Chemistry Major (B.A.)

Associate Professors Grunkemeyer, Pistner, Thomas
Assistant Professors Rudd, Tomcho

The B.A. Chemistry Major is designed for students who wish to obtain a chemistry background that is ancillary to another major or area of interest. This requires sufficient breadth and depth in chemistry while still providing flexibility in choice of courses in order to meet students’ needs and interests. This major is appropriate for students intending to pursue careers in medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, secondary education, industrial sales, or other fields that require or benefit from a chemistry background. This major is not intended for students planning on pursuing graduate work in chemistry or a professional career as an industrial chemist.

Learning Objectives

The Chemistry Major seeks to provide students with experiences that enable them to:

Achieve a solid foundation in major areas of chemistry (Organic, Analytical, Physical, Inorganic and Biochemistry), such that they understand and can apply the fundamental laws and theories of chemistry in the various sub-disciplines and understand the central role of chemistry in the sciences.
Understand the relationship between molecular properties and macroscopic behavior by providing them with the skill to use chemical and mathematical symbols and equations to represent the behavior of matter at the macroscopic, molecular and atomic levels.
Exercise critical discernment of the key features of chemical problems and apply knowledge and judgement to solve such problems, including the design and execution of experiments and computations involving the synthesis of molecules and characterization of chemical properties and phenomena via experimental and computational techniques using modern instrumentation and computer technologies.
Communicate effectively, including accessing and using major information sources of the discipline, conveying (orally and in writing) the results of scientific inquiry in a clear and professionally acceptable manner, and working cooperatively with others in team settings.
Prepare for professional attainment.

Major Requirements

These courses are required:

6 from:
CHEM 110 - General Chemistry I
CHEM 111 - General Chemistry II
CHEM 260 - Organic Chemistry I / CHEM 262 - Organic Chemistry I Laboratory
CHEM 261 - Organic Chemistry II / CHEM 263 - Organic Chemistry II Laboratory
CHEM 270 - Analytical Chemistry / CHEM 272 - Analytical Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 350 - Physical Chemistry: Quantum Mechanics or CHEM 351 - Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics and Kinetics / CHEM 352 - Physical Chemistry Laboratory or CHEM 351 - Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics and Kinetics
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2 MATH cognates from:
MATH 110 - Calculus I
MATH 111 - Calculus II
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2 PHYS cognates from:
PHYS 110 C - General Physics I
PHYS 111 C - General Physics for Physical Science Majors II
or 2 from:
PHYS 115 - Principles of Physics I
PHYS 116 - Principles of Physics II
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2 CHEM electives from:
CHEM 340 - Biochemistry I / CHEM 342 - Biochemistry I Laboratory
CHEM 341 - Biochemistry II
CHEM 460 - Instrumental Analysis / CHEM 462 - Instrumental Analysis Laboratory
CHEM 370 - Inorganic Chemistry /CHEM 372 - Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 490 - Independent Study
CHEM 491 - Directed Readings

Note(s):

Recommendations. Students electing to do the B.A. Chemistry Major are encouraged to increase their curricular development by taking additional science courses, particularly if they wish to pursue graduate work in chemistry. In selecting those courses students should consult with their academic advisors and the chemistry faculty.

When possible, chemistry majors are encouraged to complete courses such as CHEM 340 and CHEM 351 by the end of their junior years. This schedule will maximize the value of research experiences available both within and outside of the department.

Students interested in graduate study in chemistry should demonstrate their mastery of the discipline by taking the chemistry (subject) test of the Graduate Record Examination by December of the senior year.