Overview

The BS/MS program is a five-year program emphasizing research in the senior year and in the Master’s year. Before they enter the program, students will be prepared for their research experience through existing laboratory courses and by mentored research with a Chemistry graduate faculty member. Whereas students may begin mentored research as early as their freshman year, it is expected that they should have at least one semester of research prior to the start of their senior year. Students will have access to capstone and interdisciplinary 500 level courses as seniors and to 600 level courses as Master's students.    

Curriculum

BS IN CHEMISTRY REQUIREMENTS (120-121 CREDITS)
Major Requirements
CHM 121Principles of Chemistry4
CHM 113Chemistry Laboratory I1
CHM 221Introduction to Structure and Dynamics4
CHM 205Chemical Dynamics Laboratory1
CHM 222Organic Reactions and Synthesis4
CHM 206Organic Reactions and Synthesis Laboratory2
CHM 214Quantitative Analytical Chemistry3
Choose One of the Following:8
Calculus I
and Calculus II
Calculus I
and Calculus II
Choose One of the Following:10-11
College Physics I
and College Physics II
and College Physics Laboratory I
and College Physics Laboratory II
University Physics I for the Sciences
and University Physics II for the Sciences
and College Physics Laboratory I
and College Physics Laboratory II
University Physics I
and University Physics II
and University Physics III
and University Physics II Lab
and University Physics III Lab
University Physics I
and Honors University Physics II-III
and University Physics II Lab
and University Physics III Lab
Advanced Courses
CHM 320Instrumental Methods in Chemistry and Biochemistry2
CHM 360Physical Chemistry I (Lecture)3
CHM 364Physical Chemistry (Laboratory I)1
CHM 365Physical Chemistry II (Lecture)3
CHM 441Inorganic Chemistry (Lecture)3
BMB 401Biochemistry for the Biomedical Sciences4
Electives12
The Chemistry of Food and Taste.
Environmental Chemistry
Any 500-level course
CHM 488Undergraduate Research5
General Education Requirements
Written Communication Skills:
WRS 105First-Year Writing I3
WRS 106First-Year Writing II3
or ENG 106 Writing About Literature and Culture
Quantitative Skills:
Calculus I (fulfilled through the major)
Calculus I
Areas of Knowledge:
Arts and Humanities Cognate9
People and Society Cognate9
STEM Cognate (9 credits) (fulfilled through the major)
Additional Required Courses
Language Courses3-9
Electives/Minor23-17
MS IN CHEMISTRY REQUIREMENTS (30 CREDITS)
Two 600-level courses6
CHM 779Chemistry Seminar1
CHM 780Chemistry Seminar2
CHM 810Master's Thesis21
Total Credit Hours150-151

Plan of Study

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredit Hours
CHM 121 Principles of Chemistry 4
CHM 113 Chemistry Laboratory I 1
MTH 161 Calculus I 4
WRS 105 First-Year Writing I 3
Arts and Humanities Cognate 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring
CHM 221 Introduction to Structure and Dynamics 4
CHM 205 Chemical Dynamics Laboratory 1
MTH 162 Calculus II 4
Arts and Humanities Cognate 3
WRS 106 or ENG 106 First-Year Writing II
or Writing About Literature and Culture
3
 Credit Hours15
Year Two
Fall
CHM 222 Organic Reactions and Synthesis 4
CHM 206 Organic Reactions and Synthesis Laboratory 2
PHY 201 University Physics I for the Sciences 4
PHY 106 College Physics Laboratory I 1
Language Course 3
Arts and Humanities Cognate 3
 Credit Hours17
Spring
CHM 214 Quantitative Analytical Chemistry 3
BMB 401 Biochemistry for the Biomedical Sciences 4
PHY 202 University Physics II for the Sciences 4
PHY 108 College Physics Laboratory II 1
Language Course 3
 Credit Hours15
Year Three
Fall
CHM 360 Physical Chemistry I (Lecture) 3
CHM 364 Physical Chemistry (Laboratory I) 1
CHM Elective 3
Language Course 3
People and Society Cognate  
Elective 4
 Credit Hours14
Spring
CHM 365 Physical Chemistry II (Lecture) 3
CHM Elective 3
People and Society Cognate 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours15
Year Four
Fall
CHM 441 Inorganic Chemistry (Lecture) 3
CHM Elective  
CHM 488 Undergraduate Research 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
People and Society Cognate 3
 Credit Hours15
Spring
CHM 320 Instrumental Methods in Chemistry and Biochemistry 2
CHM Elective 3
CHM 488 Undergraduate Research 2
Elective 3
Elective 4
 Credit Hours14
Summer
CHM 810 Master's Thesis 5
CHM 810 Master's Thesis 4
 Credit Hours9
Year Five
Fall
600-Level CHM Course 3
CHM 810 Master's Thesis 6
CHM 779 Chemistry Seminar 1
 Credit Hours10
Spring
600-Level CHM Course 3
CHM 810 Master's Thesis 6
CHM 779 Chemistry Seminar 1
CHM 780 Chemistry Seminar 1
 Credit Hours11
 Total Credit Hours150

 Student Learning Outcomes

  • Graduates will be able to demonstrate a broad understanding of fundamental chemical principles in all areas of the field.
  • Graduates will be adept in a broad variety of chemical instrumentation and analytical techniques.
  • Graduates will display effective and strong written communication skills pertaining to chemical research.