Chemistry - American Chemical Society, Bachelor of Science

In addition to University Requirements:

• At least 39 units of major requirements
• At least 29 units of Emphasis Requirements

• Up to 9 units of major prefix courses may be used to satisfy Liberal Studies requirements; these same courses may also be used to satisfy major requirements.

• Elective courses, if needed, to reach an overall total of at least 120 units.

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Minimum Units for Completion	120
Highest Mathematics Required	MAT 137
Additional Admission Requirements	Required
Fieldwork Experience/Internship	Required
Research	Optional
University Honors Program	Optional
Progression Plan Link	View Progression Plan
Emphasis Required	An emphasis is required for this major.

Purpose Statement

Chemistry is a diverse discipline that encompasses living processes, inorganic interactions, and analytical methods. Chemistry deals with the basic laws of the physical world and the composition and properties of matter. Students trained in chemistry enter careers in academia, research, pharmacy, forensics, medicine, the environment, space exploration, and national defense. Students can select an emphasis that best prepares them for their chosen career path.

The breadth of the field of chemistry requires a wide range of knowledge and skills. The goal of the NAU chemistry degree program is to ensure that our graduates:

• Are well versed in the fundamental principles of chemistry: the atomic theory of matter, the quantum nature of the atom, and the principle laws of thermodynamics.
• Are knowledgeable about frequently encountered elements, compounds, and reactions.
• Understand biosynthetic pathways and modes of action of biomolecules.
• Understand factors controlling the mechanisms of chemical reactions
• Are knowledgeable about synthesis strategies and can successfully conduct synthetic sequences in the laboratory.
• Understand the principles of chemical analysis and are proficient at using modern instrumentation to carry out analysis.
• Are adept at solving problems independently and contributing to a team effort.
• Ability to communicate their scientific results orally and in writing.

Student Learning Outcomes

Core Chemistry Outcomes

• Atomic Theory: Recognize that modern chemical science is based upon the idea of atoms, their combination in compounds, and their recombination in the course of chemical reactions.
• Quantum Nature of the Atom: Realize that physical and chemical properties of matter result from subatomic particles that behave according to physical rules not apparent in the behavior of macroscopic objects, and discern the importance of spectroscopy in establishing this behavior.
• Thermodynamics: Understand the principal laws of thermodynamics and how these dictate the behavior of chemical substances. Students must also understand how the thermodynamic information about chemical and physical changes shape chemist’s explanations of interactions between atoms, molecules, and other ensembles of particles.
• Frequently Encountered Elements, Compounds and Reactions: Possess a mental library of common substances, their physical properties, and reactions that they undergo. The major classes of organic chemicals and their reactions, the characteristic reactions of other elements of the periodic table, solubility, acid/base, and redox chemistry all must be familiar to students. Students must also be aware of the hazards, both personal and environmental, associated with elements and compounds.
• Mechanisms of Reactions: Understand how the study of the rates of chemical reactions and the structures of the products of these reactions can lead to knowledge of the detailed atomic-level behavior of chemical substances and elucidation of their chemical and physical properties.
• Synthesis: Use their knowledge of chemical reactivity to plan and execute the preparation of compounds from common starting materials.
• Skills and Techniques: Work independently using their own hands and intellect to solve chemical problems with traditional and modern laboratory tools. Students work together in teams, sharing tasks, results and interpretations without compromising the integrity of the investigation.
• Communication of Scientific Results: Retrieve detailed information about chemical and physical properties of substances and accounts of other experimental or theoretical research. Students must communicate their own results in writing and speaking using appropriate scientific formats and language. Students incorporate into their results an awareness of the global context in which results and theories are formulated, communicated, and debated.

