Program Overview
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry curriculum provides a broad range of instruction in chemistry. It includes a general education course and lower-division courses in general chemistry and organic chemistry for students with a wide variety of career goals such as a major in one of the natural sciences, pre-healing arts (nursing, medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine), engineering, or secondary school teaching.
Students majoring in chemistry receive instruction in the fundamental areas of chemistry subsequently supplemented by more advanced courses in appropriate areas. Laboratory instruction is emphasized at all levels, and students are encouraged to participate in collaborative laboratory research with faculty members. Students completing a chemistry major program of study are prepared for careers as professional chemists as well as for graduate study in chemistry or other postgraduate professional schools.
The chemistry department curriculum is approved by the Committee on Professional Training of the American Chemical Society.
Abbreviation Key – UCA Core Program
LD = Lower Division
UD = Upper Division
C = Effective Communication
D = Diversity
I = Critical Inquiry
R = Responsible Living
Z = Capstone Experience
Program Outline
Required Chemistry Courses
- CHEM 1450 College Chemistry I
- CHEM 1451 College Chemistry II
- CHEM 2401 Organic Chemistry I
- CHEM 3411 Organic Chemistry II
- CHEM 3211 Organic Spectroscopy
- CHEM 4320 Biochemistry I
- CHEM 3360 Intermediate Inorganic Chemistry or CHEM 4380 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
- CHEM 3520 Quantitative Analysis
- CHEM 4450 Physical Chemistry I
- CHEM 4460 Physical Chemistry II
- CHEM 4112 Seminar [UD UCA Core: Z]
Two credit hours of chemical research recommended
Note: CHEM 4301, Laboratory Management, is excluded.
Other Required Courses
- MATH 1496 Calculus I
- MATH 1497 Calculus II
- MATH 2471 Calculus III
- PHYS 1441 University Physics 1 [Note 1]
- PHYS 1442 University Physics 2 [Note 1]
Minor required.
Note 1
PHYS 1410 and 1420 may be used in place of PHYS 1441 and 1442 if approved in advance by the chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.
Minor in Chemistry (24 hours)
- CHEM 1450 College Chemistry I
- CHEM 1451 College Chemistry II
- CHEM 2401 Organic Chemistry I
Chemistry electives at the 3000-level or above (CHEM 4301 excluded) for a total of at least 24 hours
