Degree Requirements for Chemistry & Biochemistry

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General Requirements for degrees in Chemistry and Biochemistry

General university degree requirements stipulate that 1) at least four units of the major or three units of the minor be taken in residence at Puget Sound; 2) students earn at least a cumulative GPA of 2.0 in courses taken for the major or the minor; and 3) all courses taken for a major or minor must be taken for graded credit. Any exceptions to these stipulations are indicated in the major and minor degree requirements listed below.

Requirements for the Major

The Chemistry and Biochemistry degrees offered at Puget Sound have much in common. Both are rooted in fundamentals of chemistry that include chemical thermodynamics and atomic structure, chemical analysis, organic chemistry, and laboratory techniques. Both degrees provide students the opportunity to study advanced topics in chemistry. The Biochemistry degree emphasizes the chemical basis of biological systems, with students developing skills in interdisciplinary inquiry that include cell biology, genetics, and biochemical laboratory techniques. In contrast, the Chemistry degree places more emphasis on advanced instrumental analysis, quantum mechanics, spectroscopy, and inorganic chemistry.

Requirements for the Major in Chemistry (BA)

PHYS 121, 122;
MATH 180, 181, 280;
CHEM 115, 230; or CHEM 110, 120, 231;
CHEM 250, 251, 340, 341, 420;
One-half unit Chemistry elective at the 300 or 400 level;
Participation in CHEM 493, Seminar.

Requirements for the Major in Chemistry (BS)

PHYS 121, 122;
MATH 180, 181, 280;
CHEM 115, 230; or CHEM 110, 120, 231;
CHEM 250, 251, 330, 340, 341, 420, 490 (1 unit);
One-half unit Chemistry elective at the 300 or 400 level;
Participation in CHEM 493, Seminar.

Requirements for the Major in Biochemistry (BS)

PHYS 121, 122
MATH 180, 181, 280
CHEM 115, 230; or CHEM 110, 120, 231;
CHEM 250, 251, 340, 460, 461;
BIO 111, 212, 213;
One of CHEM 330, 341 or 420;
One unit of a 300- or 400-level CHEM or BIOL elective (BIOL 361 may not be used to satisfy this requirement).

Requirements for the Minor in Chemistry

CHEM 115, 230; or CHEM 110, 120, 231;
CHEM 250;
Two units of Chemistry electives numbered 251 or above.

Notes for the major and minor

The student must earn a grade of C or higher in all courses for the major or minor.
Students wishing to obtain an American Chemical Society certified degree should complete the BS requirements, and depending on the major should do the following. 1) Chemistry majors should include CHEM 460 as an elective, or 2) Biochemistry majors should include CHEM 490. Please consult with a faculty member in the department and have their plan for certification approved in advance by the Chemistry Department Chair.
The Chemistry and Biochemistry Department reserves the right to determine a time limit, on an individual basis, for the acceptability of courses into a major or minor program.
Majors in Biochemistry are encouraged to participate in undergraduate research in the Chemistry or Biology Departments.
Biochemistry majors may not earn additional majors in Chemistry or in Molecular and Cellular Biology.
BS Chemistry majors may not use CHEM 390 to fulfill the chemistry elective requirement.