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Chemistry Program Requirements and Opportunities

The Chemistry major is offered with several different options:

• American Chemical Society Certified A.B., recommended for graduate school
• Chemistry major, A.B. Only
• Chemistry minor
• Chemistry major with concentration in biochemistry
• Chemistry major with concentration in geochemistry

For all degree options, merit level work is expected in every chemistry, math, biology, geology, and physics course.

FAQ About The Chemistry Major.

ACS Certified A.B. Major Requirements

A student may qualify for a major in chemistry by completing a total of 15 units in chemistry with the distribution:

• Chem 103, 104
• Chem 211/216, 212/217
• Chem 221, 222
• Chem 231
• Chem 242
• Chem 251, 252
• Chem 398, 399
• two other Chem 3xx

Other required courses: Math 201(multivariable calculus) is a prerequisite for Chem 221 & Chem 222.

Students majoring in Chemistry fulfill the disciplinary writing requirement by satisfactorily completing Chem 251 and 252, which are writing attentive courses.

Major, A.B. only

A non-ACS certified major requires all of the above coursework except Chem 398, 399.

Timetables for Meeting Major Requirements

Students may follow various schedules to meet their major requirements.  However, a fairly typical one is:

• freshman year:  Chem 103 and 104, Math 101 and 102
• sophomore year:  Chem 211/216, 212/217, Math 201
• junior year:  Chem 221, 222, 231, 242, 251, 252
• senior year:  two or more Chem 3xx

In particular note that

• Math 201 must be completed before taking Chem 221 or Chem 222.  
• Chem 221/222 can be taken concurrently with Chem 211/212.

Students who wish to deviate from the usual schedule (including those who want to complete the major in 3 years) should consult with the major adviser as early as possible to devise an alternative plan.

Honors

The requirements for departmental honors are:

• Complete one of the major plans
• Maintain a chemistry GPA of 3.7 or better. A maximum of 2 credits of 403 will be factored into the chemistry GPA
• Complete Chem 398 and 399 with a grade of 3.3 or better each semester.
• Participate in research oral/poster presentations.
• Write an acceptable thesis, and meet all department deadlines for submission of the thesis.
• Complete an additional unit of Chem 3xx (for a total of three 300-level chemistry units). With department approval, one unit of 300-level work in certain fields may be substituted.

Minor

A student may qualify for a minor in chemistry by completing a total of 8 units in chemistry with the distribution:

• Chem 103, 104
• Chem 211/216, 212/217
• Chem 221* or 222*
• Chem 231 or 242**
• Chem 251 or 252

*Pre-requisite: Math 201

**Biol 375 may be substituted for Chem 242

Major with Concentration in Biochemistry

• Chem 103, 104
• Chem 211/216, 212/217
• Chem 242*
• Chem 221**, 222**, or 231 (choose 2 of 3)
• Chem 251, 252
• Chem 345 or 377
• Chem 3xx
• Biol 201
• Biol 376***

*Biol 375 may be substituted for Chem 242

**Pre-requisite: Math 201

***Chem 242 satisfies the pre-requisite for this course.

Major with Concentration in Geochemistry

• Chem 103, 104
• Chem 211/216, 212/217
• Chem 221*, 222*, 231 or 242** (choose 3 of 4)
• Chem 251, 252
• Chem 332
• Chem 3xx
• Geol 101
• Geol 202
• Geol 302, 305, 350 (choose 2 of 3; Geol 350 requires Geology major adviser approval)

*Pre-requisite: Math 201

**Bio 375 may be substituted for Chem 242

The Chemistry major can also be combined with any of the minors offered in the College. In particular, the minors in Environmental Studies, Education and Computational Science offer attractive combinations with a Chemistry major for future career paths that require competency in those allied fields. Detailed information about these minors can be found in the appropriate section of the catalog. Students may double major in Chemistry and Biology, but are not permitted to double major in Biology and BCMB (Biochemistry & Molecular Biology) or Chemistry and BCMB.

A.B./M.A. Program

• Chemistry major A.B. requirements
• four units of 5xx*
• two units of 7xx
• M.A. thesis
• written final exam

*two units may be 3xx

3-2 Program in Engineering and Applied Science

The 3-2 Program in Engineering and Applied Science is offered in cooperation with the California Institute of Technology and awards both an A.B. at ²ÝÁñ³ÉÈËÉçÇø and a B.S. at Cal Tech.  Chemistry students considering this program should contact Chemistry Senior Lecturer Lisa Watkins.

4+1 Program in Engineering at UPenn

The University of Pennsylvania 4+1 engineering program allows students to earn an A.B. at ²ÝÁñ³ÉÈËÉçÇø and an M.S. in Engineering (M.S.E) at UPenn.  Students apply between the beginning of the sophomore year and end of the junior year. Chemistry students considering this program should contact Chemistry Senior Lecturer Lisa Watkins. See also the description of the 4+1 Program in Engineering at UPenn.