|
Department of Chemistry
Accreditation
B.A. with a Major in Chemistry
Minor in Chemistry
B.S. in the Teaching of Chemistry
B.S. in Chemistry
Distinction
Recommended Plan of Study
4500 Science and Engineering South (SES)
312–996–3161
http://www.chem.uic.edu
Administration: Head, Donald Wink
Director of Undergraduate Studies, John Morrison
Chemistry is a central science that provides much of the fundamental understanding needed to deal with society’s needs. It is critical in feeding, clothing, and housing humankind, in providing renewable substitutes for dwindling or scarce materials, in improving health, and in monitoring and protecting our environment.
The Department of Chemistry offers four undergraduate degrees.
- The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry is recommended for anyone considering a professional career in chemistry. It prepares its graduates for admission to graduate schools in chemistry, to medical schools and to professional positions in industry, the health field, and governmental agencies.
- The Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Chemistry requires fewer chemistry courses and permits a larger number of electives outside of chemistry. It provides a basis for admission to medical schools and dental schools. The degree also provides a useful background for those who wish to pursue careers in business (management, marketing, sales).
- The Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry, offered jointly with the Department of Biological Sciences, provides preparation for graduate study in biochemistry, for studies in medical and dental schools, or for careers in biotechnology. For more detailed information, see the Biochemistry section.
- The Bachelor of Science in the Teaching of Chemistry is a specialized program for prospective high school chemistry teachers.
The department also offers a Minor in Chemistry.
Faculty advising is provided for all students majoring in the department. To be identified for effective advising, students should declare the chemistry major by the end of the freshman year. Transfer students should declare the major at the time of registration or during their first term in residence. Students considering changing to a major in chemistry at a later point in their careers should first obtain advice from the department.
Accreditation
The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry program has been approved by the American Chemical Society, and graduates are immediately eligible for full membership in the society.
B.A. with a Major in Chemistry
Degree Requirements—
B.A. with a Major in Chemistry
To earn a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences degree from UIC, students must complete University, college, and department degree requirements. The Department of Chemistry degree requirements are outlined below. Students should consult the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section for additional degree requirements and college academic policies.
| B.A. with a Major in Chemistry |
|
| Degree Requirements |
Hours |
| LAS Course Requirementsa |
28–51 |
| Required Prerequisite and Collateral Coursesa |
18–20 |
| Major Requirements |
38–39 |
| Electives |
10–36 |
| Minimum Total Hours—B.A. with a Major |
|
| in Chemistry |
120 |
a The LAS Course Requirements range from 43 to 64 hours. Some of the Required Prerequisite and Collateral Courses are counted toward this requirement.
LAS Course Requirements
See Course Requirements in College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section for a list of courses to meet this requirement. Students should consult the list of Required Prerequisite and Collateral Courses below and their advisors to determine which courses are counted toward the LAS Course Requirements.
Required Prerequisite and Collateral Courses
| Courses |
Hours |
| MATH 180—Calculus Ia |
5 |
| MATH 181—Calculus II |
5 |
| |
|
| One of the following sequences in physics: |
8–10 |
| PHYS 141—General Physics I (Mechanics) (4)b |
|
| PHYS 142—General Physics II (Electricity and |
|
| Magnetism) (4)b |
|
| OR |
|
| PHYS 105—Introductory Physics I—Lecture (4) |
|
| PHYS 106—Introductory Physics I—Laboratory (1) |
|
| PHYS 107—Introductory Physics II—Lecture (4) |
|
| PHYS 108—Introductory Physics II—Laboratory (1) |
|
| Total Hours—Required Prerequisite and |
|
| Collateral Courses |
18–20 |
a MATH 180 fulfills the LAS quantitative reasoning requirement.
b PHYS 141 and 142 are recommended.
