Chemistry (BS)

Degree: Bachelor of Science
Major: Chemistry
Program Code: 3470

About This Major . . .

Chemistry students gain a unique perspective on the composition, properties, and reactivity of the substances surrounding them.  These students gain problem-solving skills that can be applied in chemistry labs, in other classes, and in day-to-day life. By having chemistry faculty with a diverse range of specialties (analytical, inorganic, physical, organic, and biochemistry), chemistry majors have the opportunity to learn about each of these fields, and they are provided with a wide variety of research opportunities. Students are trained to independently use modern instrumentation, including a 300 MHz nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer liquid chromatograph, a mass spectrometer, and an ICP atomic emission spectrophotometer. The programs culminate in two courses designed to bridge students’ coursework with their entry into the workforce or graduate school. In Advanced Laboratory, students synthesize knowledge from various chemical disciplines and apply it to solving chemical problems in a practical manner. Our Communicating in the World of Chemistry course couples with our Advanced Laboratory course to help students express themselves in a professional manner while applying for and entering their new positions.

Colorado Mesa graduates have jobs in the chemical industry and secondary education, and have gone to graduate, pharmacy, and medical schools.  Our graduates have completed Ph.D. programs at the University of Denver, Arizona State University, University of Utah and University of Wyoming in chemistry, biomedical engineering and environmental engineering.

For more information on what you can do with this major, visit Career Services’ What to Do with a Major? resource.

All CMU baccalaureate graduates are expected to demonstrate proficiency in specialized knowledge/applied learning, quantitative fluency, communication fluency, critical thinking, personal and social responsibility, and information literacy. In addition to these campus-wide student learning outcomes, graduates of this major will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate fluency in the concepts from the major fields of chemistry (inorganic, organic, physical, and analytical). (Specialized Knowledge)
    2.
  2. Utilize mathematics to solve chemical problems. (Quantitative Fluency)
    3.
  3. Employ proper experimental techniques. (Applied Learning)
    4.
  4. Interpret chemical information from peer-reviewed publications. (Critical Thinking)
    5.
  5. Communicate chemical topics effectively, both verbally and in writing. (Communication Fluency)

Each section below contains details about the requirements for this program. Select a header to expand the information/requirements for that particular section of the program's requirements. 

To print or save an overview of this program's information, including the program description, learning outcomes, requirements, suggested course sequencing (if applicable), and advising and graduation information, scroll to the bottom of the left-hand navigation menu and select "Print Options." This will give you the options to either "Send Page to Printer" or "Download PDF of This Page." The "Download PDF of This Page" option prepares a much more concise presentation of all program information. The PDF is also printable and may be preferable due to its brevity. 

Institutional Degree Requirements

The following institutional degree requirements apply to all CMU baccalaureate degrees. Specific programs may have different requirements that must be met in addition to institutional requirements.

  • 120 semester hours minimum.
  • Students must complete a minimum of 30 of the last 60 hours of credit at CMU, with at least 15 semester hours in major discipline courses numbered 300 or higher.
  • 40 upper-division credits (an alternative credit limit applies to the Bachelor of Applied Science degree).
  • 2.00 cumulative GPA or higher in all CMU coursework.
  • A course may only be used to fulfill one requirement for each degree/certificate.
  • No more than six semester hours of independent study courses can be used toward the degree.
  • Non-traditional credit, such as advanced placement, credit by examination, credit for prior learning, cooperative education and internships, cannot exceed 30 semester credit hours for a baccalaureate degree. A maximum of 15 of the 30 credits may be for cooperative education, internships, and practica.
  • Pre-collegiate courses (usually numbered below 100) cannot be used for graduation.
  • Capstone exit assessment/projects (e.g., Major Field Achievement Test) requirements are identified under Program-Specific Degree Requirements.
  • The Catalog Year determines which program sheet and degree requirements a student must fulfill in order to graduate. Visit with your advisor or academic department to determine which catalog year and program requirements you should follow.
  • See “Requirements for Undergraduate Degrees and Certificates” in the catalog for a complete list of graduation requirements.

