At which campus can I study this program?
Program Description
This major provides a strong foundation in the theory and practice of chemistry. Mathematics and physics are emphasized, since these subjects are essential to the understanding of chemistry. Courses in English and electives ensure study in non-technical subjects which broaden the student's general education and enables students to relate the major to other fields of knowledge.
What is Chemistry?
Chemistry is the study of matter and its transformations. Chemists seek a molecular-level understanding of the ways in which atoms combine to form molecules and bulk materials, how molecular structure and interactions lead to macroscopic material properties, and how chemical transformations can be used to create useful materials and store energy. Research in chemistry intersects a variety of other fields including biology, physics, environmental science, geology, material science, medicine, and more. Faculty in the Department of Chemistry at Penn State are engaged in cutting-edge projects aimed at probing outstanding questions in biology, creating new materials for medicine or energy storage, using computational methods model and simulate a variety of processes, and more.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT FACULTY RESEARCH PROJECTS
You Might Like This Program If...
- You are curious about why the materials you encounter in daily life have certain properties and interact in myriad ways.
- You want to use advanced instrumentation to measure the composition, behaviors, and properties of molecules, atoms, and materials.
- You want to help create new and better chemicals for personal care, medicine, construction, agriculture, or energy storage.
- You plan to pursue a career in chemistry research, education or outreach, or attend professional school in areas including medicine and dentistry.
Entrance to Major
In order to be eligible for entrance to the Chemistry major, a student must have:
- Attained at least a 2.00 cumulative grade-point average
- Completed and earned both a grade of C or better and a combined grade point average of at least 2.50 in each of the following courses: CHEM 110, CHEM 111, CHEM 112, CHEM 113, CHEM 210, MATH 140, and MATH 141. Note: If courses are repeated, only the higher grade will be used in this calculation.
Degree Requirements
For the Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry, a minimum of 120 credits is required:
| Requirement | Credits |
|---|---|
| General Education | 45 |
| Electives | 3 |
| Requirements for the Major | 86 |
14 of the 45 credits for General Education are included in the Requirements for the Major. This includes: 8 credits of GN courses; 6 credits of GQ courses.
Requirements for the Major
A cumulative grade point average of at least a 2.00 is required in these courses. A grade of C or better is required in all courses within the major field.
To graduate, a student enrolled in the major must earn a grade of C or better in each course designated by the major as a C-required course, as specified by Senate Policy 82-44.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Prescribed Courses | ||
| MATH 231 | Calculus of Several Variables | 2 |
| PHYS 211 | General Physics: Mechanics  | 4 |
| PHYS 212 | General Physics: Electricity and Magnetism | 4 |
| Prescribed Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| CHEM 110 | Chemical Principles I | 3 |
| CHEM 111 | Experimental Chemistry I | 1 |
| CHEM 112 | Chemical Principles II | 3 |
| CHEM 113 | Experimental Chemistry II | 1 |
| CHEM 210 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 212 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 213 | Laboratory in Organic Chemistry | 2 |
| CHEM 227 | Analytical Chemistry | 4 |
| CHEM 310 | Introductory Inorganic Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 316 | The Professional Chemist | 2 |
| CHEM 450 | Physical Chemistry - Thermodynamics | 3 |
| CHEM 452 | Physical Chemistry - Quantum Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 457 | Experimental Physical Chemistry | 2 |
| MATH 140 | Calculus With Analytic Geometry I | 4 |
| MATH 141 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry II | 4 |
| Additional Courses | ||
| MATH 250 | Ordinary Differential Equations | 3 |
| or STAT 401 | Experimental Methods | |
| Additional Courses: Require a grade of C or better | ||
| Select one of the following advanced laboratory courses: | 4 | |
| Chemical Spectroscopy | ||
| Chromatography and Electrochemistry | ||
| Advanced Synthetic Methodologies | ||
| Advanced Experimental Physical Chemistry | ||
| Select 15 credits of chemistry at the 400 level 1 | 15 | |
| Supporting Courses and Related Areas | ||
| Select 13 credits of any courses not on the Chemistry Department list of excluded courses 2 | 13 | |
- 1
Up to 6 co-op credits (2 each of SC 295, SC 395, SC 495) may be used in this category. CHEM 494 may be used, but the total of CHEM 494 credits plus co-op credits may not exceed 8.
