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Department of Chemistry

Bachelor of Science in Chemistry

Students on Summer 2024, Fall 2024, or Spring 2025 requirements CHEMBS

The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry prepares students for employment in industry, to pursue graduate work in chemistry, or to attend medical or dental school. Chemistry studies the substances of matter—their identification, composition, properties, interactions, combinations, changes, and uses.

Requirements

The major requires at least 45 credit hours (70 with the Addenda requirements), including the requirements listed below.
  1. Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry I. One (1) course:
    • CHEM-C 105 Principles of Chemistry I
    • CHEM-C 117 Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry I
    • CHEM-H 117 Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry I, Honors
    • CHEM-J 117 Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry for Science Majors
  2. Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry I Laboratory. One (1) course:
    • CHEM-C 125 Experimental Chemistry I
    • CHEM-C 127 Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry I Laboratory
    • CHEM-H 127 Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry I Laboratory, Honors
    • CHEM-X 150 ASURE Chemistry Research Lab I
  3. Chemical Measurements Laboratory. One (1) course:
    • CHEM-A 315 Chemical Measurements Laboratory
  4. Analytical Chemistry.
    1. Equilibria and Electrochemistry. One (1) course:
      • CHEM-C 317 Equilibria and Electrochemistry
    2. Spectrochemistry and Separations. One (1) course:
      • CHEM-C 318 Spectrochemistry and Separations
  5. Intermediate Inorganic Chemistry Lecture. One (1) course:
    • CHEM-N 331 Intermediate Inorganic Chemistry
  6. Intermediate Inorganic Chemistry Lab. One (1) course:
    • CHEM-N 337 Intermediate Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory
  7. Organic Chemistry I. One (1) course:
    • CHEM-C 341 Organic Chemistry I Lectures
    • CHEM-H 341 Organic Chemistry I Lectures, Honors
    • CHEM-J 341 Principles of Organic Chemistry I
  8. Organic Chemistry II. One (1) course:
    • CHEM-C 342 Organic Chemistry II Lectures
    • CHEM-H 342 Organic Chemistry II Lectures, Honors
    • CHEM-J 342 Principles of Organic Chemistry II
  9. Organic Chemistry I Laboratory. One (1) course:
    • CHEM-J 343 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I for Majors
    • CHEM-X 325 ASURE Chemistry Research Lab II
  10. Physical Chemistry.
    1. Physical Chemistry of Bulk Matter. One (1) course:
      • CHEM-C 361 Physical Chemistry of Bulk Matter
    2. Physical Chemistry of Molecules. One (1) course:
      • CHEM-C 362 Physical Chemistry of Molecules
  11. Basic Measurements in Physical Chemistry. One (1) course:
    • CHEM-P 364 Basic Measurements in Physical Chemistry
  12. Biological Chemistry. One (1) course:
    • CHEM-C 483 Biological Chemistry
    • CHEM-C 484 Biomolecules and Catabolism
  13. Chemistry Concentration or Electives. One (1) of the following options:
    1. Concentration Option.
      1. Concentration. One (1) of the following concentrations (see requirements below):
        • Materials
        • Synthesis
      2. Electives. Two (2) additional credit hours from the Laboratory Courses at the 300–499 level list
    2. Electives Option.
      1. Lecture Courses at 300–499 level. Six (6) credit hours:
        • CHEM-B 486 Gene Expression and Physiology
        • CHEM-C 321 Advanced and Nanoscale Materials
        • CHEM-C 416 Surface Analysis and Surface Chemistry
        • CHEM-C 430 Inorganic Chemistry
        • CHEM-C 432 Spectroscopic Methods in Inorganic Chemistry
        • CHEM-C 443 Organic Spectroscopy
        • CHEM-C 446 Organic Chemistry III
        • CHEM-C 460 Nuclear Chemistry
        • CHEM-C 481 Physical Biochemistry
        • CHEM-C 485 Biosynthetic Pathways and Control of Metabolism
        • CHEM-M 401 Introduction to Hard Materials
        • CHEM-M 402 Introduction to Soft Materials
        • CHEM-X 498 Chemical Literature Capstone
        • SPEA-E 451 Air Pollution and Control
      2. Laboratory Courses at 300–499 level. Four (4) credit hours:
        • CHEM-B 487 Biochemistry Laboratory
        • CHEM-B 488 Advanced Biochemistry Laboratory
        • CHEM-C 344 Organic Chemistry II Laboratory
        • CHEM-C 427 Advanced and Nanoscale Materials Laboratory
        • CHEM-C 437 Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory
        • CHEM-P 464 Advanced Measurements in Physical Chemistry
        • CHEM-X 373 Professional Practice in Chemistry
        • CHEM-X 499 Chemical Research Capstone
  14. Addenda Requirements*.
    1. Physics.
      1. Physics I. One (1) course:
        • PHYS-H 221 Honors Physics I
        • PHYS-P 221 Physics I
      2. Physics II. One (1) course:
        • PHYS-H 222 Honors Physics II
        • PHYS-P 222 Physics II
    2. Mathematics.
      1. Calculus I. One (1) course:
        • MATH-M 211 Calculus I
        • MATH-S 211
      2. Calculus II. One (1) course:
        • MATH-M 212 Calculus II
        • MATH-S 212 Honors Calculus II
      3. Calculus III. One (1) course:
        • MATH-M 303 Linear Algebra for Undergraduates
        • MATH-M 311 Calculus III (Recommended)
        • MATH-M 343
    3. Foundations of Biology. One (1) course:
      • BIOL-E 112 Basic Biology by Examination II
      • BIOL-L 112 Foundations of Biology: Biological Mechanisms
  15. Major GPA, Hours, and Minimum Grade Requirements.
    1. Major GPA. A GPA of at least 2.000 for all courses taken in the major—including those where a grade lower than C- is earned—is required.
    2. Major Minimum Grade. Except for the GPA requirement, a grade of C- or higher is required for a course to count toward a requirement in the major.
    3. Major Upper Division Credit Hours. At least 18 credit hours in the major must be completed at the 300–499 level.
    4. Major Residency. At least 18 credit hours in the major must be completed in courses taken through the Indiana University Bloomington campus or an IU-administered or IU co-sponsored Overseas Study program.