Program Overview
College of Natural and Health Sciences
Contact: Michael Mosher, Ph.D., Chair
Location: Ross Hall 3480
Telephone: 970.351.2559
Website: www.unco.edu/nhs/chemistry
Advising Information:
Students must consult with their assigned major advisor each semester prior to registering.
To find your advisor, log into ursa.unco.edu; go to 'Student' tab and click 'View Student Information' link. If no advisor is listed, contact the major program for advisor information.
The program consists of four parts:
- Liberal Arts Curriculum (LAC) Credits
- Required Major Credits
- Required Minor Credits
- University-Wide Credits
Program Description:
This concentration offers training in chemistry, mathematics, physics and a minor area selected by the student. The course of study provides a solid foundation in chemistry and specific background knowledge about the chemical industry.
Students completing this concentration can pursue a career in the chemical, medical, pharmaceutical or biotechnology industries; or in related government agencies. Career options include supervision, process evaluation, quality control, pilot scale operation, management and sales. Students considering graduate study in chemistry may be required to complete additional coursework in physical chemistry and/or mathematics depending on the entrance requirements of specific graduate schools.
Program Admission Requirements:
Academic Good Standing
Program Requirements:
- All students in the program must take an assessment examination before graduation.
- Students majoring in chemistry must earn a grade of “C” or better (C- is not acceptable) in all courses having a CHEM prefix which count toward the major.
- In accordance with University Policies, coursework earned more than 10 years prior to the date of matriculation to UNC may not be used to satisfy any major or minor requirements. Any exception to this policy is at the discretion of the academic program.
Program Recommendations:
- Graduate level CHEM courses are recommended for juniors and seniors. Other recommended electives include MATH 132, MATH 221, MATH 335, STAT 150, PHYS 321 and PHYS 343.
- It is recommended that students have a fundamental background in computers.
- Juniors and seniors are expected to participate in Chemistry and Biochemistry’s undergraduate research program.
- Qualifying students may be eligible for a five-year program resulting in a B.S./M.S. degree. Consult your advisor early in your program for details.
Degree Requirements — 120 Credits
1. Liberal Arts Curriculum — 31 credits
To complete the degree in 120 credits as outlined, the program recommends the below LAC courses that also count toward the 57-58 required major credits.
Any additional coursework completed outside of the recommended list below may extend the length of the program of study.
Written Communication — 6 credits
SCI 291 (3) is recommended to fulfill the Intermediate Writing Course in the Written Communication requirement and will fulfill both LAC and major requirements.
See Written Communication courses
Mathematics — 3 credits
MATH 131 (4) is recommended to fulfill Mathematics requirement and will fulfill both LAC and major requirements.
See Mathematics courses
Arts & Humanities, History, Social & Behavioral Sciences, U.S. Multicultural Studies [MS], and International Studies [IS] — 15 credits
To complete the LAC in the minimum number of credits, be sure to choose at least one course with an IS designation and one course with an MS designation.
ECON 203 (3) is recommended to fulfill Social and Behavioral Sciences requirement and will fulfill both LAC and major requirements.
See Arts & Humanities, History, and Social & Behavioral Sciences courses
Natural & Physical Sciences — 7 credits
CHEM 111 (4), CHEM 111L (1), and PHYS 220 (5) are recommended to fulfill Natural & Physical Sciences requirement and will fulfill both LAC and major requirements.
See Natural & Physical Sciences courses
See Liberal Arts Curriculum
2. Required Major — 57-58 credits
Take all of the following courses:
Consult your advisor for additional coursework to complement this concentration.
Take one of these two courses (2-3 credits):
3. Required Minor — 18 credits
4. University-Wide Credits — 13-14 credits*
Complete additional credits to achieve the minimum credits needed for any degree at UNC; for this program, that will typically be 13-14 credits.
*Note: Students who apply the recommended courses to both the liberal arts curriculum and the major requirements will have an increased number of university wide electives to apply to this degree. See your advisor for details.
Program Notes
It is recommended to take one credit of CHEM 422 or CHEM 499.
Students wishing to participate in the Honors Program should consult their advisors about Liberal Arts Curriculum selections and other requirements.