- 2
CHEM 494 may not be used, and only one credit of each SC 295, SC 395, and SC 495 is allowed in this category.
General Education
Connecting career and curiosity, the General Education curriculum provides the opportunity for students to acquire transferable skills necessary to be successful in the future and to thrive while living in interconnected contexts. General Education aids students in developing intellectual curiosity, a strengthened ability to think, and a deeper sense of aesthetic appreciation. These are requirements for all baccalaureate students and are often partially incorporated into the requirements of a program. For additional information, see the General Education Requirements section of the Bulletin and consult your academic adviser.
The keystone symbol appears next to the title of any course that is designated as a General Education course. Program requirements may also satisfy General Education requirements and vary for each program.
Foundations (grade of C or better is required and Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)
- Quantification (GQ): 6 credits
- Writing and Speaking (GWS): 9 credits
Breadth in the Knowledge Domains (Inter-Domain courses do not meet this requirement.)
- Arts (GA): 3 credits
- Health and Wellness (GHW): 3 credits
- Humanities (GH): 3 credits
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (GS): 3 credits
- Natural Sciences (GN): 3 credits
Integrative Studies
- Inter-Domain Courses (Inter-Domain): 6 credits
Exploration
- GN, may be completed with Inter-Domain courses: 3 credits
- GA, GH, GN, GS, Inter-Domain courses. This may include 3 credits of World Language course work beyond the 12th credit level or the requirements for the student’s degree program, whichever is higher: 6 credits
University Degree Requirements
First Year Engagement
All students enrolled in a college or the Division of Undergraduate Studies at University Park, and the World Campus are required to take 1 to 3 credits of the First-Year Seminar, as specified by their college First-Year Engagement Plan.
Other Penn State colleges and campuses may require the First-Year Seminar; colleges and campuses that do not require a First-Year Seminar provide students with a first-year engagement experience.
First-year baccalaureate students entering Penn State should consult their academic adviser for these requirements.
Cultures Requirement
6 credits are required and may satisfy other requirements
- United States Cultures: 3 credits
- International Cultures: 3 credits
Writing Across the Curriculum
3 credits required from the college of graduation and likely prescribed as part of major requirements.
Total Minimum Credits
A minimum of 120 degree credits must be earned for a baccalaureate degree. The requirements for some programs may exceed 120 credits. Students should consult with their college or department adviser for information on specific credit requirements.
Quality of Work
Candidates must complete the degree requirements for their major and earn at least a 2.00 grade-point average for all courses completed within their degree program.
Limitations on Source and Time for Credit Acquisition
The college dean or campus chancellor and program faculty may require up to 24 credits of course work in the major to be taken at the location or in the college or program where the degree is earned. Credit used toward degree programs may need to be earned from a particular source or within time constraints (see Senate Policy 83-80). For more information, check the Suggested Academic Plan for your intended program.
Integrated B.S. in Chemistry and M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction
Undergraduate degree available at the following campuses: University Park
Graduate degree available at the following campuses: University Park, World Campus
Requirements for the Integrated B.S. in Chemistry and M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction can be found in the Graduate Bulletin.
Program Learning Objectives
- Students will acquire a foundation in chemistry of sufficient breadth and depth to integrate and apply knowledge across chemical subdisciplines.
- Students will develop analytical reasoning and problem solving skills required for the pursuit of scientific research.
- Students will retrieve, read, and incorporate information from the chemical literature in various media forms.
- Students will demonstrate the necessary laboratory skills to design and safely conduct experiments and to accurately document and interpret experimental data.
- Students will develop the ability to communicate scientific information in written and oral form using an appropriate scientific style.
