Bachelor of Science in Chemistry
Program Overview
Program Overview
The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry is a comprehensive program designed to provide students with a strong foundation in chemistry and its applications. The program is offered by the College of Science at Virginia Tech.
Program Curriculum
The program curriculum includes a range of courses that cover the principles of chemistry, including general chemistry, organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, and physical chemistry. The curriculum also includes courses in mathematics and physics, as well as electives in areas such as polymer chemistry and bioorganic chemistry.
Degree Core Requirements
The degree core requirements include:
- CHEM 1004: First Year Experience in Chemistry (1 credit)
- CHEM 1055: General Chemistry for Chemistry Majors (4 credits)
- CHEM 1056: General Chemistry for Chemistry Majors (4 credits)
- CHEM 1065: General Chemistry for Chemistry Majors Lab (1 credit)
- CHEM 1066: General Chemistry for Chemistry Majors Lab (1 credit)
- CHEM 2565: Principles of Organic Chemistry (3 credits)
- CHEM 2566: Principles of Organic Chemistry (3 credits)
- CHEM 2154: Analytical Chemistry for Chemistry Majors (4 credits)
- CHEM 2164: Analytical Chemistry for Chemistry Majors Lab (1 credit)
Additional Course Requirements
The additional course requirements include:
- CHEM 2555: Organic Synthesis and Techniques Lab (2 credits)
- CHEM 2556: Organic Synthesis and Techniques Lab (2 credits)
- CHEM 2564: Problem-Solving in Organic Chemistry (1 credit)
- CHEM 3004: Bridge to the Future (1 credit)
- CHEM 4014: Chemistry Writing (1 credit)
Major Requirements
The major requirements include:
- CHEM 2424: Descriptive Inorganic Chemistry (3 credits)
- CHEM 3615: Physical Chemistry (3 credits)
- CHEM 3616: Physical Chemistry (3 credits)
- CHEM 3625: Physical Chemistry Laboratory (1 credit)
- CHEM 3626: Physical Chemistry Laboratory (1 credit)
- CHEM 4114: Instrumental Analysis (3 credits)
- CHEM 4124: Instrumental Analysis Laboratory (1 credit)
- CHEM 4404: Physical Inorganic Chemistry (3 credits)
- CHEM 4414: Inorganic Chemistry Lab (2 credits)
- CHEM 4584: Bioorganic Chemistry (3 credits)
- MATH 2114: Introduction to Linear Algebra (3 credits)
- MATH 2204: Introduction to Multivariable Calculus (3 credits)
Electives
Students must select one of the following polymer electives:
- CHEM 4534: Organic Chemistry of Polymers (3 credits)
- CHEM 4634: Polymer and Surface Chemistry (3 credits)
- CHEM/SBIO 4424: Polysaccharide Chemistry (3 credits)
Students must also select one of the following quantitative electives:
- MATH 2214: Introduction to Differential Equations (3 credits)
- STAT 3006: Statistical Methods (3 credits)
- STAT 3616: Biological Statistics (3 credits)
- CS 1064: Introduction to Programming in Python (3 credits)
- CS 1114: Introduction to Software Design (3 credits)
Pathways to General Education
The pathways to general education include:
- Pathways Concept 1: Discourse (9 credits)
- Pathways Concept 2: Critical Thinking in the Humanities (6 credits)
- Pathways Concept 3: Reasoning in the Social Sciences (6 credits)
- Pathways Concept 4: Reasoning in the Natural Sciences (8 credits)
- Pathways Concept 5: Quantitative and Computational Thinking (8 credits)
- Pathways Concept 6: Critique and Practice in Design and the Arts (6 credits)
- Pathways Concept 7: Critical Analysis of Identity and Equity in the United States (3 credits)
Prerequisites
This checksheet has no hidden prerequisites, although some of the courses listed are prerequisites for other courses. Please see your advisor or consult the Undergraduate Course Catalog for more information. Please note that Chemistry majors are expected to be “calculus-ready” upon the start of their curriculum.
Graduation Requirements
Upon having attempted 72 credits, students must have completed the following courses:
- CHEM 1055: General Chemistry for Chemistry Majors (4 credits)
- CHEM 1056: General Chemistry for Chemistry Majors (4 credits)
- CHEM 1065: General Chemistry for Chemistry Majors Lab (1 credit)
- CHEM 1066: General Chemistry for Chemistry Majors Lab (1 credit)
- CHEM 1004: First Year Experience in Chemistry (1 credit)
- CHEM 2565: Principles of Organic Chemistry (3 credits)
- CHEM 2566: Principles of Organic Chemistry (3 credits)
- CHEM 2555: Organic Synthesis and Techniques Lab (2 credits)
- CHEM 2556: Organic Synthesis and Techniques Lab (2 credits)
- PHYS 2305: Foundations of Physics (4 credits)
- PHYS 2306: Foundations of Physics (4 credits)
- MATH 1225: Calculus of a Single Variable (4 credits)
- MATH 1226: Calculus of a Single Variable (4 credits)
Chemistry majors must maintain an in-major GPA of 2.0. If a chemistry major fails to meet this requirement for one academic term, the student will be placed on Policy 91 (Satisfactory Progress Towards Degree) probation. Failure to meet the standard for two consecutive semesters will result in a Policy 91 suspension.
Minimum Grade Requirements
- A Chemistry major who earned a grade lower than "C” in CHEM 1055 must either repeat this course and earn the minimum grade ("C" or better) or take CHEM 1035 and earn a “B” or better.
- A Chemistry major who earned a grade lower than "C” in CHEM 1056 must either repeat this course and earn the minimum grade ("C" or better) or take CHEM 1036 and earn a “B” or better.
- A Chemistry major who earned a grade lower than "C” in CHEM 2565 must either repeat this course and earn the minimum grade ("C" or better) or take CHEM 2535 and earn a “B” or better.
Acceptable Substitutions
All substitutions have been encoded as footnotes in the Program Requirements section.
Foreign Language Requirement
Students who did not successfully complete at least two years of a single foreign, classical, or sign language during high school must successfully complete six credit hours of a single foreign, classical, or sign language at the college level. Courses taken to meet this requirement do not count toward the hours required for graduates. Please consult the Undergraduate Catalog for details.