Major Requirements
General Chemistry
CHEM 2070 + CHEM 2071 and CHEM 2080 + CHEM 2081 or CHEM 2150*
*Enrollment in CHEM 2150 requires a 5 on the Chemistry Advanced Placement Exam, a 6 or 7 on the International Baccalaureate Chemistry Exam, or permission of instructor.
Organic Chemistry
CHEM 3570 and CHEM 3580 or CHEM 3590 and CHEM 3600
Either sequence can be taken for the honors curriculum.
Physical Chemistry
CHEM 3870 and CHEM 3880* or CHEM 3890 and CHEM 3900
Students interested in chemistry-related fields are advised to take CHEM 3870+3880 or CHEM 3890+3900. Students planning for graduate study and/or a career in chemistry are advised to take CHEM 3890+3900. CHEM 3890+3900 is required for the honors curriculum. Students taking CHEM 3890+3900 are required to complete one semester of Multivariable Calculus or Linear Algebra before enrolling in CHEM 3890 (see Honors in Chemistry).
*Students graduating before December 2027 are required to complete only CHEM 3870 to satisfy the physical chemistry requirement.
Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM 4100
Laboratories
A total of eight (8) laboratory credits is required for completion of the major.
Students satisfy the laboratory requirement by completing their core laboratories - CHEM 2510 (organic) and CHEM 2900 or CHEM 3030 (physical) - plus one or more approved laboratory electives. Students preparing for graduate study or a career in chemistry are advised to take CHEM 3030.
The honors curriculum requires completion of CHEM 3010 and CHEM 3020 and CHEM 3030. This laboratory sequence is recommended for students whose future goals involve graduate school or a career in chemistry.
Independent research credit does NOT count toward completion of the laboratory requirement.
Mathematics
MATH 1110 and MATH 1120 or 4 AP credits and MATH 1910
Students can use AP credit to substitute one or more courses listed above.
Physics
PHYS 2207 + PHYS 2208 or PHYS 1112 + PHYS 2213 or PHYS 1116 + PHYS 2217
Students may use AP credit to substitute one or more of the courses listed above.
PHYS 1101-1102 can NOT be used to complete the physics requirement.
Electives
There is no minimum number of elective credits for the chemistry major. However, students should take approved electives to diversify their academic experience, meet the requirements of the honors curriculum, and/or satisfy the total credits required for degree completion (see below). Click here for a list of approved electives.
A maximum of four (4) elective research credits (e.g. CHEM 4610) can be applied toward completion of the major.
Total Credits Required*
Students graduating before December 2027: 57 approved credits
Students graduating December 2027 and beyond: 60 approved credits
*Core Curriculum + Math and Physics + Electives = total credits required
Biological Focus
First Year
Fall Semester
- CHEM 2070 + CHEM 2071: General Chemistry I
- MATH 1110: Calculus I
Spring Semester
- CHEM 2080 + CHEM 2081: General Chemistry II
- MATH 1120: Calculus II
Sophomore Year
Fall Semester
- CHEM 3570: Organic Chemistry I
- CHEM 2510: Introduction to Organic Lab
- PHYS 2207: General Physics I
Spring Semester
- CHEM 3580: Organic Chemistry II
- CHEM 3010: Synthetic Chemistry Lab or 4 credit Elective Lab
- PHYS 2208: General Physics II
Junior Year
Fall Semester
- CHEM 3870: Principles of Physical Chemistry
- Elective/Research
Spring Semester
- CHEM 2900: Physical Chemistry Laboratory
- CHEM 3880: Basics of Biophysical Chemistry
- Elective/Research
Senior Year
Fall Semester
- Elective/Research
Spring Semester
- Chemistry 4100: Inorganic Chemistry
- Chemistry 4980**: Honors Seminar
- Elective/Research
Physical Focus
First Year
Fall Semester
- CHEM 2070 + CHEM 2071: General Chemistry I
- MATH 1110: Calculus I
Spring Semester
- CHEM 2080 + CHEM 2081: General Chemistry II
- MATH 1120: Calculus II
Sophomore Year
Fall Semester
- CHEM 3570: Organic Chemistry I
- CHEM 2510: Introduction to Organic Lab
- PHYS 1112: General Physics I
Spring Semester
- PHYS 2213: General Physics II
- CHEM 3580: Organic Chemistry II
- Multivariable Calculus or Linear Algebra elective
Junior Year
Fall Semester
- CHEM 3890: Quantum Mechanics
- CHEM 3020: Physical/Analytical Lab I
- Elective/Research
Spring Semester
- CHEM 3900: Thermodynamics, Statistical Mechanics
- CHEM 3030: Physical/Analytical Lab II
- CHEM 4100: Inorganic Chemistry or Elective/Research
Senior Year
Fall Semester
- Elective/Research
Spring Semester
- CHEM 4980**: Honors Seminar
- Elective/Research or CHEM 4100: Inorganic Chemistry
Honors in Chemistry
| Semester | Accelerated Sequence | Standard Sequence |
|---|---|---|
| First Year (Fall) | Chem 2150: Honors Gen Chem | Chem 2070: Gen Chem |
| First Year (Spring) | Chem 3590: Honors Org Chem Chem 2510: Org Chem Lab (or following Fall) | Chem 2080: Gen Chem
|
| Sophomore Year (Fall) | Chem 3600: Honors Org Chem | Chem 3570: Org Chem Chem 2510: Org Chem Lab |
| Sophomore Year (Spring) | Chem 4100: Inorganic Chem Chem 3010: Honors Org Chem Lab | Chem 3580: Org Chem Chem 3010: Honors Org Chem Lab |
| Junior Year (Fall) | Chem 3890*: Honors Phys Chem Chem 3020: Honors Analytical Lab | Chem 3890*: Honors Phys Chem Chem 3020: Honors Analytical Lab |
| Junior Year (Spring) | Chem 3900: Honors Phys Chem Chem 3030: Honors Phys Chem Lab | Chem 3900: Honors Phys Chem Chem 3030: Honors Phys Chem Lab Chem 4100: Inorganic Chem (or spring of senior year ) |
| Senior Year (Fall) | Elective/Research | Elective/Research |
| Senior Year (Spring) | CHEM 4980**: Honors Seminar | Chem 4100: Inorganic Chem (if needed) Chem 4980**: Honors Seminar |
- *The CHEM 3890 + 3900 honors physical chemistry sequence requires completion of a one-semester multivariable calculus prerequisite. Students can choose from MATH 1920, MATH 2130, MATH 2220, MATH 2210, MATH 2310, or MATH 2940.
- **Prior research is needed for enrollment in CHEM 4980 through May 2026. While CHEM 4980 is optional, it is still required to be recommended for high level Latin honors (magna or summa cum laude) in Chemistry until December 2026.