Program Overview

---

Chemistry, BS

The mission of the Department of Chemistry is to conduct world-class, groundbreaking research in the chemical sciences while offering the highest quality of education to undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral associates. The department's leadership in research includes the traditional areas of physical, analytical, inorganic, and organic chemistry, and has rapidly evolved to encompass environmental chemistry, chemical biology, biophysical chemistry, soft and hard materials chemistry, and nanotechnology.

Program Overview

The chemistry major is part of either the Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts degree awarded by the College of Letters & Science. The curriculum provides excellent preparation in chemistry, along with a wide breadth of liberal arts coursework. At the same time, the program provides significant opportunities for students to participate in scientific inquiry, within both laboratory courses and research laboratories.

Requirements for the Major

• Math & Physics:
  • Mathematics (1 course): 4 credits, MATH 222: Calculus and Analytic Geometry 2
  • Physics: 10 credits
    • First Introductory Course (1 course)
      • PHYSICS 207: General Physics
      • PHYSICS 201: General Physics
      • PHYSICS 247: A Modern Introduction to Physics
    • Second Introductory Course (1 course)
      • PHYSICS 208: General Physics
      • PHYSICS 202: General Physics
      • PHYSICS 248: A Modern Introduction to Physics
• Chemistry Core Courses:
  • General Chemistry (1 course): 5 credits
    • CHEM 104: General Chemistry II
    • CHEM 109: Advanced General Chemistry
    • CHEM 115: Chemical Principles I
  • Analytical Chemistry (1 course): 4-5 credits
    • CHEM 329: Fundamentals of Analytical Science
    • CHEM 116: Chemical Principles II
    • CHEM 327: Fundamentals of Analytical Science
  • Inorganic Chemistry (1 course): 4 credits, CHEM 311: Chemistry Across the Periodic Table
  • Organic Chemistry (3 courses): 8 credits
    • CHEM 343: Organic Chemistry I
    • CHEM 345: Organic Chemistry II
    • CHEM 344: Introductory Organic Chemistry Laboratory
  • Physical Chemistry: 8-9 credits
    • Part 1 (1 course)
      • CHEM 561: Physical Chemistry I
      • CHEM 665: Biophysical Chemistry
      • CBE 310: Chemical Process Thermodynamics
      • M S & E 330: Thermodynamics of Materials
    • Part 2 (1 course)
      • CHEM 562: Physical Chemistry II
    • Part 3 (2 courses)
      • CHEM 563: Physical Chemistry Laboratory I
      • CHEM 564: Physical Chemistry Laboratory II
• Advanced Chemistry and Laboratory:
  • Advanced Non-laboratory Coursework: 5 credits
    • CHEM 116: Chemical Principles II (1 credit counts towards requirements)
    • CHEM/M S & E 421: Polymeric Materials
    • CHEM/CBE 505: Aspects of Industrial Chemistry and Business Fundamentals
    • CHEM 509: Senior Seminar
    • CHEM 511: Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
    • CHEM 524: Chemical Instrumentation (2 credits count towards requirement)
    • CHEM 547: Advanced Organic Chemistry
    • CHEM 555: Study Abroad in Advanced Chemistry
    • CHEM 575: Advanced Topics in Chemistry
    • CHEM 605: Spectrochemical Measurements
    • CHEM 629: Atmospheric Chemical Mechanisms
    • CHEM 654: Materials Chemistry of Polymers
    • BIOCHEM 501: Introduction to Biochemistry
    • BIOCHEM 507: General Biochemistry I
    • BIOCHEM 508: General Biochemistry II
    • BIOCHEM/NUTR SCI 510: Nutritional Biochemistry and Metabolism
    • BIOCHEM 625: Mechanisms of Action of Vitamins and Minerals
    • CBE 440: Chemical Engineering Materials
    • CBE 540: Polymer Science and Technology
    • CBE 547: Introduction to Colloid and Interface Science
  • Additional Laboratory Work: 3 credits
    • CHEM 346: Intermediate Organic Chemistry Laboratory
    • CHEM 512: Advanced Synthesis and Laboratory Techniques
    • CHEM 524: Chemical Instrumentation (1 credit counts towards requirement)
    • CHEM 681 & CHEM 682: Senior Honors Thesis and Senior Honors Thesis
    • CHEM 691 & CHEM 692: Senior Thesis and Senior Thesis
    • CHEM 699: Directed Study
    • BIOCHEM 681 & BIOCHEM 682: Senior Honors Thesis and Senior Honors Thesis
    • BIOCHEM 691 & BIOCHEM 692: Senior Thesis and Senior Thesis
    • BIOCHEM 699: Special Problems
    • CBE 599: Special Problems

Residence and Quality of Work

• 2.000 GPA in all CHEM and major courses
• 2.000 GPA in at least 15 upper-level credits in the major in residence
• 15 credits in CHEM, taken on the UWMadison campus

Honors in the Major

To earn Honors in the Major in Chemistry, students must satisfy both the requirements for the major and the following additional requirements:

• Earn a 3.300 overall university GPA
• Earn a 3.300 GPA for all CHEM courses and all major courses
• Complete an additional 3 credits, for a total of 8 credits, of advanced non-laboratory work
• Complete a two-semester Senior Honors Thesis in CHEM 681 Senior Honors Thesis and CHEM 682 Senior Honors Thesis, for a total of 6 credits

Learning Outcomes

1. Identify, formulate and solve integrative problems using appropriate information and approaches.
2. Demonstrate an understanding of basic chemical transformations, including the ability to predict chemical reactivity and properties.
3. Recognize the relationship between structure, bonding and the properties of molecules and materials.
4. Model chemical systems and experimental data using relevant quantitative, mathematical and computational methods.
5. Design, conduct and analyze experiments safely and successfully.
6. Locate, evaluate and use information in the chemical literature.
7. Communicate chemical knowledge effectively through written reports, oral presentations and visual aids.
8. Work collaboratively with others, both chemists and those from other disciplines, to solve problems and create new knowledge.
9. Recognize how chemistry relates to contemporary issues in our society.
10. Understand professional and ethical responsibility.

Four-Year Plan

This Four-Year Plan is only one way a student may complete an L&S degree with this major. Many factors can affect student degree planning, including placement scores, credit for transferred courses, credits earned by examination, and individual scholarly interests.

Advising and Careers

The chemistry major prepares graduates for a wide variety of careers in the chemical and related industries, as well as environmental, pharmaceutical, and other health-related sciences. Combined with a master's program in secondary education, the major qualifies the student to teach chemistry in secondary schools. The major prepares students for graduate-level work in chemistry, chemical physics, biochemistry, biophysics, materials chemistry, and other related fields.

Wisconsin Experience

There are many research opportunities for undergraduates in the Department of Chemistry. When conducting research, students will have the opportunity to work alongside world-class faculty, staff, and graduate students to gain hands-on research experiences that will supplement their liberal arts education and prepare students for future careers.

Certification/Licensure

The UWMadison Department of Chemistry is approved by the American Chemical Society (ACS) to certify the degrees of graduating students who have completed the curriculum and professional training recommended by ACS for chemistry bachelor's degree graduates. Certification indicates that the student has completed rigorous course work that provides them with the skills needed for a successful career in science.

Resources and Scholarships

Through the generosity of alumni and other friends of the department, the Department of Chemistry is able to offer scholarships and summer research support. In 2024, the department awarded more than 40 scholarships totaling over $197,000. Any student who is a chemistry major or is conducting research with a chemistry faculty member is eligible to apply for the scholarships. Awards are based on both merit and financial need.