Chemistry, BS

(Certified by the American Chemical Society)

The BS degree provides thorough preparation for students who wish to pursue advanced degrees in the chemical sciences, go to professional school, or work as chemists in industry. All courses in the major core, major electives, and supporting courses must be taken in the traditional grading mode (A-F). Transcripts will be noted as approved by the American Chemical Society.

Please see the current approved curriculum on the SSU official catalog web page.

Program Learning Outcomes

Read and interpret chemical literature and communicate science effectively in both oral and written formats
Understand properties and reactivity of atoms and molecules.
Proficient at experimental design with documentation and generation of useful data. Including the proficiency of data manipulation, interpretation and the forming of conclusions based on data.
Use chemicals, standard glassware, and instrumentation safely and effectively.
Work towards ethical behavior and developing awareness of bias in experimental expectations and social interactions.

Additional Learning Outcomes for BS Chemistry

Apply a deep mathematical foundation for application to chemical problems.
Implement experiments for a novel research problem and demonstrate scientific independence.

Degree Requirements

See the “Degree Requirements ” in the University Catalog for complete details on general degree requirements.

General Education Requirements (43 units)

See the “General Education ” requirements in the University Catalog for information on General Education requirements. Some major requirements may double count for GE requirements.

Major Core Requirements

CHEM 115A - General Chemistry Unit(s): 5
CHEM 115B - General Chemistry Unit(s): 5
CHEM 255 - Quantitative Analysis Unit(s): 4
CHEM 310A - Fundamentals of Physical Chemistry Unit(s): 3
CHEM 310B - Fundamentals of Physical Chemistry Unit(s): 3
CHEM 315 - Introduction to Research Methods in Chemistry Unit(s): 2
CHEM 316 - Research Methods in Chemistry Unit(s): 2 OR
CHEM 494 - Undergraduate Research Unit(s): 1-6
CHEM 325 - Inorganic Chemistry Unit(s): 3
CHEM 335A - Organic Chemistry Unit(s): 3
CHEM 335B - Organic Chemistry Unit(s): 3
CHEM 336A - Organic Chemistry Lab I Unit(s): 2
CHEM 336B - Organic Chemistry Lab II Unit(s): 2
CHEM 401 - Senior Integrated Lab Unit(s): 3
CHEM 402 - Advanced Synthesis and Instrumental Analysis Unit(s): 3
CHEM 445 - Structural Biochemistry Unit(s): 3 OR
CHEM 446 - Metabolic Biochemistry Unit(s): 3
CHEM 475 - Instrumental Analysis Unit(s): 3
CHEM 497 - Research Seminar Unit(s): 2

Major Elective

Choose two courses from the following. Chem 496 may be repeated, and it is typical for Chemistry majors to take it twice to fulfill this requirement. You may also take Chem 445 or 446 if not used to fulfill your Biochemistry requirement above.

CHEM 496 - Selected Topics Unit(s): 1-4

Supporting Courses

MATH 161 - Differential and Integral Calculus I Unit(s): 4
MATH 211 - Differential and Integral Calculus II Unit(s): 4
MATH 261 - Multivariable Calculus Unit(s): 4
PHYS 114 - Introduction to Physics I Unit(s): 4
PHYS 116 - Introductory Laboratory Experience Unit(s): 1
PHYS 214 - Introduction to Physics II Unit(s): 4
PHYS 216 - Introductory Laboratory Unit(s): 1

Total Units Required: 120

Total Units in GE: 43

Total Units in Major Core: 52 (7 units count for GE)

Total Units in Support Courses: 22 (3 units count for GE)

Total Units in Major Electives: 8

Total Units in University Electives: 5

Total Units Required for Graduation: 120

Program Roadmaps

Chemistry, BS, Sample Four-Year Plan

Chemistry, BS, Sample Two-Year Plan