Program Overview

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Chemistry Major, B.S.

The Chemistry Major, B.S. degree enables students to choose to concentrate in one or more areas of chemistry through the courses selected to fulfill the chemistry elective requirements and through undergraduate research.

Overview

Chemistry is the scientific study of the composition and properties of matter and the investigation of the laws that govern them. All chemists have a common core of knowledge, learned through a highly structured sequence of undergraduate courses in which the content is divided into the classical subdisciplines.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the chemistry B.S. program, students are expected to be able to:

• Demonstrate a solid understanding of basic chemical principles (knowledge base in chemistry)
• Demonstrate the ability to solve chemical problems (analytical skills)
• Demonstrate the use of critical and creative thinking skills in conducting research with mentoring from a faculty member (critical thinking skills in chemistry)

Requirements

In addition to the program requirements, students must:

• earn a minimum final cumulative GPA of 2.000
• complete a minimum of 45 academic credit hours earned from UNC–Chapel Hill courses
• take at least half of their major core requirements (courses and credit hours) at UNC–Chapel Hill
• earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.000 in the major core requirements. Some programs may require higher standards for major or specific courses.

Course List

Course List Code	Title	Hours
Gateway Course
CHEM 101 & 101L	General Descriptive Chemistry I and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory I H, F	4
Core Requirements
CHEM 102	General Descriptive Chemistry II H, F	3
or CHEM 102H	General Descriptive Chemistry II
CHEM 102L	Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory II	1
CHEM 241	Modern Analytical Methods for Separation and Characterization H	3
CHEM 241L	Laboratory in Separations and Analytical Characterization of Organic and Biological Compounds	1
or CHEM 245L	Honors Laboratory in Separations and Analytical Characterization of Organic and Biological Compound
CHEM 251	Introduction to Inorganic Chemistry	3
CHEM 433	Introduction to Biochemistry for Majors	3
CHEM 481	Physical Chemistry I	3
CHEM 481L	Physical Chemistry Laboratory I	2
or CHEM 482L	Physical Chemistry Laboratory II
CHEM 482	Physical Chemistry II	3
CHEM 261	Introduction to Organic Chemistry I H	3
CHEM 262	Introduction to Organic Chemistry II H	3
CHEM 262L	Laboratory in Organic Chemistry	1
Fifteen hours of advanced chemistry elective courses (one laboratory course is required) from the following list:	15
CHEM 395	Research in Chemistry for Undergraduates (may count as a laboratory course) H
Any course numbered CHEM 420 or higher (excluding CHEM 692H)
One capstone laboratory course is required from the following list	2
CHEM 520L	Polymer Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 530L	Laboratory Techniques for Biochemistry
CHEM 541L	Advanced Instrumentation and Analytical Measurement Laboratory
CHEM 550L	Synthetic Chemistry Laboratory I
CHEM 551L	Honors Synthetic Chemistry Lab
Additional Requirements
BIOL 101	Principles of Biology H, F	3
MATH 232	Calculus of Functions of One Variable II 1, H, F	4
MATH 233	Calculus of Functions of Several Variables 1, H, F	4
MATH 383	First Course in Differential Equations 1, H	3
PHYS 118	Introductory Calculus-based Mechanics and Relativity H, F	4
PHYS 119	Introductory Calculus-based Electromagnetism and Quanta H, F	4
Total Hours	72

Sample Plan of Study

Sample plans can be used as a guide to identify the courses required to complete the major and other requirements needed for degree completion within the expected eight semesters. The actual degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). Students should meet with their academic advisor to create a degree plan that is specific and unique to their interests.

