The B.A. degree with a major in chemistry is designed for the student who desires to obtain knowledge of the fundamental principles of chemistry and at the same time wishes to obtain substantial knowledge of a number of other fields of learning. The curriculum is based on a high school background which includes at least one and one-half years of algebra and one year of geometry. High school courses in chemistry and physics are very desirable but not required.

Many chemistry majors are preparing for medical school or for graduate study in chemistry and related fields. For those who are going to graduate school, the common body of knowledge they obtain in the B.A. degree program is the minimum prerequisite. This core of knowledge may be strengthened by taking additional chemistry courses as electives (see note below). For pre-medical students, much of the knowledge will be important in their future careers. Even more important, however, is the training in analytical thinking and problem solving, drawing conclusions from experimental observations, and digesting and understanding a body of scientific information.

There are a number of common College requirements for the B.A. degree, regardless of major, which are listed in the University of Kansas undergraduate Catalog. The Chemistry Department specifies some of the courses that are to be used to fulfill the mathematics and science requirements. These courses should be taken at the earliest opportunity in order to gain the necessary background for advanced chemistry courses. In particular, a year of college physics and a year of college calculus, including differential and integral calculus, are required for the degree and before enrolling in physical chemistry.

The minimum chemistry requirement is 29 hours of course work, including ten hours of general chemistry and five hours each of analytical chemistry, organic chemistry, and physical chemistry. A course sequence which fulfills the major requirements is shown on the following page. The semesters in which these courses are offered are listed in the section entitled Undergraduate Chemistry Courses.

It is recommended that B.A. degree student planning graduate work in chemistry or a closely related field (e.g., biochemistry, medicinal or pharmaceutical chemistry) take two semesters each of organic and physical chemistry (with labs), as well as one or two additional chemistry courses, as time allows.

Courses Required for the B.A. Degree with a Chemistry Major

• All of the "Common Requirements" for the B.A. degree from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (see the Undergraduate Catalog)
• One year of calculus: either MATH 115 and 116 or MATH 121 and 122
• One year of physics: either PHSX 114 and 115 or 211 and 212
• The following chemistry courses:

CHEM 184 (or 185) Foundations of Chemistry I (5)^a
CHEM 188 (or 189) Foundations of Chemistry II (5)^a
CHEM 516 Analytical Chemistry (3)^b
CHEM 517 Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (2)^b
CHEM 622 or 624 Organic Chemistry I (3)^c,d
CHEM 625 Organic Chemistry I Laboratory (2)
CHEM 640 Biological Physical Chemistry(3)^e
CHEM 641 Biological Physical Chemistry Laboratory I (2) or
CHEM 646 Physical Chemistry I (3) and
CHEM 647 Physical Chemistry I Lab (2)
CHEM 696 Junior/Senior Seminar (1)

One of the following courses (3-4)

• CHEM 626 Organic II (CHEM 627 is highly recommended for students taking 626)^d
• or another Physical Chemistry course (one of the two should be CHEM 648)
• or CHEM 635 and 636 Instrumental Methods of Analysis and Laboratory
• or CHEM 667 Inorganic Chemistry
• or CHEM 690^f Environmental Chemistry

Total: 29-31 Hours

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^a  See information on Advanced Standing
^b  CHEM 516 and 517 must be taken concurrently
^c For students who elect to take only one semester of Organic Chemistry, it is recommended that CHEM 622 be substituted for CHEM 624
^d  Students in a pre-medical curriculum should be aware that a full year of Organic Chemistry lecture and laboratory (CHEM 624, 625, 626, 627) is required for admission to virtually all medical schools.
^e  Note that CHEM 646 has MATH 121, 122 and PHSX 211, 212 as prerequisites whereas MATH 115, 116 and PHSX 114, 115 are acceptable for CHEM 640
^f Note that CHEM 690 Environmental Chemistry is seldom offered