Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree with a Major in Chemistry

The chemistry department requires that the prerequisites for a number of chemistry courses be completed with a grade of “C” or better. Majors in the department should consult an advisor at frequent intervals to be certain that prerequisites are met at the appropriate time and with a suitable grade.

Core Curriculum60
Core IMPACTS (See VSU Core Curriculum) 1, 242
Core Field of Study 3
MATH 2261Analytic Geometry and Calculus I (Carry-over from Technology, Mathematics, and Sciences)1
MATH 2262Analytic Geometry and Calculus II4
CHEM 1211
1211L
Principles of Chemistry I
and Principles of Chemistry Laboratory I (unless taken in Technology, Mathematics, and Sciences)
0-4
CHEM 1212
1212L
Principles of Chemistry II
and Principles of Chemistry Laboratory II (unless taken in Technology, Mathematics, and Sciences)
0-4
CHEM 2310Quantitative Analysis4
PHYS 2211KPrinciples of Physics I (unless taken in Technology, Mathematics, and Sciences) 40-4
or PHYS 1111K Introductory Physics I
PHYS 2212KPrinciples of Physics II (unless taken in Technology, Mathematics, and Sciences) 40-4
or PHYS 1112K Introductory Physics II
CHEM 1210First Year Seminar1
Senior College Curriculum60
Select one of the following options:
American Chemical Society Certified Degree
American Chemical Society Certified Degree Biochemistry Option
Business Option
Environmental Option
Pre-Dental Option
Pre-Medical Option
Pre-Optometry Option
Pre-Pharmacy Option
Pre-Professional Option
Teaching Option
Total hours required for the degree120
1

Chemistry majors must take MATH 1113 in Mathematics and Quantitative Skills and MATH 2261 in Technology, Mathematics, and Sciences. One
hour of MATH 2261 will carry over to Core Area of Study. In Technology, Mathematics, and Sciences, chemistry majors may select
eight hours from CHEM 1211/CHEM 1211L, CHEM 1212/CHEM 1212L, PHYS 2211K, PHYS 2212K, or BIOL 1107 and BIOL 1107L.

2

Students in the Pre-Optometry Option must take PSYC 1101 in Social Sciences.

3

Hours in excess of 18 will carry over into the Senior College Curriculum.

4

Students in the pre-professional option, the American Chemical Society (ACS) Certified Degree, and the American Chemical Society (ACS) Certified Degree Biochemistry Option may substitute PHYS 1111K for PHYS 2211K and PHYS 1112K for PHYS 2212K; however, students in the ACS Certified Degree and the ACS Certified Degree Biochemistry Option are strongly encouraged to enroll in PHYS 2211K and PHYS 2212K.

 
 

Chemistry Major: American Chemical Society Certified Degree

Of the 60 semester hours, 39 must be in courses numbered 3000 or above
CHEM 1210First Year Seminar1
CHEM 2210Sophomore Seminar1
CHEM 3401Organic Chemistry I4
CHEM 3402Organic Chemistry II4
CHEM 3510Inorganic Chemistry4
CHEM 3601
3601L
Biochemistry I
and Laboratory Techniques in Biochemistry
5
CHEM 3801Physical Chemistry I4
CHEM 3802Physical Chemistry II4
CHEM 4210Senior Seminar1
CHEM 4310Instrumental Analysis4
Advanced courses in Chemistry6
Modern Foreign Language 43-6
Electives (including courses numbered 3000 and above) 516-19
4

If three hours of language are taken in Arts, Humanities, and Ethics of the core, only three will be required in this portion of the major.

5

Includes hours which carry over from Core Field of Study.

Chemistry Major: American Chemical Society Certified Degree

Biochemistry Option

Of the 60 semester hours, 39 must be in courses numbered 3000 or above
CHEM 1210First Year Seminar1
CHEM 2210Sophomore Seminar1
BIOL 1107
1107L
Principles of Biology I
and Principles of Biology Laboratory I 6
0-4
BIOL 1108
1108L
Principles of Biology II
and Principles of Biology Laboratory II 6
0-4
BIOL 3100Microbiology4
BIOL 3200Introductory Genetics3
CHEM 3401Organic Chemistry I4
CHEM 3402Organic Chemistry II4
CHEM 3510Inorganic Chemistry4
CHEM 3601
3601L
Biochemistry I
and Laboratory Techniques in Biochemistry
5
CHEM 3602Biochemistry II3
CHEM 3801Physical Chemistry I4
CHEM 3802Physical Chemistry II4
CHEM 4210Senior Seminar1
CHEM 4310Instrumental Analysis4
Modern Foreign Language 73-6
Electives (including courses numbered 3000 and above) 8,95-8
6

Unless taken in Technology, Mathematics, and Sciences.

7

If three hours of language are taken in Arts, Humanities, and Ethics of the core, only three will be required in this portion of the major.

