Chemistry Major

This program requires completion of forty-one (41) units in Chemistry, as follows:

Lower Division Courses (25 units):

• CHEM - 111 General Chemistry I
• CHEM - 113 General Chemistry II
• CHEM - 230 Organic Chemistry I
• CHEM - 231 Organic Chemistry II
• CHEM - 232 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
• CHEM - 233 Organic Chemistry Lab II for Majors
• CHEM - 260 Analytical Chemistry

Upper-division courses (16 units):

• CHEM - 340 Physical Chemistry I
• CHEM - 341 Physical Chemistry II
• CHEM - 356 Fundamentals of Biochemistry
• CHEM - 420 Inorganic Chemistry

Required supporting courses (16 units):

• MATH - 109 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I
• MATH - 110 Calculus and Analytic Geometry II
• PHYS - 110 General Physics I
• PHYS - 210 General Physics II

Additional requirements for students to obtain ACS certification of their B.S. degree:

• CHEM 410 and one additional unit of CHEM 397.

Program Goals/Learning Outcomes for the B.S. in Chemistry

Students will

• have a rigorous understanding of fundamental chemical concepts and techniques.
• gain practical experience with a wide variety of chemistry instruments and learn how to interpret data obtained from them.
• Develop abilities to communicate ideas in chemistry to general audiences and to specialists.
• have programs of instruction which lead to the B.S. degree and which enable students to begin either a career in science or to continue with study for a higher degree.

Program Learning Outcomes

When USF students graduate from the chemistry program, they should:

• Understand a broad range of chemical principles and knowledge in analytical, biochemical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry.
• Apply their chemical knowledge and critical thinking skills to the solution of theoretical and practical problems in chemistry.
• Demonstrate laboratory skills appropriate to the study of chemistry: the ability to acquire, interpret and analyze data using manual and instrumental methods, to carry out basic synthetic reactions, to maintain a laboratory notebook, to work confidently and safely in a laboratory.
• Organize and present scientific information in written and oral form assisted by the use of computer technology (word processing, spreadsheets, chemical structure drawing programs and chemical information retrieval services).
• Understand the importance of chemistry in an industrial, economic, environmental and social context.
• Be successful in pursuing further studies or employment in chemistry or multi-disciplinary areas involving chemistry.