Program Overview

---

Oregon State University Chemistry Undergraduate Major

The Chemistry Undergraduate Major at Oregon State University offers students a flexible curriculum with room to explore various areas of chemistry. The major provides a foundational core curriculum of professional chemistry and integrated advanced laboratory courses, allowing students to select one of ten different chemistry options.

Options

• Advanced Biochemistry
• Advanced Chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Business
• Chemical Engineering
• Chemistry Education
• Environmental Chemistry
• Forensic Science
• Materials Science
• Pre-Medicine

BS Degree in Chemistry

The BS degree in Chemistry features two tracks, each with a chemistry core and a selection of accompanying options.

Track One

Track One is well-suited for students intending to pursue a graduate degree in chemistry or a closely related area. It provides the most rigorous and complete chemistry background and the most extensive laboratory experience. The curriculum is approved by the American Chemical Society (ACS) and has two options: Advanced Biochemistry and Advanced Chemistry.

Track Two

Track Two is suited for chemistry majors who want to gain extensive experience in a secondary area, target a particular career direction, or continue with graduate education in chemistry or related areas. Track Two options include Biochemistry, Business, Chemistry Education, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Chemistry, Forensic Science, Materials Science, and Pre-Medicine.

BA Degree in Chemistry

The BA degree in Chemistry is appropriate for chemistry students interested in obtaining a broader academic background through a second-language requirement and additional liberal arts courses. It also includes career-supportive electives to allow students to choose courses in advanced chemistry or related disciplines to support their career goals.

Major Requirements

Completion of an option is required to earn a degree in Chemistry. The major code for the Chemistry Undergraduate Major is 520.

Baccalaureate Core Course Requirements

• Fitness: 2-3 credits
• Speech: 3 credits
• Writing courses: 7 credits
• Perspectives courses: 12 credits
• One Biology course: 4 credits
• One Difference, Power, and Discrimination course (DPD): 3 credits
• Synthesis courses: 6 credits
• Total Credits: 38

Course Lists

Track-One BS Degree in Chemistry

Course List Code	Title	Credits
CH 231 & CH 271	GENERAL CHEMISTRY and LABORATORY FOR CH 231 FOR CHEMISTRY MAJORS	5
CH 232 & CH 272	GENERAL CHEMISTRY and LABORATORY FOR CH 232 FOR CHEMISTRY MAJORS	5
CH 233 & CH 273	GENERAL CHEMISTRY and LABORATORY FOR CH 233 FOR CHEMISTRY MAJORS	5
CH 334, CH 335, & CH 336	ORGANIC CHEMISTRY	9
CH 361 & CH 362	EXPERIMENTAL CHEMISTRY I	6
CH 421 & CH 422	ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY	6
CH 440, CH 441, & CH 442	PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY	9
MTH 251	DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS	4
MTH 252	INTEGRAL CALCULUS	4
MTH 253 or MTH 306	INFINITE SERIES AND SEQUENCES or MATRIX AND POWER SERIES METHODS	4
MTH 254	VECTOR CALCULUS I	4
PH 211, PH 212, & PH 213	GENERAL PHYSICS WITH CALCULUS	12
PH 221, PH 222, & PH 223	RECITATION FOR PHYSICS 211, 212, & 213	3
Remaining Bacc Core, Required Option, and Electives		104
Total Credits		180

Track-Two BS Degree in Chemistry

Course List Code	Title	Credits
CH 231 & CH 271	GENERAL CHEMISTRY and LABORATORY FOR CH 231 FOR CHEMISTRY MAJORS	5
CH 232 & CH 272	GENERAL CHEMISTRY and LABORATORY FOR CH 232 FOR CHEMISTRY MAJORS	5
CH 233 & CH 273	GENERAL CHEMISTRY and LABORATORY FOR CH 233 FOR CHEMISTRY MAJORS	5
CH 324	QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS 2	4
CH 334, CH 335, & CH 336	ORGANIC CHEMISTRY	9
CH 361 & CH 362	EXPERIMENTAL CHEMISTRY I	6
CH 411 & CH 412	INORGANIC CHEMISTRY	6
CH 440, CH 441, & CH 442	PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY	9
CH 462	EXPERIMENTAL CHEMISTRY II	3
MTH 251, MTH 252, & MTH 254	DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS, INTEGRAL CALCULUS, & VECTOR CALCULUS I	12
Select one of the following series:		15
Remaining Bacc Core, Required Option, and Electives		101
Total Credits		180

Plan of Study Grid

Track One BS in Chemistry

First Year:

• CH 231 & CH 271: GENERAL CHEMISTRY and LABORATORY FOR CH 231 FOR CHEMISTRY MAJORS (5 credits)
• CH 232 & CH 272: GENERAL CHEMISTRY and LABORATORY FOR CH 232 FOR CHEMISTRY MAJORS (5 credits)
• CH 233 & CH 273: GENERAL CHEMISTRY and LABORATORY FOR CH 233 FOR CHEMISTRY MAJORS (5 credits)
• HHS 231: LIFETIME FITNESS FOR HEALTH (2 credits)
• HHS 241: LIFETIME FITNESS (or any PAC course) (1 credit)
• MTH 251: DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS (4 credits)
• MTH 252: INTEGRAL CALCULUS (4 credits)
• MTH 254: VECTOR CALCULUS I (4 credits)
• PH 211 & PH 221: GENERAL PHYSICS WITH CALCULUS and RECITATION FOR PHYSICS 211 (5 credits)
• Perspectives courses (6 credits)
• Speech (3 credits)
• Writing I (4 credits) Total Credits: 48

Second Year:

