Earn your BS in Chemistry
The Chemistry BS degree is certified by the American Chemical Society when a biochemistry course is included.
An ACS-approved programs offer a broad-based and rigorous chemistry education that gives students the intellectual, experimental, and communication skills needed to become effective scientific professionals in chemical and other related fields. The program also provides all the prerequisites for graduate work in chemistry or biochemistry and in other biomedical areas with a molecular focus.
A Chemical Sciences Track (the "Yellow Track") is part of the Environmental Science degree program. A BS degree in Environmental Chemical Sciences is a good choice for students who want to combine their interests in environmental science and chemistry. The Environmental Chemical Sciences track will provide the necessary training for entry level positions requiring a basic understanding of chemical principles and a working knowledge of basic chemical concepts applied in the environment. The programs will train students for employment opportunities in the fields of environmental science and environmental chemistry. The program will also serve as a strong foundation for those desiring to pursue graduate education in environmental chemistry.
Requirements and program planning
The Bachelor of Science with a major in chemistry requires a minimum of 120 semester hours, including 69 semester hours of work for the major (20 semester hours in foundation chemistry courses, 27 semester hours in advanced chemistry, and 22 semester hours in supporting course work). BS students must earn at least 20 semester hours in advanced chemistry courses at the University of Iowa.
Requirements and program planning
- Principles of Chemistry I-II, CHEM:1110-1120, 8 semester hours
- Fundamentals of Chemical Measurements, CHEM:2021, 3 semester hours
- Organic I-II for Majors (preferred), CHEM:2230-2240 or Organic I-II, CHEM:2210-2220, 6 semester hours
- Organic Chemistry Lab for Majors (preferred), CHEM:2420 or Organic Chemistry Lab, CHEM:2410, 3 semester hours
- Analytical Chemistry I-II, CHEM:3110-3120, 6 semester hours
- Inorganic Chemistry, CHEM:3250, 3 semester hours
- Analytical Measurements, CHEM:3430, 3 semester hours
- Physical Measurements, CHEM:3440, 3 semester hours
- Inorganic Chemistry Lab, CHEM:3530, 3 semester hours
- Advanced Inorganic Chemistry, CHEM:4270, 3 semester hours
- Physical Chemistry I-II, CHEM:4431-4432, 3 semester hours
- Mathematics, 8 semester hours
- Calculus I-II (preferred), MATH:1850-1860, or Engineer Math I-II, MATH:1550-1560
- Physics, 8 semester hours
- Introductory Physics I-II (preferred), PHYS:1611-1612, or College Physics I-II, PHYS:1511-1512
- Science Electives and Research, 6 semester hours. Options include:
- Undergraduate Research, CHEM:3994
- Advanced science electives
- Biochemistry (BS students who want an ACS certified degree must complete one of these optional courses)
- Biochemistry, BMB:3110, 3 semester hours
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I, BMB:3120, 3 semester hours
Students participating in undergraduate research with a Department of Chemistry faculty member will typically enroll in Undergraduate Research, CHEM:3994, for 1-3 semester hours. Students can also consider enrolling in one of the Undergraduate Research Experience courses, URES:3992-3995. Students in the University Honors Program may register for the Honors Practicum, HONR:3994 or the Honors Thesis, HONR:4990 for a specific number of semester hours.
- Department of Chemistry:
- CHEM:4171 Advanced Analytical Chemistry
- CHEM:4372 Advanced Organic Chemistry
- CHEM:4760 Radiochem: Energy, Medicine, Environment
- CHEM:4873 Atmospheric and Environmental Chemistry
- CHEM:4875 Introduction to Polymer Chemistry
- CHEM:4480 Introduction to Molecular Modeling
- Department of Computer Science:
- CS:3700 Elementary Numerical Analysis
- CS:3190 (except section SCA; COBOL) Programming Languages and Tools and above
- Department of Mathematics:
- MATH:2560 Engineer Math IV: Differential Equations
- MATH:2700 Introduction to Linear Algebra
- MATH:2850 Calculus III and above, except MATH:4120
- Department of Statistics and Actuarial Sciences:
- STAT:2020 Probability & Stat for Engr & Phys Sci
- STAT:3120 Probability and Statistics and above
- Department of Physics and Astronomy:
- PHYS:3710 Intermediate Mechanics and above
- Department of Biochemistry:
- BMB:3110 Biochemistry
- BMB:3120 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I and above
- Environmental Sciences:
- ENVS:3020 Earth Surface Processes and above
Other advanced courses in related science disciplines (including those in other colleges) beyond the introductory level as well as math-related courses that have at least Calculus II (or the equivalent) as a prerequisite may also be acceptable. Consult with your chemistry advisor for more details or to seek approval for a course that is not on the list. CHEM:4430 and CHEM:4450 cannot be used to satisfy the BS electives requirement. Consult with your chemistry advisor for more details or to seek approval for a course that is not on the list.
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