8

Includes hours which carry over from Core Field of Study.

9

May include CHEM 4910, but must be a biochemistry topic.

Chemistry Major: Business Track

Of the 60 semester hours, 39 must be in courses numbered 3000 or above.
CHEM 2210Sophomore Seminar1
BIOL 1107
1107L
Principles of Biology I
and Principles of Biology Laboratory I
4
BIOL 1108 and BIOL 1108L or science elective numbered 2000 or above4
CHEM 3401Organic Chemistry I4
CHEM 3402Organic Chemistry II4
CHEM 3510Inorganic Chemistry4
CHEM 3601
3601L
Biochemistry I
and Laboratory Techniques in Biochemistry
5
CHEM 3801Physical Chemistry I4
or CHEM 3802 Physical Chemistry II
CHEM 4210Senior Seminar1
Upper Division mathematics, computer science, or science electives 107-8
Modern Foreign Language 113-6
Electives (including courses numbered 3000 and above) 1214-18
Electives must include 9 credit hours of courses taught by the College of Business Administration, of which 6 credit hours will be upper-level electives. Students should discuss their interests and career goals with a faculty mentor before selecting courses.

Chemistry Major: Environmental Option

Of the 60 semester hours, 39 must be in courses numbered 3000 or above.
CHEM 2210Sophomore Seminar1
BIOL 1107
1107L
Principles of Biology I
and Principles of Biology Laboratory I
4
Selected Course (Select an environmental-themed social science or humanities course such as PHIL 3180 or PHIL 3640)3
Modern Foreign Language 113-6
Electives (including courses numbered 3000 and above) 129-12
BIOL 1108 and BIOL 1108L or science elective numbered 2000 or above4
CHEM 3401Organic Chemistry I4
CHEM 3402Organic Chemistry II4
CHEM 3510Inorganic Chemistry4
CHEM 3601
3601L
Biochemistry I
and Laboratory Techniques in Biochemistry
5
CHEM 3801Physical Chemistry I4
or CHEM 3802 Physical Chemistry II
CHEM 4210Senior Seminar1
CHEM 4310Instrumental Analysis4
CHEM 3320Environmental Chemistry3
GEOL 3010Environmental Geology3

Chemistry Major: Pre-Dental Option

Of the 60 semester hours, 39 must be in courses numbered 3000 or above
CHEM 2210Sophomore Seminar1
BIOL 1107
1107L
Principles of Biology I
and Principles of Biology Laboratory I
4
BIOL 1108
1108L
Principles of Biology II
and Principles of Biology Laboratory II
4
CHEM 3401Organic Chemistry I4
CHEM 3402Organic Chemistry II4
CHEM 3510Inorganic Chemistry4
CHEM 3601
3601L
Biochemistry I
and Laboratory Techniques in Biochemistry
5
CHEM 3801Physical Chemistry I4
or CHEM 3802 Physical Chemistry II
CHEM 4210Senior Seminar1
Upper-Division mathematics, computer science, or science electives 107-8
Modern Foreign Language 113-6
Electives (including courses numbered 3000 and above) 1214-18

Chemistry Major: Pre-Medical Option

Of the 60 semester hours, 39 must be in courses numbered 3000 or above
CHEM 2210Sophomore Seminar1
BIOL 1107
1107L
Principles of Biology I
and Principles of Biology Laboratory I
4
BIOL 1108
1108L
Principles of Biology II
and Principles of Biology Laboratory II
4
CHEM 3401Organic Chemistry I4
CHEM 3402Organic Chemistry II4
CHEM 3510Inorganic Chemistry4
CHEM 3601
3601L
Biochemistry I
and Laboratory Techniques in Biochemistry
5
CHEM 3801Physical Chemistry I4
or CHEM 3802 Physical Chemistry II
CHEM 4210Senior Seminar1
MATH 1401Elementary Statistics3
Upper-Division mathematics, computer science, or science electives4-5
Modern Foreign Language 113-6
Electives (including courses numbered 3000 and above) 1211-15

Chemistry Major: Pre-Optometry Option

Of the 60 semester hours, 39 must be in courses numbered 3000 or above
CHEM 2210Sophomore Seminar1
BIOL 1107
1107L
Principles of Biology I
and Principles of Biology Laboratory I
4
BIOL 2260KFoundations in Microbiology4
CHEM 3401Organic Chemistry I4
CHEM 3402Organic Chemistry II4
CHEM 3510Inorganic Chemistry4
CHEM 3601
3601L
Biochemistry I
and Laboratory Techniques in Biochemistry
5
CHEM 3801Physical Chemistry I4
or CHEM 3802 Physical Chemistry II
CHEM 4210Senior Seminar1
MATH 1401Elementary Statistics3
Upper-Division mathematics, computer science, or science electives 107-8
Modern Foreign Language 113-6
Electives (including courses numbered 3000 and above) 12, 1311-15

