2019-2020 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry
- Requirements for a Major in Chemistry (B.S.)
- Bachelor of Science in Chemistry - Education Emphasis
- Requirements for a Major in Chemistry - Education (B.S.)
- Suggested Order of Coursework for a Major in Chemistry (B.S.)
A summary of all degree requirements as well as other departmental information is available in the Chemistry Department Handbook. All chemistry majors should obtain a copy from the department office.
A degree in chemistry will require chemistry and cognate courses that add up to 69 credits.
Requirements for a Major in Chemistry (B.S.)
1. General University Degree Requirements
As identified in the General Academic Policies section of the Grand Valley State University Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog.
2. Chemistry Courses
- CHM 115 - Principles of Chemistry I Credits: 4
- CHM 116 - Principles of Chemistry II Credits: 5
- CHM 221 - Survey of Analytical Chemistry Credits: 4
- CHM 245 - Principles of Organic Chemistry I Credits: 4
- CHM 246 - Principles of Organic Chemistry I Lab Credits: 1
- CHM 247 - Principles of Organic Chemistry II Credits: 3
- CHM 248 - Principles of Organic Chemistry II Lab Credits: 1
- CHM 273 - Principles of Inorganic Chemistry Credits: 3
- CHM 325 - Instrumental Analysis Credits: 4
- CHM 352 - Physical Chemistry Laboratory Credits: 1
- CHM 356 - Physical Chemistry I Credits: 3
- CHM 358 - Physical Chemistry II Credits: 3
- CHM 391 - Chemistry Seminar I Credits: 1
- CHM 461 - Biochemistry I Credits: 4
- CHM 491 - Chemistry Seminar II Credits: 1
3. Elective Courses
(take any three)
- CHM 421 - Green Chemistry for Sustainable Environment Credits: 3
- CHM 427 - Green and Environmental Chemistry Laboratory Credits: 3
- CHM 441 - Advanced Topics in Organic Chemistry Credits: 3
- CHM 442 - Synthetic Polymers: Life Cycle and Emerging Sustainable Technologies Credits: 3
- CHM 447 - Organic Synthesis and Characterization Credits: 3
- CHM 457 - Advanced Physical and Instrumental Chemistry Laboratory Credits: 3
- CHM 462 - Techniques in Biochemistry Credits: 3
- CHM 463 - Biochemistry II Credits: 3
- CHM 471 - Advanced Inorganic Chemistry Credits: 3
- CHM 475 - Electrochemistry Credits: 3
- CHM 477 - Synthetic Inorganic Chemistry Credits: 3
4. Cognate Courses
- MTH 201 - Calculus I Credits: 4
- MTH 202 - Calculus II Credits: 4
- PHY 230 - Principles of Physics I Credits: 5
- PHY 231 - Principles of Physics II Credits: 5
Additional Information
Students in the chemistry major who transfer or change majors may make these substitutions with advisor approval:
- CHM 241 may replace CHM 245/246
- CHM 242 may replace CHM 247/248
- CHM 351 may replace CHM 358
- PHY220 may replace PHY230
- PHY221 may replace PHY231
Students in the chemistry major seeking a degree certified by the American Chemical Society (ACS) must also complete:
- at least 148 lab hours in additional elective CHM courses above the 200-level which could include CHM 490 OR CHM 499
AND EITHER
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry - Education Emphasis
The education emphasis is designed specifically for students who plan to teach chemistry at the secondary level.
A degree in chemistry with an education emphasis will require chemistry and cognate courses that add up to 79 credits.
Requirements for a Major in Chemistry - Education (B.S.)
1. General University Degree Requirements
As identified in the General Academic Policies section of the Grand Valley State University Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog.