First and Sophomore Years

Course List Code	Title	Hours
First-Year Foundation Courses
ENGL 105	English Composition and Rhetoric	3
First-Year Seminar or First-Year Launch F	3
IDST 101	College Thriving	1
IDST 111L	Data Literacy Lab	1
Global Language through level 3	varies
Major Courses
MATH 231	Calculus of Functions of One Variable I H, F	4
BIOL 101	Principles of Biology H, F	3
CHEM 101 & 101L	General Descriptive Chemistry I and Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory I H, F	4
CHEM 102	General Descriptive Chemistry II H, F	3
or CHEM 102H	General Descriptive Chemistry II
CHEM 102L	Quantitative Chemistry Laboratory II	1
CHEM 241	Modern Analytical Methods for Separation and Characterization H	3
CHEM 241L	Laboratory in Separations and Analytical Characterization of Organic and Biological Compounds	1
or CHEM 245L	Honors Laboratory in Separations and Analytical Characterization of Organic and Biological Compound
CHEM 251	Introduction to Inorganic Chemistry	3
CHEM 261	Introduction to Organic Chemistry I H	3
CHEM 262	Introduction to Organic Chemistry II H	3
or CHEM 262H	Introduction to Organic Chemistry II
CHEM 262L	Laboratory in Organic Chemistry	1
MATH 232	Calculus of Functions of One Variable II 1, H, F	4
MATH 233	Calculus of Functions of Several Variables 1, H, F	4
MATH 383	First Course in Differential Equations 1, H	3
PHYS 118	Introductory Calculus-based Mechanics and Relativity H, F	4
PHYS 119	Introductory Calculus-based Electromagnetism and Quanta H, F	4
Additional Gen Ed and electives	6
Junior and Senior Years
Note: CHEM 481 and ALL Math, Phys and Chem courses numbered < 400 must be completed prior to semester 7 to avoid scheduling conflicts preventing 8 semester graduation.
CHEM 433	Introduction to Biochemistry for Majors	3
CHEM 481	Physical Chemistry I	3
CHEM 481L	Physical Chemistry Laboratory I	2
or CHEM 482L	Physical Chemistry Laboratory II
CHEM 482	Physical Chemistry II	3
Advanced chemistry electives (15 hours, one laboratory course required) 2	15
Capstone Laboratory Course chosen from: CHEM 520L, 530L, 541L, 550L, 551L	2
Remaining Gen Eds and electives	30
Total Hours	120

Special Opportunities in Chemistry

Honors in Chemistry

Upon the recommendation of the Department of Chemistry, the B.A. or B.S. degree with a major in chemistry may be awarded with honors in chemistry or highest honors in chemistry.

To attain the honors or highest distinction, the candidate must satisfy the following guidelines:

• Achieve an overall grade point average of 3.30 or higher.
• Achieve a chemistry major grade point average of 3.40 or higher.
• Prior to the final semester during which the honors thesis is completed, conduct two semesters or one semester plus one summer of research in the laboratory in which the thesis work will be completed.

Departmental Involvement

Majors are encouraged to participate in Alpha Chi Sigma (chemistry fraternity) and the undergraduate advisory board.

Laboratory Teaching Internships and Assistantships

Undergraduates have the opportunity to serve as laboratory teaching assistants for entry-level undergraduate laboratory courses.

Special Topics

Special topics not offered through the normal course sequence may be pursued through directed reading and registration in CHEM 396 with the approval of the supervising faculty member, advisor, and vice chair for undergraduate studies. An approved learning contract is required, and students must be registered no later than the end of the second week of classes (fall and spring semesters).

Undergraduate Awards

Excellent performances by undergraduates in chemistry are recognized by the department through the following awards:

• Francis P. Venable Medal: A medallion and cash award are presented to the two most outstanding graduating seniors majoring in chemistry in honor of Dr. Francis P. Venable, who was chair of the department, president of the University from 1900 to 1914, and president of the American Chemical Society.
• Emmett Gladstone Rand Premedical Scholarship: This scholarship is presented to exceptionally talented graduating seniors intending to pursue a career in medicine.
• David L. Stern Scholar: Top students from upper-division laboratory courses are chosen for this cash award.
• Jason D. Altom Memorial Award for Undergraduate Research: This award recognizes research potential of an undergraduate chemistry major.
• James H. Maguire Memorial Award: This award recognizes an outstanding and academically gifted junior student majoring in chemistry.
• Tanya R. Ellison Scholarship: A junior female B.S. chemistry major is selected for this cash award on the basis of character and academic commitment.
• Carrie Ann Largent Scholarship: This merit-based scholarship is awarded annually to senior chemistry majors.
• The Bunki Bankaitis-Davis Memorial Scholarship: This need-based scholarship is awarded annually to chemistry majors.
• Alpha Chi Sigma Sophomore Chemist Award: A cash award is given annually to the top sophomore chemistry student from the previous academic year, as determined by a search committee including members of Alpha Chi Sigma.
• J. Thurman Freeze Scholarship: This scholarship serves to fund summer research between a student’s junior and senior years.
• E.C. Markham Summer Research Fund: The department chair selects the recipient of this award, who will use the salary to perform research between the junior and senior years.
• Chapel Family Student Excellence Fund: This award supports undergraduate chemistry majors through research and travel support.
• Matthew Neely Jackson Undergraduate Research Award: This award provides support for undergraduate chemistry majors to conduct faculty-mentored summer research.
• Tommie and Billie Hinton Undergraduate Research Fellowship: This award provides support for undergraduate chemistry majors to conduct faculty-mentored summer research to support the development of gender equality, diversity, and inclusiveness within the chemistry department.
• Alan Rauch and Merrill King Undergraduate Student Research Fund: This award supports undergraduate student research in the Department of Chemistry.
• The Todd and Sherri Elder Undergraduate Research Fund in Chemistry: This award provides support for undergraduate chemistry majors to conduct faculty-mentored summer research to support the development of gender equality, diversity, and inclusiveness within the chemistry department.
• Mia Pizzagalli and Ken Shelton Undergraduate Research Fund: This award provides support for undergraduate research.
• Anne Cooper Schout Chemistry Excellence Fund: This award provides support for undergraduate research. Preference will be given to students with financial needs, with eligibility determined by the Office of Scholarships and Student Aid.
• Maurice Bursey Undergraduate Research Award: This award provides support for undergraduate research.

