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BS in Chemistry

Degree Program Description

Chemistry is the study of matter and substances in order to understand, explain and predict how substances change. The BS degree is designed for those students who desire a more focused education in Chemistry and related Sciences than that provided by the BA degree, which is more general. There are three degree tracks for those who are pursuing a BS. The American Chemical Society certification track is recommended for BS students who desire professional employment as chemists or who plan to pursue graduate education in chemistry. A medicinal chemistry track is available to BS students who plan careers in the health professions or in pharmaceutical, clinical or medicinal chemistry. The third BS track, leading to simultaneous completion of a BS in Chemistry and a BSEd in Secondary Education with Emphasis in Chemistry, is appropriate for those students who wish to teach chemistry in secondary schools. Most chemistry majors continue their education in the best graduate schools or professional schools in the country. Many of our graduates are now physicians or have teaching and research careers at universities and colleges. Other graduates are managers in industry and specialists in their fields.

Major Program Requirements

Department Level Requirements must be completed in addition to University, general education, and College of Arts and Science requirements. Students must also meet the following major program requirements. All major requirements in the College of Arts and Science must be completed with grades of C- or higher unless otherwise indicated.

Students should consult with a chemistry advisor to schedule science and mathematics requirements in the appropriate order. Note that for a number of chemistry courses there is a prerequisite of a grade of C or better in a previous course. Please see the Associate Chair for Undergraduate Studies  for assignment of an advisor.

Note that students pursuing a BS degree with a major in Chemistry may opt to satisfy the foreign language requirement through alternative course work consisting of no fewer than 12 credits numbered 2000 or above.

Major Core Requirements
CHEM 1400
CHEM 1401
College Chemistry I
and College Chemistry I Laboratory
4
CHEM 1410
CHEM 1411
College Chemistry II
and College Chemistry II Laboratory
4
CHEM 2100Organic Chemistry I3
CHEM 2110Organic Chemistry II3
CHEM 2130Organic Laboratory I2
CHEM 2140Organic Laboratory II2
CHEM 2400Fundamentals of Inorganic Chemistry with Lab3
CHEM 3200Quantitative Methods of Analysis with Lab4
CHEM 3700WUndergraduate Seminar in Chemistry - Writing Intensive3
MATH 1500Analytic Geometry and Calculus I5
MATH 1700Calculus II5
Total Credits38

Chemistry Major with BS Degree American Chemical Society Certification Track

CHEM 4310Physical Chemistry I3
CHEM 4330Physical Chemistry II3
CHEM 4340Physical Chemistry Laboratory3
CHEM 3700WUndergraduate Seminar in Chemistry - Writing Intensive3
CHEM 4200Instrumental Methods of Analysis with Lab3
CHEM 4400Inorganic Chemistry3
CHEM 4950Senior Research3
or CHEM 4990H Senior Honors Research I
BIOCHM 4270Biochemistry3
PHYSCS 2750University Physics I5
PHYSCS 2760University Physics II5
MATH 2300Calculus III3
Total Credits37

Medicinal Chemistry Track

CHEM 4310Physical Chemistry I3
CHEM 3700WUndergraduate Seminar in Chemistry - Writing Intensive3
CHEM 4170Medicinal Chemistry3
CHEM 4600Introduction to Radiochemistry with Lab3
or BIO_SC 4328 Introductory Radiation Biology
PHYSCS 1210College Physics I4
or PHYSCS 2750 University Physics I
PHYSCS 1220College Physics II4
or PHYSCS 2760 University Physics II
BIO_SC 1500Introduction to Biological Systems with Laboratory5
BIO_SC 2200General Genetics4
BIO_SC 2300Introduction to Cell Biology4
BIOCHM 4270Biochemistry3
BIOCHM 4272Biochemistry3
Total Credits39

Dual Degree in Chemistry and Secondary Education

CHEM 4800Chemistry Teaching Practicum3

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Semester Plan

Below is a sample plan of study, semester by semester. A student's actual plan may vary based on course choices where options are available.

