Why study chemistry?
At KU Chemistry, we have faculty dedicated to mentoring both undergraduate and graduate students and to helping each student achieve scientific maturity. In addition to required classroom and laboratory courses, options exist for doing research in exciting areas of mainstream chemistry, including emerging fields of microfluidics, precision medicine and sustainable catalysis.
Undergraduate Program
The undergraduate program in the Department of Chemistry has two primary missions. One of these is to help its majors attain a mastery of the discipline in preparation for further study in chemistry or a chemical science, or for immediate employment in chemistry. The other is to provide an opportunity for students majoring in other disciplines to acquire a basic knowledge of the fundamental areas of chemistry.
The curriculum leading to the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree, a rigorous program certified by the American Chemical Society, consists of a full spectrum of chemistry courses as well as supporting courses in mathematics and physics, and is designed to prepare students for a professional career in chemistry. The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree program, with fewer required courses, allows students to obtain a broader knowledge of areas outside of chemistry, or to tailor their chemistry program for specific or unique objectives. We also offer a minor in chemistry for those seeking a secondary area of study.
Requirements for the Minor
The minor allows many non-chemistry majors to obtain a strong, distributed background in the discipline. It is particularly useful for students in STEM fields or pre-professional programs that require at least one year of chemistry coursework but whose career plans would be enhanced by a deeper understanding of the molecular sciences. Due to extensive overlap in required chemistry coursework, the Chemistry minor is not available to students majoring in Biochemistry and Chemical Engineering.
Course List | Code | Title | Hours |
| |
| |
| 6-12 |
| Calculus I
and Calculus II | |
| Calculus I
and Calculus II
and Calculus III | |
| 8-9 |
| College Physics I
and College Physics II | |
| General Physics I
and General Physics I Laboratory
and General Physics II
and General Physics II Laboratory | |
| 5 |
| Chemistry for the Chemical Sciences I | |
| General Chemistry I | |
| Foundations of Chemistry I, Honors
and Foundations of Chemistry I Laboratory, Honors | |
| 5 |
| Chemistry for the Chemical Sciences II | |
| General Chemistry II | |
| Foundations of Chemistry II, Honors
and Foundations of Chemistry II Laboratory, Honors | |
| 3 |
| Organic Chemistry I | |
| Organic Chemistry I, Honors | |
| 2 |
| Organic Chemistry I Laboratory | |
| |
| |
| Analytical Chemistry
and Analytical Chemistry Laboratory | |
| * | |
| Biological Physical Chemistry with Laboratory | |
| Physical Chemistry I
and Physical Chemistry II
and Physical Chemistry Laboratory | |
| |
| |
| Biological Physical Chemistry | |
| Physical Chemistry I |
| |
| Inorganic Chemistry | |
*Students who select this option for Elective Group I cannot take CHEM 510 or CHEM 530 from Elective Group II.
Minor Hours & Minor GPA
While completing all required courses, minors must also meet each of the following hour and GPA minimum standards:
Minor Hours
Satisfied by 23-24 hours of minor courses.
Minor Hours in Residence
Satisfied by a minimum of 9 hours of KU resident credit in the minor.
Minor Junior/Senior Hours
Satisfied by a minimum of 13 hours from junior/senior courses (300+) in the minor.
Minor Junior/Senior Graduation GPA
Satisfied by a minimum of a 2.0 KU GPA in all departmental courses in the minor. GPA calculations include all junior/senior courses in the field of study including F’s and repeated courses. See the Semester/Cumulative GPA Calculator.