2. Chemistry Courses
- CHM 115 - Principles of Chemistry I Credits: 4
- CHM 116 - Principles of Chemistry II Credits: 5
- CHM 221 - Survey of Analytical Chemistry Credits: 4
- CHM 245 - Principles of Organic Chemistry I Credits: 4
- CHM 246 - Principles of Organic Chemistry I Lab Credits: 1
- CHM 247 - Principles of Organic Chemistry II Credits: 3
- CHM 248 - Principles of Organic Chemistry II Lab Credits: 1
- CHM 273 - Principles of Inorganic Chemistry Credits: 3
- CHM 351 - Introduction to Physical Chemistry Credits: 3
- CHM 352 - Physical Chemistry Laboratory Credits: 1
- CHM 391 - Chemistry Seminar I Credits: 1
- CHM 461 - Biochemistry I Credits: 4
- CHM 491 - Chemistry Seminar II Credits: 1
3. Science Cognate Courses
- BIO 120 - General Biology I Credits: 4
- BIO 121 - General Biology II Credits: 4
- GEO 111 - Exploring the Earth Credits: 4
- MTH 201 - Calculus I Credits: 4
- PHY 220 - General Physics I Credits: 5
- PHY 221 - General Physics II Credits: 5
4. Psychology and Education Courses
- EDF 315 - Diverse Perspectives on Education Credits: 3
- EDI 338 - Teachers as Decision Makers: Instruction and Assessment in Elementary Schools Credits: 3
- EDS 379 - Universal Design for Learning: Secondary Credits: 3
- PSY 101 - Introductory Psychology Credits: 3
- PSY 301 - Child Development Credits: 3
- SCI 440 - Physics and Chemistry in Secondary Education Credits: 3
Additional Information
Students in the education emphasis who transfer or change majors may make these substitutions with advisor approval:
Students in the education emphasis seeking a degree certified by the American Chemical Society (ACS) must also complete:
- At least 190 lab hours in additional elective CHM courses above the 200-level. CHM 490 and CHM 499 lab hours may be used to satisfy this requirement.
- Eight additional credits of CHM courses above the 200-level, which must include either CHM 462 or CHM 477.
Suggested Order of Coursework for a Major in Chemistry (B.S.)
This option assumes students will complete the required skills and general education courses and select electives with the help of their advisor.
First Year
- CHM 115 - Principles of Chemistry I Credits: 4
- CHM 116 - Principles of Chemistry II Credits: 5
- MTH 201 - Calculus I Credits: 4
- MTH 202 - Calculus II Credits: 4
- PHY 230 - Principles of Physics I Credits: 5
Second Year
- CHM 222 - Quantitative Analysis Credits: 3
- CHM 225 - Instrumental Analysis I Credits: 3
- CHM 221 - Survey of Analytical Chemistry Credits: 4
- CHM 245 - Principles of Organic Chemistry I Credits: 4
- CHM 246 - Principles of Organic Chemistry I Lab Credits: 1
- CHM 247 - Principles of Organic Chemistry II Credits: 3
- CHM 248 - Principles of Organic Chemistry II Lab Credits: 1
- CHM 273 - Principles of Inorganic Chemistry Credits: 3
- PHY 231 - Principles of Physics II Credits: 5
Third Year
- CHM electives
- CHM 325 - Instrumental Analysis (4 credits)
- CHM 352 - Physical Chemistry Laboratory (1 credit)
- CHM 356 - Physical Chemistry I (3 credits)
- CHM 358 - Physical Chemistry II (3 credits)
- CHM 391 - Chemistry Seminar I (1 credit)
Fourth Year
- CHM electives
- CHM 461 - Biochemistry I (4 credits)
- CHM 491 - Chemistry Seminar II (1 credit) (Capstone course)
Click here for the program description.
Suggested Order of Coursework for a Major in Chemistry - Education Emphasis (B.S.)
This option assumes students will complete the required skills and general education courses and select electives with the help of their advisors.
First Year
- BIO 120 - General Biology I Credits: 4
- CHM 115 - Principles of Chemistry I Credits: 4
- CHM 116 - Principles of Chemistry II Credits: 5
- MTH 201 - Calculus I Credits: 4
- PHY 220 - General Physics I Credits: 5
- PSY 101 - Introductory Psychology Credits: 3
Second Year
- BIO 121 - General Biology II Credits: 4
- CHM 221 - Survey of Analytical Chemistry Credits: 4
- CHM 245 - Principles of Organic Chemistry I Credits: 4
- CHM 246 - Principles of Organic Chemistry I Lab Credits: 1
- CHM 247 - Principles of Organic Chemistry II Credits: 3
- CHM 248 - Principles of Organic Chemistry II Lab Credits: 1
- CHM 273 - Principles of Inorganic Chemistry Credits: 3
- PHY 221 - General Physics II Credits: 5
Third Year
- CHM 351 - Introduction to Physical Chemistry Credits: 3
- CHM 352 - Physical Chemistry Laboratory Credits: 1
- CHM 391 - Chemistry Seminar I Credits: 1
- EDS 379 - Universal Design for Learning: Secondary Credits: 3
- GEO 111 - Exploring the Earth Credits: 4
- PSY 301 - Child Development Credits: 3