Bachelor of Science in Chemistry

The degree of Bachelor of Science with a major in chemistry is designed to provide a thorough foundation in the various fields of chemistry and the related sciences. The program is for students planning careers in the chemical industries or governmental laboratories, or who intend to do graduate work in chemistry. The degree satisfies requirements for professional recognition by the American Chemical Society.

A majority of students earning the BS degree in chemistry continue with a Ph.D. program. Students planning to apply to graduate schools in chemistry should contact the undergraduate office for information about National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowships.

All Students in the Bachelor of Science program are strongly encouraged to take the Chemical Safety Course (CEM 444) and complete two or more semesters of undergraduate research (CEM 420), usually during the junior or senior year. Contact your advisor or the undergraduate office for details.

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All new majors in chemistry should schedule an appointment with the Chemistry Undergraduate Director for an overview of the program and assignment of an advisor. To schedule appointments, phone the undergraduate coordinator, Steve Poulios, at (517) 355-9715 ext 332.

Important announcements and course information are communicated to chemistry majors through electronic mail. Periodically your email for messages.

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Course Requirements for a BS in Chemistry:

To earn a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Michigan State University you must satisfy university, college, and departmental level requirements. The requirements are as follows:

Please note: These guidelines are presented for planning purposes only. Students MUST consult a Chemistry Department advisor for reliable and exact determination of an individual's course requirements.

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UNIVERSITY Level Requirements for a BS in Chemistry:

1. Minimum of 120 semester credits. (Please note: credit in any course requires a 1.0 or higher grade; 1 quarter credit=0.66 semester credit. The University's Tier II writing requirement is met by CEM 355, 395, 435, 495 plus either CEM 415, CEM 419 or CEM 420.)
    
   
2. An overall GPA of 2.0 or higher.
    
   
3. Twenty (20) semester credit hours of the following courses:
    
   
   • Four (4) credits of an WRA Tier I Writing Course, earned from one of the WRA 110 - 195H courses;
      
     
   • Eight (8) credits of IAH (Integrative Studies in Arts & Humanities), where 4 credits are earned from IAH 201, and the other 4 credits are earned from an IAH level 200 or higher course;
      
     
   • Eight (8) credits of ISS (Integrative Studies in Social Science), where 4 credits are earned from one of the ISS 210 - 225 courses, and the other 4 credits are earned from one of the ISS 310 - 335B courses.
     
    
   

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COLLEGE of Natural Science Requirements for a BS in Chemistry:

1. An overall GPA of 2.0 or higher in Chemistry courses.  
   
2. One of the following courses (credits for the course are given in parentheses):
   
   • PLB 105 (3)
     
   • BS 110 (4)
     
   • BS 111 (3)
     
   • ENT 205 (3)
     
   • MIC 205 (3)
     
   • PSL 250 (4)
     
   • ZOL 141 (3)
     
    
   
3. At least 30 semester credit hours at the 300 - 400 level. (Please note that required Chemistry courses in the range CEM 351 - 495 total 32-35 credits.)
   

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Chemistry DEPARTMENT Requirements for a BS in Chemistry: (Credits for the course are given in parentheses.)

1. Mathematics requirement: MTH 132 (3), MTH 133 (4), MTH234 (4) and MTH 235 (3).
    
   
2. Physics requirement:
   
   • Six to eight (6-8) credits of Physics Lecture, selected from the sequence courses PHY 183/184 (8), or PHY 193H/294H (6).
     and
     
   • Two (2) credits of Physics Laboratory courses PHY 191/192 (2).
     
    
   
3. Chemistry requirement: Forty-two (42) semester credits are required, which will be automatically satisfied by students completing the required courses in Chemistry as described below.
   
   • General Chemistry Lecture (7-8 credits): CEM 151/152 (7), or CEM 181H/182H (8).
     and
     
   • General Chemistry Laboratory (4-5 credits): CEM 161/162/262 (5), or CEM 185H/186H (4)
     and
     
   • Organic Lecture (6 credits): CEM 351/352 (6).
     and
     
   • Organic Laboratory (4 credits) CEM 355 (2) and CEM 356 (2).
     and
     
   • Physical Chemistry Lecture (6 credits): CEM 483 (3) and CEM 484 (3).
     and
     
   • Physical Chemistry Laboratory (6 credits): CEM 395 (3) and CEM 495 (3).
     and
     
   • Biochemistry (4-6 credits): BCH 401 (4), or BCH 461/462 (6).
     
   • Analytical Chemistry Lecture (3 credits): CEM 434 (3).
     and
     
   • Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (2 credits): CEM 435 (2).
     and
     
   • Inorganic Chemistry Lecture (4 credits): CEM 411 (4).
     and
     
   • Capstone (Advanced Synthesis Laboratory) (3 credits): CEM 415 (3).
     

 

All Students in the Bachelor of Science program are strongly encouraged to take the Chemical Safety Course (CEM 444) and complete two or more semesters of undergraduate research (CEM 420), usually during the junior or senior year. Contact your advisor or the undergraduate office for details.

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Sample Course Schedule for the BS Degree in Chemistry

	Fall Semester		Spring Semester
	Course	Credits	Course	Credits
Year 1	CEM 151 CEM 162 WRA 110-150 MTH 132 ISS 210-225	4 1 4 3 4   16	CEM 152 CEM 262 MTH 133 IAH 201 BS 110	3 3 3 4 3   16
Year 2	CEM 351 MTH 234 PHY 183 IAH 200-level+	3 4 4 4   15	CEM 352 CEM 355 PHY 184 PHY 191 MTH 235 Elective	3 2 4 1 3 3   16
Year 3	CEM 483 CEM 356 PHY 192 Electives ISS 3__ *CEM 444	3 2 1 4 4 1   15	CEM 484 CEM 395 CEM 411 Electives	3 2 4 6   15
Year 4	CEM 434 CEM 415 *CEM 420 CEM 495 Electives	3 3 3 2 3   14	BCH 401 CEM 435 *CEM 420 Electives	4 2 3 4   13

 

*	Recommended, not required