Department of Chemistry

B.S. Specialization in Environmental Chemistry

The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (B.S.) with Specialization in Environmental Chemistry is a professional degree that can be certified by the American Chemical Society (if specific requirements are satisfied) and is designed for students who plan to become chemists, either by going to graduate school or by working in the chemical industry.

The B.S. in Chemistry is characterized by “400-track” courses in general chemistry (CHEM 1410, 1420), organic chemistry (CHEM 2410, 2420), and physical chemistry (CHEM 3410, 3420), along with their associated laboratories. An “800-track” chemistry course is an acceptable substitute for a corresponding “400-track” course and is recommended for students with a particularly strong background in chemistry, usually with advanced placement in chemistry.

This table shows the suggested sequence of required courses.  Candidates not following the normal course sequence should consult an adviser as early and as often as possible.  Approved electives are chosen by the candidate in conference with an adviser; they must include courses that meet other College requirements (Foreign Language, Academic Writing, Humanities, etc.)

First Year – Credits: 24-34

  • General Area Requirements or electives – Credits: 5-20
  • CHEM 1410, 1411, 1420, 1421 – Introductory College Chemistry I and II and Laboratories – Credits: 8
    or
    CHEM 1810, 1811, 1820, 1821 – Principles of Chemical Structure and Lab and Principles of Organic Chemistry and Lab – Credits: 11
  • MATH 1210, 1220 – Survey of Calculus I and II – Credits: 6
    (MATH 1190 may be taken in place of MATH 1210)
    or
    MATH 1310, 1320 – Calculus I and II – Credits: 8

Second Year – Credits: 24-34

  • General Area Requirements or electives – Credits: 0-9
  • CHEM 2410, 2411, 2420, 2421 – Organic Chemistry I and II and Laboratories – Credits: 12
    or
    CHEM 2810, 2811, 2820 – Principles of Organic and Bioorganic Chemistry and Lab and Principles of Thermodynamics and Kinetics – Credits: 9
  • Two of the following courses and laboratories: [Two of these (lecture & lab or two labs) can be moved to third year to lighten the course load]
  • EVSC 2800/2801 – Fundamentals of Geology and Laboratory – Credits: 4
    EVSC 3200/3201 – Fundamentals of Ecology and Laboratory – Credits: 4
    EVSC 3300/3301 – Atmosphere and Weather and Laboratory- Credits: 4
    EVSC 3600/3601 – Physical Hydrology and Laboratory – Credits: 4
  • PHYS 1425, 2415, 1429, 2419 – Introductory Physics 1 and 2 for Engineers and Workshops – Credits: 8
    (PHYS 2030, 2040 or 2630, 2640 may be taken as the workshops/laboratories)
    or
    PHYS 2010, 2020, 2030, 2040 – Principles of Physics 1 and 2 for Pre-Health Students and Workshops – Credits: 8
  • ***Note that the 1425 sequence is calculus based; The 2010 sequence is algebra based. We, along with grad/med schools, accept both. It's whatever you are most comfortable with.

Third Year – Credits: 24-34

  • General Area Requirements or electives – Credits: 12-22
  • CHEM 3721 – Analytical Chemistry Laboratory – Credits: 3
    (CHEM 3121 - Advanced Synthesis Lab can be used as an alternative)
    or
    CHEM 3951, 3961, 4951, or 4961 – Undergraduate Research – Credits: 3
    (Please note that research used in place of CHEM 3721 cannot be used to satisfy the ACS research requirement below.)
  • CHEM 3410, 3420 – Physical Chemistry-Quantum Theory and Physical Chemistry-Thermodynamics  – Credits: 6
  • CHEM 3811 – Physical Chemistry I Laboratory – Credits: 3*
  • CHEM 4090 – Analytical Chemistry – Credits: 3 

Fourth Year – Credits: 9-34

  • General Area Requirements or electives – Credits: 0-25
  • CHEM 3951, 3961, 4951, and/or 4961 – Undergraduate Research – Credits: 6*
    (Please note that research used in place of CHEM 3721 cannot be used to satisfy this research requirement.)
  • CHEM 4320 – Inorganic Chemistry – Credits: 3
  • CHEM 4410 or 4440 – Biological Chemistry I or Biochemistry for Pre-Health – Credits: 3*
  • Two approved upper-level CHEM or EVSC electives – Credits: 6
    Two additional courses at 4000-level CHEM or above, or approved upper-level EVSC courses (3000 to 5000 level).  Examples include EVSC 3860, 4270, 4933, or additional EVSC core courses.  Students cannot double count courses. To see a comprehensive list of courses being offered, click here. Please check with Cindy Knight or your academic advisement report to see which of these we accept for satisfying the elective requirement. 

*Required for ACS Certified degree only.  If you wish to pursue ACS Certification, please fill out this form and return it to Cindy Knight in CHM 413.  For more information on ACS Certification and its significance, click here.

Click here for information on Reduced Course Load and Part-Time Enrollment.