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100% of Chemistry Majors Find Employment or Pursue Advanced Education within 6 Months of Graduation

Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry

As a chemistry student, you'll enjoy small classes, including introductory chemistry, significant original research experiences in our modern laboratories with well-equipped instrumentation, student-faculty collaboration and varying teaching methods that serve diverse learning styles. 

You may want to pursue the opportunity to teach others as a laboratory assistant and to do research and science outreach through our INBRE and NASA grants that will prepare you for careers in industry, research, education or a variety of professional program. Our graduates are often selected for graduate programs in a variety of disciplines.

Since 2010, College of Saint Mary chemistry graduates have enjoyed a 100 percent success rate after graduation, either employed in industry or pursuing advanced education.

Required Courses in Your Major

General Chemistry Lab/Lecture

This course will provide you with a detailed, problem-oriented study of the fundamental principles that govern chemical processes and reactions. The lab component will consist of a series of experiments designed to demonstrate some of the theoretical principles discussed in the lecture, through the employment of a variety of laboratory techniques.

General Chemistry II Lecture/Lab

With this course, you’ll experience a continuation of the problem-oriented study of chemical principles, theory and phenomena begun in CHM 110. The lab will cover a series of experiments designed to complement the material covered in CHM 112.

Analytical Chemistry Lecture/Lab

In this course, you will study the theory of modern methods of quantitative analysis. In the lab component of this course you will apply the concepts covered in the lecture.

Organic Chemistry I Lecture/Lab

This course will provide you with an introduction to the language of organic chemistry, and the theoretical principles that govern organic reactions. You will also be introduced to structures and nomenclature of organic compounds, mechanisms of organic reactions, and many types of different organic reactions. The lab component of this course will provide an introduction to the techniques of separation, isolation and purification of organic compounds. You will also use various techniques to identify organic compounds.

Organic Chemistry II Lecture/Lab

This course is a continuation of the study of organic reactions and their mechanisms. You will be introduced to the theory of organic compound synthesis, and the use of spectroscopy as an analytical tool. The lab component of this course will build on skills from the Organic Chemistry I lab as well as cover materials discussed in the lecture.

Biochemistry Lecture/Lab

In this course, you’ll learn about structure and function of proteins and enzymes, lipids and carbohydrates. The lab focuses on application of basic methods and techniques in biochemistry.

Instrumental Analysis Lecture/Lab

This course explores the physicochemical basis and operation of instrumentation used in qualitative and quantitative analysis. The lab is a hands-on course aimed at training you in the use and maintenance of modern scientific instruments as well as interpretation of the data acquired.

Physical Chemistry Lecture/Lab

This course will give you an introduction to the scientific states and structure of matter thermodynamics, thermochemistry, equilibrium, kinetics and quantum theory. Laboratory experiments are selected to demonstrate physical chemistry principles by employing a variety of laboratory techniques.

Research Chemistry

Under the guidance of a faculty member, you will complete a research project in any of a number of faculty research areas such as bioanalytical chemistry, biological chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry or inorganic chemistry.

Coordinating Seminar

This course offers an integration of special topics in chemistry that have been approached from different points of view in various courses.

Requirements for Graduation from College of Saint Mary

To graduate with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, you must complete 128 credit hours, comprising 45 credit hours in the major, 40 credit hours in general education courses, 22-24 credit hours in supporting courses, 18 credit hours in a minor, and 1-3 credit hours in electives. For a second major, you must complete 30 credit hours in a second area.

The Assurance of Accreditation

The assurance of regional accreditation means that our degrees have been evaluated for their outcomes — including how well they prepare you to meet the needs of your employers, yourself and our global society.  College of Saint Mary is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.

Requirements for Admission to College of Saint Mary

  • High school transcript with GPA and class rank. Unofficial transcripts may be reviewed for admissions purposes, but official transcripts are required before you start classes.
  • A minimum GPA of 2.0
  • ACT score of 18 or higher or SAT score of 860 – 890 (verbal + math) or higher
  • Personal interview (if applicable)
  • Transcripts from any post high school institutions for transfer students. Students who have earned 12 or more credit hours with a minimum GPA of 2.0 from other institutions qualify as transfer students.