• CH 334, CH 335, & CH 336: ORGANIC CHEMISTRY (9 credits)
• CH 361 & CH 362: EXPERIMENTAL CHEMISTRY I (6 credits)
• MTH 253 or MTH 306: INFINITE SERIES AND SEQUENCES or MATRIX AND POWER SERIES METHODS (4 credits)
• Option courses (7 credits)
• PH 212 & PH 222: GENERAL PHYSICS WITH CALCULUS and RECITATION FOR PHYSICS 212 (5 credits)
• PH 213 & PH 223: GENERAL PHYSICS WITH CALCULUS and RECITATION FOR PHYSICS 213 (5 credits)
• Perspectives courses (6 credits)
• Writing II (3 credits) Total Credits: 45

Third Year:

• BI 221 or BI 102: PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY: CELLS or ANIMAL BIOLOGY: GENES, BEHAVIOR AND EVOLUTION OF LIFE (4 credits)
• CH 421 & CH 422: ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY (6 credits)
• CH 440, CH 441, & CH 442: PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY (9 credits)
• Perspectives and Synthesis courses (6 credits)
• Elective and Option courses (18 credits) Total Credits: 43

Fourth Year:

• Elective and Option courses (41 credits)
• Synthesis course (3 credits) Total Credits: 44 Total Credits: 180

Track Two BS in Chemistry

First Year:

• BI 221 or BI 102: PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY: CELLS or ANIMAL BIOLOGY: GENES, BEHAVIOR AND EVOLUTION OF LIFE (4 credits)
• CH 231 & CH 271: GENERAL CHEMISTRY and LABORATORY FOR CH 231 FOR CHEMISTRY MAJORS (5 credits)
• CH 232 & CH 272: GENERAL CHEMISTRY and LABORATORY FOR CH 232 FOR CHEMISTRY MAJORS (5 credits)
• CH 233 & CH 273: GENERAL CHEMISTRY and LABORATORY FOR CH 233 FOR CHEMISTRY MAJORS (5 credits)
• HHS 231: LIFETIME FITNESS FOR HEALTH (2 credits)
• HHS 241: LIFETIME FITNESS (or any PAC course) (1 credit)
• MTH 251: DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS (4 credits)
• MTH 252: INTEGRAL CALCULUS (4 credits)
• Speech (3 credits)
• Writing I (4 credits)
• Perspectives courses (6 credits)
• Electives and Option courses (6 credits) Total Credits: 49

Second Year:

• CH 334, CH 335, & CH 336: ORGANIC CHEMISTRY (9 credits)
• CH 361 & CH 362: EXPERIMENTAL CHEMISTRY I (6 credits)
• MTH 254: VECTOR CALCULUS I (4 credits)
• Select one of the following groups: (15 credits)
• Option courses (6 credits)
• Perspectives course (6 credits)
• Writing II (3 credits) Total Credits: 49

Third Year:

• CH 324: QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS 1 (4 credits)
• CH 440, CH 441, & CH 442: PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY (9 credits)
• Select one of the following: (3 credits)
• Perspectives and Synthesis courses (6 credits)
• Electives and Option courses (18 credits) Total Credits: 40

Fourth Year:

• CH 411 & CH 412: INORGANIC CHEMISTRY (6 credits)
• Synthesis or Perspective courses (6 credits)
• Electives and option courses (6 credits) Total Credits: 18 Total Credits: 156

BA Degree in Chemistry

First Year:

• CH 231 & CH 271: GENERAL CHEMISTRY and LABORATORY FOR CH 231 FOR CHEMISTRY MAJORS (5 credits)
• CH 232 & CH 272: GENERAL CHEMISTRY and LABORATORY FOR CH 232 FOR CHEMISTRY MAJORS (5 credits)
• CH 233 & CH 273: GENERAL CHEMISTRY and LABORATORY FOR CH 233 FOR CHEMISTRY MAJORS (5 credits)
• HHS 231: LIFETIME FITNESS FOR HEALTH (2 credits)
• HHS 241: LIFETIME FITNESS (or any PAC course) (1 credit)
• MTH 251: DIFFERENTIAL CALCULUS (4 credits)
• MTH 252: INTEGRAL CALCULUS (4 credits)
• Perspectives courses (6 credits)
• Speech (3 credits)
• Writing I (4 credits)
• Electives (8 credits) Total Credits: 47

Second Year:

• CH 334, CH 335, & CH 336: ORGANIC CHEMISTRY (9 credits)
• CH 361 & CH 362: EXPERIMENTAL CHEMISTRY I (6 credits)
• MTH 254: VECTOR CALCULUS I (4 credits)
• Select one of the following groups: (15 credits)
• Perspectives courses (6 credits)
• Writing II (3 credits)
• Electives (3 credits) Total Credits: 46

Third Year:

• BI 221 or BI 101: PRINCIPLES OF BIOLOGY: CELLS or ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY: ECOLOGY, CONSERVATION, GLOBAL CHANGE (4 credits)
• CH 324: QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS 1 (4 credits)
• CH 440, CH 441, & CH 442: PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY (9 credits)
• Select one of the following: (3 credits)
• Language (first year) (12 credits)
• Perspectives and Synthesis courses (6 credits)
• Electives (3 credits) Total Credits: 41

Fourth Year:

• CH 411 & CH 412: INORGANIC CHEMISTRY (6 credits)
• Approved career-supportive electives (9 credits)
• Synthesis course (3 credits)
• Language (second year) (12 credits)
• Electives (16 credits) Total Credits: 46 Total Credits: 180

Learning Outcomes

• Recall, integrate, and apply essential core information about the key components of Chemistry.
• Demonstrate competency in basic laboratory techniques, laboratory safety, chemical synthesis, and measurement of chemical properties and phenomena.
• Communicate ideas effectively orally and in writing.
• Demonstrate the ability to analyze data, access information, and integrate information from various sources in order to solve problems.