CHEMISTRY PROGRAMS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
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An understanding of chemical principles is important in many fields of endeavor. Several chemistry programs are available depending on your educational and career goals; all offer a solid background in chemistry with an opportunity to tailor your program to individual needs. Detailed descriptions of the various chemistry major programs follow. |
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The Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry (B.A.) is a flexible program designed to prepare the student for further study in a wide range of fields. With a minimum number of required courses, the chemistry B.A. permits the student to design an undergraduate program uniquely suited to individual needs.
The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (B.Sc.) is a pre-professional degree designed for students who plan to become chemists, either by going to graduate school or by working in the chemical industry. The B.Sc. program, certified by the American Chemical Society, emphasizes intensive study in the sciences.
The B.Sc. with Specialization in Biochemistry. This program caters to students having a strong interest in biology and biological chemistry by incorporating biologically-related lecture and laboratory courses. Many students in this program plan to attend medical or dental school, but a significant fraction pursues graduate study in chemistry, biochemistry, environmental science, or related areas.
For the student who wants chemistry with a strong physics orientation, a B.Sc. in Chemistry with Specialization in Chemical Physics is offered; for students with interests in materials sciences or environmental sciences, B.Sc. degrees in chemistry with these specializations are also offered. Additional specializations in Environmental Chemistry and Material Science are offered.
The B.Sc. with Specialization in Chemical Education is for students who intend to teach chemistry/science K-12; it is taken in conjunction with the Curry School's five-year Master of Teaching program, to which the student must seek admission.
All chemistry degrees require completion of a two year sequence of courses at the 100 and 200 levels. The two sequences are (1) 141, 142, 241, and 242 and the associated laboratories 141L, 142L, 241L, and 242L; (2) 181, 182, 281, and 282 and the associated laboratories 181L, 182L, 281L, and 282L. The "40s" series courses present one year of introductory chemistry and one year of organic chemistry. The "80s" series presents chemical structure, reactivity, kinetics, and thermodynamics. Either course sequence provides the foundation for the third and fourth year courses. The "80s" series is recommended for students with a particularly strong background in chemistry, including students with advanced placement in chemistry. Students can most easily change between the "40s" and the "80s" series before the start of the second semester. The following pairs of courses overlap substantially and cannot both be taken for credit: 141 and 181; 142 and 282; 182 and 241; 242 and 281. All degrees must also meet the College Area Requirements.
Undergraduate Research: The Department runs a very active undergraduate research program. Students who wish to see how real science works should seriously consider research. One-credit seminars (CHEM 391, 392) introduce students to research opportunities and teach tools useful in research and in courses. Students may do reserach over multiple semesters. The Undergraduate Web page has an extensive section on research.
The Chemistry Department undergraduate advisers (listed below) welcome your program questions. You are encouraged to consult with them early and regularly.
The Chemistry Department major advisors, email addresses, and their office and phone numbers, are:
Richard Sundberg , rjs1d@virginia.edu, Room 239, 4-3233 -- Head, Undergraduate Studies
James Demas, demas@virginia.edu, Room 144, 4-3343 -- Head, Undergraduate Advising
Dean Harman, wdh5z@virginia.edu, Room 121, 4-3060
Lin Pu, lp6n@virginia.edu, Room 250, 4-6953
Cindy Knight, secretary for the Undergraduate Program (Room 148, 4-7995, csk3a@virginia.edu ), is an invaluable resource. Check out our Undergraduate Web Page, which has a wealth of entertaining and general information on our majors:
E-Mail: We strongly recommend that ALL students interested in chemistry subscribe to our email list. You may subscribe by e-mailing to csk3a@virginia.edu and requesting to be subscribed. This email bulletin board includes job opportunities, course offerings, seminar announcements, deadlines, and advising information.
All Chemistry majors are responsible for information sent out on the Undergraduate E-Mail List.
