Chemistry (BS)

Students majoring in the BS in Chemistry select either the General or Environmental Chemistry option. The BS in Chemistry (both options) follows guidelines established by the American Chemical Society. The program includes a required undergraduate research and/or internship experience for both options and prepares students for admission to graduate and professional schools, as well as employment as professional chemists.

Degree Requirements

Course Title Credits
Major Requirements
CH 1200Majoring and Working in Chemistry1
CH 1050Laboratory Safety1
CH 2255Techniques in Laboratory3
CH 2335General Chemistry I (QRCO)4
CH 2340General Chemistry II4
CH 3030Biochemistry I4
CH 3370Organic Chemistry I4
CH 3380Organic Chemistry II4
CH 3410Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics and Kinetics (WRCO)4
CH 3465Physical Chemistry: Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy4
CH 3500Inorganic Chemistry4
CH 3550Instrumental Analysis (TECO,WRCO)4
PH 2410
& PH 2430		University Physics I
and Physics Laboratory I		4
PH 2420
& PH 2440		University Physics II
and Physics Laboratory II		4
CH 4400Senior Seminar1
MA 2550Calculus I (QRCO)4
MA 2560Calculus II (QRCO)4
Choose one 3-4 credit course from the following list3-4
CH 4531
Senior Research
CH 3650
Environmental Chemistry
CH 4600
Internship
General Education
EN 1400Composition4
IS 1115Tackling a Wicked Problem4
IS 4220Signature Project (INCO,INCP)4
Electives8-23
CTDICreative Thought Direction3-4
PPDIPast and Present Direction3-4
SSDISelf and Society Direction3-4
Directions (choose from CTDI, PPDI, SSDI) 14-8
DICODiversity Connection3-4
GACOGlobal Awareness Connection3-4
WECOWellness Connection3-4
Total Credits120
1

Directions should total 16-17 credits because SIDI is waived for BS Chemistry.

Check all course descriptions for prerequisites before planning course schedule. Course sequence is suggested but not required.

To complete the bachelor’s degree in 4 years, you must successfully complete a minimum of 15 credits each semester or have a plan to make up credits over the course of the 4 years.  For example, if you take 14 credits one semester, you need to take 16 credits in another semester.  Credits completed must count toward your program requirements (major, option, minor, certificate, general education or free electives).

Check all course descriptions for prerequisites before planning course schedule. Course sequence is suggested but not required.

Plan of Study Grid
Year OneCredits
EN 1400 Composition 4
CH 1200 Majoring and Working in Chemistry 1
IS 1115 Tackling a Wicked Problem 4
CH 1050 Laboratory Safety 1
CH 2255 Techniques in Laboratory 3
CH 2335 General Chemistry I (QRCO) 4
CH 2340 General Chemistry II 4
MA 2550 Calculus I (QRCO) 4
MA 2560 Calculus II (QRCO) 4
CTDICreative Thought Direction 3-4
 Credits32-33
Year Two
CH 3370 Organic Chemistry I 4
CH 3380 Organic Chemistry II 4
PH 2410
& PH 2430		 University Physics I
and Physics Laboratory I		 4
PH 2420
& PH 2440		 University Physics II
and Physics Laboratory II		 4
PPDIPast and Present Direction 3-4
SSDISelf and Society Direction 3-4
Directions (choose from CTDI, PPDI, SSDI) 1 4-8
Elective 0-2
 Credits26-34
Year Three
CH 3030 Biochemistry I 4
DICODiversity Connection 3-4
GACOGlobal Awareness Cnnection 3-4
WECOWellness Connection 3-4
Electives 1-4
 Credits14-20
Years Three and Four
CH 3550 Instrumental Analysis (TECO,WRCO) 4
CH 3410 Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics and Kinetics (WRCO) 4
CH 3465 Physical Chemistry: Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy 4
CH 3500 Inorganic Chemistry 4
 Credits16
Year Four
IS 4220 Signature Project (INCO,INCP) 4
CH 4400 Senior Seminar 1
Choose one of the following: 3-4
CH 4531
or CH 4600
 Senior Research
or Internship
Electives 8-24
 Credits16-33
 Total Credits120
1

Directions should total 16-17 credits because DI is waived for BS Chemistry.

 
  • Content Knowledge: Demonstrate mastery of a broad set of chemical knowledge concerning the fundamentals in the core areas of chemistry.
  • Problem-Solving Skills: Design, carry out, and record the results of chemical analyses and experiments using classical techniques, modern instruments, and/or computers, then analyze those results to draw reasonable, accurate conclusions.
  • Chemical Literature Skills: Employ modern library search tools to locate and retrieve scientific information about a chemical technique, or topic relating to chemistry.
  • Laboratory Safety Skills: Observe safe practices in the laboratory, follow proper procedures and regulations for safe use and disposal of chemicals, and respond to emergencies in the laboratory.
  • Communication Skills: Communicate chemical concepts and experimental results through effective written and oral communication.
  • Team Skills: Work collaboratively with members of a team in classroom and/or laboratory activities.
A chemistry degree from Plymouth State prepares students for a wide variety of career options in each profession. Plymouth State University focuses on several concentrations within the program:
 
Chemistry: Chemistry majors study the nature of all physical things, develop new products and processes, or monitor processes involved in making various products. Chemists typically work for private businesses, government agencies, or educational institutions.
 
For more information, visit Career Services in the Global Education Office.
 
Sample Job Titles:
  • Air Quality Engineer
  • Biochemist
  • College Professor
  • Environmental Consultant
  • Health Care Administrator
  • Instrumentation Specialist
  • Microbiologist
  • Pharmacologist
  • Physicist
  • Research Chemist
  • Risk Manager
  • Technical Writer
See the U.S. Department of Labor Outlook for a complete list.
 
Useful Skills for Jobs in the Chemistry and Biochemistry Fields:
  • Ability to analyze cause and effects
  • Proficiency in analytical reasoning
  • Strong mathematical background
  • Ability to organize and memorize detailed information
  • Strong organization skills