Skip to main content
Home
Slater Home

Utility Menu

  • Stories & News
  • Events
  • Library
  • Athletics
  • Graduate Programs

Utility CTA Menu

  • Visit
  • Apply
  • Give

Slater Top Utility CTA Menu

  • Contact
  • Visit
  • Give

Search

Search
  • About
    About Puget Sound

    Founded in 1888, University of Puget Sound is an independent, residential, and predominantly undergraduate liberal arts college.

    • Mission & Values
    • Facts & Rankings
    • Location & Community
    • Leadership
    • History & Traditions
    • Media Coverage
  • Academics
    SOMETHING YOU DO

    Part of a Puget Sound education is the opportunity for a wide variety of experiential learning options, including internships, studying abroad, and more.

    Read about student experiences
    • Undergraduate Programs
    • Graduate Programs
    • Experiential Learning
    • Curriculum & Graduation Requirements
    • Meet Our Faculty
    • After Puget Sound
    • Academic Resources & Support
  • Admission
    OPENING DOORS

    Create your own path and pursue a life of purpose and impact.

    Request Admission Information
    • Apply
    • Visit & Events
    • Group Visits
    • Experience Puget Sound
    • Cost & Aid
    • Graduate Admission
    • Connect With Us
  • Student Life
    We look forward to seeing you!

    Learn about our weeklong orientation program that immerses you in campus and the community while preparing you to tackle your academic studies.

    Read about student experiences
    • Housing
    • Dining
    • Activities
    • Orientation
    • Diversity & Belonging
    • Health & Safety
    • Student Life Resources
  • Alumni
    Once a Logger...

    Always a Logger! Just because you're not still living on campus and visiting the Cellar for pizza doesn't mean you have to be disconnected from what's happening on campus! 

    Sign up for the weekly Hatchet newsletter!
    • Events
    • Volunteer
    • Stay Connected
    • Affinity Groups
  • Resources For...
    • Undergraduate Students
    • Graduate Students
    • Parents & Families
    • Faculty
    • Staff
    • Community
    • Top Resources
      • Webmail
      • my.PugetSound.edu
      • login.pugetsound.edu
  • About
  • Collections & Research
  • Education & Outreach
  • Biodiversity
  • Exhibits

Push Navigation Toggle

  • Mobile Search Form Toggle
  • Push Menu Toggle

Push Navigation Toggle

  • Mobile Search Form Toggle
  • Push Menu Toggle

Main navigation

  • About
    • Mission & Values
    • Facts & Rankings
    • Location & Community
    • Leadership
    • History & Traditions
    • Media Coverage
  • Academics
    • Undergraduate Programs
    • Graduate Programs
    • Experiential Learning
    • Curriculum & Graduation Requirements
    • Meet Our Faculty
    • After Puget Sound
    • Academic Resources & Support
  • Admission
    • Apply
    • Visit & Events
    • Group Visits
    • Experience Puget Sound
    • Cost & Aid
    • Graduate Admission
    • Connect With Us
  • Student Life
    • Housing
    • Dining
    • Activities
    • Orientation
    • Diversity & Belonging
    • Health & Safety
    • Student Life Resources
  • Alumni
    • Events
    • Volunteer
    • Stay Connected
    • Affinity Groups

Slater Main Menu

  • About
  • Collections & Research
  • Education & Outreach
  • Biodiversity
  • Exhibits

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Chemistry & Biochemistry for Current Students
  3. Degree Requirements for Current Chemistry & Biochemistry Students

Degree Requirements for Current Chemistry & Biochemistry Students

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)

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

 

Requirements for the Major in Chemistry (BS)

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

 

Requirements for the Major in Biochemistry (BS)

  1. PHYS 121, 122
  2. MATH 180, 181, 280
  3. CHEM 115, 230; or CHEM 110, 120, 231;
  4. CHEM 250, 251, 340, 460, 461;
  5. BIO 111, 212, 213;
  6. One of CHEM 330, 341 or 420;
  7. 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

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

 

Notes for the major and minor

  1. The student must earn a grade of C or higher in all courses for the major or minor.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Majors in Biochemistry are encouraged to participate in undergraduate research in the Chemistry or Biology Departments.
  5. Biochemistry majors may not earn additional majors in Chemistry or in Molecular and Cellular Biology.
  6. BS Chemistry majors may not use CHEM 390 to fulfill the chemistry elective requirement.

Footer Top Quick Links

  • Back to the top
  • Visit
  • Apply
  • Give
Home
University of Puget Sound

1500 N. Warner St., Tacoma, WA 98416

Contact Us
facebook Instagram linkedin twitter Youtube flickr

Footer Menu

  • Campus Map & Directions
  • Security Services
  • Emergency
  • Title IX & Equal Opportunity
  • Employment
  • For the Media
  • Consumer Information & Disclosures
  • Offices & Services

© 2023 University of Puget Sound

Copyright Buttons Menu

  • Slater Museum of Natural History
  • Race and Pedagogy Institute