Required Foundational Courses

For students beginning their chemistry studies in Fall 2023 or later

Most students will begin their study in the department in Chemistry 101 (Concepts of Chemistry), which may be taken in the fall or the spring semester. For students with little or no high school chemistry, we offer Chemistry 100 (Chemistry Matters) in the fall semester as preparation for Chemistry 101 in the spring semester. All students interested in taking Chemistry 100 or Chemistry 101 must complete a brief departmental survey to assist in determining the best first semester placement. After Chemistry 101, students will take Chemistry 200 (Advanced Concepts in Chemistry) and Chemistry 201 (Introduction to Organic Chemistry), in either order. After completing these courses, students can move into elective courses.

Completion of a Chemistry major requires nine semester chemistry courses beginning with Chemistry 101. Chemistry 100 can count as one of these courses. Alternatively, two approved courses from adjacent sciences (those with significant chemical and/or quantitative content) from Biology, Computer Science, Geosciences, Mathematics, Physics, or Statistics can count towards one of their required Chemistry credits. Only one course designated as pass/fail may be counted towards the major. Chemistry 242 (Intermediate Organic Chemistry) is required for the major, as is at least one course selected from Chemistry 361, 363, 364, 366, or 367. Starting at the 300 level, at least three of the courses taken must have a laboratory component. The specific courses selected, will depend on each student’s future plans and interests, and can be determined in consultation with the chair or major advisor.  In addition, the department has a number of “Independent Research Courses” which, while they do not count toward completion of the major, provide a unique opportunity to pursue an independent research project under the direction of a faculty member.

Required Foundational Courses
(for majors beginning Chemistry studies in 2023 or later)

• 101 Concepts of Chemistry
• 200 Advanced Chemical Concepts
• 201 Organic Chemistry: Introductory Level
• 242 Organic Chemistry: Intermediate Level (required for the major)

 

For students who began their Chemistry studies in Fall 2022 or earlier:

Foundational Courses

• First Year:
  Fall:  151, 153, or 155 Gateway Courses
  Spring: 156 Organic Chemistry: Introductory Level
• Second Year:
  Fall: 251 (or 255) Organic Chemistry: Intermediate Level
  Spring: 256 Advanced Chemical Concepts (or 300-level course if completed 155)

Once a student has made their way through the foundational curriculum (through the required 200-level courses) and is ready to begin taking upper-level (3xx) Chemistry courses, the major requirements are as follows:

Completion of a Chemistry major requires either nine semester chemistry courses or eight semester chemistry courses plus two approved courses from adjacent sciences (those with significant chemical and/or quantitative content) from Biology, Computer Science, Geosciences, Mathematics, Physics, or Statistics. Only one course designated as pass/fail may be counted towards the major.

For all majors, at least one must be selected from Chemistry 361, 363, 364, 366, or 367. Starting at the 300 level, at least three of the courses taken must have a laboratory component. The specific courses selected, will depend on each student’s future plans and interests, and can be determined in consultation with the chair or major advisor. In addition, the department has a number of “Independent Research Courses” which, while they do not count toward completion of the major, provide a unique opportunity to pursue an independent research project under the direction of a faculty member.