Chemistry Major - ACS Certified (BS)

Certification of a student's Chemistry degree from the American Chemical Society (ACS) is widely recognized throughout industry, government and education as a standard of excellence. Students with a strong academic record who will pursue graduate studies or enter a profession in the chemical sciences are advised to pursue the Chemistry Major (A.C.S. Certified). The course requirements for the Chemistry Major (A.C.S. Certified) are similar to the course requirements for the Chemistry Major (Professional Track) with a few additions. The Chemistry Major (General Track) is recommended for students who intend to teach in secondary schools or work in hospital laboratories, technical libraries or in chemistry-related professions such as chemical or instrument sales.

Students electing to major in Chemistry should contact the Department of Chemistry and be assigned a chemistry adviser to assist them in designing programs to meet their career needs. A grade of C or higher must be earned in each required course.

In addition to the core course requirements, students electing the Chemistry Major (A.C.S. Certified) must take a minimum of 12 additional credits (at least 3 courses, one of which must be CHEM 461 or CHEM 462) from the list of elective courses given below. These additional elective courses must include at least one laboratory course or one course containing a laboratory component.

CHEM 301 is suggested as a course to fulfill Category I.D. of the University's General Education (GenEd) requirements. Students may also wish to consider taking courses such as COSC 165 or 236, two semesters of a foreign language or courses in Business or Economics, depending on their interests and career goals.

Several of the advanced chemistry electives are offered periodically, subject to adequate enrollment. A long-term schedule for these courses may be obtained from the Department of Chemistry.