Chemistry

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

OVERVIEW OF DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Minimum number of credits required to graduate: 120

Minimum Cumulative GPA required to graduate: 2.0

Minimum Grade requirements for courses to count toward major: Chemistry majors must earn a C or better in all CHY courses taken. C or better is also required in PHY, MAT, CMJ and COS courses.

Other GPA requirements to graduate: None.

Contact Information: Alice Bruce, Associate Professor and Chair, 154 Aubert Hall, 581-1168

Chemistry encompasses the study of all matter at the molecular level: from the basic structure of materials to techniques for synthesizing new drugs; from an understanding of chemical bonding to the control of the properties of advanced materials for specific applications.

The Department is committed to providing its students with instruction in the most modern practice of chemistry through ongoing curriculum development. The Department provides preparation for careers in the chemical industry and high school teaching, for medical, pharmacy and other professional schools, and for graduate work in chemistry. Undergraduate research provides majors with a close working relationship with one or more faculty members and their research groups.

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS:
The Department of Chemistry offers programs of study leading to the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Chemistry in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Because knowledge of chemistry is fundamental to success in so many fields, the chemistry curriculum offers an unusual opportunity for a wide choice of electives so that the chemistry major may adapt his or her program to individual interests or needs. Such individualized programs include preparation for medical school or other health professions, technical writing, industrial management, or computer applications. More information regarding individual program planning is available from the chair of the Department. The academic programs offered by the Department are described below:

BS Degree in Chemistry

The Department of Chemistry offers two BS degrees in chemistry. Sample schedules and curricula for each degree option are available in the Department of Chemistry office.

ACS Certified BS Degree

The American Chemical Society certified B.S. degree in chemistry prepares the student for employment in the chemical industry or for graduate studies in chemistry or a related field. Students must take a minimum of 50 credits of course work in chemistry. The following courses are required for the ACS certified degree:

CHY 121 - Introduction to Chemistry Credits: 3
CHY 122 - The Molecular Basis of Chemical Change Credits: 3
CHY 123 - Introduction to Chemistry Laboratory Credits: 1
CHY 124 - The Molecular Basis of Chemical Change Laboratory Credits: 1
CHY 242 - Principles of Quantitative Analysis and Solution Equilibria Credits: 5
CHY 251 - Organic Chemistry I Credits: 3
CHY 252 - Organic Chemistry II Credits: 3
CHY 253 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory I Credits: 2
CHY 254 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory II Credits: 2
CHY 393 - Undergraduate Seminar in Chemistry Credits: 3
CHY 398 - Undergraduate Research Credits: 1-2
(must be taken a minimum of 2 semesters)
CHY 399 - Undergraduate Thesis Credits: 1-3
CHY 431 - Structure and Mechanism in Biological Chemistry Credits: 3
CHY 461 - Advanced Inorganic Chemistry I Credits: 3
CHY 471 - Physical Chemistry I Credits: 3
CHY 475 - Physical Chemistry III Credits: 3
CHY 491 - Advanced Integrated Laboratory I Credits: 3

Plus a choice of at least two of the following:

CHY 443 - Instrumental Analysis Credits: 3
CHY 453 - Intermediate Organic Chemistry Credits: 4
CHY 462 - Organometallic Chemistry Credits: 3
CHY 472 - Physical Chemistry II Credits: 3

Additional Requirements:

Additional requirements include MAT 126, 127, 228, PHY 111/PHY 112 or PHY 121/PHY 122, 3 credits of speech communication, and one course in computer programming. General education courses and electives must be chosen to satisfy the university-wide and college requirements for the BS degree.

Non-certified BS Degree

This degree option is excellent for students considering pre-medical, pre-veterinary, or double majors. The non-certified B.S. allows students additional flexibility in their programs so that they may choose suitable electives to prepare for medical, veterinary, and other health professional schools, work in environmental testing and remediation, or work in the pharmaceutical industry. Students also have the option of taking business, law, computer science, materials science, or other courses to complement their chemistry curriculum. This option also is excellent for students who want to earn a double major. Students must take a minimum of 41 credits of course work in chemistry. The following courses are required for the non-certified B.S. degree:

