B.A. in Chemistry

A major in Chemistry leading to the B.A. degree consists of a minimum of 32 semester hours of chemistry and must include the following core courses: CHEM 1251, 1251L, 1252, 1252L (or 1253L), 2125, 2131, 2131L, 2132, 2132L (or 2136L), 2141, 3111, 3695, 4695, 4696, and three hours of chemistry electives. The three chemistry elective hours may be selected from CHEM 3112, 3113, 3141, 3141L, 3142, 3142L, 4111, 4121, 4133, 4134, 4135, 4165, 4165L, 4166, 4167, 4171, 4175, 4200 or another chemistry course specifically approved for this purpose. Related work in mathematics and physics must include MATH 1241, 1242, PHYS 1101 (or 2101), 1101L (or 2101L), 1102 (or 2102), and 1102L (or 2102L).

Students pursuing the B.A. degree are welcome and encouraged to take CHEM 4900, but this course will not satisfy the chemistry elective requirement. Students may substitute CHEM 4121 for CHEM 2125, or CHEM 3141 or 3142 for CHEM 2141, but only with Departmental approval.

Students majoring in chemistry who are planning future studies in medicine, dentistry, or other allied health professions are urged to consult as early as possible with UNC Charlotte’s Pre-Health Advisor, Dr. Elizabeth Hanie , in addition to consulting with their academic advisor(s) for their majors(s).

Download the degree checklist to keep track of the progress in your major.

Chemistry Courses

Course
(credit hours)

When course is offered

When you should take this coursea

Prerequisites (P)
or Corequisites (C)

CHEM 1251 (3)
General Chemistry I

Fall, Spring, Summer I

Fall, Year 1

P: MATH 1100 with a grade of C or better (or equivalent test score) or
CHEM 1200 (recommended for students who have not had chemistry in high school) with a grade of C or above.

CHEM 1251L (1)
(1251 Laboratory)

Fall, Spring, Summer I

Fall, Year 1

P or C: CHEM 1251

CHEM 1252 (3)
General Chemistry II

Fall, Spring, Summer II

Spring, Year 1

P: CHEM 1251 with a C or better

CHEM 1252L (1)
(1252 Laboratory)

Fall, Spring, Summer II

Spring, Year 1

P: CHEM 1251 with a C or better and 1251L
P or C: CHEM 1252

CHEM 2131 (3)
Organic Chemistry I

Fall, Spring, Summer I

Fall, Year 2

P: CHEM 1251 & 1252, each with C or better

CHEM 2131L (1)
(2131 Laboratory)

Fall, Spring, Summer I

Fall, Year 2

P: CHEM 1251, 1251L, 1252,
1252L, each with C or better
P or C: CHEM 2131 with C or
better

CHEM 2132 (3)
Organic Chemistry II

Fall, Spring, Summer II

Spring, Year 2

P: CHEM 2131 with C or better

CHEM 2132L (1)
(2132 Laboratory)b

Fall, Spring, Summer II

Spring, Year 2

P: CHEM 2131L with C or better
P or C: CHEM 2132

CHEM 3111 (4)
Quantitative Analysis

Fall

Fall, Year 2 or
Fall, Year 3

P: CHEM 1252 and 1252L, each
with C or better

CHEM 3695 (1)
Chemistry Seminar

Fall, Spring

Fall or Spring, Year 3

None

CHEM 4695 (1)
Chemistry Seminar

Fall, Spring

Fall, Year 4

P: CHEM 3695 and senior standing

CHEM 4696 (1)
Chemistry Seminar

Fall, Spring

Spring, Year 4

P: CHEM 3695, 4695, and senior standing

CHEM 2141 (3)
Survey of Physical Chemistry

Spring

Spring, Year 3
or
Spring, Year 4

P: CHEM 1252, 1252L with C or
better, MATH 1120 or one
semester of calculus (high school
or higher), PHYS 1101 or one
semester of physics (high school
or higher)

CHEM 2125 (3)
Inorganic Chemistry

Spring

Spring Year 3
or
Spring Year 4

P: CHEM 1252 with C or better

Chemistry Elective
(3 credit hours minimum)

See listing of chemistry courses

Year 3
or
Year 4

See listing of chemistry courses

Notes:
a Students are urged to plan their schedules in consultation with their academic advisors.
b CHEM 2136L may be taken in lieu of CHEM 2132L (requires permission of the Department).

Mathematics Courses

Course
(credit hours)

When course
is offered

When you should take this course

Prerequisites (P)
or Corequisites (C)

MATH 1241 (3)
Calculus I

Fall, Spring, Summer

Preferably during Year 1 or Year 2

P: Appropriate score on the Mathematics Placement Test, MATH 1103 with a grade of C or better, or placement by the Mathematics Department

Math 1242 (3)
Calculus II

Fall, Spring, Summer

Preferably during Year 1 or Year 2

P: MATH 1241 with a grade of C
or better

Physics Courses*

Course
(credit hours)

When course is offered

When you should take this course

Prerequisites (P)
or Corequisites (C)

PHYS 1101 (3)
Introductory Physics I

Fall, Spring, Summer

Preferably during Year 1 or Year 2

None

PHYS 1101L (1)
(1101 Laboratory)

Fall, Spring, Summer

Preferably during Year 1 or Year 2

P or C: PHYS 1101

PHYS 1102 (3)
Introductory Physics II

Fall, Spring, Summer

Preferably during Year 1 or Year 2

P: PHYS 1101 with C or better

PHYS 1102L (1)
(1102 Laboratory)

Fall, Spring, Summer

Preferably during Year 1 or Year 2

P: PHYS 1101L (or 2101L)
P or C: PHYS 1102

*Note: PHYS 2101, 2101L, 2102, 2102L also satisfy the Physics requirements for the B.A. degree in Chemistry. PHYS 1101 and 1102 do not satisfy the Physics requirements for any of the B.S. degrees in Chemistry.

Download Sample Course Schedule to get an idea of which courses you’ll take during your college career. Note that this is not a strict schedule, this is merely a guide.