Academic Description

100% of Chemistry Majors Find Employment or Pursue Advanced Education within 6 Months of Graduation

Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry

As a chemistry student, you'll enjoy small classes, including introductory chemistry, significant original research experiences in our modern laboratories with well-equipped instrumentation, student-faculty collaboration and varying teaching methods that serve diverse learning styles. 

You may want to pursue the opportunity to teach others as a laboratory assistant and to do research and science outreach through our INBRE and NASA grants that will prepare you for careers in industry, research, education or a variety of professional program. Our graduates are often selected for graduate programs in a variety of disciplines.

Since 2010, College of Saint Mary chemistry graduates have enjoyed a 100 percent success rate after graduation, either employed in industry or pursuing advanced education.

Accreditation

The Assurance of Accreditation

The assurance of regional accreditation means that our degrees have been evaluated for their outcomes — including how well they prepare you to meet the needs of your employers, yourself and our global society.  College of Saint Mary is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission.

Admissions Requirements

Requirements for Admission to College of Saint Mary

  • High school transcript with GPA and class rank. Unofficial transcripts may be reviewed for admissions purposes, but official transcripts are required before you start classes.
  • A minimum GPA of 2.0
  • ACT score of 18 or higher or SAT score of 860 – 890 (verbal + math) or higher
  • Personal interview (if applicable)
  • Transcripts from any post high school institutions for transfer students. Students who have earned 12 or more credit hours with a minimum GPA of 2.0 from other institutions qualify as transfer students.

Curriculum

Required Courses in Your Major

General Chemistry Lab/Lecture

This course will provide you with a detailed, problem-oriented study of the fundamental principles that govern chemical processes and reactions. The lab component will consist of a series of experiments designed to demonstrate some of the theoretical principles discussed in the lecture, through the employment of a variety of laboratory techniques.

General Chemistry II Lecture/Lab

With this course, you’ll experience a continuation of the problem-oriented study of chemical principles, theory and phenomena begun in CHM 110. The lab will cover a series of experiments designed to complement the material covered in CHM 112.

Analytical Chemistry Lecture/Lab

In this course, you will study the theory of modern methods of quantitative analysis. In the lab component of this course you will apply the concepts covered in the lecture.

Organic Chemistry I Lecture/Lab

This course will provide you with an introduction to the language of organic chemistry, and the theoretical principles that govern organic reactions. You will also be introduced to structures and nomenclature of organic compounds, mechanisms of organic reactions, and many types of different organic reactions. The lab component of this course will provide an introduction to the techniques of separation, isolation and purification of organic compounds. You will also use various techniques to identify organic compounds.

Organic Chemistry II Lecture/Lab

This course is a continuation of the study of organic reactions and their mechanisms. You will be introduced to the theory of organic compound synthesis, and the use of spectroscopy as an analytical tool. The lab component of this course will build on skills from the Organic Chemistry I lab as well as cover materials discussed in the lecture.

Biochemistry Lecture/Lab

In this course, you’ll learn about structure and function of proteins and enzymes, lipids and carbohydrates. The lab focuses on application of basic methods and techniques in biochemistry.

Instrumental Analysis Lecture/Lab

This course explores the physicochemical basis and operation of instrumentation used in qualitative and quantitative analysis. The lab is a hands-on course aimed at training you in the use and maintenance of modern scientific instruments as well as interpretation of the data acquired.

Physical Chemistry Lecture/Lab

This course will give you an introduction to the scientific states and structure of matter thermodynamics, thermochemistry, equilibrium, kinetics and quantum theory. Laboratory experiments are selected to demonstrate physical chemistry principles by employing a variety of laboratory techniques.

Research Chemistry

Under the guidance of a faculty member, you will complete a research project in any of a number of faculty research areas such as bioanalytical chemistry, biological chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry or inorganic chemistry.

Coordinating Seminar

This course offers an integration of special topics in chemistry that have been approached from different points of view in various courses.

Degree Requirements

Requirements for Graduation from College of Saint Mary

To graduate with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, you must complete 128 credit hours, comprising 45 credit hours in the major, 40 credit hours in general education courses, 22-24 credit hours in supporting courses, 18 credit hours in a minor, and 1-3 credit hours in electives. For a second major, you must complete 30 credit hours in a second area.