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B.S. Degree in Chemistry

Disclaimer: The most authoritative information about our Chemistry Undergraduate Programs is available in the Bulletin/Course Catalog issued the year the student started the program. This page does not include the UK Core Requirements. See the UK Core section of the Course Bulletin for the complete UK Core requirements.

College Requirements

  • Foreign Language (placement exam recommended) - 0 to 14 credits
  • Disciplinary Requirements: Social Science (3), Humanities (3)
  • Electives (6)

Premajor Requirements

  • Chemistry:  CHE 105, 107, 111, and 113
  • Mathematics:  MA 113 and 114

Major Requirements

  • Chemistry: CHE 226, 230, 231, 232, 410, 412, 441, 442, 522, 532, 533, 550 or 552

Other Course Work Required for the Major

  • Chemistry: Major Field Options (6 credits) - Choose 6 hours from the following: up to 6 hours of CHE 395, any CHE 500-level course except for those required (CHE 522/532/533/550 or 552); BCH 401G.  
  • Six credits of CHE 395 are recommended for students having a minimum 3.0 GPA in chemistry courses. Oral and written reports are required for CHE 395 students during their final semester of registration in CHE 395.
  • Mathematics: MA 213 and 322
  • Physics: PHY 231, 232, 241, 242

Graduation Composition & Communication Requirement

  • WRD 310 Writing in the Natural Sciences
  • Previously this requirement was fulfilled by CHE 372 and CHE 472

Certification Requirements

The B.S. degree is certified by the American Chemical Society.

In addition, a Minor in Chemistry is also available.

Model Curriculum for B.S. in Chemistry

Freshman Year

First Semester Hours
CHE 105 General College Chemistry I 3
CHE 111 General Chemistry Laboratory I 1
ENG 104 Composition I (IV) 4
MA 113 Calculus I 4
University Studies (VIII) 3
Second Semester Hours
CHE 107 General College Chemistry II 3
CHE 113 General Chemistry Laboratory II 2
MA 114 Calculus II 4
BIO 150 Principles (Major) 3
BIO 151 Prin. Lab (Major) 2

Sophomore Year

First Semester Hours
CHE 226 Analytical Chemistry 3
CHE 230 Organic Chemistry I 3
MA 213 Calculus III 4
PHY 231 General University Physics 4
PHY 241 General University Physics Laboratory 1
Second Semester Hours
CHE 232 Organic Chemistry II 3
CHE 231 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I 2
MA 322 Matrix Algebra 3
PHY 232 General University Physics 4
PHY 242 General University Physics Laboratory 1
Cross-Cultural, Social Science or Humanities (USP IX, A&S VII or VIII) 3

Junior Year

First Semester Hours
CHE 547 Physical Chemistry I 3
CHE 532 Spectrometric Identification of Organic Compounds 2
COM 199 Presentational Communication Skills (USP V) 2 1
Foreign Language I (USP II) 1 4
Social Science (USP VII) 3
Humanities or Social Science (USP X, A&S VIII or VII) 3
Second Semester Hours
CHE 441G Physical Chemistry Laboratory 2
CHE 442G Physical Chemistry II 3
CHE 533 Qualitative Organic Analysis Laboratory 2
Major Field Option 3 3
WRD 310 Writing in the Natural Sciences 2 1
Foreign Language II (USP II) 1 4

Senior Year

First Semester Hours
CHE 450 Practical Inorganic Chemistry 4
CHE 522 Instrumental Analysis 4
CHE 550 Biological Chemistry 3
Foreign Language III (A&S II) 1 3
Second Semester Hours
Major Field Option 3 3
Foreign Language IV (A&S II) 1 3
Free Elective (A&S X) 3
Free Elective (A&S X) 3
  • [1] Any foreign language sequence satisfying the College of Arts and Sciences requirement in foreign languages may be taken. German is recommended.
  • [2] COM 199 and one credit of WRD 310 satisfy the University Studies requirement for Oral Communication.
  • [3] Six credits of CHE 395 are recommended for students having a minimum 3.0 GPA in chemistry courses.