Major Requirements
| Courses |
Hours |
| One of the following sequences in general and |
|
| analytical chemistry: |
14 |
| CHEM 112—General College Chemistry I (5) |
|
| CHEM 114—General College Chemistry II (5) |
|
| CHEM 222—Analytical Chemistry (4) |
|
| OR |
|
| CHEM 116—Honors General Chemistry I (5) |
|
| CHEM 118—Honors General Chemistry II (5) |
|
| CHEM 222—Analytical Chemistry (4) |
|
| |
|
| CHEM 232—Organic Chemistry I |
4 |
| CHEM 233—Organic Chemistry Laboratory |
1 |
| CHEM 234—Organic Chemistry II |
4 |
| CHEM 235—Organic Chemistry Laboratory II |
2 |
| |
|
| One of the following physical chemistry sequences: |
9–11 |
| CHEM 342—Physical Chemistry I (3) |
|
| CHEM 343—Physical Chemistry Laboratory (3) a |
|
| CHEM 346—Physical Chemistry II (3) |
|
| OR |
|
| CHEM 342—Physical Chemistry I (3) |
|
| CHEM 343—Physical Chemistry Laboratory (3) a |
|
| CHEM 344—Physical Chemistry for Biochemists (2) |
|
| 400-level chemistry course (3) |
|
| |
|
| CHEM 414—Inorganic Chemistry I |
3 |
| Chemistry electives |
0–1 |
| Total Hours—Major Requirements |
38–39 |
a CHEM 343 fulfills the Writing-in-the-Discipline requirement.
Electives
| Courses |
Hours |
| Total Hours—Electives |
10–36 |
Recommended Plan of Study
To view a recommended plan of study for the B.A. with a Major in Chemistry, please see the end of this department listing or visit the LAS Web site http://www.uic.edu/las/college/info/fygp.
Minor in Chemistry
Students from other disciplines who want to minor in chemistry must complete 21 semester hours distributed as follows:
| Required Courses—Chemistry Minor |
Hours |
| One of the following sequences: |
10 |
| CHEM 112—General College Chemistry I (5) |
|
| CHEM 114—General College Chemistry II (5) |
|
| OR |
|
| CHEM 116—Honors General College Chemistry I (5) |
|
| CHEM 118—Honors General College Chemistry II (5) |
|
| |
|
| CHEM 232—Organic Chemistry I |
4 |
| CHEM 233—Organic Chemistry Laboratory I |
1 |
| CHEM 222—Analytical Chemistry |
4 |
| Two hours of CHEM electives at the 200-level or above |
2 |
| Total Hours—Chemistry Minor |
21 |
B.S. in the Teaching of Chemistry
Degree Requirements—
B.S. in the Teaching of Chemistry
To earn a Bachelor of Science in the Teaching of Chemistry degree from UIC, students must complete University, college, and department degree requirements. The Department of Chemistry degree requirements are outlined below. Students should consult the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences for additional degree requirements and college academic policies.
| B.S. in the Teaching of Chemistry Degree |
|
| Requirements |
Hours |
| LAS Course Requirementsa |
27–48 |
| Required Prerequisite and Collateral Coursesa |
33–35 |
| Major Requirements |
39 |
| Additional Requirements for Teacher Certification |
17 |
Additional Requirements for Science Teacher
Certification |
8 or 19 |
| Minimum Total Hours—B.S. in the |
|
| Teaching of Chemistry |
120 |
a The LAS Course Requirements range from 43 to 64 hours. Some of the Required Prerequisite and Collateral Courses may be counted toward this requirement.
LAS Course Requirements
See Course Requirements in College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section for a list of courses to meet this requirement. Students should consult the list of Required Prerequisite and Collateral Courses below and their advisors to determine which courses are counted toward the LAS Course Requirements.
Required Prerequisite and Collateral Courses
| Courses |
Hours |
| MATH 180—Calculus Ia |
5 |
| MATH 181—Calculus II |
5 |
| MATH 210—Calculus III |
3 |
| |
|
| One of the following sequences in physics |
|
| (PHYS 141 and 142 recommended): |
8–10 |
| PHYS 141—General Physics I (Mechanics) (4)b |
|
| PHYS 142—General Physics II (Electricity and |
|
| Magnetism) (4)b |
|
| OR |
|
| PHYS 105—Introductory Physics I—Lecture (4) |
|
| PHYS 106—Introductory Physics I—Laboratory (1) |
|
| PHYS 107—Introductory Physics II—Lecture (4) |
|
| PHYS 108—Introductory Physics II—Laboratory (1) |
|
| |
|
| CHEM 470—Educational Practice with Seminar I |
6 |
| CHEM 471—Educational Practice with Seminar II |
6 |
| Total Hours—Required Prerequisite and |
|
| Collateral Courses |
33–35 |
a MATH 180 fulfills the LAS quantitative reasoning requirement.
b PHYS 141 and 142 are recommended.
