Bachelor of Science in Chemistry

 
The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, with an emphasis in biochemistry, equips graduates with strong analytical, quantitative, and laboratory skills that prepare them for diverse careers and advanced study in healthcare, biomedical and environmental sciences, industry, and public service, supporting public health, sustainability, and technological innovation worldwide.

Admission Requirements

Graduation Requirements

BIOL A108Principles and Methods in Biology6
BIOL A242Fundamentals of Cell Biology3
BIOL A252Principles of Genetics3
BIOL A461Molecular Biology3
CHEM A105
A105L
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry I Laboratory
4
CHEM A106
A106L
General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry II Laboratory
4
CHEM A208Principles of Bioinorganic Chemistry3
CHEM A218Experiential Learning: Quantitative Chemical Analysis5
CHEM A321Organic Chemistry I3
CHEM A322Organic Chemistry II3
CHEM A323L Organic Chemistry Laboratory2
CHEM A381Professional Skills I: Academic, Research, and Career Foundations in Chemistry1
CHEM A411Biophysical Chemistry3
CHEM A418Experiential Learning: Chemical Instrumentation and Methods5
CHEM A441Principles of Biochemistry I3
CHEM A442Principles of Biochemistry II3
CHEM A443Biochemistry Laboratory2
CHEM A481Professional Skills II: Green Chemistry, Ethics & Sustainability2
CHEM A482Professional Skills III: Professional Communication in Chemistry2
MATH A251Calculus I4-6
or MATH A251F F.A.T. Calculus I
MATH A252Calculus II4-6
or MATH A252F F.A.T. Calculus II
Complete a PHYS sequence:8
College Physics I
and College Physics I Laboratory
College Physics II
and College Physics II Laboratory
or
General Physics I
and General Physics I Laboratory
General Physics II
and General Physics II Laboratory
Complete 14 credits from the following upper-division electives:14
Principles of Animal Physiology
Behavioral Endocrinology
Neurophysiology
Experiential Learning: Bioinformatics
Individual Research
Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos
Immunology
Ecotoxicology
Molecular Spectroscopy and Structure
Individual Research
Undergraduate Research Thesis
Linear Algebra
Microbial Biology
Experiential Learning: Microbial Biology
Virology
Modern Physics
Quantum Mechanics
Behavioral Neuroscience
Total90-94

A minimum of 120 credits is required for the degree, of which 39 credits must be upper division.

Honors in Chemistry

The BS in Chemistry recognizes distinguished achievement by conferring programmatic honors in chemistry. In order to receive honors in chemistry, a student must meet the following requirements:

  • Satisfy all requirements for a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry;
  • Meet the requirements for Graduation with Honors;
  • Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.50 in chemistry (CHEM) classes;
  • Complete, with distinction, a written assignment in the style of a chemical journal based on the research performed in CHEM A498; or publicly present their research findings at a conference.
  • Notify the Departmental Honors Committee in writing at the time they file their Application for Graduation with the Office of the Registrar that they intend to graduate with departmental honors.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Students graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry will be able to:

  • Evaluate and critically solve problems related to the chemical sciences and communicate those solutions.
  • Develop proficiency in scientific inquiry including laboratory technique, data analysis, literature review, and experimental design.

The academic plan below is one pathway through the degree/certificate. It includes all requirements, taking into account recommendations from program faculty. Each student’s plan may vary according to their initial course placement, intended course load, additional majors and/or minors, and their placement into required prerequisite courses. Any change in the plan below can have an unforeseen impact on the rest of the plan. Therefore, it is very important to meet with your academic advisor to verify your personal academic plan.

Please review the following terms, definitions, and resources associated with the sample academic plan below.

  • Each course in the far left column links to a pop-up bubble with a course description, prerequisite requirements, and associations with university requirements. For example, if a course fulfills a general education requirement, you will see that in the pop-up bubble.

  • GER: indicates a General Education Requirement. GERs that also count toward degree/certificate requirements appear as a specific course in the plan. For these courses, "GER" is not indicated explicitly in the table, but if you click on the course, you will see the course's GER status in the pop-up bubble.

  • Program Elective: indicates a specific course selection determined by program faculty to fulfill a degree/certificate requirement. Students should seek assistance from their academic advisor.

  • Elective: indicates an open selection of 100-400 level university courses to fulfill elective credits needed to meet the minimum total credits toward the degree/certificate.

  • Upper Division Program Elective: indicates a specific 300-400 level course selection determined by the program faculty to fulfill a degree/certificate requirement. Students should seek assistance from their academic advisor.

  • Upper Division Elective: indicates an open selection of 300-400 level courses to fulfill elective credits needed to meet the minimum total credits toward the degree/certificate. These courses must be upper division in order to meet General University Requirements for the particular degree/certificate type.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
FallCredits
CHEM A105
A105L
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry I Laboratory
4
MATH A251 Calculus I 4
GER Oral Communication Skills 3
GER Written Communication Skills 3
 Credits14
Spring
BIOL A108 Principles and Methods in Biology 6
CHEM A106
A106L
General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry II Laboratory
4
MATH A252 Calculus II 4
GER Written Communication Skills 3
 Credits17
Second Year
Fall
BIOL A242 Fundamentals of Cell Biology 3
CHEM A321 Organic Chemistry I 3
CHEM A381 Professional Skills I: Academic, Research, and Career Foundations in Chemistry 1
PHYS A123
A123L
College Physics I
and College Physics I Laboratory
4
GER Fine Arts 3
GER Humanities 3
 Credits17
Spring
BIOL A252 Principles of Genetics 3
CHEM A322 Organic Chemistry II 3
PHYS A124
A124L
College Physics II
and College Physics II Laboratory
4
GER Alaska Native-Themed 3
GER Humanities 3
 Credits16
Third Year
Fall
BIOL A461 Molecular Biology 3
CHEM A323L Organic Chemistry Laboratory 2
CHEM A218 Experiential Learning: Quantitative Chemical Analysis 5
GER Intercultural Fluency 3
GER Social Sciences 3
 Credits16
Spring
CHEM A418 Experiential Learning: Chemical Instrumentation and Methods 5
CHEM A481 Professional Skills II: Green Chemistry, Ethics & Sustainability 2
GER Social Sciences 3
Upper Division Program Elective 3
Upper Division Program Elective 3
 Credits16
Fourth Year
Fall
CHEM A208 Principles of Bioinorganic Chemistry 3
CHEM A441 Principles of Biochemistry I 3
Upper Division Program Elective 3
Upper Division Program Elective 3
 Credits12
Spring
CHEM A411 Biophysical Chemistry 3
CHEM A442 Principles of Biochemistry II 3
CHEM A443 Biochemistry Laboratory 2
CHEM A482 Professional Skills III: Professional Communication in Chemistry 2
Upper Division Program Elective 2
 Credits12
 Total Credits120