Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (B.S. Chem.)

Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (B.S. Chem.)

The curriculum leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Chemistry has been planned for students preparing for professional work in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related fields. The  major  in Chemistry entails a lesser degree of specialization than that leading to the B.S.Chem. The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (B.S. Chem.) degree requires a more rigorous and more specialized program of study. The program leading to Honors in chemistry is available to qualified students.

In addition there is a five-year joint degree program with the College of Engineering which leads to a B.S. Chem. and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Chemical Engineering).

It is strongly recommended that students who are thinking of degrees in chemistry should arrange an appoint with a Chemistry advisor via the online advising system as soon as possible, preferably before the end of the freshman year but certainly before the end of the sophomore year. The online appointment scheduling system can be found here: www.umich.edu/~michchem/undergrad/index.html.

Exclusions: Students who elect a major in Chemistry may not elect the following major: Interdisciplinary Chemical Sciences. They may also not elect any of the Chemistry minors.

A minimum program leading to this degree is given in the following list of courses and requirements.  

College Requirements +

Bachelor of Science in Chemistry degrees requires  competent use of the modes of thought which characterize each major area of knowledge, and a deep understanding of chemistry. Each student is required also to achieve competency in the use of the English language, to acquire second-year college-level proficiency in a language other than English, must receive credit for an approved course addressing questions on race & ethnicity, and must fulfill the quantitative reasoning requirement.  The  BS-Chem degree requires 60 credits of approved courses in the physical and natural sciences and/or mathematics. 

Credits and Grade Point Average: A student must complete a minimum 124 credits with a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 (C) or better.

B.S. Chem major/degree program +

 

Special Departmental Policies. The department requires that a student earn a grade of at least C- in all CHEM courses and mathematics and physics courses which are prerequisite for subsequent elections. 

A  grade point average of at least 2.0 is required in the major; this includes chemistry courses, mathematics and physics prerequisites and advanced electives which are part of the major. Prerequisites must be taken for a grade.

Prerequisites

CHEM courses through 215, 216, 241/242, and 260 or 370; PHYSICS [135 or 140]/141 and [235 or 240]/241; and MATH 115, 116, 215, 216, or an equivalent sequence are required for any major  in Chemistry. Prerequisites must be taken for a grade.

PHYSICS 240 or 235 and MATH 215 are prerequisites for CHEM 461 and students should, wherever possible, complete both of these before the junior year.

Chemistry Course Requirements 

CHEM 302 or 303, 312, 402, 447, 461, 462, 463, 480, and four credits of CHEM 399 taken over at least two terms, as well as one advanced lecture course in chemistry.

 

 

Honors Plan in Chemistry

The B.S. Chem. degree is the basis of the Honors degree in Chemistry. Maintenance of a satisfactory GPA (3.4) in  courses for the major, including prerequisites, and satisfactory completion of an Honors thesis (CHEM 499) based on the research done in CHEM 399 are required for Honors. All students, whatever their program, who are interested in an Honors degree should see the Chemistry Honors advisor (Room 1500 Chemistry) for approval for participation in the Junior-Senior Honors Program in Chemistry.

B.S. Chemistry Advising +

Students are urged to consult a program advisor during the freshman and/or sophomore years. Prospective majors are advised that further study in chemistry requires adequate performance in early chemistry courses (preferably B- or better) as well as in the mathematics and physics prerequisites. Students interested in an Honors degree should see the Chemistry Honors advisor. Appointments are scheduled online at www.umich.edu/~michchem/undergrad/index.html. 

Students interested in the joint program with the College of Engineering should make an appointment with the designated advisor in the Newnan Academic Advising Center [1255 Angell Hall, (734) 764-0332] and then make an appointment online to see a chemistry department advisor.


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