Sample Eight-Semester Program - Bachelor of Science with a Major in Chemistry (ACS Certification Track)

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CHEM 1400
CHEM 1401
4CHEM 1410
CHEM 1411
4
MATH 1500*5MATH 17005
American History/Government*3PHYSCS 27505
ENGLSH 1000*3 
 15 14
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CHEM 21003CHEM 21103
MATH 23003CHEM 21302
General Education/Elective3General Education/Elective*3
PHYSCS 27605General Education/Elective3
General Education/Elective3General Education/Elective3
 17 14
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CHEM 24003CHEM 21402
CHEM 32004CHEM 3700W3
CHEM 43103CHEM 43303
Second Language (or substitute)4Second Language (or substitute)4
 General Education/Elective*3
 14 15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CHEM 42003CHEM 44003
BIOCHM 42703CHEM 43403
Second Language (or substitute)4CHEM 4950 or 4990H3
General Education/Elective*3General Education/Elective*3
General Education/Elective*3General Education/Elective*3
 16 15
Total Credits: 120
*

 Courses satisfy certain University general education requirements.

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Sample Eight-Semester Program - Bachelor of Science with a Major in Chemistry (Medicinal Chemistry Track)

Check the Undergraduate Catalog for Prerequisites.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CHEM 1400
CHEM 1401
4CHEM 1410
CHEM 1411
4
MATH 1500*5MATH 17005
PSYCH 10003ENGLSH 1000*3
American History/Government*3General Education/Elective3
 15 15
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CHEM 21003CHEM 21103
BIO_SC 15005CHEM 21302
PHYSCS 12104BIO_SC 22004
General Education/Elective3PHYSCS 12204
 General Education/Elective3
 15 16
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CHEM 24003CHEM 21402
CHEM 32004CHEM 3700W3
BIO_SC 23004BIOCHM 42703
Second Language (or substitute)4Second Language (or substitute)4
 General Education/Elective3
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CHEM 43103CHEM 41703
BIOCHM 42723Chemistry Elective (e.g. CHEM 4600)3-4
Second Language (or substitute)4General Education/Elective*3
General Education/Elective*3General Education/Elective*3
General Education/Elective*3General Education/Elective3
 16 15-16
Total Credits: 122-123
*

 Courses satisfy certain University general education requirements.

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Degree Audit

The degree audit is an automated report reflecting a student’s academic progress toward the completion of a degree. 

MU students can request a degree audit by logging in to myDegreePlanner. Students may also access myDegreePlanner via myZou, in the Student Center, click on the Academic Progress Tile, then select Request Degree Audit. The audit automatically pulls in the student’s MU course work, transfer courses and courses in progress. This is available to current students, admitted students, and those who last attended less than three terms ago.

Past MU students can request a degree audit by contacting the Academic Advising Unit of the division in which they were last enrolled at MU. For contact information, go to https://advising.missouri.edu/contact/.

Prospective students, can access a preliminary MU degree audit via https://www.transferology.com. Information on the college credits already earned will have to be manually entered before it can be evaluated against current degree requirements.

For additional details on degree audits, go to https://registrar.missouri.edu/degrees-audits/degree-audits/.

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Major and Career Exploration

The University of Missouri has many resources to assist you in exploring majors and career possibilities. For guidance, visit the Majors and Careers website or view specific resources below.

  • If you are considering a change of major or are exploring multiple majors, schedule an appointment with an advisor in the Discovery Center by calling (573)884-9700 or through MU Connect Discovery Center service in you success network.

  • If you have decided on a major, visit an academic advisor in the School or College that you are interested in to discuss the process of declaring the major

  • If you would like to learn more about your career interests, abilities, values and talents, visit the MU Career Center. No Appointment is necessary to explore career options with one of our staff members.

For additional major and career exploration resources, visit Major & Career Exploration in the catalog.

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