Chemistry: Environmental 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.

Environmental Chemistry (BS): This is the study of chemical alterations in the environment. Principal areas include studying soil contamination, water pollution, and air pollution. 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 through USU: 30
Total major required credits 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

Admissions 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 (83-86 credits)

REQUIREMENTS TO REMAIN IN THS PROGRAM:

No CHEM prefix course may be applied toward graduation with a major in Chemistry: Environmental Chemistry 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 (75-76 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 1990 - Introduction to the Chemistry and Biochemistry Professions 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)
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 5640 - Instrumental Analysis 3 credit(s)
CHEM 5650 - Instrumental Analysis Laboratory 2 credit(s)
CHEM 5670 - Intermediate Environmental Chemistry 3 credit(s)
CHEM 5680 - Environmental Chemistry Laboratory 2 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)
MATH 2250 - Linear Algebra and Differential Equations (QI) 4 credit(s) or
STAT 3000 - Statistics for Scientists (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)

Introductory Environmental Electives (6-7 credits)

Select 6-7 credits from the following courses.

CEE 3610 - Environmental Management 3 credit(s)
CEE 3640 - Drinking Water Engineering 3 credit(s)
GEO 1110 - Physical Geology (BPS) 3 credit(s)
PSC 3000 - Fundamentals of Soil Science 4 credit(s)
WATS 1200 - Biodiversity and Sustainability (BLS) 3 credit(s)
BIOL 2220 - General Ecology 3 credit(s) or
WATS 2220 - General Ecology 3 credit(s)

Advanced Environmental Electives (3 credits)

Select 3 credits from the following courses.

ADVS 5400 - Environmental Toxicology 3 credit(s) or
BIOL 5400 - Environmental Toxicology 3 credit(s)
CEE 5620 - Aquatic Chemistry 3 credit(s) or
PSC 5620 - Aquatic Chemistry 3 credit(s)
CEE 5730 - Environmental Chemistry of Organic Contaminants 3 credit(s) or
PUBH 5730 - Environmental Chemistry of Organic Contaminants 3 credit(s)
CEE 5600 - Environmental Chemistry of Inorganic Contaminants 2 credit(s)
CEE 5610 - Environmental Quality Analysis 3 credit(s)
CEE 5750 - Air Quality Measurements 2 credit(s)
CEE 6850 - Atmospheric and Air Pollution Chemistry 3 credit(s)
GEO 5600 - Geochemistry 4 credit(s)
PSC 5050 - Principles of Environmental Soil Chemistry 3 credit(s)
WATS 4110 - Biogeochemistry: Tracking Environmental Processes and Change 3 credit(s)
WATS 4500 - Limnology: Ecology of Inland Waters 3 credit(s)
WATS 4530 - Water Quality and Pollution 3 credit(s)

Additional Information

Students must complete the General Education Requirements :

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

Students 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: 121

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Chemistry: Environmental Chemistry Emphasis BS - 4 Year Degree Map