Chemistry at Illinois University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

The Department of Chemistry at the University of Illinois

Specialized Chemistry Curriculum for the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Chemistry

(Effective for students matriculating Fall 2001)

For the degree of Bachelor of Science in chemistry, completion of each of the seven categories (A through G) listed below is required for graduation. The typical program of courses required to satisfy these categories totals 128 to 134 hours; in no case will a program totaling less than 120 hours qualify for graduation even if all seven categories are satisfied. Graduation requires grade-point averages of at least 2.0 (A=4.0) overall and 2.0 in courses for categories A through D.

Each graduate of the chemistry curriculum is certified to the American Chemical Society as having met its specifications for professional education in chemistry.

 

Department Distinction. Students qualify for graduation with distinction by exhibiting superior performance in both course work and in senior thesis research. To be eligible, a student must have an overall grade point average of 3.0 and must take at least 6 hours from a combination of CHEM 297, CHEM 397, CHEM 497, CHEM 499 or BIOC 492.  At least 2 of the 6 hours must be CHEM 499 or BIOC 492 (Senior Thesis). 

 

REQUIREMENTS HOURS
A. Core Chemistry Requirement  
  Chem 202, 204, 203, 205,1 236, 237, 312, 315, 420, 436, 442, 444, and 445 352
B. Advanced Chemistry Requirement - At least 11 semester-hours of chemistry or biochemistry numbered 300 or higher, which must include a biochemistry course for ACS certification. 11
 
  1. One of the following:3 Chemistry 317, 437, or 447.
  2. Additional laboratory work3
    Students who will present less than 6 semester-hours credit in Chemistry 499 for graduation must complete two  additional courses chosen from the following list: Chemistry 317, 421, 423 , 437, 447, 483; Biochemistry 455.
    Students who will present at least 6 semester-hours credit in Chemistry 499 for graduation are required to complete only one laboratory course from the above list.
  3. Additional Chemistry/Biochemistry to complete the 11 semester hour requirement. (MCB 354 or MCB 450)
  4. One Biochemistry course must be included for ACS certification.
C. Mathematics Requirement - 220 or 221, 231, and 241 or the equivalent 112
D. Physics Requirement - 101 and 102 or 211 and 212 122
E. Required Technical Electives - 14 credit hours including: 14
  1. Required Mathematics - 498, or 225 and 385, or the equivalent.4
  2. Strongly recommended: Chemistry 499 (maximum of 10 semester-hours).
  3. Recommended: basic Computer Science (especially 101+110).
  4. Other technical courses chosen from:

    • Chemistry (300 or higher), Biochemistry, Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering (200 or higher).
    • Courses in Life Sciences (Biology 251 and all courses at the 200 level or higher).
    • Mathematics or Computer Science - courses above the basic level.
    • Other courses in the physical and biological sciences and engineering including Chemistry 199 (3 semester hours maximum).

Additional courses in the sciences and engineering can be taken upon the approval of the Chair of the Chemistry Department Advising Committee. Most approved courses must have a strong technical prerequisite, such as one year of college-level math or science.
F. Nontechnical Requirements 19-212
 
  1. Required foreign language: 3 high-school years or equivalent as needed to satisfy LAS entrance requirement.
  2. Composition I writing requirement (Rhet 105, Rhet 108, SpCom (111+112), or equivalent)
  3. Composition II writing requirement (course required from Comp. II list)5
  4. Humanities (at least 6 semester-hours) to satisfy the Campus General Education Requirements.
  5. Social and behavioral science (at least 6 semester hours) to satisfy the Campus General Education Requirements.
  6. An approved course that satisfies the Campus General Education Requirement in Cultural Studies - Western Culture.6
  7. An approved course that satisfies the Campus General Education Requirement in Cultural Studies - Non-Western Culture.6
G. Free electives - 31 semester-hours required 31
  Restrictions:
  1. courses preparatory to or used to satisfy the minimum requirements specified in categories A-F may not be included in Category G.
  2. No first-year foreign language course (e.g., 101, 102 or equivalent) may be included unless it is a different  language than used to satisfy Category F.1.
 
 

 

 

1If necessary, Chem 102, 103+104, 105+222, 223 or 204+222,223 may be substituted for Chem 202, 204, 203, 205. Warning: Chem 222 & 223 are offered only in the fall semester.

2Hours given are those typical to meet requirement.

3The course taken to satisfy B.1 may not be counted toward B.2.

4Students contemplating transfer to the Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering curriculum should choose Math 225 & 385.

5The course taken to satisfy the Comp II requirement may also be used to partially satisfy one of the categories A-E (if appropriate) or may be used to partially satisfy Category G.

6The courses taken to satisfy Western and/or Non-Western Culture requirements may also be used to satisfy Categories F (3, 4 and5) and/or G.

Requirements Checklist

 

SCS Academic Advising Office
School of Chemical Sciences
Last Name A-L: Kristy Gorden (217)244-8531; Room 110B Noyes Lab
Last Name M-Z: Todd Spinner (217) 244-6605; Room 110A Noyes Lab