- Students will conduct themselves in a professional, ethical, and productive manner when working independently or in a team setting.
- Students will recognize the interdisciplinary nature of chemistry and its impact on society and the environment.
- Students will explore traditional and nontraditional career paths in chemistry and related fields.
Academic Advising
The objectives of the university's academic advising program are to help advisees identify and achieve their academic goals, to promote their intellectual discovery, and to encourage students to take advantage of both in-and out-of class educational opportunities in order that they become self-directed learners and decision makers.
Both advisers and advisees share responsibility for making the advising relationship succeed. By encouraging their advisees to become engaged in their education, to meet their educational goals, and to develop the habit of learning, advisers assume a significant educational role. The advisee's unit of enrollment will provide each advisee with a primary academic adviser, the information needed to plan the chosen program of study, and referrals to other specialized resources.
READ SENATE POLICY 32-00: ADVISING POLICY
University Park
David Boehr
Associate Head for Undergraduate Education, Professor of Chemistry
107 Chemistry Building
University Park, PA 16802
814-863-8605
ddb12@psu.edu
Suggested Academic Plan
The suggested academic plan(s) listed on this page are the plan(s) that are in effect during the 2025-26 academic year. To access previous years' suggested academic plans, please visit the archive to view the appropriate Undergraduate Bulletin edition.
Analytical/Environmental-Focused Option: Chemistry, B.S. at University Park Campus
The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CHEM 110H or 110*# | 3 | CHEM 112 or 112H*# | 3 |
| CHEM 111*# | 1 | CHEM 113*# | 1 |
| MATH 140 or 140B*‡#† | 4 | MATH 141 or 141B*‡#† | 4 |
| ENGL 15, 30H, or ESL 15‡ | 3 | PHYS 211*† | 4 |
| PSU 16 | 1 | General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CHEM 210 or 210H*# | 3 | CHEM 212 or 212H* | 3 |
| CHEM 227* | 4 | CHEM 213W or 213M* | 2 |
| PHYS 212*† | 4 | CHEM 310* | 3 |
| CAS 100A‡ | 3 | MATH 231* | 2 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course (GHW) | 1.5 | ||
| 17 | 14.5 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CHEM 450* | 3 | CHEM 452* | 3 |
| CHEM 316* | 2 | CHEM 457* | 2 |
| 400-level CHEM additional course*1 | 3 | 400-level CHEM additional course*1 | 3 |
| MATH 250 or STAT 401* | 3 | ENGL 202C‡ | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| 14 | 14 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| 400-level CHEM additional course*1 or CHEM 425W*2 | 3-4 | 400-level CHEM additional course*1 or CHEM 423W*2 | 3-4 |
| 400-level CHEM additional course*1 | 3 | 400-level CHEM additional course*1 | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course | 1 |
| General Education Course (GHW) | 1.5 | ||
| 16-15 | 14.5-15.5 | ||
| Total Credits 120 | |||
- *
Course requires a grade of C or better for the major
- ‡
Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education
- #
Course is an Entrance to Major requirement
- †
Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement
- 1
Suggested 400-level additional courses for an Analytical/Environmental-focused Chemistry B.S.
- CHEM 430
- CHEM 402
- CHEM 404
- CHEM 406
- CHEM 468
- BMB 474 - Proper planning for required prerequisites in non-Chemistry 400-level courses is essential. Meet with your Academic Adviser on how to incorporate these courses into your schedule.
- GEOSC 416 - Proper planning for required prerequisites in non-Chemistry 400-level courses is essential. Meet with your Academic Adviser on how to incorporate these courses into your schedule.
- GEOSC 419 - Proper planning for required prerequisites in non-Chemistry 400-level courses is essential. Meet with your Academic Adviser on how to incorporate these courses into your schedule.
- CHEM 494 - Students are encouraged to participate in research. Up to 6 credits of research count towards the 400-level Chemistry Electives.