(rev. October 2008 )
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B.A. IN CHEMISTRY (HEGIS Code 151905) |
The chemistry courses required in the B.A. program are the following:
CHEM 141, 142 Introductory College Chemistry
CHEM 141L, 142L Introductory College Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 241, 242 Organic Chemistry
CHEM 241L, 242L Organic Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 341, 342 or 381, 382 Physical Chemistry Lecture
CHEM 371, 372 Intermediate Techniques in Chemical Experimentation (ICE)
CHEMISTRY ELECTIVE [e.g., Analytical Chem (CHEM 551), Organic Chem (CHEM 511), Inorganic Chem (CHEM 432), Biological Chem (CHEM 441), Physical Chem (CHEM 521,522)]
In addition, the College of Arts and Sciences B.A. requirements including Foreign Languages through 202 must be met (for non-Echols students).
COMMENTS: The B.A. in Chemistry is characterized by "40-track" courses in general chemistry (CHEM 141, 142), organic chemistry (CHEM 241, 242), and physical chemistry (CHEM 341, 342), along with their associated laboratories. An "80-track" chemistry course is an acceptable substitute for a corresponding "40-track" course.
CHEM 222 (Solution Chemsitry) is highly recommended prior to enrollment in advanced laboratories.
The following courses are required prerequisites for physical chemistry:
MATH 121, 122 or MATH 131, 132 Calculus I, II (MATH 131, 132 is highly recommended)
PHYS 151-252 or 201, 202 or PHYS 231, 232 Physics (PHYS 231,232 is highly recommended)
PHYS 203,204 Physics Laboratory+
+PHYS 221 or 222, while difficult to schedule, can replace PHYS 203, 204. They require PHYS 231, 232 as prerequisites.
Intermediate Methods in Chemical Experimentation (CHEM 371, 372) is an "integrated" laboratory course that combines techniques in physical chemistry, inorganic chemistry, and instrumental analysis. ICE laboratory may be taken either concurrently with physical chemistry lecture or following it. Reasonable skill in computer programming or use of a spreadsheet is recommended prior to taking intermediate chemistry laboratory. Many students take physical chemistry lecture in their third year and the laboratory during their fourth year.
The chemistry elective course required to complete the B.A. in chemistry may be any three-credit-hour chemistry course numbered at the 400 level or higher, excluding research courses. It need not be specified at the time of declaring the major.
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B.Sc. IN CHEMISTRY WITH SPECIALIZATION IN BIOCHEMISTRY (ACS Certified and Uncertified) (HEGIS Code 161996) |
This program incorporates an alternative sequence of chemistry and related courses designed to satisfy the B.Sc. requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences and of the American Chemical Society for its certification. Students can get the degree without ACS certification by omitting the two semesters of undergraduate reseach.
Students who declared before November 1, 2007 can get the certified B.S. without the extra two semesters of research.
The courses required for this program are:
The Student must complete Group A OR Group B
Group A
CHEM 141, 142 Introductory College Chemistry
CHEM 141L, 142L Introductory Chemistry Laboratory
*CHEM 222 Solution Chemistry (or one semester of Undergraduate Research)
CHEM 241, 242 Organic Chemistry
CHEM 241L, 242L Organic Chemistry Laboratory
Group B
CHEM 181, 182 Chemical Principles
CHEM 181L, 182L Chemical Principles Laboratory
*CHEM 222 Solution Chemistry (or one semester of undergraduate research)
CHEM 281, 282 Chemical Principles II
CHEM 281L, 282L Chemical Principles II Laboratory
* Solution Chemistry is a prerequisite for the Biological Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 451, 452) for those students who have not had the additional laboratory experience of chemical research and/or the 80s series. It is best taken in the spring semester of the third year.
Additional Requirements
CHEM 341, 342 or 381, 382 Physical Chemistry (Suggested 4th year)
CHEM 395, 395 Two semesters of Undergraduate Research (Required only for ACS certifiation)
CHEM 432 Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM 441, 442 Biological Chemistry (Suggested 3rd year)
CHEM 451, 452* Biological Chemistry Laboratory (Suggested 4th year)
BIOL 201, 202 Biology
BIOL 300 or 301 (either course can be taken without the other as a prerequisite)
The following courses are required prerequisites for physical chemistry and for the major:
MATH 121, 122 or MATH 131, 132 Calculus I, II (MATH 131, 132 is highly recommended)
PHYS 151-252 or 201, 202 or PHYS 231, 232 Principles of Physics (PHYS 231, 232 is highly recommended)
PHYS 203,204 Physics Laboratory+
+PHYS 221 or 222, while difficult to schedule, can replace PHYS 203, 204. They require PHYS 231, 232 as prerequisites.