Chemistry Major: Pre-Pharmacy Option

Of the 60 semester hours, 39 must be in courses numbered 3000 or above
CHEM 2210Sophomore Seminar1
BIOL 1107
1107L
Principles of Biology I
and Principles of Biology Laboratory I
4
BIOL 1108
1108L
Principles of Biology II
and Principles of Biology Laboratory II
4
BIOL 2251KHuman Anatomy and Physiology I4
BIOL 2252KHuman Anatomy and Physiology II4
CHEM 3401Organic Chemistry I4
CHEM 3402Organic Chemistry II4
CHEM 3510Inorganic Chemistry4
CHEM 3601
3601L
Biochemistry I
and Laboratory Techniques in Biochemistry
5
CHEM 3801Physical Chemistry I4
or CHEM 3802 Physical Chemistry II
CHEM 4210Senior Seminar1
Upper-Division mathematics, computer science, or science electives 107-8
Modern Foreign Language 113-6
Electives (including courses numbered 3000 and above) 126-10

Chemistry Major: Pre-Professional Option

Of the 60 semester hours, 39 must be in courses numbered 3000 or above.
CHEM 1210First Year Seminar1
CHEM 2210Sophomore Seminar1
BIOL 1107
1107L
Principles of Biology I
and Principles of Biology Laboratory I
4
BIOL 1108 and BIOL 1108L or science elective numbered 2000 or above4
CHEM 3401Organic Chemistry I4
CHEM 3402Organic Chemistry II4
CHEM 3510Inorganic Chemistry4
CHEM 3601
3601L
Biochemistry I
and Laboratory Techniques in Biochemistry
5
CHEM 3801Physical Chemistry I4
or CHEM 3802 Physical Chemistry II
CHEM 4210Senior Seminar1
Upper Division mathematics, computer science, or science electives 107-8
Modern Foreign Language 113-6
Electives (including courses numbered 3000 and above) 1214-18

 Chemistry Major: Teaching Option

Of the 60 semester hours, 39 must be in courses numbered 3000 or above.
CHEM 2210Sophomore Seminar1
BIOL 1107
1107L
Principles of Biology I
and Principles of Biology Laboratory I
4
BIOL 1108 and BIOL 1108L or science elective numbered 2000 or above4
CHEM 3401Organic Chemistry I4
CHEM 3402Organic Chemistry II4
CHEM 3510Inorganic Chemistry4
CHEM 3601
3601L
Biochemistry I
and Laboratory Techniques in Biochemistry
5
CHEM 3801Physical Chemistry I4
or CHEM 3802 Physical Chemistry II
CHEM 4210Senior Seminar1
Upper-Division mathematics, computer science, or science electives 107-8
Modern Foreign Language 113-6
Electives (including courses numbered 3000 and above) 1214-18
10

Students who wish to emphasize biochemistry shall take CHEM 3602 & CHEM 3802.

11

If three hours of language are taken in Arts, Humanities, and Ethics of the core, only three will be required in this portion of the major.

12

Includes hours that carry over from Core Field of Study.

 VSU/PCOM School of Pharmacy 3 + 4 Program

Under an agreement between VSU and the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) School of Pharmacy, students may earn a BS in Chemistry and a PharmD upon completion of this program. Students begin with acceptance to PCOM's Early Assurance Program. The 3 + 4 program consists of three years of undergraduate coursework at VSU under a modification of the Chemistry Pre-Professional option. After acceptance and matriculation to PCOM's PharmD program, approved courses from the first two years of study at PCOM are transferred to VSU to satisfy upper division requirements to complete the BS in Chemistry. Students interested in this program should contact PCOM about the Early Assurance Program and the Chemistry department at VSU.

The student will complete Core IMPACTS and the Pre-Professional Option curriculum with the following modifications:

  1. MATH 1401 and CHEM 1210 will satisfy Institutional Priority.
  2. COMM 1100 must be taken as an Arts, Humanities, and Ethics elective.
  3. ECON 2105 or ECON 2106 must be taken as a Social Sciences elective.
  4. BIOL 1108 and BIOL 1108L will satisfy the Science elective, 2000-level or higher, requirement.
  5. The Modern Foreign Language requirement is waived (9 credit hours).
  6. Additional required courses are BIOL 2651, BIOL 2652, and CHEM 4210.
  7. The requirement for 30 of the last 40 hours to be taken in residence at VSU is waived.
  8. After acceptance and matriculation to PCOM School of Pharmacy, a minimum of 22 credit hours from PCOM School of Pharmacy courses that are approved by the Chemistry department will be transferred to VSU as upper division hours to satisfy all remaining requirements for the Chemistry major: Pre-Professional Option.