Chemistry Degree
Master foundational knowledge of general, organic, and physical chemistry and springboard into your area of interest. Conduct research alongside expert faculty, then present your findings to your peers. Choose from either a professional or liberal arts track in chemistry to target your career goals.
This academic program will no longer be offered as of the Fall 2021 semester.
Take Me To
- On Campus
On Campus
Get Involved
The Chemistry Action Club is dedicated to increasing scientific literacy and excitement in local schools by giving students hands-on learning experiences.
Internships
Take advantage of internship opportunities in large research labs or clinic settings.
Research
Complete research alongside expert faculty and present your findings to your peers through a paper and presentation.
High-Tech Research Facility
Take advantage of BVU’s outstanding Siebens Science Center. Put classroom concepts into practice in cutting-edge labs and research facilities. The 70,000-square-foot Science Center contains 18 labs and three research areas, including:
- Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscope (NMR)
- Gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS)
- Confocal microscope
- Spectrophotometers
- Gene guns
- Human Cadaver Lab
- Fossils
- Specimens and skeletons
- Sterile hoods
- Labs fully equipped to study DNA and RNA
- Thermal cyclers
- Optics Lab
- UV and chemiluminescent imaging equipment
- Greenhouse with three environmental growth chambers
Chemistry Courses
- Major in Chemistry (55 Credit Hours)
Support Work
- MATH 210 Calculus I
- MATH 211 Calculus II
- PHYS 211 General Physics I
- PHYS 212 General Physics II: Calculus-Based
Major Courses
- CHEM 151 General Chemistry I
- CHEM 152 General Chemistry II
- CHEM 200 Chemistry Research Methods
- CHEM 261 Organic Chemistry I
- CHEM 262 Organic Chemistry II
- CHEM 300 Chemistry Research
- CHEM 311 Analytical Chemistry
- CHEM 321 Spectroscopy
- CHEM 322 Chemical Separations
- CHEM 353 Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics
- CHEM 354 Physical Chemistry: Quantum Mechanics
- CHEM 355 Physical Chemistry Laboratory
- CHEM 400 Chemistry Seminar
Student must take sufficient chemistry electives at the 300/400 level to reach the 55 credit hours required by the major. ENVS 312 may be used to obtain 4 credit hours of chemistry electives. BCHM 401 (Biochemistry) may be used to obtain four of the hours of chemistry electives. No more than 3 credits total of CHEM 300 or 495 may be applied toward the chemistry major.
- Major in Chemistry - Liberal Arts (42 Credit Hours)
Major Courses
- CHEM 151 General Chemistry I
- CHEM 152 General Chemistry II
- CHEM 200 Chemistry Research Methods
- CHEM 261 Organic Chemistry I
- CHEM 262 Organic Chemistry II
- CHEM 300 Chemistry Research or CHEM 495 Chemistry Internship
- CHEM 311 Analytical Chemistry
- CHEM 353 Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics
- CHEM 400 Chemistry Seminar
Sufficient chemistry electives at the 300/400 level to reach the 42 credit hours required by the major. ENVS 312 may be used to obtain 4 credit hours of chemistry electives. BCHM 401 (Biochemistry) may NOT be used to obtain four of the hours of chemistry electives. No more than 3 credits total of CHEM 300 or CHEM 495 may be applied toward the chemistry major.
Support Work
- MATH 210 Calculus I
- PHYS 201 General Physics I: Trigonometry-Based or PHYS 211 General Physics I: Calculus-Based
- PHYS 202 General Physics II: Trigonometry-Based or PHYS 212 General Physics II: Calculus-Based
- Major in Chemistry with Teaching Licensure (5-12) (30 Credit Hours)
Only science education students. Must have 12 credit hours at 300/400 level. 30 credit hours in science with 24 hours in chemistry including:
- CHEM 151 General Chemistry I
- CHEM 152 General Chemistry II
- CHEM 200 Chemistry Research Methods
- CHEM 261 Organic Chemistry I
- CHEM 311 Analytical Chemistry
- CHEM 400 Chemistry Seminar
- 6 credits of chemistry electives (numbered above CHEM 152) to reach 24 credits in chemistry
- 6 additional credit hours in science to reach a total of 30 credits
- Plus requirements for secondary education and education core
- Minor in Chemistry with Teaching Licensure (5-12) (24 Credit Hours)
- CHEM 151 General Chemistry I
- CHEM 152 General Chemistry II
- CHEM 261 Organic Chemistry I
- CHEM 311 Analytical Chemistry
- 8 additional credit hours in chemistry
- Plus requirements for secondary education and education core
- Minor in Chemistry (20 Credit Hours)
- CHEM 151 General Chemistry I
- CHEM 152 General Chemistry II
- CHEM 261 Organic Chemistry I
- CHEM 311 Analytical Chemistry
- 4 credit hours of chemistry electives
Financial Aid & Scholarships
We’ll help you figure out your options for financial assistance and possible scholarships.
Learn MoreChemistry Faculty
Our instructors are committed to helping you build the future of Iowa and beyond.
See Our FacultyTransfer Your Credits
Do you have previously earned credits or an associate degree? BVU accepts most — if not all — of your credits so you don’t have to retake courses.
View Course EquivalenciesEarn a Master’s Degree Faster with Our Accelerated Program
With BVU's Plus One program, you can earn your special education, teaching English as a second language, or organizational leadership master's within one year of graduating with your bachelor’s degree.
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