- 2
Only one of our capstone 400-level W labs is required. If a student is going directly into a B.S.-level industry position, then it is advantageous to take both 423W and 425W.
University Requirements and General Education Notes:
US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).
W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.
General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.
All incoming Schreyer Honors College first-year students at University Park will take ENGL 137H/CAS 137H in the fall semester and ENGL 138T/CAS 138T in the spring semester. These courses carry the GWS designation and satisfy a portion of that General Education requirement. If the student’s program prescribes GWS these courses will replace both ENGL 15/ENGL 30H and CAS 100A/CAS 100B/CAS 100C. Each course is 3 credits.
Advising Notes:
- These recommended academic plans are guides for how to successfully complete a Chemistry B.S. Most CHEM courses should be taken when indicated but there is flexibility with scheduling General Education requirements and Electives. Please consult with your Chemistry Adviser about academic planning before you schedule courses.
Inorganic/Materials-Focused Option: Chemistry, B.S. at University Park Campus
The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CHEM 110 or 110H*# | 3 | CHEM 112 or 112H*# | 3 |
| CHEM 111*# | 1 | CHEM 113*# | 1 |
| MATH 140 or 140B*‡#† | 4 | MATH 141 or 141B*‡#† | 4 |
| ENGL 15, 30H, or ESL 15‡ | 3 | PHYS 211*† | 4 |
| PSU 16 | 1 | General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CHEM 210 or 210H*# | 3 | CHEM 212 or 212H* | 3 |
| CHEM 227* | 4 | CHEM 213W or 213M* | 2 |
| PHYS 212*† | 4 | CHEM 310* | 3 |
| CAS 100A‡ | 3 | MATH 231* | 2 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course (GHW) | 1.5 | ||
| 17 | 14.5 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CHEM 431W* | 4 | CHEM 452* | 3 |
| CHEM 450* | 3 | CHEM 457* | 2 |
| CHEM 316* | 2 | 400-level CHEM additional course*1 | 3 |
| MATH 250 or STAT 401* | 3 | ENGL 202C‡ | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| 15 | 14 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| 400-level CHEM additional course*1 | 3 | 400-level CHEM additional course*1 | 3 |
| 400-level CHEM additional course*1 | 3 | 400-level CHEM additional course*1 | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course | 1 |
| General Education Course (GHW) | 1.5 | ||
| 15 | 14.5 | ||
| Total Credits 120 | |||
- *
Course requires a grade of C or better for the major
- ‡
Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education
- #
Course is an Entrance to Major requirement
- †
Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement
- 1
Suggested 400-level additional courses for an Inorganic/Materials-focused Chemistry B.S.
University Requirements and General Education Notes:
US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).
W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.
General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.
All incoming Schreyer Honors College first-year students at University Park will take ENGL 137H/CAS 137H in the fall semester and ENGL 138T/CAS 138T in the spring semester. These courses carry the GWS designation and satisfy a portion of that General Education requirement. If the student’s program prescribes GWS these courses will replace both ENGL 15/ENGL 30H and CAS 100A/CAS 100B/CAS 100C. Each course is 3 credits.
Advising Notes:
- These recommended academic plans are guides for how to successfully complete a Chemistry B.S. Most CHEM courses should be taken when indicated but there is flexibility with scheduling General Education requirements and Electives. Please consult with your Chemistry Adviser about academic planning before you schedule courses.
