Major Requirements
The Chemistry Department offers both an A-track major and a B-track major. The A-track major has a stronger physics and math component while the B-track major has a stronger biological and biochemical component. Both tracks of the major typically begin with a year of general chemistry followed by a year of organic chemistry prior to taking more advanced courses. Below are two general curricular plans that detail a sequence of courses leading to the completion of the A-track and B-track chemistry majors as well as a summary of the requirements for the A- and B-track majors. All courses other than seminars that are required for the chemistry major must be taken under a letter-grading mode (A–F). Additional details and information about specific courses can be found in the Registrar Information tab.
General Curricular plan for an A-Track Chemistry Major
Year | Fall | Spring |
First |
General Chemistry I (CHEM141), or Introductory Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM152) Calculus, Part I (MATH121) |
General Chemistry II (CHEM142), or (CHEM152 if not taken in the fall) Calculus, Part II (MATH122) |
Sophomore |
Principles of Organic Chemistry I (CHEM251) Intermediate Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM257) General Physics I (PHYS113) |
Principles of Organic Chemistry II (CHEM252) Organic Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM258) General Physics II (PHYS116) |
Junior |
Physical Chemistry I (CHEM337) Integrated Chemistry Laboratory I (CHEM375) 300-level Electives Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (CHEM361) Chemistry Symposium I (CHEM521) |
Physical Chemistry II (CHEM338) Integrated Chemistry Laboratory II (CHEM376) 300-level Electives Chemistry Symposium II (CHEM522) |
Frequently taught 300-level elective courses (not all taught every year):
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General Curricular plan for a B-Track Chemistry Major
Year |
Fall |
Spring |
First |
General Chemistry I (CHEM141), or Introductory Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM152) Principles of Biology I (BIOL181) |
General Chemistry II (CHEM142), or (CHEM152 if not taken in the fall) |
Sophomore |
Principles of Organic Chemistry I (CHEM251) Intermediate Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM257) Calculus I, Part I (MATH121) General Physics I (PHYS113) |
Principles of Organic Chemistry II (CHEM252) Organic Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM258) Calculus, Part II (MATH122)
General Physics II (PHYS116) |
Junior & Senior |
Biochemistry (CHEM383) Integrated Chemistry Laboratory I (CHEM375), or 300-level Electives Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (CHEM361) Chemistry Symposium I (CHEM521) |
Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences (CHEM381) Integrated Chemistry Laboratory II (CHEM376) 300-level Electives Chemistry Symposium II (CHEM522) |
Frequently taught 300-level elective courses (not all taught every year):
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Bulleted Summary of Chemistry Major Requirements
Chemistry Major, A-Track
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Chemistry Major, B-Track
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*Students who do not take CHEM144 must choose Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (CHEM361) as one of their 300-level elective courses. Any Chemistry Majors who start with a 100-level Chemistry course must take CHEM 152 Lab.
**Structural Biology Lab (CHEM395) can be substituted for one semester of Integrated Chemistry Laboratory.
***One of the three 300-level electives can be satisfied by two credits of research (CHEM409/410 or 423/424).