Physics is best scheduled as a second-year course so as to facilitate scheduling of upper-level chemistry courses during the third and fourth years.
In addition, the College of Arts and Sciences B.A. requirements including Foreign Language through 202 must be met (for non-Echols students).
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B.Sc. IN CHEMISTRY (ACS Certified) (HEGIS Code 161905) |
The B.Sc. in Chemistry is a professional degree that is accredited by the American Chemical Society and is designed to prepare the student for a career in chemistry. Two years of the foundational “40s” or “80s” courses and the associated laboratories are required. Courses in inorganic and analytical chemistry also form part of the core curriculum. The B.Sc. program offers some choice in chemistry electives during the third and fourth years in that advanced courses are offered in six areas (analytical, biological, organic, inorganic, physical chemistry and chemical physics), with the requirement that the student must take a three-hour course from one area. The chemistry courses required in the B.Sc. program are the following:
The Student must complete Group A OR Group B
Group A
CHEM 141, 142 Introductory Chemistry
CHEM 141L, 142L Introductory Chemistry Laboratory
*CHEM 222 Solution Chemistry (or one semester of undergraduate research)
CHEM 241, 242 Organic Chemistry
CHEM 241L, 242L Organic Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 181, 182 Chemical Principles
CHEM 181L, 182L Chemical Principles Laboratory
*CHEM 222 Solution Chemistry (or one semester of undergraduate research)
CHEM 281, 282 Chemical Principles II
CHEM 281L, 282L Chemical Principles II Laboratory
* Solution Chemistry is a prerequisite for the Biological Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 451, 452) for those students who have not had the additional laboratory experience of chemical research and/or the 80s series. It is best taken in the spring semester of the third year.
Other Requirements
CHEM 341, 342 or 381, 382 Physical Chemistry (3rd year)
CHEM 371, 372 Intermediate Techniques in Chemical Experimentation (3rd year)
CHEM 391, 392 Introductory Research Seminar (recommended 3rd year)
CHEM 432 Inorganic Chemistry (spring 3rd year)
CHEM 495, 496 Research (student who starts earlier than 4th year should use 395, 396)
CHEM 551 Instrumental Analysis (fall 3rd year)
Chemical Experimentation (CHEM 371, 372) is an "integrated" laboratory course that combines techniques in physical chemistry, inorganic chemistry, and instrumental analysis.
ONE AREA OPTION: Approved courses include:
CHEM 441 or CHEM 442 Biological Chemistry
CHEM 511 or CHEM 515 Organic Chemistry
CHEM 521 or CHEM 522 Physical Chemistry
CHEM 535 or CHEM 536 Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM 553 Analytical Chemistry
Also required are:
MATH 121, 122 or 131, 132 Calculus I, II (MATH 131, 132 is highly recommended)
MATH 231 or 325 or APMA 213 Calculus III or Differential Equations
PHYS 151-252 or 201, 202 or 231, 232 Physics (PHYS 231, 232 is highly recommended)
PHYS 203,204 Physics Laboratory+
+PHYS 221 or 222, while difficult to schedule, can replace PHYS 203, 204. They require PHYS 231, 232 as prerequisites.
In addition, all College of Arts and Sciences B.A. requirements must be met except Foreign Language, where only through 202 is required (for non-Echols students).