organic/Medicinal-Focused Option: Chemistry, B.S. at University Park Campus
The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CHEM 110 or 110H*# | 3 | CHEM 112 or 112H*# | 3 |
| CHEM 111*# | 1 | CHEM 113*# | 1 |
| MATH 140 or 140B*‡#† | 4 | MATH 141 or 141B*‡#† | 4 |
| ENGL 15, 30H, or ESL 15‡ | 3 | PHYS 211*† | 4 |
| PSU 16 | 1 | General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CHEM 210 or 210H*# | 3 | CHEM 212 or 212H* | 3 |
| CHEM 227* | 4 | CHEM 213W or 213M* | 2 |
| PHYS 212*† | 4 | CHEM 310* | 3 |
| CAS 100A‡ | 3 | MATH 231* | 2 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course (GHW) | 1.5 | ||
| 17 | 14.5 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CHEM 431W* | 4 | CHEM 450* | 3 |
| CHEM 316* | 2 | 400-level CHEM additional course*1 | 3 |
| 400-level CHEM additional course*1 | 3 | MATH 250 or STAT 401* | 3 |
| ENGL 202C‡ | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CHEM 452* | 3 | 400-level CHEM additional course*1 | 3 |
| CHEM 457* | 2 | 400-level CHEM additional course*1 | 3 |
| 400-level CHEM additional course*1 | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course | 1 |
| General Education Course (GHW) | 1.5 | ||
| 14 | 14.5 | ||
| Total Credits 120 | |||
- *
Course requires a grade of C or better for the major
- ‡
Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education
- #
Course is an Entrance to Major requirement
- †
Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement
- 1
Suggested 400-level additional courses for an Organic/Medicinal-focused Chemistry B.S.
- CHEM 430
- CHEM 432
- CHEM 433
- CHEM 476
- CHEM 480
- FDSC 400 - Proper planning for required prerequisites in 400-level non-Chemistry courses is essential. Meet with your Academic Adviser on how to incorporate these courses into your schedule.
- CHEM 494 - Students are encouraged to participate in research. Up to 6 credits of research count towards the 400-level Chemistry Electives.
University Requirements and General Education Notes:
US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).
W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.
General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.
All incoming Schreyer Honors College first-year students at University Park will take ENGL 137H/CAS 137H in the fall semester and ENGL 138T/CAS 138T in the spring semester. These courses carry the GWS designation and satisfy a portion of that General Education requirement. If the student’s program prescribes GWS these courses will replace both ENGL 15/ENGL 30H and CAS 100A/CAS 100B/CAS 100C. Each course is 3 credits.
Advising Notes:
- These recommended academic plans are guides for how to successfully complete a Chemistry B.S. Most CHEM courses should be taken when indicated but there is flexibility with scheduling General Education requirements and Electives. Please consult with your Chemistry Adviser about academic planning before you schedule courses.
Physical/Computational-Focused Option: Chemistry, B.S. at University Park Campus
The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CHEM 110 or 110H*# | 3 | CHEM 112 or 112H*# | 3 |
| CHEM 111*# | 1 | CHEM 113*# | 1 |
| MATH 140 or 140B*‡#† | 4 | MATH 141 or 141B*‡#† | 4 |
| ENGL 15, 30H, or ESL 15‡ | 3 | PHYS 211*† | 4 |
| PSU 16 | 1 | General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CHEM 210 or 210H*# | 3 | CHEM 212 or 212H* | 3 |
| CHEM 227* | 4 | CHEM 213W or 213M* | 2 |
| PHYS 212*† | 4 | CHEM 310* | 3 |
| CAS 100A‡ | 3 | MATH 231* | 2 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course (GHW) | 1.5 | ||
| 17 | 14.5 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CHEM 450* | 3 | CHEM 452* | 3 |
| CHEM 316* | 2 | CHEM 457* | 2 |
| 400-level CHEM additional course*1 | 3 | 400-level CHEM additional course*1 | 3 |
| MATH 250 or STAT 401* | 3 | ENGL 202C‡ | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course (GHW) | 1.5 | ||
| 14 | 15.5 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| 400-level CHEM additional course*1 | 3 | CHEM 459W* | 4 |
| 400-level CHEM additional course*1 | 3 | 400-level CHEM additional course*1 | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course | 1 |
| 15 | 14 | ||
| Total Credits 120 | |||
- *
Course requires a grade of C or better for the major
- ‡
Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education
- #
Course is an Entrance to Major requirement
- †
Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement
- 1
Suggested 400-level additional courses for a Physical/Computational-focused Chemistry B.S.
