2024-2025 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog [In Progress]
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry
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 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