Chemistry BS

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Requirements for Major

Students must declare their major by the time they have completed 60 semester hours. The chemistry major requires 45 semester hours in chemistry. Transfer students must take at least 14 upper-division chemistry hours, including CHEM 4128, 4518 or 4538, in residency at CU Denver. A student who has declared a chemistry major at CU Denver may not take additional chemistry courses outside of the department for the purpose of applying those credits toward meeting the requirements of the major without prior written approval of the undergraduate advisor. Normally, no more than 3 additional hours of transfer credits will be allowed. The minimum grade in chemistry courses is C- (1.7) and a minimum chemistry GPA of 2.0 is required in chemistry and ancillary required courses. All majors must successfully complete the following core:

TRADITIONAL CHEMISTRY MAJOR

Required Chemistry Courses

CHEM 2031 - General Chemistry I gtPATHWAYS: GT-SC2
CHEM 2038 - General Chemistry Laboratory I gtPATHWAYS: GT-SC1
CHEM 2061 - General Chemistry II gtPATHWAYS: GT-SC2
CHEM 2068 - General Chemistry Laboratory II gtPATHWAYS: GT-SC1
CHEM 3011 - Inorganic Chemistry gtPATHWAYS:
CHEM 3111 - Analytical Chemistry gtPATHWAYS:
CHEM 3118 - Analytical Chemistry Laboratory gtPATHWAYS:
CHEM 3411 - Organic Chemistry I gtPATHWAYS:
CHEM 3418 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory I gtPATHWAYS:
CHEM 3491 - Honors Organic Chemistry II gtPATHWAYS:
CHEM 3498 - Honors Organic Chemistry Laboratory II gtPATHWAYS:
CHEM 4121 - Instrumental Analysis gtPATHWAYS:
CHEM 4128 - Instrumental Analysis Laboratory gtPATHWAYS:
CHEM 4511 - Physical Chemistry I gtPATHWAYS:
CHEM 4518 - Physical Chemistry Laboratory I gtPATHWAYS:
CHEM 4521 - Physical Chemistry II gtPATHWAYS:
CHEM 4538 - Physical Chemistry II Laboratory gtPATHWAYS:

And one of the following two courses:

CHEM 3018 - Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory gtPATHWAYS:
CHEM 4828 - Biochemistry Lab gtPATHWAYS:

Total Required Courses: 45 Hours

Required Ancillary Courses

MATH 1401 - Calculus I gtPATHWAYS: GT-MA1
MATH 2411 - Calculus II gtPATHWAYS: GT-MA1
MATH 3511 - Mathematics of Chemistry gtPATHWAYS:
PHYS 2311 - General Physics I: Calculus-Based gtPATHWAYS:
PHYS 2321 - General Physics Lab I gtPATHWAYS:
PHYS 2331 - General Physics II: Calculus-Based gtPATHWAYS:
PHYS 2341 - General Physics Lab II gtPATHWAYS:

Total Required Ancillary Courses : 22 Hours

Recommended Electives

CHEM 3018 - Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory gtPATHWAYS:
CHEM 3810 - Biochemistry gtPATHWAYS:
-OR-
CHEM 4810 - General Biochemistry I gtPATHWAYS:
CHEM 4700 - Environmental Chemistry gtPATHWAYS:
CHEM 4820 - General Biochemistry II gtPATHWAYS:
Any CHEM 5000-level lecture class (3-4 semester hours)

Total Electives: 14-16 Hours

Chemistry Major (Traditional) Total: 67 Hours required

Students interested in the traditional chemistry major should consult regularly with a chemistry advisor. A complete description of the chemistry major’s program may be obtained in the Department of Chemistry office or department website.

Qualified majors are strongly urged to participate in independent study or departmental honors programs.

Students planning chemistry as a career should be familiar with the recommendations of the American Chemical Society for the professional training of chemists. For ACS certification, students following the traditional BS program of study are required to take inorganic laboratory (CHEM 3018), at least one semester of biochemistry (CHEM 3810 or CHEM 4810), and one additional 3- or 4-credit upper-division chemistry course in addition to the curriculum outlined above. No course with a grade of less than C (2.0) can be applied toward ACS certification. Students should check with a chemistry advisor for details. CU Denver maintains an ACS chapter of student affiliates.

^Top

Return to Department of Chemistry