Program Overview

BA in Chemistry Program Overview

The Chemistry major at Boston University emphasizes research skill development, building on a core of courses that cover the principal areas of chemistry, including analytical, organic, physical, inorganic, and biochemistry. Advanced courses delve into emerging areas such as materials, computational, and biological chemistry, with training on research instrumentation in project-oriented laboratory courses. This enables students to explore areas of chemistry that interest them most. Chemistry majors are well-prepared for graduate education, careers in chemical research, teaching, the chemical industry, regulatory agencies, and as a premedical track for professional training in medicine and related health fields.

Learning Outcomes

Students in the BA in Chemistry program will:

• Demonstrate mastery of foundational material in general chemistry to advance further into traditional chemistry sub-disciplines.
• Learn to use and apply appropriate concepts and quantitative methods in all sub-disciplines of chemistry, both intellectually and experimentally.
• Integrate and apply relevant knowledge to evaluate existing scientific studies and design studies to test hypotheses in the chemical and life sciences.
• Use computers in data acquisition and processing, and utilize software as a tool in data analyses.
• Employ modern literature search tools to locate and retrieve scientific information, and effectively communicate about the processes of the chemical sciences.
• Follow ethical practices of research, experimental interpretation, presentation, and application of research.

Requirements

The Chemistry major requires a minimum of eleven 4-unit courses in chemistry, as well as three math and two physics 4-unit courses. All required chemistry courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher to count toward the major.

Core Chemistry Courses

• CAS BB 421
• CAS CH 109, 112 (or CH 111, 112, or CH 109, 110, or CH 101, 102, 201, or CH 101, 116, 201)
• CAS CH 211, 212 (or CH 203, 214, or CH 203, 204, 220, or CH 218, 214, or 218, 204, 220)
• CAS CH 232
• CAS CH 351, 352
• Two of four advanced laboratory courses: CAS CH 301, 303, 354, and 524

Required Related Courses

• CAS CH 225
• CAS MA 123, 124
• CAS PY 211, 212 (or PY 241, 242, or PY 251, 252)

Program Options

Option A

• Core chemistry courses
• Required related courses
• Two advanced 4-unit courses in chemistry numbered CAS CH 400 or higher, excluding CH 525.
  • One advanced course may be satisfied by the completion of the requirements of a major or minor in astronomy, biology, biomedical engineering, computer science, earth sciences, mathematics, or physics.
  • Students in the MMEDIC program may substitute a GMS biochemistry course and CAS BB 527 for BB 421; one additional course in chemistry numbered CAS CH 400 or higher is required.
  • One advanced course may be satisfied by completion of a senior research course (CAS CH 461, CH 462, CH 401, or CH 402).

Option B

• Core chemistry courses
• Required related courses
• One additional advanced 4-unit, non-research chemistry course numbered CAS CH 400 or higher, excluding CH 525.
• CAS BB 422 can be used to satisfy the advanced elective.
• Students choosing option B may not use a research course nor major or minor in astronomy, biology, biomedical engineering, computer science, earth sciences, mathematics, or physics to fulfill the advanced elective requirement.

Honors in the Major

Requirements

• CAS CH 401, 402 Honors Research in Chemistry
• Two terms with a minimum 16 hours per week of research within a chemistry department research group, or approved research group outside the chemistry department undertaking research in the chemical sciences.
• An Honors thesis will be submitted at the end of the spring term and successfully defended before a committee of three faculty members, including the research advisor.
• A grade of B or higher is required in CH 401 and CH 402 in order to graduate with Honors in Chemistry.
• An oral presentation at the Undergraduate Research Symposium at the end of the spring term is also required.
• Prereq: 3.0 overall GPA, 3.2 GPA in required major courses, and approval of Honors application by Undergraduate Programs Committee.