CHY 121 - Introduction to Chemistry Credits: 3
CHY 122 - The Molecular Basis of Chemical Change Credits: 3
CHY 123 - Introduction to Chemistry Laboratory Credits: 1
CHY 124 - The Molecular Basis of Chemical Change Laboratory Credits: 1
CHY 242 - Principles of Quantitative Analysis and Solution Equilibria Credits: 5
CHY 251 - Organic Chemistry I Credits: 3
CHY 252 - Organic Chemistry II Credits: 3
CHY 253 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory I Credits: 2
CHY 254 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory II Credits: 2
CHY 393 - Undergraduate Seminar in Chemistry Credits: 3
CHY 398 - Undergraduate Research Credits: 1-2
(must take a minimum of 2 semesters)
CHY 399 - Undergraduate Thesis Credits: 1-3
CHY 431 - Structure and Mechanism in Biological Chemistry Credits: 3
CHY 461 - Advanced Inorganic Chemistry I Credits: 3
CHY 471 - Physical Chemistry I Credits: 3
CHY 491 - Advanced Integrated Laboratory I Credits: 3
Additional requirements include MAT 126, 127, 228, PHY 111/PHY 112 or PHY 121/PHY 122, 3 credits of speech communication, and one course in computer programming. General education courses and electives must be chosen to satisfy the university-wide and college requirements for the BS degree.

BA Degree in Chemistry

The BA degree in chemistry prepares students for careers in which chemistry and physical science play a significant role. With appropriate electives, students can go on to jobs in a variety of fields including teaching of science in middle school or high school. Students must take a minimum of 36 credits of course work in chemistry. The following courses are required for the BA degree:

CHY 121 - Introduction to Chemistry Credits: 3
CHY 122 - The Molecular Basis of Chemical Change Credits: 3
CHY 123 - Introduction to Chemistry Laboratory Credits: 1
CHY 124 - The Molecular Basis of Chemical Change Laboratory Credits: 1
CHY 242 - Principles of Quantitative Analysis and Solution Equilibria Credits: 5
CHY 251 - Organic Chemistry I Credits: 3
CHY 253 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory I Credits: 2
CHY 393 - Undergraduate Seminar in Chemistry Credits: 3
CHY 398 - Undergraduate Research Credits: 1-2
(must take a minimum of 2 semesters)
CHY 399 - Undergraduate Thesis Credits: 1-3
CHY 461 - Advanced Inorganic Chemistry I Credits: 3
CHY 471 - Physical Chemistry I Credits: 3
Additional requirements include MAT 126, 127, 228, PHY 111/PHY 112 or PHY 121/PHY 122, 3 credits of speech communication, and one course in computer programming. General education courses and electives must be chosen to satisfy the university-wide and college requirements for the BA degree.

Premedicine and Prepharmacy

The chemistry curriculum is strong preparation for further study in medicine, pharmacy and other health related fields. To meet the requirements of most health professional schools, the following courses are recommended: BIO 100 , BIO 200, SOC 101, PSY 100. Additional courses including BIO 377/BIO 378 , BIO 462, BMB 322/BMB 323 and BMB 400 also provide good preparation for these programs. A health professions concentration has been developed and a suggested curriculum is available in the Chemistry Department office.

Science Teaching Certification

There is dramatic need for well-qualified science teachers in both high schools and middle schools. The B.A. or non-certified B.S. in chemistry can be combined with a number of avenues for obtaining state certification as a secondary school science teacher. Students interested in this program should contact the Chemistry Department office for more information.

Other Areas of Focus

The chemistry curriculum provides a flexible grounding for areas of focus in materials science, wood chemistry, and computational chemistry to name a few. Other minors could include business for a career in management within the chemical industry or journalism for careers in technical and science writing. More detailed information is available in the Chemistry office.

Cooperative Work Experience

A program is available which allows students to accept opportunities for temporary employment provided by cooperating industries. The student may work during the summer or part of one summer and either the preceding or following semester. Credit will be allowed for this work under course numbers CHY 394 and CHY 594. This is a supervised and paid professional experience.

Five-Year Combined B.S.-MS Program

Selected students may apply for this option, which permits completion of both the B.S. and M.S. degree in five years. Work completed as part of the Honors program may be included. Application should be made by letter to the Department early in the junior year.

Transfer Students

Transfer students are welcomed in the Department. For a UMaine Chemistry degree, students must take 14 hours of upper level Chemistry at the University of Maine. Half the credits for a minor in Chemistry must be taken at the University of Maine.

Graduate Work in Chemistry

The Department of Chemistry offers a program of study and research leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. The general requirements of these programs are described in the Graduate School online catalog.