Undergraduate Research

Undergraduates find research to be an exciting and rewarding experience. Undergraduate research can help them acquire a spirit of inquiry, initiative, independence, sound judgment, patience, persistence, alertness, and the ability to use the chemical literature. Undergraduate research also affords an opportunity to make pioneering discoveries at the forefront of science, using instrumentation and techniques far more sophisticated than those usually encountered in standard laboratory courses.

More than 80 students are involved in undergraduate research projects in chemistry each year. Although successful completion of an undergraduate research project is a requirement for graduation with honors or highest honors (see above), it is not necessary to be a participant in Honors Carolina to undertake a research project.

The usual mechanism for becoming involved in a research project involves making direct contact with faculty researchers to inquire about research opportunities. The Chemistry Student Services Office also maintains a list of undergraduate research opportunities. This process begins well in advance of a preregistration or registration period. Once a research opportunity is identified, a student will register for CHEM 395.

CHEM 395 and CHEM 396 together may be taken for credit as many times as desired but may be counted for no more than nine hours total credit toward graduation in either the B.A. or B.S. traditional and polymer tracks and for no more than six hours in the B.S. biochemistry track. Only one of CHEM 395 or CHEM 396 may be counted as an advanced chemistry elective. In the B.S. curriculum CHEM 395 and CHEM 396 together may be counted no more than once as an advanced chemistry elective. CHEM 396 may only be counted as an advanced chemistry elective with departmental permission.

UNC–BEST

The UNC Baccalaureate Education in Science and Teaching (UNC–BEST) Program is a collaboration between the School of Education and the College of Arts and Sciences and is designed to allow undergraduate science majors interested in teaching high school science the opportunity to earn their science degree and obtain licensure as a North Carolina high school science teacher in four years. UNC–BEST students also fulfill teaching licensure coursework requirements as well as many General Education and elective requirements as they complete courses in teaching and learning.

Course List Code	Title	Hours
Pedagogy Course
EDUC 760	Methods and Materials for Teaching Secondary/K-12 Subjects I	3
Educational Foundations
EDUC 532	Human Development and Learning	3
EDUC 615	Schools and Community Collaboration	3
EDUC 689	Foundations of Special Education	3
Student Teaching
EDUC 593	Internship/Student Teaching (final semester)	12
Seminar
EDUC 601	Education Workshops (must be completed during student teaching semester)	1
Total Hours	25

Department Programs

Majors

• Chemistry Major, B.A.
• Chemistry Major, B.S.
• Chemistry Major, B.S.–Biochemistry Track
• Chemistry Major, B.S.–Polymer Track

Minor

• Chemistry Minor

Graduate Programs

• M.A. in Chemistry
• M.S. in Chemistry
• Ph.D. in Chemistry

Courses

• Chemistry (CHEM)

Department of Chemistry

Visit Program Website

Morehead, Caudill, Venable, Murray, Genome Sciences and Kenan Laboratories, CB# 3290

Chair

James Cahoon

Director of Undergraduate Studies

Yosuke Kanai

Chemistry Student Services Coordinator

Jill Fallin

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