- CHEM 408
- CHEM 448
- CHEM 464
- CHEM 466
- CHEM 468
- CHEM 494 - Students are encouraged to participate in research. Up to 6 credits of research count towards the 400-level Chemistry Electives.
Additional courses to consider:
- CMPSC 204 - Proper planning for required prerequisites in non-Chemistry courses is essential. Meet with your Academic Adviser on how to incorporate these courses into your schedule.
- CMPSC 205 - Proper planning for required prerequisites in non-Chemistry courses is essential. Meet with your Academic Adviser on how to incorporate these courses into your schedule.
University Requirements and General Education Notes:
US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).
W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.
General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.
All incoming Schreyer Honors College first-year students at University Park will take ENGL 137H/CAS 137H in the fall semester and ENGL 138T/CAS 138T in the spring semester. These courses carry the GWS designation and satisfy a portion of that General Education requirement. If the student’s program prescribes GWS these courses will replace both ENGL 15/ENGL 30H and CAS 100A/CAS 100B/CAS 100C. Each course is 3 credits.
Advising Notes:
These recommended academic plans are guides for how to successfully complete a Chemistry B.S. Most CHEM courses should be taken when indicated but there is flexibility with scheduling General Education requirements and Electives. Please consult with your Chemistry Adviser about academic planning before you schedule courses.
Chemistry, B.S. at Commonwealth Campuses (For Change-of-Campus students who can take CHEM 213 at their Commonwealth Campus)
The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CHEM 110 or 110H*# | 3 | CHEM 112 or 112H*# | 3 |
| CHEM 111*# | 1 | CHEM 113*# | 1 |
| MATH 140 or 140B*‡#† | 4 | MATH 141 or 141B*‡#† | 4 |
| ENGL 15, 30H, or ESL 15‡ | 3 | PHYS 211*† | 4 |
| PSU 16 | 1 | General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course (GHW) | 1.5 |
| 15 | 16.5 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CHEM 210 or 210H*# | 3 | CHEM 212 or 212H* | 3 |
| PHYS 212*† | 4 | CHEM 213W or 213M* | 2 |
| CAS 100A‡ | 3 | ENGL 202C‡ | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | MATH 231* | 2 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | ||
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CHEM 310* | 3 | CHEM 227* | 4 |
| CHEM 316* | 2 | CHEM 452* | 3 |
| CHEM 450* | 3 | 400-level CHEM additional course*1 | 3 |
| MATH 250 or STAT 401* | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course (GHW) | 1.5 |
| 14 | 14.5 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| 400-level CHEM additional course*1 | 3 | 400-level CHEM additional course*1 | 3 |
| 400-level CHEM additional course*1 | 3 | 400-level CHEM additional course*1 | 3 |
| CHEM 457 (or CHEM 4XXW)* | 2-4 | CHEM 457 (or CHEM 4XXW)* | 2-4 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course | 1 |
| 14-16 | 14-12 | ||
| Total Credits 120 | |||
- *
Course requires a grade of C or better for the major
- ‡
Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education
- #
Course is an Entrance to Major requirement
- †
Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement
- 1
Suggested 400-level additional course selection will require consultation with your Chemistry Adviser.
University Requirements and General Education Notes:
US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).
W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.
General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.
Advising Notes:
- These recommended academic plans are guides for how to successfully complete a Chemistry B.S. Most CHEM courses should be taken when indicated but there is flexibility with scheduling General Education requirements and Electives. Please consult with your Chemistry Adviser about academic planning before you schedule courses.
