Program Overview

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Chemistry, Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with a concentration in professional chemist

The curriculum in chemistry prepares students for graduate study in chemistry and related fields and for admission to schools of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and veterinary medicine. It prepares students to teach in secondary schools or to work in chemical and industrial laboratories and in related fields of business and industry. The department also offers required and elective courses in chemistry to students in other programs of study.

Overview of the Program

The Department of Chemistry offers five areas of concentration for completing the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry: chemical science, professional chemist, professional chemist with honors, biochemistry, and chemical modeling. With proper selection of electives, the degree satisfies admission requirements to most schools of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and veterinary medicine.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completing this program, students will know how to:

• Demonstrate proficiency in the major concepts and theoretical principles of chemistry, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrate proficiency in laboratory skills, including wet chemistry and instrumental methods, and laboratory safety practices
• Demonstrate communication skills, both written and oral, needed to explain chemical phenomena
• Demonstrate proficiency in scientific literacy skills, including searching and reading scientific publications
• Demonstrate an understanding of the need for ethical practices in chemistry
• Demonstrate advanced laboratory skills (for the professional chemist concentration)

Special Requirements

Students must complete 48-49 credits in chemistry and 28-36 credits of ancillary requirements in addition to general education requirements. A minimum grade of C is required in each prerequisite course, except for CHEM 100, which requires a minimum grade of B.

Degree Requirements

The degree requirements for the Chemistry, Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with a concentration in professional chemist include:

• General education courses (30 credits)
• Major requirements:
  • Major core requirements
    • CHEM 102 and CHEZ 102: General Chemistry II and General Chemistry Laboratory II
    • CHEM 301 and CHEZ 301: Organic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
    • CHEM 302 and CHEZ 302: Organic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
    • CHEM 309 and CHEZ 309: Quantitative Analysis and Quantitative Analysis Laboratory
    • CHEM 313 or CHEM 314: Physical Chemistry I or Physical Chemistry I with Math Modules
    • CHEZ 313: Physical Chemistry Laboratory I
    • CHEM 315: Physical Chemistry II
    • CHEM 320: Inorganic Chemistry I
    • CHEM 398: Professional Practices and Perspectives Seminar
    • CHEM 499: Chemistry Capstone Experience
  • Concentration requirements
    • CHEZ 413: Advanced Physical Chemistry Laboratory
  • Capstone requirements
    • Select at least one two-credit 400-level CHEZ course or two credits of CHEM 392 or CHEM 492 and at least one three-credit 400- or 500-level CHEM course from the electives listed
  • Major electives (10 credits)
• Ancillary requirements
  • CHEM 101 and CHEZ 101: General Chemistry I and General Chemistry Laboratory I
  • HUMS 202: Choices in a Consumer Society
  • MATH 200: Calculus with Analytic Geometry I
  • MATH 201: Calculus with Analytic Geometry II
  • MATH 307: Multivariate Calculus
  • PHYS 207 and PHYS 208: University Physics I and University Physics II
  • Experiential fine arts (1-3 credits)
  • Foreign language through the 102 level (0-6 credits)
• Open electives (17-26 credits)

Major Electives

Course options for major electives include:

• CHEM/CLSE 306: Industrial Applications of Inorganic Chemistry
• CHEM/MEDC 310: Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Design
• CHEM 391: Topics in Chemistry
• CHEM 392: Directed Study
• CHEM 403: Biochemistry I
• CHEM 404: Biochemistry II
• CHEZ 404: Biochemistry Laboratory
• CHEM 406 and CHEZ 406: Inorganic Chemistry II and Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory
• CHEM 409 and CHEZ 409: Instrumental Analysis and Instrumental Analysis Laboratory
• CHEM 491: Topics in Chemistry
• CHEM 492: Independent Study
• CHEM 493: Chemistry Internship
• CHEM 504: Advanced Organic Chemistry I
• CHEM 507: Introduction to Natural Products
• CHEM 510: Atomic and Molecular Structure
• CHEM 511: Chemical Thermodynamics and Kinetics
• CHEM 512: Applied Molecular Modeling
• CHEM 520: Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
• CHEZ 400: Exploring the Frontiers of Chemistry: Research Methods
• CHEZ 404: Biochemistry Laboratory

Sample Plan of Study

A sample plan of study that meets the prescribed requirements within a four-year course of study at VCU is provided. Please contact your adviser before beginning course work toward a degree.

Total Hours

The minimum number of credit hours required for this degree is 120.