Essential Learning Requirements

(31 semester hours)

See the current catalog for a list of courses that fulfill the requirements below. If a course is an Essential Learning option and a requirement for your major, you must use it to fulfill the major requirement and make a different selection for the Essential Learning requirement.

English 1
ENGL 111English Composition I-GTCO13
ENGL 112English Composition II-GTCO23
Mathematics 1
MATH 151Calculus I-GT-MA1 23
History
Select one History course3
Humanities
Select one Humanities course3
Social and Behavioral Sciences
Select one Social and Behavioral Sciences course3
Select one Social and Behavioral Sciences course3
Fine Arts
Select one Fine Arts course3
Natural Sciences
Select one Natural Sciences course with a lab4
Select one Natural Sciences course3
Total Semester Credit Hours31
1

Must receive a grade of "C" or better and must be complete by the time the student has 60 semester hours.

2

This is a 5 credit course. 3 credits apply to the Essential Learning requirements and 2 credits apply to foundation.

Other Lower Division Requirements

Wellness Requirement
KINE 100Health and Wellness1
Select one Activity course1
Essential Learning Capstone 1
ESSL 290Maverick Milestone3
ESSL 200Essential Speech1
Total Semester Credit Hours6
1

Essential Learning Capstone must be taken after completion of the Essential Learning English and Mathematics requirements, and when a student has earned between 45 and 75 hours.

Foundation Courses

(17 semester hours, must pass all courses with a grade of “C” or higher)

MATH 151Calculus I-GT-MA12
MATH 152Calculus II5
Select one of the following sets of courses:5
PHYS 131
& 131L
Fundamental Mechanics-GTSC1
and Fundamental Mechanics Laboratory-GTSC1
PHYS 111
& 111L
General Physics-GTSC1
and General Physics Laboratory-GTSC1
Select one of the following sets of courses:5
PHYS 132
& 132L
Electromagnetism and Optics-GTSC1
and Electromagnetism and Optics Laboratory-GTSC1
PHYS 112
& 112L
General Physics II-GTSC1
and General Physics II Laboratory-GTSC1
Total Semester Credit Hours17

Program Specific Degree Requirements

(51 semester hours, must pass all courses with a grade of “C” or higher)

Core Courses
CHEM 131General Chemistry I-GTSC14
CHEM 131LGeneral Chemistry Laboratory I-GTSC11
CHEM 132General Chemistry II-GTSC14
CHEM 132LGeneral Chemistry Laboratory II-GTSC11
CHEM 301Analytical Chemistry3
CHEM 301LAnalytical Chemistry Laboratory1
CHEM 311Organic Chemistry I4
CHEM 311LOrganic Chemistry I Laboratory1
CHEM 312Organic Chemistry II4
CHEM 312LOrganic Chemistry II Laboratory1
CHEM 341Advanced Laboratory I2
CHEM 442Communicating in the World of Chemistry1
Additional Chemistry Courses
CHEM 321Physical Chemistry I3
CHEM 322Physical Chemistry II3
CHEM 351Inorganic Chemistry I3
CHEM 431Instrumental Analysis3
CHEM 431LInstrumental Analysis Laboratory1
MATH 253Calculus III4
Total Semester Credit Hours44
1

Must pass all courses with a grade of “C” or higher

Restricted Electives
Select 7 semester hours from the following list: 17
CHEM 300
Environmental Chemistry
CHEM 315
Biochemistry I
CHEM 316
Biochemistry II
CHEM 317L
Biochemistry Laboratory
CHEM 352
Inorganic Chemistry II
CHEM 396
Topics
CHEM 397
Structured Research
CHEM 421
Advanced Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 422
Advanced Organic Chemistry II
CHEM 487
Formal Research
CHEM 494
Seminar
CHEM 496
Topics
Total Semester Credit Hours7
1

No more than 4 semester hours can come from CHEM 397 or CHEM 487.

General Electives

All college level courses appearing on your final transcript, not listed above that will bring your total semester hours to 120 hours, including 40 hours of upper division hours. 15 semester hours; 3 hours of upper division may be needed.

