Chemistry Curriculum

Curriculum Requirements

All bachelor's degrees require a minimum of 120 credit hours, inclusive of UD general education and major requirements as well as elective courses.

The Chemistry major combines a rigorous foundation of chemistry skills and knowledge with the flexibility of an individually designed curriculum for students interested in pursuing a wide variety of careers in the field of chemistry. 

The Chemistry major consists of 68 credit hours.

Required Core Courses (39 credits):

  • CHM 111: General Chemistry I (4)
  • CHM 112: General Chemistry II (4)
  • CHM 195: DNAS Introductory Seminar (1)
  • CHM 221: Organic Chemistry I (4)
  • CHM 222: Organic Chemistry II (4)
  • CHM 241: Analytical Chemistry (4)
  • CHM 295: DNAS Professional Preparation Seminar (1)
  • CHM 331: Biochemistry (4)
  • CHM 338: Instrumental Analysis (4)
  • CHM 471: Physical Chemistry I (4)
  • CHM 472: Physical Chemistry II (4)
  • CHM 495: Senior Seminar (1)     

Required Allied Courses (21 credits):

  • CIS 162: Fundamentals of Excel (1)
  • CIS 164: Advanced Excel (1)
  • MATH 230: Introduction to Statistics (3)
  • MATH 250: Calculus I (4)
  • MATH 260: Calculus II (4)
  • PHY 151: General Physics I (4)
  • PHY 152: General Physics II (4)

Elective Courses (8 credits): Working with your advisor, select at least 2 courses in science or math, 200 level or above.

Chemistry is a diverse field that interacts with and impacts many fields of science. Students engaged in the pursuit of a Chemistry major may find that they have a particular interest in one area of focus. Three of those areas that are aligned with the interests of many University of Dubuque science students are Biochemistry, Environmental Chemistry and Health Science. The Health Science focus prepares students for possible future studies in medical, dental, and veterinary programs. Students who are interested in such areas, particularly those interested in double majoring in other areas of science, should work closely with their advisors to choose electives that are most appropriate for their future careers. Suggested paths for elective credits in each of these areas are listed below. Some students may find a number of elective courses beyond the minimum eight (8) credit requirement will be recommended for certain career goals.

Suggested Electives for a Biochemistry Focus:

  • BIO 235: Cell Biology - 42
  • BIO 236: Genetics - 42
  • CHM 332: Biochemistry II - 41
  • BIO 347: Molecular Biology - 4
    - Total Elective Credits: 16

Suggested Electives for a Chemistry Focus:

  • CHM 325: Organic Synthesis - 41
  • CHM 332: Biochemistry II - 41
  • CHM 361: Inorganic Chemistry - 41
  • CHM 491: Independent Research - 2
    - Total Elective Credits: 14

Suggested Electives for an Environmental Chemistry Focus:

  • EVS 247: Environmental Chemistry - 43 
  • EVS 341: Soil Chemistry - 4
  • EVS 351: Geochemistry - 4
  • EVS 401: Chemistry of Natural Waters 4
    - Total Elective Credits: 16

Suggested Electives for a Health Science Focus:

  • BIO 211: Anatomy & Physiology I - 41 
  • BIO 212: Anatomy & Physiology II - 41
  • BIO 236: Genetics - 42
  • BIO 314: Microbiology - 4
  • CHM 332: Biochemistry II - 41
    - Total Elective Credits: 20

1   Highly recommended

2   Core requirement for Biology major

3   Core requirement for Environmental Science major

Chemistry Minor
The Department of Natural and Applied Sciences offers a Chemistry minor for any student wishing to expand the opportunities offered in their chosen major.  Department faculty have designed a chemistry minor to provide students with the chemistry foundation essential to pursue a wide variety of careers, such as pharmaceutical sales, art restoration, health professions, research and development, teaching, environmental testing, and product quality control.  Hands-on use of modern chemical techniques and instrumentation, along with close interaction with chemistry faculty, is stressed in all program courses.  Opportunities for student-faculty chemistry research are also available to enhance a student’s learning experience.  To complete this program, students must earn a grade of C or better in all program courses and have an overall grade point average of 2.0 or greater.

The Chemistry minor consists of 24 credit hours as follows.

Required Core Courses (16 credits):

  • CHM 111: General Chemistry I (4)
  • CHM 112: General Chemistry II (4)
  • CHM 221: Organic Chemistry I (4)
  • CHM 222: Organic Chemistry II (4)

Elective Courses from the Following (8 credits):

  • CHM 241: Analytical Chemistry (4)
  • CHM 325: Organic Synthesis (4)
  • CHM 331: Biochemistry I (4)
  • CHM 332: Biochemistry II (4)
  • CHM 338: Instrumental Analysis (4)
  • CHM 361: Inorganic Chemistry (4)
  • CHM 471: Physical Chemistry I (4)
  • CHM 472: Physical Chemistry II (4)
  • EVS 247: Environmental Chemistry (4)
  • EVS 341: Soil Chemistry (4)
  • EVS 351: Geochemistry (4)
  • EVS 401: Chemistry of Natural Waters (4)

Four-Year Plan of Study [cross link to the Advising Page where all the 4-year plans for degrees would be "housed." The plans are PDFs.]