B.S. in Environmental Chemistry

The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Chemistry degree offers a rigorous education in traditional chemistry and interdisciplinary training combining chemistry and environmental science.

The program provides a solid grounding in environmental chemistry broadened by an introduction to the science of ecology and several important areas of environmental science. Students are prepared for work, or advanced study, in the specialized area of environmental chemistry, chemical ecology or environmental technology or, with the addition of suitable electives, for graduate studies in the fields of environmental medicine, occupational health or environmental law.

See the suggested course sequence below.

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Program Information

The Bachelor of Science in Environmental Chemistry prepares students to work as an environmental chemist in the public or private sectors or to pursue an advanced degree in the field. This program offers a rigorous education in traditional chemistry and interdisciplinary training combining chemistry and environmental science.

Program Type

Major

Degree

Bachelor's

Duration

4-year

Required Credit Hours

121

Suggested Course Sequence

Various courses are offered each semester to satisfy University BRDG requirements. BRDG courses can be taken in any sequence throughout the undergraduate curriculum. All prerequisites must be met with a C or higher.

  • CHEM 151 Atomic & Molec Principles (4 credits)
  • CHEM 151L Intro to Chemistry Lab (1 credit)
  • BIOL 111 / 111L Biology I / Lab (4 credits)
  • BRDG 101 Writing and Analysis (3 credits)
  • MATH 115 Calculus I (4 credits)
  • CHEM 153 Career Op in Chem and Biochem I (1 credit)
  • CHEM 152 Quantitative Analysis (4 credits)
  • CHEM 152L Quantitative Analysis Lab (1 credit)
  • BIOL 112 / 112L Biology II / Lab (4 credits)
  • BRDG 102 Writing and Literature (3 credits)
  • MATH 116 Calculus II (4 credits)
  • BRDG 100 Research & Info Skills (1 credit)
  • CHEM 228 Structure, Mech & React (4 credits)
  • CHEM 228L Org Struct & Properties Lab (1 credit)
  • PHYS 211/R Gen Analy Phys I/Rec (3 credits)
  • PHYS 211L GAP I Lab (1 credit)
  • MATH 215 Calculus III (4 credits)
  • EQ xxx Essential Questions Seminar (3 credits)
  • CHEM 229 Reacts, Synths & Spectroscopy (4 credits)
  • CHEM 229L Organic Synthesis Lab (1 credit)
  • PHYS 212/R Gen Analy Phys II/Rec (3 credits)
  • PHYS 212L GAP II Lab  (1 credit)
  • BRDG 105 Intro to Ethical Reasoning (3 credits)
  • CHEM 154 Career Op in Chem and Biochem II (1 credit)
  • CHEM 452 Env Chemistry (Chem Elective) (3 credits)
  • CHEM 328 Quantum Chemistry (3 credits)
  • CHEM 340 Instrumental Analysis (3 credits)
  • CHEM 305L/R Adv Lab Skills/R (1 credit)
  • ENGL 302W Scientific Writing (3 credits)
  • Bridges Course - Critical Think & Prob Solv (3 credits)
  • CHEM 329 Thermodynamics (3 credits)
  • CHEM 312 Inorganic Chemistry I (3 credits)
  • Environmental Science Elective (3 credits)
  • SPRG 108 Service Learning in Science (0/1 credits)
  • Bridges Course - Cultural Fluency (3 credits)
  • General Elective (Theology) (3 credits)
  • CHEM 155 Career Op in Chem and Biochem III (1 credit)
  • CHEM 426L/R Adv Exp Tech/Applct (4 credits)
  • CHEM 419 Adv Biochemistry l (3 credits)
  • Environmental Science Elective (3 credits)
  • Bridges Course - Social & Hist Reasoning (3 credits)
  • Environmental Science Elective (3 credits)
  • Chemistry Elective (3 credits)
  • General Elective (Philosophy) (3 credits)
  • CHEM _______ Capstone (CHEM 488 or 499/H) (1 credit)
  • Bridges Course - Ethical Reasoning (3 credits)

Please note: CHEM 490W Undergraduate Research is highly recommended.

Elective Offerings

Three Environmental Science electives are selected from the 500 level (graduate) courses in Environmental Science. One Chemistry elective must be selected from the approved list.

  • CHEM 412 Inorganic Chemistry II
  • CHEM 452 Environmental Chemistry
  • CHEM 508 Biomolecular Structure and Function
  • CHEM 503 Advanced Organic Chemistry
  • CHEM 519 Dynamics, Kinetics, Spectroscopy
  • CHEM 528 Polymer Chemistry
  • CHEM 540 Molecular Visualization and Mechanisms
  • CHEM 547 Reaction Mechanisms
  • CHEM 549 Single Crystal X-ray Crystallography
  • CHEM 565 Advanced Instrumental Analysis
  • CHEM 566 Mass Spectrometry Instrumental Analysis
  • CHEM 567 Statistical Thermodynamics
  • CHEM 590 Green Chemistry
  • CHEM 598 Special Topics