Select 15 hours of electives 15
Total Semester Credit Hours15
Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterSemester Credit Hours
CHEM 131
& 131L		 General Chemistry I-GTSC1
and General Chemistry Laboratory I-GTSC1		 5
ENGL 111 English Composition I-GTCO1 3
MATH 151 Calculus I-GT-MA1 5
Essential Learning - Natural Science 3
 Semester Credit Hours16
Spring Semester
CHEM 132
& 132L		 General Chemistry II-GTSC1
and General Chemistry Laboratory II-GTSC1		 5
ENGL 112 English Composition II-GTCO2 3
MATH 152 Calculus II 5
Essential Learning - Natural Science with Lab 4
 Semester Credit Hours17
Second Year
Fall Semester
MATH 253 Calculus III 4
CHEM 311
& 311L		 Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry I Laboratory		 5
Select one of the following: 5
PHYS 131
& 131L
 Fundamental Mechanics-GTSC1
and Fundamental Mechanics Laboratory-GTSC1
PHYS 111
& 111L
 General Physics-GTSC1
and General Physics Laboratory-GTSC1
KINE 100 Health and Wellness 1
 Semester Credit Hours15
Spring Semester
CHEM 312
& 312L		 Organic Chemistry II
and Organic Chemistry II Laboratory		 5
Select one of the following: 5
PHYS 132
& 132L
 Electromagnetism and Optics-GTSC1
and Electromagnetism and Optics Laboratory-GTSC1
PHYS 112
& 112L
 General Physics II-GTSC1
and General Physics II Laboratory-GTSC1
CHEM 301
& 301L		 Analytical Chemistry
and Analytical Chemistry Laboratory		 4
 Semester Credit Hours14
Third Year
Fall Semester
CHEM 321 Physical Chemistry I 3
ESSL 290 Maverick Milestone 3
ESSL 200 Essential Speech 1
Essential Learning - History 3
Essential Learning - Fine Arts 3
General Elective 3
 Semester Credit Hours16
Spring Semester
CHEM 322 Physical Chemistry II 3
CHEM 351 Inorganic Chemistry I 3
Essential Learning - Social and Behavioral Sciences 3
Essential Learning - Humanities 3
General Elective 3
 Semester Credit Hours15
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
CHEM 431
& 431L		 Instrumental Analysis
and Instrumental Analysis Laboratory		 4
Essential Learning - Social and Behavioral Sciences 3
KINA Activity 1
Restricted Elective 3
General Elective 3
 Semester Credit Hours14
Spring Semester
CHEM 341 Advanced Laboratory I 2
CHEM 442 Communicating in the World of Chemistry 1
Restricted Electives 4
General Electives (2 courses) 6
 Semester Credit Hours13
 Total Semester Credit Hours120

Advising Process and DegreeWorks

Documentation on the pages related to this program is intended for informational purposes to help determine what courses and associated requirements are needed to earn a degree. The suggested course sequencing outlines how students could finish degree requirements. Some courses are critical to complete in specific semesters, while others may be moved around. Meeting with an academic advisor is essential in planning courses and altering the suggested course sequencing. It is ultimately the student’s responsibility to understand and fulfill the requirements for her/his intended degree(s).

DegreeWorks is an online degree audit tool available in MAVzone. It is the official record used by the Registrar’s Office to evaluate progress towards a degree and determine eligibility for graduation. Students are responsible for reviewing their DegreeWorks audit on a regular basis and should discuss questions or concerns with their advisor or academic department head. Discrepancies in requirements should be reported to the Registrar’s Office.

Graduation Process

Students must complete the following in the first two months of the semester prior to completing their degree requirements:

  • Review their DegreeWorks audit and create a plan that outlines how unmet requirements will be met in the final semester.
  • Meet with their advisor and modify their plan as needed. The advisor must approve the final plan.
  • Submit the “Intent to Graduate” form to the Registrar’s Office to officially declare the intended graduation date and commencement ceremony plans.
  • Register for all needed courses and complete all requirements for each degree sought.

Submission deadlines and commencement details can be found at http://www.coloradomesa.edu/registrar/graduation.html.

If a student’s petition for graduation is denied, it will be her/his responsibility to consult the Registrar’s Office regarding next steps.