students who are unsure of their preparation for Chemistry 121 should consult with a member of the department.

All chemistry courses must be taken for a numerical grade, except those offered only on a credit/no credit basis. Students who intend to apply for entrance into medical or dental schools should not take basic chemistry courses on a credit/no-credit basis, and students majoring in other sciences are strongly discouraged from doing so.

The Chemistry Department is approved by the American Chemical Society. In order to graduate as an American Chemical Society certified chemistry major, the following courses are required beyond the common core courses of the major: Chemistry 321, 327, 337, 340, 350, 353, 356; Math 141, 143; Physics 167-168. One unit of directed study credit may be substituted for Chemistry 350. Other substitutions may be made only with prior approval of the chemistry staff. In addition to the required courses, a reading knowledge of German is strongly recommended.