2023-2024 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry
- Requirements for a Major in Chemistry (B.S.)
- Suggested Order of Coursework
- Requirements for a Major in Chemistry (B.S.) - Education Emphasis
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. Degree Requirements
Students are required to complete the 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 (4 credits)
- CHM 116 - Principles of Chemistry II (5 credits)
- CHM 221 - Survey of Analytical Chemistry (4 credits)
- CHM 245 - Principles of Organic Chemistry I (4 credits)
- CHM 246 - Principles of Organic Chemistry I Lab (1 credit)
- CHM 247 - Principles of Organic Chemistry II (3 credits)
- CHM 248 - Principles of Organic Chemistry II Lab (1 credit)
- CHM 273 - Principles of Inorganic Chemistry (3 credits)
- 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)
- CHM 461 - Biochemistry I (4 credits)
- CHM 491 - Chemistry Seminar II (1 credit)
3. Elective Courses
Take any three:
- CHM 421 - Green Chemistry for Sustainable Environment (3 credits)
- CHM 427 - Green and Environmental Chemistry Laboratory (3 credits)
- CHM 441 - Advanced Topics in Organic Chemistry (3 credits)
- CHM 442 - Synthetic Polymers: Life Cycle and Emerging Sustainable Technologies (3 credits)
- CHM 457 - Advanced Physical and Instrumental Chemistry Laboratory (3 credits)
- CHM 462 - Techniques in Biochemistry (3 credits)
- CHM 463 - Biochemistry II (3 credits)
- CHM 471 - Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (3 credits)
- CHM 475 - Electrochemistry (3 credits)
- CHM 477 - Synthetic Inorganic Chemistry (3 credits)
4. Cognate Courses
- MTH 201 - Calculus I (4 credits)
- MTH 202 - Calculus II (4 credits)
- PHY 230 - Principles of Physics I (5 credits)
- PHY 231 - Principles of Physics II (5 credits)
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/CHM 246
- CHM 242 may replace CHM 247/CHM 248
- CHM 351 may replace CHM 358
- PHY 220 may replace PHY 230
- PHY 221 may replace PHY 231
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
- CHM 462 OR CHM 477 as one of their upper-level electives.
Suggested Order of Coursework
This option for a major (B.S.) in chemistry assumes students will complete the required skills and general education courses and select electives with the help of their advisor.
Year One
- CHM 115 - Principles of Chemistry I (4 credits)
- CHM 116 - Principles of Chemistry II (5 credits)
- MTH 201 - Calculus I (4 credits)
- MTH 202 - Calculus II (4 credits)
- PHY 230 - Principles of Physics I (5 credits)
Year Two
- CHM 221 - Survey of Analytical Chemistry (4 credits)
- CHM 245 - Principles of Organic Chemistry I (4 credits)
- CHM 246 - Principles of Organic Chemistry I Lab (1 credit)
- CHM 247 - Principles of Organic Chemistry II (3 credits)
- CHM 248 - Principles of Organic Chemistry II Lab (1 credit)
- CHM 273 - Principles of Inorganic Chemistry (3 credits)
- PHY 231 - Principles of Physics II (5 credits)
Year Three
- 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)
Year Four
- CHM electives
- CHM 461 - Biochemistry I (4 credits)
- CHM 491 - Chemistry Seminar II (1 credit) Capstone course
Requirements for a Major in Chemistry (B.S.) - Education Emphasis
The education emphasis is designed specifically for students who plan to teach chemistry at the secondary level.
The B.S. degree in chemistry with an education emphasis will require chemistry and cognate courses that add up to 79 credits.
1. Degree Requirements
Students are required to complete the 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 (4 credits)
- CHM 116 - Principles of Chemistry II (5 credits)
- CHM 221 - Survey of Analytical Chemistry (4 credits)
- CHM 245 - Principles of Organic Chemistry I (4 credits)
- CHM 246 - Principles of Organic Chemistry I Lab (1 credit)
- CHM 247 - Principles of Organic Chemistry II (3 credits)
- CHM 248 - Principles of Organic Chemistry II Lab (1 credit)
- CHM 273 - Principles of Inorganic Chemistry (3 credits)
- CHM 351 - Introduction to Physical Chemistry (3 credits)
- CHM 352 - Physical Chemistry Laboratory (1 credit)
- CHM 391 - Chemistry Seminar I (1 credit)
- CHM 461 - Biochemistry I (4 credits)
- CHM 491 - Chemistry Seminar II (1 credit)
3. Science Cognate Courses
- BIO 120 - General Biology I (4 credits)
- BIO 121 - General Biology II (4 credits)
- GEO 111 - Exploring the Earth (4 credits)
- MTH 201 - Calculus I (4 credits)
- PHY 220 - General Physics I (5 credits)
- PHY 221 - General Physics II (5 credits)
4. Psychology and Education Courses
- EDF 315 - Diverse Perspectives on Education (3 credits)
- EDI 338 - Teachers as Decision Makers: Instruction and Assessment in Elementary Schools (3 credits)
- EDS 379 - Universal Design for Learning: Secondary (3 credits)
- PSY 101 - Introductory Psychology (3 credits)
- PSY 301 - Child Development (3 credits)
- SCI 440 - Physics and Chemistry in Secondary Education (3 credits)
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 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 and
- eight additional credits of CHM courses above the 200-level, which must include either CHM 462 or CHM 477.
Suggested Order of Coursework
This option for a major in chemistry (B.S.) with an education emphasis assumes students will complete the required skills and general education courses and select electives with the help of their advisors.
Year One
- BIO 120 - General Biology I (4 credits)
- CHM 115 - Principles of Chemistry I (4 credits)
- CHM 116 - Principles of Chemistry II (5 credits)
- MTH 201 - Calculus I (4 credits)
- PHY 220 - General Physics I (5 credits)
- PSY 101 - Introductory Psychology (3 credits)
Year Two
- BIO 121 - General Biology II (4 credits)
- CHM 221 - Survey of Analytical Chemistry (4 credits)
- CHM 245 - Principles of Organic Chemistry I (4 credits)
- CHM 246 - Principles of Organic Chemistry I Lab (1 credit)
- CHM 247 - Principles of Organic Chemistry II (3 credits)
- CHM 248 - Principles of Organic Chemistry II Lab (1 credit)
- CHM 273 - Principles of Inorganic Chemistry (3 credits)
- PHY 221 - General Physics II (5 credits)
Year Three
- CHM 351 - Introduction to Physical Chemistry (3 credits)
- CHM 352 - Physical Chemistry Laboratory (1 credit)
- CHM 391 - Chemistry Seminar I (1 credit)
- EDS 379 - Universal Design for Learning: Secondary (3 credits)
- GEO 111 - Exploring the Earth (4 credits)
- PSY 301 - Child Development (3 credits)
Year Four
- CHM 461 - Biochemistry I (4 credits)
- CHM 491 - Chemistry Seminar II (1 credit)
- EDF 315 - Diverse Perspectives on Education (3 credits)
- EDI 338 - Teachers as Decision Makers: Instruction and Assessment in Elementary Schools (3 credits)
- SCI 440 - Physics and Chemistry in Secondary Education (3 credits)