Program Overview

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Chemistry, BS

for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (Specialized Curriculum)

Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (Specialized Curriculum) is designed to provide students with a thorough knowledge of the basic principles of chemistry, including atomic and molecular structure, chemical dynamics, and the chemical and physical properties of substances.

Degree Requirements

• Graduation requires grade point averages of at least 2.0 overall and 2.0 in chemistry, mathematics, and physics courses.
• Students in the Specialized Curriculum in Chemistry must include a course in Biochemistry in the Advanced Chemistry area or the Technical Electives area to be certified by the American Chemical Society as having met its specifications.

Departmental Distinction

• Students qualify for graduation with distinction by exhibiting superior performance in both course work and in senior thesis research.
• To be eligible, a student must have a Illinois coursework major grade point average of 3.25, must take CHEM 499 (normally for two semesters) and submit a senior thesis for evaluation, and must have their undergraduate research advisor submit to the department Head a letter of support attesting to the effort invested by the student.
• The minimum major GPAs for Distinction, High Distinction, and Highest Distinction are 3.25, 3.5, and 3.75, respectively.

Graduation Requirements

• Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours.

University Requirements

• Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300- or 400-level.
• These hours can be drawn from all elements of the degree.
• Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement.

General Education Requirements

• Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements.
• Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.

Course List

Course List Code	Title	Hours
Composition I		4-6
Advanced Composition		3
Humanities & the Arts (6 hours)		6
Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours)		6
	fulfilled by CHEM 202 & CHEM 204 or CHEM 102 & CHEM 104; PHYS 211, PHYS 212
Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours)		6
Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course)		3
Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course)		3
Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course)		3
Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I)		6-10
	fulfilled by MATH 220 or MATH 221, MATH 231, MATH 241, MATH 285; PHYS 211, PHYS 212
Language Requirement (Completion of the third semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required)		0-15

Major Core Requirements and Electives

• Core Chemistry: 37 hours
  • CHEM 150: First Semester Success in Chemistry
  • CHEM 202: Accelerated Chemistry I
  • CHEM 203: Accelerated Chemistry Lab I
  • CHEM 204: Accelerated Chemistry II
  • CHEM 205: Accelerated Chemistry Lab II
  • CHEM 236: Fundamental Organic Chem I
  • CHEM 237: Structure and Synthesis
  • CHEM 312: Inorganic Chemistry
  • CHEM 315: Instrumental Chem Systems Lab
  • CHEM 420: Instrumental Characterization
  • CHEM 436: Fundamental Organic Chem II
  • CHEM 442: Physical Chemistry I
  • CHEM 444: Physical Chemistry II
  • CHEM 445: Physical Principles Lab I
• Advanced Chemistry: 11 hours
  • CHEM or BIOC courses numbered 300 or higher, which must include three laboratory courses from the following:
    • CHEM 317: Inorganic Chemistry Lab
    • CHEM 437: Organic Chemistry Lab
    • CHEM 447: Physical Principles Lab II
    • CHEM 483: Solid State Structural Anlys
    • BIOC 455: Technqs Biochem & Biotech
• Mathematics: 16-19 hours
  • MATH 220: Calculus
  • MATH 225: Introductory Matrix Theory
  • MATH 231: Calculus II
  • MATH 241: Calculus III
  • MATH 285: Intro Differential Equations
• Physics: 10 hours
  • PHYS 211: University Physics: Mechanics
  • PHYS 212: University Physics: Elec & Mag
  • PHYS 214: Univ Physics: Quantum Physics
• Technical Electives: 7-9 hours
  • CHEM (300 or higher), BIOC, CHBE (200 or higher)
  • Courses in life sciences (all courses at 200 or higher)
  • Mathematics or computer science above the basic level
  • Other courses in the physical and biological sciences and engineering

Sample Sequence

This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals.

First Year

• First Semester:
  • Free elective course: 1 hour
  • CHEM 150: 1 hour
  • CHEM 202: 3 hours
  • CHEM 203: 2 hours
  • MATH 220 or 221: 4 hours
  • Language Other than English (3rd level) or Composition I course: 4 hours
• Second Semester:
  • CHEM 204: 3 hours
  • CHEM 205: 2 hours
  • MATH 231: 3 hours
  • PHYS 211: 4 hours
  • Composition I course Language Other than English (3rd level): 4 hours

Second Year

• First Semester:
  • CHEM 236: 4 hours
  • CHEM 237: 2 hours
  • PHYS 212: 4 hours
  • MATH 241: 4 hours
  • General Education course: 3 hours
• Second Semester:
  • CHEM 436: 3 hours
  • Technical Electives: 3 hours
  • PHYS 214: 2 hours
  • MATH 225 or 415: 3 hours
  • MATH 285: 3 hours
  • General Education course: 3 hours

Third Year

• First Semester:
  • CHEM 442: 4 hours
  • CHEM 420: 2 hours
  • CHEM 315: 2 hours
  • General Education course: 3 hours
  • General Education course: 3 hours
• Second Semester:
  • CHEM 444: 4 hours
  • CHEM 445: 2 hours
  • CHEM 312: 3 hours
  • General Education course: 3 hours
  • General Education course: 3 hours

Fourth Year

• First Semester:
  • Advanced Chemistry course: 3 hours
  • Advanced Chemistry lab: 3 hours
  • Technical Electives: 3 hours
  • General Education course: 3 hours
  • Free elective course: 2 hours
• Second Semester:
  • Advanced Chemistry course: 3 hours
  • Additional Advanced Chemistry course: 2 hours
  • Technical Electives: 2 hours
  • General Education course: 3 hours
  • Free elective course: 2 hours

Total Hours: 120

Learning Outcomes

Students graduating with the BS in Chemistry will have:

1. A thorough knowledge of the basic principles of chemistry, including atomic and molecular structure, chemical dynamics, and the chemical and physical properties of substances.
2. An exposure to the subfields of chemistry, such as analytical, organic, physical, materials, inorganic, as well as chemical biology.
3. The ability to read, evaluate, interpret, and present (via oral and written communication) numerical, chemical, and general scientific data, information, and literature.
4. The ability to carry out experiments, use appropriate experimental apparatus effectively, and demonstrate proper laboratory safety skills.

Undergraduate Degree Programs in Chemistry

For the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Sciences

• Major in Computer Science & Chemistry, BSLAS
• Major in Chemistry (Sciences and Letters)
• Major in Chemistry (Sciences and Letters), Chemistry Teaching Concentration

For the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Chemistry

• Major in Chemistry (Specialized Curriculum)
• Major in Chemistry (Specialized Curriculum), Environmental Chemistry Concentration