COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in chemistry requires students to complete all university, college, and departmental requirements, along with general education courses and an approved minor, to reach a minimum of 120 total credit hours. The major itself consists of 35 credit hours and provides a strong foundation in both core and applied areas of chemistry. Required courses include general chemistry, quantitative analysis, organic chemistry with laboratory components, physical chemistry with lab, and a full sequence in biochemistry including Biochemistry I, II, and a dedicated laboratory course. These subjects help students develop essential skills in chemical analysis, laboratory techniques, and understanding of molecular and biological processes, making the degree especially suitable for students interested in health professions or scientific careers.In addition to the major courses, students must complete 20 credit hours of ancillary courses, which support the chemistry curriculum with foundational knowledge in related sciences. These include introductory biology (with lab options), calculus, and physics (either algebra-based or calculus-based). While grades from these ancillary courses are not included in the major GPA, they are critical for building the scientific background required for advanced chemistry topics and professional school preparation.Overall, the major and ancillary coursework together total 55 credit hours. Students must also maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 in the major to graduate. Additionally, at least 12 credit hours of upper-level (300- and 400-level) chemistry courses must be completed in residence at the university. This program structure ensures that students gain both theoretical understanding and practical laboratory experience, preparing them for careers in science, research, or further study in health-related professional programs.