Saint Xavier University offers a B.S. degree in chemistry. Students who pursue a major in chemistry can, in consultation with their academic advisors, successfully combine their chemistry interests with programs in art, biology, business, computer science, criminal justice or mathematics. The program also provides a broad spectrum of chemistry, physical science and physics courses that support general education graduation requirements and majors such as biology, nursing and education. The chemistry curriculum provides a strong foundation for graduate programs in chemistry, biochemistry and other chemistry related areas.
High School Prerequisites
Students wishing to major in chemistry should have completed high school chemistry, physics and high-level advanced mathematics courses.
Mathematics Competency Requirements for Chemistry Courses
The student's chemistry and mathematics background, and standardized test scores, may require them to take the mathematics placement test to determine placement into the proper chemistry courses. Science majors may be required to complete CHEM 106 before taking CHEM 111. Nursing students may be required to complete CHEM 106 before taking CHEM 109.
Requirements
The following courses are required for a B.S. degree in chemistry:
- CHEM 111: General Chemistry I (4)
- CHEM 112: General Chemistry II (4)
- CHEM 211: Analytical Chemistry (5)
- CHEM 251: Organic Chemistry I (3)
- CHEML 251: Organic Chemistry Laboratory I (1)
- CHEM 252: Organic Chemistry II (3)
- CHEML 252: Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (1)
- CHEM 301: Biochemistry I (3)
- CHEML 301: Biochemistry I Laboratory (1)
- CHEM 331: Physical Chemistry I (4)
- CHEM 356: Intro to Senior Seminar (1)
- CHEM 357: Senior Seminar (1)
- BIOL 111: General Biology I (4) OR BIOL 112: General Biology II (4)
- PHYS 201: General Physics I (4) OR PHYS 211: University Physics I [Calculus Based] (5)
- PHYS 202: General Physics II (4) OR PHYS 212: University Physics II [Calculus based] (5)
- MATH 201: Calculus with Analytic Geometry I (4)
- MATH 202: Calculus with Analytic Geometry II (4)
Students select one of three tracks in chemistry to complete the major: biochemistry, analytical chemistry, or physical chemistry.
Biochemistry Track(8)
The following course is required for a biochemistry track:
CHEM 302: Biochemistry II (3)
Choose from the following options to complete the required credit hours:
- CHEM 213: Environmental Chemistry (4)
- CHEML 304: Synthesis and Characterization (2)
- CHEM 305: Advanced Inorganic (3)
- CHEM 332: Physical Chemistry II (4)
- CHEM 311: Instrumental Analysis (4)
- BIOL 300: Genetics (4)
- BIOL 301: Genome Biology (4)
- BIOL 305: Cell Biology (5)
- CHEM 342: Pharmaceutical Materials and Contaminants (2)
- Other special topics as approved and offered
Analytical Chemistry Track(8)
The following courses are required for an analytical chemistry track:
- CHEM 311: Instrumental Analysis (4)
- CHEM 351/352: Introduction to Research I and II (2) OR a chemistry internship
Choose from the following options to complete the required credit hours:
- CHEM 213: Environmental Chemistry (4)
- CHEM 332: Physical Chemistry II (4)
- CHEM 305: Advanced Inorganic (3)
- CHEML 304: Synthesis and Characterization (2)
- CHEM 340: Scanning Electron Microscopy (2)
- CHEM 341: Atomic Force Microscopy and Scanning (1)
- Other special topics as approved and offered
Physical Chemistry Track(8)
The following course is required for a physical chemistry track:
CHEM 332: Physical Chemistry II (4)
Choose from the following options to complete the required credit hours:
- CHEM 213: Environmental Chemistry (4)
- CHEM 311: Instrumental Analysis (4)
- CHEM 305: Advanced Inorganic (3)
- CHEML 304: Synthesis and Characterization (2)
- CHEM 340: Scanning Electron Microscopy (2)
- CHEM 341: Atomic Force Microscopy and Scanning (1)
- Other special topics as approved and offered