Mar 31, 2025

2024-2025 General Catalog

2024-2025 General Catalog ARCHIVED CATALOG: To search archives, MUST use search box to left. Current catalog: catalog.usu.edu.

Chemistry: Professional Chemistry Emphasis - BS

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College of Science

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

About This Degree

Chemistry is the scientific study of matter, its properties, and interactions with other matter and with energy. It is a science applicable to a wide range of career goals, including medicine, law, physical and social sciences, engineering, and public health and policy.

At USU, chemistry majors have the opportunity to conduct undergraduate research from the beginning of their studies, first as laboratory assistants and eventually moving on to their own research projects. Unique to USU, many undergraduates in the department are able to publish research papers. This gives USU students a competative advantage should they apply for graduate programs.

Professional Chemistry (BS): This emphasis is for students who wish to be chemists with careers in test laboratories, such as government laboratories and hospital laboratories. Students graduating with this emphasis will also find jobs in research development, quality control, and manufacturing. This emphasis meets requirements for certification by the American Chemical Society, which can result in higher-paying careers for graduates than those without ACS certification.

American Chemical Society Certified BS Degree

For more information about Chemistry and Biochemistry, see the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.
Admitted and current students must meet with the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry advisor.
Log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.
The highest math requirement for this degree is MATH 2250 - Linear Algebra and Differential Equations (QI) or STAT 3000 - Statistics for Scientists (QI) .

Minimum University Requirements

Total Credits: 120
Credits of C- or better: 100
Total credits taken at USU: 30
Credits of upper-division courses required for the major taken at USU: 10
Minimum Grade Point Average (many majors require a higher GPA): 2.0 GPA
Credits of upper-division courses (#3000 or above): 40
Upper-division credits taken at USU: 20
General Education Requirements
University Studies Requirements
Undergraduate Degree Requirements

Admission Requirements For This Program

New freshmen must be admitted to USU in Good Standing.
Transfer students from other institutions or other programs at USU must have a 2.2 GPA.

Major Requirements (79-80 credits)

REQUIREMENTS TO REMAIN IN THS PROGRAM:

No CHEM prefix course may be applied toward graduation with a major in Chemistry:Professional Chemistry Emphasis with an earned grade of less than C-.
No CHEM prefix course may be repeated more than one time to improve the grade to a C- or better.
No CHEM prefix course may be taken on a pass/fail basis, except those courses which are only taught pass/fail.
All candidates for graduation with a Chemistry degree must complete a department exit survey prior to approval of graduation application and completion of the program.

Chemistry Major Requirements (56 credits)

CHEM 1210 - Principles of Chemistry I 4 credit(s)
CHEM 1215 - Chemical Principles Laboratory I 1 credit(s)
CHEM 1220 - Principles of Chemistry II (BPS) 4 credit(s)
CHEM 1225 - Chemical Principles Laboratory II 1 credit(s)
CHEM 2310 - Organic Chemistry I 4 credit(s)
CHEM 2315 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory I 1 credit(s)
CHEM 2320 - Organic Chemistry II 4 credit(s)
CHEM 2325 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory II 1 credit(s)
CHEM 3000 - Quantitative Analysis (QI) 3 credit(s)
CHEM 3005 - Quantitative Analysis Laboratory 1 credit(s)
CHEM 3060 - Physical Chemistry I (QI) 3 credit(s)
CHEM 3070 - Physical Chemistry II (QI) 3 credit(s)
CHEM 3090 - Physical Chemistry Laboratory (CI) 2 credit(s)
CHEM 3510 - Intermediate Inorganic Chemistry 2 credit(s)
CHEM 3520 - Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory 1 credit(s)
MATH 1210 - Calculus I (QL) 4 credit(s)
MATH 1220 - Calculus II (QL) 4 credit(s)
MATH 2210 - Multivariable Calculus (QI) 3 credit(s)
PHYS 2210 - Physics for Scientists and Engineers I (BPS/QI) 4 credit(s)
PHYS 2215 - Physics for Scientists and Engineers Lab I 1 credit(s)
PHYS 2220 - Physics for Scientists and Engineers II (BPS/QI) 4 credit(s)
PHYS 2225 - Physics for Scientists and Engineers Lab II 1 credit(s)

Professional Emphasis Requirements (18-19 credits)

CHEM 1990 - Introduction to the Chemistry and Biochemistry Professions 1 credit(s)
CHEM 3700 - Introductory Biochemistry 3 credit(s) or
CHEM 5700 - General Biochemistry I 3 credit(s)
CHEM 4990 - Undergraduate Seminar (CI) 2 credit(s)
CHEM 5520 - Advanced Inorganic Chemistry 2 credit(s)
CHEM 5530 - Advanced Synthesis Laboratory 2 credit(s)
CHEM 5640 - Instrumental Analysis 3 credit(s)
CHEM 5650 - Instrumental Analysis Laboratory 2 credit(s)
MATH 2250 - Linear Algebra and Differential Equations (QI) 4 credit(s) or
STAT 3000 - Statistics for Scientists (QI) 3 credit(s)

Pre-Approved Advanced Chemistry Electives (6 credits)

Select 6 credits from the following courses.

CHEM 4800 - Research Problems (CI) 1-3 credit(s)
CHEM 5070 - Biophysical Chemistry 3 credit(s)
CHEM 5100 - Computational Chemistry 3 credit(s)
CHEM 5670 - Intermediate Environmental Chemistry 3 credit(s)
CHEM 5680 - Environmental Chemistry Laboratory 2 credit(s)
CHEM 5710 - General Biochemistry II 3 credit(s)
CHEM 5720 - General Biochemistry Laboratory II (CI) 2 credit(s)
CHEM 6010 - Quantum Chemistry 3 credit(s)
CHEM 6020 - Molecular Spectroscopy 3 credit(s)
CHEM 6300 - Advanced Modern Organic Chemistry 3 credit(s)
CHEM 6500 - Reactivity and Mechanisms in Inorganic Chemistry 3 credit(s)
CHEM 6510 - Chemical Applications of Group Theory 1 credit(s)
CHEM 6600 - Modern Chemical Analysis 3 credit(s)
CHEM 6730 - Principles of Enzymology II 2 credit(s)
CHEM 6740 - Cellular Communication by Small Molecules and Proteins 1 credit(s)
CHEM 6750 - Principles of Structural Biology 1 credit(s)
CHEM 6760 - Principles of Bioenergetics 1-3 credit(s)

Additional Information

Students must complete the General Education Requirements :

CHEM 1220 will fulfill the Physical Sciences (BPS) requirement.
PHYS 2220 will fulfill the Integrated Studies requirement.
MATH 1210 will fulfill the Quantitative Literacy (QL) requirement.

Student must also complete the University Studies Requirements :

PHYS 2210 will fulfill the Quantitative Intensive (QI) requirement.
CHEM 4990 and CHEM 3090 will fulfill the Communications Intensive (CI) requirement.

Students must complete at least 2 credits in approved 3000-level or above courses from each of the following two categories: Depth Humanities and Creative Arts (DHA) and Depth Social Sciences (DSS) .

Open Electives

Total elective credit is determined by General Education courses taken, degree type selected, additional credits earned, and any additional math or other prerequisite courses needed. Please consult your Academic Advisor for details.

Total Credits: 123

Suggested Degree Map - Chemistry: Professional Chemistry Emphasis BS

Chemistry: Professional Chemistry Emphasis BS - 4 Year Degree Map