Bachelor of Science in Chemistry

Up one level:

Entrance Preparation—Entrance credit in the preparatory subjects of chemistry, physics, and especially mathematics provides flexibility in creating a four-year schedule for students intending to major in Chemistry.

Requirements—

Chemistry option: University Writing and General Education Requirements; CHEM 31A and B or 31X, 33, 35, 36, 130, 131, 134, 136, 151, 153, 171, 173, 174, 175, 176; MATH 41, 42, 51, 53, or CME 100, 102, 104; PHYSICS 41, 43, 44, 45, 46.

Biological chemistry option: University Writing and General Education Requirements; CHEM 31A and B or 31X, 33, 35, 36, 130, 131, 134, 136, 151, 171, 173, 176, 181, 183, 184, 185; BIO 41, 42; MATH 41, 42, 51, 53, or CME 100, 102, 104; PHYSICS 41, 43; an approved, elective, graduate-level class related to the student's biochemical interests.

In addition, CS 106A and B are recommended for students planning graduate study. All degree courses must be taken for a letter grade. For further information on the undergraduate program, see http://www.stanford.edu/dept/chemistry/academic/under.

TYPICAL SCHEDULE FOR A FOUR-YEAR PROGRAM: CHEMISTRY OPTION

FIRST YEAR


Subject and Catalog Number	Qtr. and Units
		A	W	S
CHEM 31X. Chemical Principles		4
CHEM 33. Structure and Reactivity			4
CHEM 35. Organic Monofunctional Compounds				4
CHEM 36. Organic Chemistry Laboratory I				3
MATH 41,42,51. Calculus, Linear Equations		5	5	5

SECOND YEAR

CHEM 130. Organic Chemistry Laboratory II	4
CHEM 131. Organic Polyfunctional Compounds	3
CHEM 134. Analytical Chemistry Laboratory			5
CHEM 136. Synthesis Laboratory		3
MATH 53. Differential Equations			5
PHYSICS 41,43,44. Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism		4	5

THIRD AND FOURTH YEARS

CHEM 151,153. Inorganic Chemistry		3	3
CHEM 171,173,175. Physical Chemistry	3	3	3
CHEM 174,176. Physical Chemistry Laboratory		4	3
PHYSICS 45,46. Light and Heat	5

* Elective courses must be used to complete the University Writing, General Education, and Language Requirements. They may also be used to broaden one's background in science and non-science areas and to provide an opportunity for advanced study in Chemistry. Courses offered by other departments that may be of interest to Chemistry majors include BIO 41, 42, 43; CHEMENG 20, 120A,B, 130; CS 106A,B; ECON 1; ENGR 50; MATH 52, 106, 109, 113, 131; MATSCI 50; PHYSICS 110; STATS 60, 110, 116.

American Chemical Society Certification

Students who wish to be certified as having met the minimum requirements of the American Chemical Society for professional training must complete, in addition to the above requirements, CHEM 181 and 183, and 6 units of CHEM 190.

HONORS PROGRAM

A B.S. degree in Chemistry with honors is available to those students interested in chemical research. Admission to the honors program requires a scientific grade point average (GPA) of 3.3 and an overall GPA of 3.0 in all University courses. Beyond the standard B.S. course requirements for each track, 9 units of CHEM 190 research credit, and 9 units of course work need to be completed during the junior and senior academic years. A thesis, approved by a Chemistry research adviser, must be completed during the senior year. Theses must be completed by May 31 to be considered for the Firestone or Golden award. The use of a single course for multiple requirements for honors, major, minor, or coterminal requirements is not allowed. Students who wish to be admitted to the honors program should register in the department student services office in the Mudd Chemistry Building in Spring Quarter of the junior year.

CHEM 190 research units towards honors may be completed, once accepted into the program, in any laboratory within Chemistry or with courtesy faculty in Chemistry. Other chemical research can be approved through a formal petitioning of the undergraduate studies committee. At least 3 units of CHEM 190 must be completed during the senior year. Participation in a summer research program in an academic setting between junior and senior years may be used in lieu of 3 units of CHEM 190. For each quarter, a progress report reflecting the units undertaken is required. This report must be signed by the Chemistry faculty adviser and filed in the department student services office in Mudd Chemistry before the last day of finals in the quarter during which the research is performed.

The 9 units of course work must be completed from courses approved by the undergraduate studies committee and taken for a letter grade. At least six of these units need to be taken from the following CHEM courses: 153, 174, 175, 181, 183, 185, 221, 223, 225, 235, 251, 253, 255, 271, 273, 275, 297. Courses from Mathematics (MATH 114 or higher), Physics (PHYSICS 100 or higher), Engineering, and Structural Biology or Biochemistry in the School of Medicine can be used to fulfill this requirement.

CHEMISTRY TEACHING CREDENTIALS

The requirements for certification to teach chemistry in the secondary schools of California may be ascertained by consulting the section on credentials under the "School of Education" section of this bulletin and the Credential Administrator of the School of Education.

Explore Degrees Archive, 2009-10

Explore Courses

Alphabetical Index

Bulletin Archive