Bachelor of Science in Chemistry

Professional Chemistry Option

The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with the Professional Chemistry Option is certified by the American Chemical Society. Upon obtaining the degree, students are prepared for graduate school or a career as a chemist in industry or government. Use the program code BS-CHP when applying to change to this major or when requesting a Degree Audit Reporting Statement.

Note: Current requirements are provided for your information only. For official program descriptions, consult the general catalog of the University of Nevada, Reno.

  1. UNIVERSITY CORE CURRICULUM REQUIREMENTS (39-42 CREDITS)

    1. English – 3-6 credits
      • ENG 101 – Composition I (3 credits)
      • ENG 102 – Composition II (3 credits)

        Note: Students who place in ENG 102 are not required to complete ENG 101.

    2. Mathematics – 4 credits
      • MATH 181 – Calculus I (4 credits)
    3. Natural Sciences – 8 credits
      • CHEM 201 – General Chemistry for Scientists and Engineers (4 credits)
      • CHEM 202 – General Chemistry for Scientists and Engineers (4 credits)

        Note: CHEM 121 and 122 are acceptable.

    4. Social Sciences – 3 credits
      • Refer to the "Social Sciences" section of the Core Curriculum chapter in the General Catalog.
    5. Fine Arts – 3 credits
      • Refer to the "Fine Arts" section of the Core Curriculum chapter in the General Catalog.
    6. Core Humanities – 9 credits
      • CH 201 – Ancient and Medieval Cultures (3 credits)
      • CH 202 – The Modern World (3 credits)
      • CH 203 – The American Experience and Constitutional Change (3 credits)
    7. Capstone Courses – 6 credits
      • CHEM 495 – Senior Thesis in Chemistry I (3 credits)
      • Second Capstone Course (3 credits) Refer to the "Capstone" section of the Core Curriculum requirements for second capstone course.
    8. Diversity – 3 credits
      • Refer to the "Diversity" section of the Core Curriculum requirements.

        Note: A single course may simultaneously satisfy the diversity requirement and another core requirement.

  2. ADDITIONAL COLLEGE REQUIREMENTS (0 CREDITS)

  3. MAJOR REQUIREMENTS (68 CREDITS)

    1. Required Chemistry Courses (32 credits)
      • CHEM 201 – General Chemistry for Scientist and Engineers (Also satisfies Core Curriculum Natural Sciences requirement, see above.)
      • CHEM 202 – General Chemistry for Scientists and Engineers (Also satisfies Core Curriculum Natural Sciences requirement, see above.)
      • CHEM 330 – Analytical Chemistry (4 credits)
      • CHEM 341 – Organic Chemistry for Scientists and Professionals I (3 credits)
      • CHEM 342 – Organic Chemistry for Scientists and Professionals II (3 credits)
      • CHEM 347 – Laboratory Techniques of Organic Chemistry I (2 credits)
      • CHEM 348 – Laboratory Techniques of Organic Chemistry II (2 credits)
      • CHEM 421 – Physical Chemistry I (3 credits)
      • CHEM 422 – Physical Chemistry II (3 credits)
      • CHEM 423 – Physical Chemistry Laboratory (3 credits)
      • CHEM 431 – Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (3 credits)
      • CHEM 435 – Chemical Synthesis (3 credits)
      • CHEM 455 – Instrumental Analysis (3 credits)
      • CHEM 495 – Senior Thesis in Chemistry I (See Core Curriculum Capstone requirement above.)
    2. Required Related Courses (27 Credits)
      • GER 111 and 112 – Elementary German I and II or equivalent courses in French or Russian (8 credits)
      • MATH 181 – Calculus I (Also satisfies Core Curriculum Mathematics requirement, see above.)
      • MATH 182 – Calculus II (4 credits)
      • MATH 283 – Calculus III (4 credits)
      • MATH 285 – Differential Equations (3 credits)
      • PHYS 180 – Physics for Scientists and Engineers I (3 credits)

        Note: PHYS 151 (4 credits) is acceptable.

      • PHYS 180L – Physics for Scientists and Engineers Laboratory I (1 credit)

        Note: PHYS 151L (0 credits) is acceptable.

      • PHYS 181 – Physics for Scientists and Engineers II (3 credits)

        Note: PHYS 152 (4 credits) is acceptable.

      • PHYS 181L – Physics for Scientists and Engineers Laboratory II (1 credit)

        Note: PHYS 152L (0 credits) is acceptable.

    3. Elective Chemical Science Courses (9 credits)

      Nine credits from the following courses required:

      • CHEM 442 – Advanced Organic Chemistry (3 credits)
      • CHEM 443 – Organic Spectroscopy and Structure (2 credits)
      • CHEM 444 – Organic Structure Determination Laboratory (1-2 credits)
      • CHEM 449 – Polymer Chemistry (3 credits)
      • CHEM 450 – Advanced Physical Chemistry (3 credits)
      • CHEM 496 – Senior Thesis II (3 credits)
      • BCH 400 – Introductory Biochemistry (4 credits)

        Note: BCH 400 is required for ACS certification

      • BCH 403 – Biological Chemistry Laboratory (2 credits)

  4. MINOR REQUIREMENTS (0 CREDITS)

    No minor interest area is required for the B.S. in Chemistry degree.

  5. ELECTIVES (18-21 CREDITS)

  6. TOTAL CREDITS – 128

    Note: A candidate for a bachelor’s degree must earn a minimum of 40 credits numbered 300 or above.


Download Advisement Forms

Note: Advisement forms can be downloaded from http://www.chem.unr.edu/undergraduates/forms.php.