Chemistry

UConn Chemistry Building

Course descriptions

Programs in the Department of Chemistry may lead to either the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degree. In addition, the American Chemical Society (ACS) certifies two more rigorous Bachelor of Science options.

The B.A. degree is appropriate for students who are interested in chemistry but do not wish to pursue a career as a laboratory scientist. The B.S. degrees prepare students to pursue graduate study in Chemistry or to find employment in technologically oriented industries.

Prospective majors with a good high school chemistry background should take CHEM 1137Q and 1138Q in their first year. Other prospective majors should take 1127Q1128Q or 1124Q1125Q1126Q or 1147Q1148Q (Honors).

Chemistry majors must complete the following mathematics and physics sequences:

Failure to complete these sequences by the end of the fourth semester may delay completion of the degree.

Requirements for the B.A. and B.S. degrees are as follows:

Bachelor of Science

At least 35 credits of Chemistry courses numbered 2000 and above must be successfully completed for the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry in addition to the College B.S. requirements.

Chemistry option

The requirements include CHEM 2443, 2444, 2445 (Organic), 3210, 3214, 3215 (Inorganic), 3332, 3334 (Analytical), and 3563, 3564, 3565W (Physical).

Chemistry option (ACS certified)

American Chemical Society certification requires an additional course in biochemistry (MCB 3010, or MCB 2000), and one advanced chemistry course chosen from CHEM 3189, 3442W, 3661, 4196W, 4370, 4371, 4551, or a CHEM 5000 level course.

Environmental Chemistry option (ACS certified)

The requirements include those listed above for the ACS certified B.S. degree in Chemistry with the exception of CHEM 3215. In addition, the sequence CHEM 43704371 is required.

Bachelor of Arts

At least 28 credits of Chemistry courses numbered 2000 or above must be successfully completed for the Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry in addition to the College Bachelor of Arts requirements. The requirements include those listed above for the B.S. degree Chemistry option with the exception of CHEM 3215 and 3334.

Other requirements

The grade point average in all of the required chemistry courses must be at least 2.300 for the ACS certified degree.

All B.S. students are strongly encouraged to participate in undergraduate research through one or more semesters of CHEM 3189, preferably with a capstone thesis (CHEM 4196W) in the final semester.

Information Literacy Competency

All students must take CHEM 3565W. Other courses that further enhance competency in information literacy
include CHEM 3170W, 3189, 3215, 3334, 3442W, and 4196W.

Writing in Major Requirement

All students must take CHEM 3565W. Other courses that will further help students develop writing skills in chemistry include 3170W, 3442W, and 4196W.

A minor in Chemistry is described in the Minors section.

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