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Chemistry

Targeted programs with rigorous training.

Why Chemistry at Valpo?

Why does Valpo Chemistry beat the national medical school acceptance rate by 35%? Or place over 96% of its majors into employment within 6 months of graduating? Or place its graduates in Top 10 graduate schools? Maybe because we’re centrally located between the industrial markets in Chicago, Indianapolis, St. Louis and Detroit.

Or, perhaps it’s our state-of-the-art building, containing over $1 million in instrumentation our students start using as freshmen. Possibly, it’s our small class and lab sizes which are all taught by Ph.D. professors. Come be part of a caring community that will bring out your very best.

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About Our Chemistry Degrees

Our degree programs are all designed to meet the requirements for graduate study, professional schools, a teaching career in chemistry, or work in industrial or governmental positions. We offer several degree options to meet a range of needs and interests.

All majors in the College of Arts and Sciences complete at least 124 total credits to earn a bachelor’s degree.

Chemistry Programs

44-credit bachelor of science

This degree, designed for students who plan to pursue graduate study or careers in chemistry, offers rigorous training and provides a solid background in all five major areas of chemistry. Approved by the American Chemical Society for the training of professional chemists, it does not require the student to have any minor or second major.

In addition to completing the required courses, Valpo encourages students to conduct undergraduate research. A wide selection of instruments is maintained for student use in instructional laboratory work and research.

All majors are also expected to attend the weekly chemistry colloquium, CHEM 499, every semester.

Foundations

B.S. students in chemistry at Valpo must complete the general-education requirements for the B.S. This University-wide core strengthens communication and critical thinking skills while introducing global cultures and traditions.

Major Requirements: Minimum 44 Credits
CHEM 190Introduction to Chemical Research1 Cr.
CHEM 221Organic Chemistry I4 Cr.
CHEM 222Organic Chemistry II4 Cr.
CHEM 230Quantitative Analysis4 Cr.
CHEM 315Biochemistry3 Cr.
CHEM 315LBiochemistry I Lab1 Cr.
CHEM 321Physical Chemistry4 Cr.
CHEM 322Physical Chemistry II4 Cr.
CHEM 421 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry3 Cr.
CHEM 422Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory2 Cr.
CHEM 496Directed Research in Chemistry0 Cr.
(2 Credits)
CHEM 199Chemistry Colloquium I0 Cr.
CHEM 299Chemistry Colloquium II0 Cr.
CHEM 399Chemistry Colloquium III0 Cr.
CHEM 499Chemistry Colloquium  IV0 Cr.
One course from the following options:
CHEM 121General Chemistry I4 Cr.
CHEM 131General Chemistry I for Chemistry Career4 Cr.
One course from the following options:
CHEM 122General Chemistry II4 Cr.
CHEM 132General Chemistry II for Chemistry Career4 Cr.
Three additional credits from 300 or 400 level Chemistry courses
Major Requirements: Minimum 44 Credits

Note:

  • PHYS 141 and PHYS 142 (with labs) and MATH 260 and MATH 270 are required for certification.
  • CHEM 496 may be taken instead as the Honors Work sequence, CHEM 497 and CHEM 498.

33-credit bachelor of science

This degree is designed to accommodate a minor in a second science or business or a second major outside the natural sciences. Students pursuing this degree must declare one of the following:

  • A second major in a nonscience discipline;
  • The 32-credit complementary major in environmental science;
  • A disciplinary science minor (qualifying disciplines include astronomy, biology, computer science, engineering, geography, geology, mathematics, meteorology, physics, and psychology); or
  • A minor in fundamentals of business, business administration, applied statistics, engineering, or geographic information systems.

In addition to completing the required courses, Valpo encourages students to conduct undergraduate research. A wide selection of instruments is maintained for student use in instructional laboratory work and research.

All majors are also expected to attend the weekly chemistry colloquium every semester.

Foundations

B.S. students in chemistry at Valpo must complete the general-education requirements for the B.S. This University-wide core strengthens communication and critical thinking skills while introducing global cultures and traditions.

Major Requirements: Minimum 33 Credits
CHEM 221Organic Chemistry I4 Cr.
CHEM 222Organic Chemistry II4 Cr.
CHEM 230Quantitative Analysis4 Cr.
CHEM 199Chemistry Colloquium I0 Cr.
CHEM 299Chemistry Colloquium II0 Cr.
CHEM 399Chemistry Colloquium III0 Cr.
CHEM 499Chemistry Colloquium IV0 Cr.
One course from the following options:
CHEM 121General Chemistry I4 Cr.
CHEM 131General Chemistry I for Chemistry Careers4 Cr.
One course from the following options:
CHEM 122General Chemistry II4 Cr.
CHEM 132General Chemistry II for Chemistry Careers4 Cr.
One course from the following options:
CHEM 190Introduction to Chemical Research1 Cr.
CHEM 496Directed Research in Chemistry0 Cr. (1 Cr.)
One course from the following options:
CHEM 311Elementary Physical Chemistry4 Cr.
CHEM 321Physical Chemistry I4 Cr.
Seven additional credits from 300 or 400 level Chemistry courses.
Major Requirements: Minimum 33 Credits

27-credit bachelor of arts

This degree offers a broad background in basic chemistry to students pursuing a second major or minor in any discipline, including arts, humanities, and social sciences.