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B.Sc. IN CHEMISTRY WITH SPECIALIZATION IN CHEMICAL PHYSICS (HEGIS Code 161998) |
This program incorporates an alternative sequence of chemistry and related courses designed to satisfy the B.Sc. requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences. The "80s" track courses are recommended. The chemistry courses required in this program are:
The Student must complete Group A OR Group B
Group A
CHEM 141, 142 Introductory Chemistry
CHEM 141L, 142L Introductory Chemistry Laboratory
*CHEM 222 Solution Chemistry (or one semester of undergraduate research)
CHEM 241, 242 Organic Chemistry
CHEM 241L, 242L Organic Chemistry Laboratory
Group B
CHEM 181, 182 Chemical Principles
CHEM 181L, 182L Chemical Principles Laboratory
*CHEM 222 Solution Chemistry (or one semeseter of undergraduate research)
CHEM 281, 282 Chemical Principles II
CHEM 281L, 282L Chemical Principles II Laboratory
* Solution Chemistry is a prerequisite for the Biological Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 451, 452) for those students who have not had the additional laboratory experience of chemical research and/or the 80s series. It is best taken in the spring semester of the third year.
Additional Requirements
CHEM 341, 342 or 381, 382 Physical Chemistry
CHEM 371, 372 Intermediate Chemical Experimentation Laboratory
CHEM 521 Thermodynamics and Kinetics
CHEM 522 Quantum Chemistry
PHYSICS 151 - 252 Introductory Physics I-IV
PHYSICS 221, 222 Physics Laboratory
Two Approved Physics Electives
MATH 131, 132 Calculus I, II
MATH 231 or APMA 213 or Math 325 Calculus III or Differential Equations
In addition, the College of Arts and Sciences B.A. requirements including Foreign Language through 202 must be met (for non-Echols students).
B.Sc. IN CHEMISTRY WITH SPECIALIZATION IN ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY
(HEGIS Code 161999)
This program incorporates an alternative sequence of chemistry and related courses in environmental sciences to satisfy the B.Sc. requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences.
The Student must complete Group A OR Group B
Group A
CHEM 141, 142 Introductory Chemistry
CHEM 141L, 142L Introductory Chemistry Laboratory
*CHEM 222 Solution Chemistry (or one semester of undergraduate research)
CHEM 241, 242 Organic Chemistry
CHEM 241L, 242L Organic Chemistry Laboratory
Group B
CHEM 181, 182 Chemical Principles
CHEM 181L, 182L Chemical Principles Laboratory
*CHEM 222 Solution Chemistry (or one semester of undergraduate research)
CHEM 281, 282 Chemical Principles II
CHEM 281L, 282L Chemical Principles II Laboratory
* Solution Chemistry is a prerequisite for the Biological Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 451, 452) for those students who have not had the additional laboratory experience of chemical research and/or the 80s series. It is best taken in the spring semester of the third year.
Additional Requirements
CHEM 341, 342 or 381, 382 Physical Chemistry I
CHEM 432 Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM 551 Instrumental Analysis
Two of the following core courses and their associated labs:
EVSC 280, 280L Physical Geology
EVSC 320, 320L Fundamentals of Ecology
EVSC 340, 340L Physical Hydrology
EVSC 350, 350L Atmosphere and Weather
Also: Two additional courses at either 400 level chemistry or above, or two approved upper level EVSC courses (300 to 500 level). Examples include EVSC 386 (Geochemistry), EVSC 427 (Soil Science), EVSC 480 (Mineralogy), EVSC 493 (Chemistry of the Atmosphere).
MATH 121, 122 or 131, 132 or higher (MATH 131, 132 is highly recommended)
PHYS 151-252 or 201, 202 or PHYS 231, 232 (PHYS 231, 232 is highly recommended)
PHYS 203, 204 Physics Laboratory+
+PHYS 221 or 222, while difficult to schedule, can replace PHYS 203, 204. They require PHYS 231, 232 as prerequisites.
In addition, the College of Arts and Sciences B.A. requirements including Foreign Language through 202 must be met (for non-Echols students).
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B.Sc. IN CHEMISTRY WITH SPECIALIZATION IN MATERIALS SCIENCE (HEGIS Code 161997) |
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This program incorporates an alternative sequence of chemistry and related courses in materials science to satisfy the B.Sc. requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences.
