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 also offers a minor in chemistry. Requirements for the major and minor are outlined below.
The Chemistry Major
Core Courses: All chemistry majors are required to take the following core courses. Typically these courses will be completed over the first two years, with the exception of CH 338, which is taken in the fall of the junior year.
- General Chemistry (101/102, 8 hrs) or Honors General Chemistry (117/118, 8 hrs)
- Quantitative Analysis (CH 223, 4 hours)
- Organic Chemistry Lecture (231/232, 6 hours)
- Organic Chemistry Laboratory (237/338, 4 hours)
Ancillary Requirements: In addition to the core chemistry courses above, students should complete the following ancillary courses during their first 2 years. Students will also need to complete the general requirements as outlined in the undergraduate catalog.
- Chemistry, Biochemistry, and ACS-Certified degree tracks
- Calculus (125/126/227, 12 hrs)
- Physics (105/106, 8 hrs)
- Pre-Health track
- Calculus (125, 4 hrs)
- Physics (101/102, 8 hrs)
- Biology (114/115/116/117, 8 hrs)
Upper Level Major Requirements: The upper level requirements for the chemistry major will depend on which track the student is pursuing. To complete the chemistry degree, students must fulfill the requirements for one of the tracks below as outlined in their catalog. Students using older catalogs should check their specific catalog to ensure they meet the requirements of that catalog. The choice of track will depend on the student's career goals and interests. Students interested in careers in chemistry or related technical fields should pursue the ACS-certified degrees. Any of the degree tracks below are suitable for students interested in going on to health-professional schools, such as medical, dental, or pharmacy school.
| Degree Track | 2010-2012 Catalog - Present |
| ACS-Certified Chemistry | -Physical Chem (341/342/348, 8 hrs) -Inorg Chem (413 or 401/213, 4 hrs) -Instrumental Analysis (424, 4 hrs) -Biochemistry (461, 3 hrs) |
| ACS-Certified Biochemistry | -Physical Chem (341/342/348, 8 hrs) -Inorg Chem (413 or 401/213, 4 hrs) -Biochemistry (461/462/463, 9 hrs) |
| Pre-Health Chemistry Track | -Elem Phy Chem (340/343, 4 hrs) -Biochemistry (461/462/463, 9 hrs) -This track requires a minor |
| Dual Chemistry/Chemical Engineering degree | See requirements for dual degree on Chemical and Biological Engineering site |
| Secondary Science Education-Chemistry track | See requirements for Science Education, Chemistry track at College of Education web site |
| Honors Track -- open to all chemistry majors. You do not have to be enrolled in the Honors College. | -Completion of ACS-Certified degree -Maintain 3.3 GPA in chemistry, with no more than 1 C, and a 3.0 overall -Participate in CH 491/492/493/494 honors seminars -Submission of a senior thesis on research done in the chemistry departemnt -Submission of GRE scores |
The Chemistry Minor
The minor in chemistry requires 23 hours of courses. Students earning degrees in biology or chemical engineering, or who are planning on going to a health-professional school will be very close to completing the minor after finishing the necessary degree requirements for these programs. Requirements for the chemistry minor are the same for all catalogs. The minor requires the following courses:
- General Chemistry (101/102, 8 hrs) or Honors General Chemistry (117/118, 8 hrs)
- Quantitative Analysis (CH 223, 4 hrs)
- Organic Chemistry (231/232/237, 8 hrs)
- Elementary Physical Chemistry (340/343, 4 hrs)
Students with questions about these programs should contact the
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