Degree Options in Chemistry
There are a variety of options for students interested in earning a degree in chemistry at The University of Alabama. The chemistry department offers several different tracks for students with different interests. Specific details of each major track, including required classes and a suggested course plan, can be found on the chemistry department page of the Undergraduate Catalog.
BS in Chemistry | Biochemistry track | Pre-Health track | ACS-Approved Degree | ACS-Biochemistry track | Honor's track | Minor
Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry (B.S.)
Our standard B.S. degree in chemistry is designed to prepare students for careers in the science, engineering, and medical fields, graduate programs in chemistry and related fields, or health professional schools (medical, dental, pharmaceutical, etc.). This major requires 32-36 hours of chemistry courses in addition to 3 semesters of calculus and 2 semesters of physics (105/106). Students completing this program will have a broad experience in modern chemical concepts that can be applied to a wide variety of careers.
Students using catalogs prior to 2006 need to take general chemistry (101/102 or 117/118), quantitative analysis (223), organic chemistry (231, 232, 237, 338), physical chemistry (341, 342, 348), and one 400-level elective that requires CH341 as a prerequisite.
Students following the 2006-08 catalog are required to take general chemistry (101/102 or 117/118), quantitative analysis (223), organic chemistry (231, 232, 237, 338), physical chemistry (341, 342, 348), inorganic chemistry (413) or instrumental analysis (424), and one additional 400-level elective that requires CH341 as a prerequisite.
Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry-Biochemistry Track (B.S.)
Our standard B.S. degree in chemistry is designed to prepare students for technicals careers in the science, engineering, and medical fields as well as for graduate programs in chemistry, biochemistry, or health professional schools (medical, dental, pharmaceutical, etc.). This track of the B.S. degree is similar to the chemistry track, but requires two semesters of biochemistry in the senior year. This track is suggested for students interested in careers or advanced study in molecular biology, biochemistry, or medical technology.
Students using catalogs prior to 2006 need to take general chemistry (101/102 or 117/118), quantitative analysis (223), organic chemistry (231, 232, 237, 338), physical chemistry (341, 342, 348), and biochemistry (461, 462).
Students using the 2006-08 catalog need to take general chemistry (101/102 or 117/118), quantitative analysis (223), organic chemistry (231, 232, 237, 338), physical chemistry (341, 342, 348), biochemistry (461, 462), and biochemistry lab (463).
Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry-Pre-Health Professional Track
The pre-health track is specifically designed for students interested in health professional careers, such as nursing, medicine, veterinary, pharmacy, or dental. This track requires less math and has a heavier focus on the biological aspects of chemistry than does the traditional B.S. degree. Students in this track will obtain all the necessary prerequisites for admission to medical school. Because of the lower math requirements of this degree, this degree may not qualify graduates for some technical careers in chemistry or graduate study in chemistry. Students who are considering these options upon graduation are advised to pursue the regular B.S. degree or the biochemistry track.
Students in the pre-health track need to take general chemistry (101/102 or 117/118), quantitative analysis (223), organic chemistry (231, 232, 237, 338), physical chemistry (340, 343), biochemistry (461, 462, 463). In addition students should take general biology (114/115, 116,117), physics (101, 102) and math 125.
American Chemical Society Approved Degree in Chemistry
The ACS curriculum is an intensive study of chemistry that is recommended for people planning research careers in chemistry or pursuing graduate study in chemistry. In addition to the requirements of the normal B.S. degree, the ACS curriculum requires an additional 12 hours of advanced elective courses in chemistry. Because of the number of hours required for this degree, a minor is not required. By taking a number of advanced electives, students are able to build on the knowledge gained during the first three years of their training. These additional classes allow exposure to more advanced concepts and modern techniques in chemical research.
Students in the ACS track are required to take general chemistry (101/102 or 117/118), quantitative analysis (223), organic chemistry (231, 232, 237, 338), physical chemistry (341, 342, 348), inorganic chemistry (413 (satisfies 213 and 401 for pre-2006 catalogs)), instrumental analysis (424), biochemistry (461), and 6 hours of 400-level electives that requires CH341 as a prerequisite, which must include introduction to research (497/498/499).
American Chemical Society Approved Degree in Chemistry-Biochemistry Track
The ACS curriculum is an intensive study of chemistry that is recommended for people planning research careers in chemistry, particularly those interested in graduate study in chemistry or biochemistry. The biochemistry track has similar requirements to the ACS chemistry degree, but requires 2 semesters of biochemistry plus a lab course in biochemistry. The biochemistry track is no longer offered effective with the 2006 catalog. Only students who entered on catalogs prior to 2006 can earn this degree.
Students in the ACS biochemistry track are required to take general chemistry (101/102 or 117/118), quantitative analysis (223), organic chemistry (231, 232, 237, 338), physical chemistry (341, 342, 348), inorganic chemistry (413 (satisfies 213 and 401 for pre-2006 catalogs)), instrumental analysis (424), biochemistry (461, 462, 463), and introduction to research (497/498/499).
Honor's Program in Chemistry:
The honors program in chemistry is designed for well prepared students who are strongly interested in chemistry. The major requirements for the honors program, in addition to the standard requirements for the B.S. degree, are participation in honors research seminars and research courses and completion of a senior thesis on research done with a faculty member in the department. Students interested in the Honor's program are encouraged to begin doing undergraduate research as soon as possible, in order to have sufficient work done to complete the senior thesis.
Minor in Chemistry
The chemistry minor allows students to gain a broad introduction to the basics of chemistry that play critical roles in nearly all sciences. Because the bulk of the requirements for the chemistry minor are required by health professional schools, the chemistry minor is a common choice for pre-health professions students who do not major in chemistry.
The minor in chemistry requires general chemistry (101/102 or 117/118), quantitative analysis (223), organic chemistry (231, 232, 237), and physical chemistry (340, 343).
Students with questions about these programs should contact the .
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