Chemistry Major
Program Requirements
- Total Units Required: 53
- Grade Requirement: All chemistry coursework must be taken in residence at Washington University to be applied toward the chemistry major. A minimum grade of C– must be earned in each course to count toward the chemistry major.
- Note: Regarding the double counting of course credits, College of Arts & Sciences Guidelines will be followed.
Required Courses
To prepare for a major in chemistry, students will take the following:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 1701 | General Chemistry I* | 3 |
| CHEM 1702 | General Chemistry II* | 3 |
| CHEM 1751 | General Chemistry Laboratory I | 2 |
| CHEM 1752 | General Chemistry Laboratory II | 2 |
| CHEM 2561 | Organic Chemistry I With Lab | 4 |
| CHEM 2562 | Organic Chemistry II With Lab | 4 |
| PHYSICS 1740 | Physics I** | 3 |
| PHYSICS 1741 | Physics I Laboratory | 1 |
| PHYSICS 1742 | Physics II** | 3 |
| PHYSICS 1743 | Physics II Laboratory | 1 |
| MATH 1510 | Calculus I*** | 3 |
| MATH 1520 | Calculus II*** | 3 |
| MATH 2130 | Calculus III*** | 3 |
| Total Units | 35 | |
- *
Students may substitute CHEM 1601 Principles of General Chemistry I and CHEM 1602 Principles of General Chemistry II for CHEM 1701 General Chemistry I and CHEM 1702 General Chemistry II. Please consult the department's director of undergraduate studies for details.
- **
PHYSICS 1760 Focused Physics I may replace PHYSICS 1740 Physics I. PHYSICS 1762 Focused Physics II may replace PHYSICS 1742 Physics II.
- ***
MATH 2801 Honors Mathematics I may replace both MATH 1510 Calculus I and MATH 1520 Calculus II. MATH 2802 Honors Mathematics II may replace MATH 2130 Calculus III.
PHYSICS 2170 Introduction to Quantum Physics and additional mathematics courses are also recommended. The optional CHEM 1101 First-Year Opportunity: Why is Chemistry Called the Central Science? is open to first-year students, highlighting research activities in the department.
A working knowledge of computer programming and of a foreign language, such as German or Russian, is encouraged for the Chemistry major but not required.
Majors in Chemistry must take a minimum of 18 units of advanced courses in chemistry or biochemistry, among which the following must be included:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 4010 | Physical Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 4020 | Physical Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 4610 | Inorganic Chemistry | 3 |
| Total Units | 9 | |
In addition, 9 units in chemistry at the 3000 level or above must be taken (not including CHEM 4900 Introduction to Research or CHEM 4950 Advanced Undergraduate Research in Chemistry). BIOL 4510 General Biochemistry may be used to complete 3 of these additional 9 units, but this cannot occur in combination with CHEM 4810 General Biochemistry I or CHEM 4820 General Biochemistry II.
At least 3 of these 9 advanced units must be in a laboratory course chosen from the following list:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 4035 | Nuclear and Radiochemistry Lab | 3 |
| CHEM 4079 | Instrumental Methods: Physical Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 4559 | Advanced Organic Chemistry Laboratory | 4 |
| CHEM 4570 | Synthetic Polymer Chemistry Laboratory | 3 |
or CHEM 4579 | Synthetic Polymer Chemistry Laboratory - Writing Intensive | |
| CHEM 4670 | Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory | 3 |
or CHEM 4679 | Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory - Writing Intensive | |
| CHEM 4851 | Biological Chemistry Laboratory | 4 |
Neither CHEM 4900 Introduction to Research nor CHEM 4950 Advanced Undergraduate Research in Chemistry can be used to satisfy the advanced laboratory requirement.
Students have the advantage of planning their programs with their advisors in accordance with their personal interests. Some graduate courses are also available to seniors.
Additional Information
Study Abroad
Study Abroad programs are available both for chemistry and pre-medical studies. Details of these programs can be found at the Overseas Programs website. For chemistry programs, students may be able to receive elective/research credit for courses taken or research done abroad. It is strongly advised that students contact the Department of Chemistry Study Abroad Advisor, Prof. Richard Mabbs (mabbs@wustl.edu), as soon as possible after they declare their major in order to discuss study abroad plans.
Latin Honors for the Major in Chemistry
- Total Units Required: 56
To qualify for Latin Honors, students must complete a minimum of 21 units in advanced courses in chemistry or biochemistry, among which the following must be included:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 4010 | Physical Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 4020 | Physical Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 4610 | Inorganic Chemistry | 3 |
In addition, 6 units in Chemistry at the 3000 level or above must be taken (not including CHEM 4900 Introduction to Research). CHEM 4950 Advanced Undergraduate Research in Chemistry can be used to satisfy 3 of these additional 6 units on the Chemistry Honors track. BIOL 4510 General Biochemistry may be used to complete 3 of these additional 6 units, but this cannot occur in combination with CHEM 4810 General Biochemistry I or CHEM 4820 General Biochemistry II.
Student must also take an advanced lab from at least two of the following three areas:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 4559 | Advanced Organic Chemistry Laboratory | 4 |
| CHEM 4570 | Synthetic Polymer Chemistry Laboratory | 3 |
or CHEM 4579 | Synthetic Polymer Chemistry Laboratory - Writing Intensive | |
| CHEM 4670 | Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory | 3 |
or CHEM 4679 | Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory - Writing Intensive |
Physical:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 4035 | Nuclear and Radiochemistry Lab | 3 |
| CHEM 4079 | Instrumental Methods: Physical Chemistry | 3 |
BioChem:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL 4522 | Laboratory in Protein Analysis, Proteomics, and Protein Structure | 3 |
| BIOL 4523 | Molecular Methods in Enzyme Analysis | 4 |
| CHEM 4851 | Biological Chemistry Laboratory | 4 |
Neither CHEM 4900 Introduction to Research nor CHEM 4950 Advanced Undergraduate Research in Chemistry can be used to satisfy the advanced laboratory requirements.
Departmental Honors for the Major in Chemistry
To be eligible for Departmental Honors, a student must complete the Latin Honors program in chemistry. To graduate "with distinction," a student must maintain a Chemistry grade point average of 3.5 and complete the equivalent of at least 3 units of CHEM 4900 Introduction to Research. To graduate "with high distinction," a student must maintain a Chemistry GPA of 3.65 and complete the equivalent of at least 3 units of CHEM 4900 Introduction to Research and one semester of CHEM 4950 Advanced Undergraduate Research in Chemistry. To graduate "with highest distinction," a student must maintain a Chemistry GPA of 3.8 and complete the equivalent of at least 3 units of CHEM 4900 Introduction to Research and one semester of CHEM 4950 Advanced Undergraduate Research in Chemistry. Chemistry research is defined as a research project performed under the direction of a Chemistry faculty member or a research project approved by the Chemistry Department Undergraduate Work Committee. The Chemistry GPA is calculated from the grades received in Chemistry courses and prerequisites for the Chemistry major. The level of Departmental Honors that a student achieves will appear on the student's final transcript.
Contact Info
| Phone: | 314-935-6530 |
| Email: | chemistry@wustl.edu |
| Website: | http://chemistry.wustl.edu |