Chemistry, B.S. at Commonwealth Campuses (For Change-of-Campus students who cannot take CHEM 213 at their Commonwealth Campus)
The course series listed below provides only one of the many possible ways to move through this curriculum. The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. This plan should be used in conjunction with your degree audit (accessible in LionPATH as either an Academic Requirements or What If report). Please consult with a Penn State academic adviser on a regular basis to develop and refine an academic plan that is appropriate for you.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CHEM 110 or 110H*# | 3 | CHEM 112 or 112H*# | 3 |
| CHEM 111*# | 1 | CHEM 113*# | 1 |
| MATH 140 or 140B*‡#† | 4 | MATH 141 or 141B*‡#† | 4 |
| ENGL 15, 30H, or ESL 15‡ | 3 | PHYS 211*† | 4 |
| PSU 16 | 1 | General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course (GHW) | 1.5 |
| 15 | 16.5 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CHEM 210 or 210H*# | 3 | CHEM 212 or 212H* | 3 |
| PHYS 212*† | 4 | CHEM 213W or 213M* | 2 |
| CAS 100A‡ | 3 | ENGL 202C‡ | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | MATH 231* | 2 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | ||
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CHEM 310* | 3 | CHEM 227* | 4 |
| CHEM 316* | 2 | CHEM 452* | 3 |
| CHEM 450* | 3 | 400-level CHEM additional course*1 | 3 |
| MATH 250 or STAT 401* | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course (GHW) | 1.5 |
| 14 | 14.5 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| 400-level CHEM additional course*1 | 3 | 400-level CHEM additional course*1 | 3 |
| 400-level CHEM additional course*1 | 3 | 400-level CHEM additional course*1 | 3 |
| CHEM 457 (or CHEM 4XXW)* | 2-4 | CHEM 457 (or CHEM 4XXW)* | 2-4 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course | 3 |
| General Education Course | 3 | General Education Course | 1 |
| 14-16 | 14-12 | ||
| Total Credits 120 | |||
- *
Course requires a grade of C or better for the major
- ‡
Course requires a grade of C or better for General Education
- #
Course is an Entrance to Major requirement
- †
Course satisfies General Education and degree requirement
- 1
Suggested 400-level additional course selection will require consultation with your Chemistry Adviser.
University Requirements and General Education Notes:
US and IL are abbreviations used to designate courses that satisfy Cultural Diversity Requirements (United States and International Cultures).
W, M, X, and Y are the suffixes at the end of a course number used to designate courses that satisfy University Writing Across the Curriculum requirement.
General Education includes Foundations (GWS and GQ), Knowledge Domains (GHW, GN, GA, GH, GS) and Integrative Studies (Inter-domain) requirements. N or Q (Honors) is the suffix at the end of a course number used to help identify an Inter-domain course, but the inter-domain attribute is used to fill audit requirements. Foundations courses (GWS and GQ) require a grade of 'C' or better.
Advising Notes:
- These recommended academic plans are guides for how to successfully complete a Chemistry B.S. Most CHEM courses should be taken when indicated but there is flexibility with scheduling General Education requirements and Electives. Please consult with your Chemistry Adviser about academic planning before you schedule courses.
Career Paths
The technical background and hands-on experiences in the chemistry major provides students with a wide variety of post-graduate career and educational options. A BS in Chemistry prepares students for jobs in industry, government, and research and discovery laboratories. Many graduates with the BS in chemistry go on to pursue advanced degrees in chemistry and related disciplines, or to professional schools including medical, dental, law, and business.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT POTENTIAL CAREER OPTIONS FOR GRADUATES OF THE CHEMISTRY PROGRAM
Opportunities for Graduate Studies
Penn State students with a BS in Chemistry often choose to pursue graduate education in chemistry, focusing on one or more of the sub-disciplines of analytical, biological, inorganic, organic, or physical chemistry, or graduate programs in related disciplines such as materials science, forensics, toxicology, and others.
Professional Resources
Accreditation
The Penn State Chemistry Department is approved by the American Chemical Society to confer ACS-certified degrees to chemistry majors who meet certain requirements beyond those required by the major. Courses in biological chemistry and chemical literature must be included among a student’s 400-level chemistry electives, and two additional credits of laboratory work, typically chemical research, are required.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ACCREDITATION BY THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY
Contact
University Park
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY
219 Whitmore Lab
University Park, PA 16802
814-863-8234
rlw5277@psu.edu