Requirements for Major

Students should declare a major in chemistry as early in their academic career as possible. This will provide academic advisors with the information needed to provide for more effective advising and mentoring to meet the degree objectives of the student.

B.S. Degree
Requirements for B.S. in Chemistry
Advanced Electives for B.S. in Chemistry
Typical Course Schedule for B.S. in Chemistry

B.A. Degree
Requirements for B.A. in Chemistry
Advanced Electives for B.A. in Chemistry
Typical Course Schedule for B.A. in Chemistry 

Environmental Chemical Sciences B.S. Degree
Environmental Sciences B.S. Degree Program

Bachelor of Science

The Bachelor of Science with a major in chemistry requires a minimum of 120 s.h., including 69 s.h. of work for the major (20 s.h. in foundation chemistry courses, 27 s.h. in advanced chemistry, and 22 s.h. in supporting course work). B.S. students must earn at least 20 s.h. in advanced chemistry courses at The University of Iowa.

Foundation Courses (B.S., 20 s.h.)

  • Principles of Chemistry I-II, CHEM:1110-1120, 8 s.h.
  • Fundamentals of Chemical Measurements, CHEM:2021, 3 s.h.
  • Organic I-II for Majors (preferred), CHEM:2230-2240 or Organic I-II, CHEM:2210-2220, 6 s.h.
  • Organic Chemistry Lab for Majors (preferred), CHEM:2420 or Organic Chemistry Lab, CHEM:2410, 3 s.h.

Advanced Chemistry Courses (B.S., 27 s.h.)

  • Analytical Chemistry I-II, CHEM:3110-3120, 6 s.h.
  • Inorganic Chemistry, CHEM:3250, 3 s.h.
  • Analytical Measurements, CHEM:3430, 3 s.h.
  • Physical  Measurements, CHEM:3440, 3 s.h.
  • Inorganic Chemistry Lab, CHEM:3530, 3 s.h.
  • Advanced Inorganic Chemistry, CHEM:4270, 3 s.h.
  • Physical Chemistry I-II, CHEM:4431-4432, 3 s.h.

Supporting Courses (B.S., 22 s.h.)

  • Mathematics, 8 s.h.
    • Calculus I-II (preferred), MATH:1850-1860, or Engineer Math I-II, MATH:1550-1560
  • Physics, 8 s.h.
    • Introductory Physics I-II (preferred), PHYS:1611-1612, or College Physics I-II, PHYS:1511-1512 
  • Science Electives and Research, 6 s.h. Options include:
    • Undergraduate Research, CHEM:3994 
    • Advanced Science Electives
    • Biochemistry (B.S. students who want an ACS certified degree must complete one of these optional courses)
      • Biochemistry, BMB:3110, 3 s.h.
      • Biochemistry and Molecular Biology I, BMB:3120, 3 s.h.

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.

Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry

The Bachelor of Arts with a major in chemistry requires a minimum of 120 s.h., including 53-54 s.h. of work for the major (20 s.h. in foundation chemistry courses, 12 s.h. in advanced chemistry, and 21-22 s.h. in supporting course work). B.A. students must earn at least 11 s.h. in advanced chemistry at The University of Iowa.

Foundation Courses (B.A., 20 s.h.)

  • Principles of Chemistry I-II, CHEM:1110-1120, 8 s.h.
  • Fundamentals of Chemical Measurements, CHEM:2021, 3 s.h.
  • Organic I-II for Majors (preferred), CHEM:2230-2240 or Organic I-II, CHEM:2210-2220, 6 s.h.
  • Organic Chemistry Lab for Majors (preferred), CHEM:2420 or Organic Chemistry Lab, CHEM:2410, 3 s.h.

Advanced Chemistry Courses (B.A., 12 s.h.)

  • Analytical Chemistry I or II, CHEM:3110 or 3120, 3 s.h.
  • Inorganic Chemistry, CHEM:3250, 3 s.h.
  • Principles of Physical Chemistry, CHEM:4430, 3 s.h.
  • Synthesis and Measurement, CHEM:4450, 3 s.h.

Supporting Courses (B.A. 21-22 s.h.)

  • Mathematics
    • Calculus for Biological Sciences (preferred), MATH:1460, Calculus I MATH:1850 or Engineering Math I, MATH:1550, 4 s.h.
    • Biostatistics (preferred), STAT:3510, 3 s.h., or Statistical Methods and Computing, STAT:2010, 3 s.h., or Calculus II, MATH:1860, 4 s.h., or Engineering Math II, MATH:1560, 4 s.h.
  • Physics
    • College Physics I-II (preferred), PHYS:1511-12, or Introductory Physics I-II, PHYS:1611-1612, 8 s.h.
  • Science Electives, 6 s.h.
    • A total of 6 s.h. chosen from a list of chemistry electives