Bachelor of Science (B.S. Chem) - ACS Certified

Chemistry undergraduate student Kaitlin Luedecke working in a laboratory.

About this Degree

This program is designed for the student who intends to become a professional chemist. The curriculum for this degree consists of a selection of rigorous chemistry courses as well as supporting courses in related areas of physical science and mathematics. This curriculum meets the standards set for certification by the American Chemical Society.

The Chemistry Learning Center (CLC) is available as an educational resource for undergraduates and faculty. To fulfill this goal, the CLC provides students with a diverse assortment of resource to aid them in their studies. The simplest resource the Center can provide is a quiet place to study alone or as part of a small group. Teaching Assistants (TAs) hold their office hours in the CLC and help answer student questions about class work, lab assignments, or homework and mentor the small group discussions. Computer resources are also made available to students to help them in their studies. Computer tutorials and demonstrations are available that help students cover material in General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry at their own pace.  Professors have worked to develop special projects that expand the breadth and depth of topics that can be covered in class.

Expectations of Transfer Students

To transfer into chemistry without delay, students must already have credit in two semesters of freshman chemistry, two semesters of organic chemistry, one semester of quantitative analysis, two semesters of calculus, and two semesters of calculus-based physics. No transfer students will be accepted as candidates for this degree later than the beginning of their junior year. Students wishing to obtain this degree should enter the University no later than the beginning of their sophomore year. For further information, contact the head of the Department of Chemistry.

Special Requirements

An average GPA of 2.5 or higher is required in chemistry and in other academic subjects in both lower and upper division programs.

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What you will learn

All students who satisfactorily complete this curriculum are certified by the Department of Chemistry to the American Chemical Society as having completed the undergraduate training recommended by the A.C.S. The curriculum for this degree offers training in the field of chemistry and its allied sciences for students who desire to enter commercial or government laboratories or the teaching profession, to become associated with chemical industries in a technical position, or to pursue graduate work in chemistry in order to enter some field of research or college teaching.

  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Inorganic Chemistry
  • Organic Chemistry
  • Physical Chemistry
  • Biological Chemistry
  • Chemical Education
  • Computational/Theoretical Chemistry
  • Environmental/Atomospheric Chemistry
  • Materials Chemistry and Nanoscience
Employers:

Anesthesiologist
Environmental Protection
Analysis and Testing
Glass & Textiles Industry
Argolyn Bioscience
Astra
Zenca Pharmaceuticals
Hickson Corporation
Chemical Industry
Industrial Production Inspector
Machinery Industry
Cosmetics Industry
Packaging Industry
Defense Industry
Paint Industry
Drug Industry
Petroleum Industry
Pfizer Central Research
Electronics Industry
Engineering Firms
Pharmaceuticals
Occupational Safety Specialist
Production/Testing labs facilities
Research and Development
Rockland React-Rite
Sandia National Laboratory
Savannah Laboratories
Scientific journals
Springborn Testing & Research
Technical consulting firms
Thermo Electron Corp.
GlaxoSmithKline
Chemical Manufacturers

Possible Job Titles:

Environmental Chemist
Industrial Chemist
Environmental Specialist
Chemical Distributor
Glass Industry Manager
Chemical Engineer
Industrial Production Inspector
Children's Hospital Chemist
Medical Sales
Customer Training Specialist
Medical Chemical Specialist
Defense Industry Chemist
Nuclear Chemical Technician
Developmental Scientist
Paint Industry Scientist
Drug developer/tester
Pharmaceutical scientist
Quality Control Specialist
Petroleum Industry Scientist
Textiles Industry Chemist
R & D Manager/Consultant
Scientific writer/Editor
Nutritional Chemist
Testing labs Researcher