The Student must complete Group A OR Group B (Highly recommended)
Group A
CHEM 141, 142 Introductory Chemistry
CHEM 141L, 142L Introductory Chemistry Laboratory
*CHEM 222 Solution Chemistry (or one semester of undergraduate research)
CHEM 241, 242 Organic Chemistry
CHEM 241L, 242L Organic Chemistry Laboratory
Group B
CHEM 181, 182 Chemical Principles
CHEM 181L, 182L Chemical Principles Laboratory
*CHEM 222 Solution Chemistry (or one semester of undergraduate research)
CHEM 281, 282 Chemical Principles II
CHEM 281L, 282L Chemical Principles II Laboratory
* Solution Chemistry is a prerequisite for the Biological Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 451, 452) for those students who have not had the additional laboratory experience of chemical research and/or the 80s series. It is best taken in the spring semester of the third year.
Additional Requirements
CHEM 341, 342 or 381, 382 Physical Chemistry
CHEM 371 Intermediate Chemical Experimentation Lab
CHEM 432 Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM 551 Instrumental Analysis
MSE 209 Introduction to the Science and Engineering of Materials
MSE 305 Phase Diagrams and Kinetics of Materials
MSE 310 Materials Science Laboratory
Also: One 400 level elective in CHEM and one elective above the 300 level in Material Science, e.g. MSE 301 (Corrosion) or ENGR 497 (Ceramic Materials).
MATH 121, 122 or 131, 132
MATH 231 or 325 or APMA 213
PHYS 201, 202 or 231, 232 or PHYS 151-252
PHYS 203, 204+
+PHYS 221 or 222, while difficult to schedule, can replace PHYS 203, 204. They require PHYS 231, 232 as prerequisites.
Physics is best scheduled as a second-year course so as to facilitate scheduling of upper-level chemistry courses during the third and fourth years.
In addition, the College of Arts and Sciences B.A. requirements including Foreign Language through 202 must be met (for non-Echols students).
B.Sc. IN CHEMISTRY WITH SPECIALIZATION IN CHEMICAL EDUCATION
(HEGIS Code 161995)
(Available only to students participating in the five-year Teacher Education Degree Program (see Curry School of Education).
Students must complete all requirements and comply with all regulations of the Curry School of Education as applicable to its Teacher Education Degree program. See Professor Harman (room 121) for advising on this program.
The Student must complete Group A OR Group B:
Group A
CHEM 141, 142 Introductory Chemistry
CHEM 141L, 142L Introductory Chemistry Laboratory
*CHEM 222 Solution Chemistry (or one semester of undergraduate research)
CHEM 241, 242 Organic Chemistry
CHEM 241L, 242L Organic Chemistry Laboratory
Group B
CHEM 181, 182 Chemical Principles
CHEM 181L, 182L Chemical Principles Laboratory
*CHEM 222 Solution Chemistry (or one semester of undergraduate research)
CHEM 281, 282 Chemical Principles II
CHEM 281L, 282L Chemical Principles II Laboratory
* Solution Chemistry is a prerequisite for the Biological Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 451, 452) for those students who have not had the additional laboratory experience of chemical research and/or the 80s series. It is best taken in the spring semester of the third year.
Additional Requirements
CHEM 341, 342 or 381, 382 Physical Chemistry
CHEM 371 Intermediate Techniques in Chemical Experimentation
or:
CHEM 451, Biological Chemistry Laboratory
Plus:
CHEM 441 or BIOL 501
CHEM 432
CHEM 551
Two introductory level courses, one from each of the other areas of science (e.g. BIOL 201,202; EVSC 280, EVSC 320, EVSC 340, EVSC 350)
Also required are:
MATH 121, 122 or 131,132 (MATH 131, 132 is highly recommended)
PHYS 201, 202 or 231, 232 (PHYS 231, 232 is highly recommended)
PHYS 203, 204+
+PHYS 221 or 222, while difficult to schedule, can replace PHYS 203, 204. They require PHYS 231, 232 as prerequisites.
Physics is best scheduled as a second-year course so as to facilitate scheduling of upper-level chemisry courses during the third and fourth years.
In addition, the College of Arts and Sciences requirements including Foreign Language through 202 must be met, as well as the Curry School's requirements. In particular, the Curry School requires one semester of the History of Science. HIUS 340 or HIEU 332 are recommended. For more information on the Curry School program contact Professor Randy Bell.