In addition to completing the required courses, Valpo encourages students to conduct undergraduate research. A wide selection of instruments is maintained for student use in instructional laboratory work and research.

All majors are also expected to attend the weekly chemistry colloquium, CHEM 499, every semester.

Foundations

B.A. students in chemistry at Valpo must complete the general-education requirements for the B.A. This University-wide core strengthens communication and critical thinking skills while introducing global cultures and traditions.

Double Science Major Requirements: Minimum 27 Credits
CHEM 221Organic Chemistry I4 Cr.
CHEM 222Organic Chemistry II4 Cr.
CHEM 230Quantitative Analysis4 Cr.
CHEM 199Chemistry Colloquium I0 Cr.
CHEM 299Chemistry Colloquium II0 Cr.
CHEM 399Chemistry Colloquium III0 Cr.
CHEM 499Chemistry Colloquium IV0 Cr.
One course from the following options:
CHEM 121General Chemistry I4 Cr.
CHEM 131General Chemistry I for Chemistry Careers4 Cr.
One course from the following options:
CHEM 122General Chemistry II4 Cr.
CHEM 132General Chemistry II for Chemistry Careers4 Cr.
Four credits from the following options:
CHEM 311Elementary Physical Chemistry4 Cr.
CHEM 315Biochemistry I3 Cr.
CHEM315LBiochemistry I Lab1 Cr.
CHEM 321Physical Chemistry I4 Cr.
Three additional credits from 300 or 400 level Chemistry courses.
Must be combined with a minimum major in another science.
Double Science Major Requirements: Minimum 27 Credits

28-credit bachelor of science

This degree, designed for students who declare a double major in chemistry and another scientific discipline (qualifying disciplines include astronomy, biology, computer science, engineering, geography, geology, mathematics, meteorology, physics, and psychology), is a popular choice among students who plan to pursue careers in the health professions.

In addition to completing the required courses, Valpo encourages students to conduct undergraduate research. A wide selection of instruments is maintained for student use in instructional laboratory work and research.

All majors are also expected to attend the weekly chemistry colloquium every semester.

Foundations

B.S. students in chemistry at Valpo must complete the general-education requirements for the B.S. This University-wide core strengthens communication and critical thinking skills while introducing global cultures and traditions.

Double Science Major Requirements: Minimum 28 Credits
CHEM 221Organic Chemistry I4 Cr.
CHEM 222Organic Chemistry II4 Cr.
CHEM 230Quantitative Analysis4 Cr.
CHEM 199Chemistry Colloquium I0 Cr.
CHEM 299Chemistry Colloquium II0 Cr.
CHEM 399Chemistry Colloquium III0 Cr.
CHEM 499Chemistry Colloquium IV0 Cr.
One course from the following options:
CHEM 121General Chemistry I4 Cr.
CHEM 131General Chemistry I for Chemistry Careers4 Cr.
One course from the following options:
CHEM 122General Chemistry II4 Cr.
CHEM 132General Chemistry II for Chemistry Careers4 Cr.
One course from the following options:
CHEM 311Elementary Physical Chemistry4 Cr.
CHEM 321Physical Chemistry I4 Cr.
Three additional credits from 300 or 400 level Chemistry courses.
Must be combined with a minimum major in another science.
Double Science Major Requirements: Minimum 28 Credits

16-credit minor

A minimum of 16 credit hours in chemistry, including at least eight credits from courses numbered 200 and above, constitutes a chemistry minor.

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Voices from Valpo

A beaker filled with ice and a labeled flask containing blue liquid are on a laboratory table, showcasing Mara Paterson’s chemistry setup with scientific equipment in the background.

Chemistry

“I can confidently say I wouldn’t be where I am today if I hadn’t attended Valpo. The small class sizes and small research groups provided me with 1:1 mentoring from professors and plenty of opportunities to gain valuable research experience... During my four years at Valpo, I gained much more confidence, motivation, and passion for my field than I ever anticipated, thanks to the inspiration and support of my classmates and professors.”

— Mara Paterson ‘19

Chemistry

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