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Requirements
Chemistry
The study of chemistry provides an atomic/molecular basis for understanding the world. Hands-on, inquiry-based experiences that ask students to construct their own knowledge and communicate it to others lead to a deep understanding of chemical concepts.
Our philosophy is that students should learn chemistry by doing what chemists actually do, using sophisticated instruments and techniques that practicing chemists use from the start, providing molecular-level insight to reinforce an understanding of the macroscopic behavior of materials, and gaining facility in their symbolic representation.
Chemists are often key players who work together in interdisciplinary teams that address important questions in medicine, environmental issues, biotechnology, and nanotechnology.
Majors
- Seven units from this list, with at least 1 unit from each of four of the five branches of chemistry. Chemistry 117 may be used as 1 of the 7 units.
- Analytical Chemistry: 220, 225
- Organic Chemistry: 230, 235
- Physical Chemistry: 240, 245
- Inorganic Chemistry: 150, 250
- Biochemistry: 260, 300
- Four supporting units:
- Mathematics 110, 113, or 115
- Physics 101 or 102
- Two additional units in a complementary discipline as approved by petition to the department chair.
- Nine units:
- Two supporting units:
- Mathematics 110, 113, or 115.
- Physics 101 or 102 or Geology 100, 105, or 110.
- Nine departmental units from this list, with at least 1 unit from each of the five branches of chemistry. Chemistry 117 may be used as 1 of the 9 units:
- Analytical Chemistry: 220, 225
- Organic Chemistry: 230, 235
- Physical Chemistry: 240, 245
- Inorganic Chemistry: 150, 250
- Biochemistry: 260, 300
- Two supporting units:
- Mathematics 110, 113, or 115
- Physics 101 or 102
- Six units from this list, with at least 1 unit from each of four of the five branches of chemistry. Chemistry 117 may be used as 1 of these 6 units.
- Analytical Chemistry: 220, 225
- Organic Chemistry: 230, 235
- Physical Chemistry: 240, 245
- Inorganic Chemistry: 150, 250
- Biochemistry: 260, 300
- Seven supporting units:
- Mathematics 110, 113, or 115
- Physics 101 or 102
- Biology 111, 121, 172, or 208
- Geology 100 or 110
- Three additional units from economics, environmental studies, interdisciplinary studies, or political science, approved by petition to the department chair.
- In preparation for graduate study or employment in environmental science, additional science, mathematics, and social science courses and at least one summer or semester of experience in an environmental internship or program are strongly recommended.
Minors
- Five units selected from Chemistry 117 or the five branches of chemistry.
- Analytical Chemistry: 220, 225
- Organic Chemistry: 230, 235
- Physical Chemistry: 240, 245
- Inorganic Chemistry: 150, 250
- Biochemistry: 260, 300
- Biology/Chemistry 260 and 300 may not be used to satisfy both biology and chemistry requirements.
Additional Information
- To graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree, a student must complete 4 units in science/or mathematics outside chemistry. Students completing the minimum requirements of a chemistry major will receive a Bachelor of Arts degree.
- Students intending to pursue graduate school need:
- Mathematics 110 or 113 and 115
- Physics 101 and 102
- At least one summer or semester full-time research experience
- Additional courses in mathematics, physics, and chemistry are helpful
- Beloit College is approved by the American Chemical Society, the world’s largest scientific society, for the undergraduate professional training of chemists. In addition to fulfilling the major requirements, a student interested in earning ACS degree certification is required to complete:
- Mathematics 115
- Physics 102
- One additional 300-level chemistry course with laboratory work
- A research internship with a comprehensive written report