All Chemistry Emphases

• Kinetic Molecular Theory: Understand that atomic, molecular and ionic particles are in constant motion. Ensembles of these particles have a characteristic distribution of kinetic energies based on the temperature of the sample. Use knowledge of this distribution of kinetic energy to predict chemical and physical properties of the sample.
• Structure and Bonding: Understand how atoms combine in covalent molecules, coordination complexes and ionic solids, and understand the importance of the 3-D arrangements of atoms and ions in these molecules. Students use this information to predict interactions between ions, atoms, molecules and other bonded collections of atoms.
• Chemistry Analysis: Have the necessary knowledge and strategies for the separation, identification and quantification of compounds and elements from complex mixtures. Identify uncertainties associated with these measurements.
• Measurement of Chemical and Physical Properties: Use traditional and modern laboratory equipment to measure chemical and physical properties of substances and be able to correlate the resulting data with chemical models of structure and reactivity.
• Chemical Instrumentation: Understand the fundamental physical and chemical principles involved in instrumental chemical analyses. Understand the chemistry relevant to sampling and sample preparation and apply these to the successful operation of instruments regardless of model or manufacturer.
• Empirical Basis of Chemical Knowledge: Students must demonstrate the essential laboratory skills to make accurate measurements and the ability to organize and interpret the resulting data. Students should also have the inductive and deductive reasoning skills necessary to arrive at conclusions from these data. They must also know of the appropriate use of modern, sophisticated instrumentation and proper interpretation of the data resulting from the use of these instruments. Students must be aware of key experiments that have led to the development of chemical theories and models.
• Biosynthesis and Bioactivity: Understand the biosynthetic pathways and modes of action of biomolecules. Understand the importance of the 3-D arrangements of atoms and ions in these molecules. Students should also be aware of the relationship between structure and bioactivity of molecules.

Additional Admission Requirements

• Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

• CS plans are certified by the American Chemical Society.  Students must meet the following requirements to be admitted into an ACS plan:

  • CHM 151, CHM 151L, CHM 152, CHM 152L, CHM 235, CHM 235L, CHM 238, CHM 238L, PHY 262, MAT 137
  • Cumulative GPA of 3.2 or better on all NAU coursework
  • Submit an application during or after the semester that the coursework is completed
  • Transfer students must complete one full semester at NAU and maintain a 3.2 GPA during semester before applying to an ACS plan.
  • Chemistry-ACS students may only attempt CHM 442LC and CHM 450LC one time.
  CHM 485 is recommended, especially for students planning to attend graduate school.

Major Requirements

• This major requires 68-89 units distributed as follows:

  • Chemistry Common Courses: 39 units
  • Selection of an emphasis: 29-50 units
    • Comprehensive - Certified by the American Chemical Society (29 units)
    • Biochemistry - Certified by the American Chemical Society (50 units)

  
  Take the following 68 - 89 units:

  Students must complete all Chemistry courses with no more than two grades of D. (Note that some prerequisite courses required a C or better).
  
  Take the following 39 units:
  • CHM 151, CHM 151L, CHM 152, CHM 152L, CHM 235, CHM 235L, CHM 238, CHM 238L*, CHM 341
  • MAT 136, MAT 137 (8 units)
  • PHY 161, PHY 262 Note: PHY 262L is not required. (7 units)
  • Select one from: CHM 300W, ENG 302W, ENG 305W which meets the junior-level writing requirement (3 units)
  
  *CHM 238L is not required if electing to complete the Chemistry BS with a non-Chemistry minor. 

   

• Emphasis Requirements (Select One)
  
  Comprehensive - Certified by the American Chemical Society - Emphasis (29 units)

  • CHM 320, CHM 320L, CHM 338L, CHM 350, (CHM 360 (recommended) or CHM 461), CHM 425LC, CHM 442LC, CHM 450LC 
  • CHM 425C, CHM 442C, CHM 450C to meet ACS in-depth requirements
  • MAT 238

• Students enrolled in this emphasis may not enroll in or pursue the following due to the number of overlapping units:

• • Chemistry, BS - Chemistry Advanced Emphasis

• Biochemistry - Certified by the American Chemical Society - Emphasis (50 units)

  • BIO 181, BIO 181L, BIO 182, BIO 182L, BIO 205, BIO 205L, BIO 344 
  • CHM 320, CHM 320L, CHM 338L, CHM 350, CHM 425LC, CHM 442LC, CHM 460LC, CHM 461
  • CHM 425C, CHM 442C, CHM 450C, CHM 462C to meet ACS in-depth requirements
  • MAT 238 
  • Select one course from (3 units):
    • BIO 240, BIO 320, BIO 349L, BIO 350, BIO 369, BIO 401C, BIO 426C, BIO 444C, BIO 488C or any CHM course above the 300-level that you haven't already taken

• Students enrolled in this emphasis may not enroll in or pursue the following due to the number of overlapping units:

• • Chemistry, BS - Forensics and Criminalistics Emphasis
  • Chemistry, BS - Health Professional Emphasis

General Electives

• Additional coursework is required if, after you have met the previously described requirements, you have not yet completed a total of 120 units of credit.

  You may take these remaining courses from any of the academic areas, using these courses to pursue your specific interests and goals. You may also use prerequisites or transfer credits as electives if they weren't used to meet major, minor, or liberal studies requirements.
  
  We encourage you to consult with your advisor to select the courses that will be most advantageous to you.

• Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.

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