Major Requirements
| Courses |
Hours |
| One of the following sequences in general and |
|
| analytical chemistry: |
14 |
| CHEM 116—Honors General Chemistry I (5) |
|
| CHEM 118—Honors General Chemistry II (5) |
|
| CHEM 222—Analytical Chemistry (4) |
|
| OR |
|
| CHEM 112—General College Chemistry I (5) |
|
| CHEM 114—General College Chemistry II (5) |
|
| CHEM 222—Analytical Chemistry (4) |
|
| |
|
| CHEM 232—Organic Chemistry I |
4 |
| CHEM 233—Organic Chemistry Laboratory |
1 |
| CHEM 234—Organic Chemistry II |
4 |
| CHEM 302—Application of Computers to Chemistry |
2 |
| CHEM 342—Physical Chemistry I |
3 |
| CHEM 343—Physical Chemistry Laboratory a |
3 |
| CHEM 344—Physical Chemistry for Biochemists |
2 |
| CHEM 414—Inorganic Chemistry I |
3 |
| CHEM 472—Teaching Chemistry in High Schools |
3 |
| Total Hours—Major Requirements |
39 |
a CHEM 343 fulfills the Writing-in-the-Discipline requirement.
Additional Requirements for Teacher Certification
| Courses |
Hours |
| ED 200—Education Policy Foundations |
3 |
| ED 210—The Educative Process |
3 |
| ED 330—Curriculum, Instruction, and Evaluation |
|
| in the Secondary School |
4 |
| CIE 414—Middle and High School Literacy |
4 |
| SPED 410—Survey of Characteristics of Learners |
|
| with Disabilities |
3 |
| Total Hours—Additional Requirements for |
|
| Teacher Certification |
17 |
Additional Requirements for Science Teacher Certification
| Courses |
Hours |
| One of the following options: |
4 or 9 |
| NATS 101—Physical World (4) |
|
| OR |
|
| PHYS 112—Astronomy and the Universe (4) |
|
| EAES 107—The Changing Earth (5) |
|
| |
|
| One of the following options: |
4 or 10 |
| NATS 103—Biological World (4) |
|
| OR |
|
| BIOS 100—Biology of Cells and Organisms (5) |
|
| BIOS 101—Biology of Populations and |
|
| Communities (5) |
|
| Total Hours—Additional Requirements for |
|
| Science Teacher Certification |
8 or 19 |
In addition to specified coursework in the major field, teacher education students must fulfill certain other course requirements for certification, discussed below. Students must also maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50/4.00 in all undergraduate courses and in all undergraduate chemistry courses including transferred courses. A GPA of 3.00/4.00 in required education courses, with no grade lower than a C in each of the courses, is also required. A GPA of 2.50/4.00 in undergraduate chemistry courses including transferred courses is also required for registration in the student teaching semester (CHEM 470 and 471).
The teaching certificate is not automatically awarded upon successful completion of certification and degree requirements. Before the certificate is issued, the candidate must file an application for the Illinois teaching certificate in the Council on Teacher Education. The candidate must also pass a series of examinations required by the Illinois State Board of Education. The Basic Skills Tests must be passed prior to applying for candidacy in the Council on Teacher Education. The Content Area Tests must be passed before the candidate is allowed to student teach. The Assessment of Professional Teaching must be passed prior to certification. For more information on application procedures, contact the Council on Teacher Education located in 3015 EPASW. See Council on Teacher Education and Secondary Education Program in the College of Education section of the catalog.
Recommended Plan of Study
To view a recommended plan of study for the major in the B.S. in the Teaching of Chemistry, please visit the LAS Web site http://www.uic.edu/las/college/info/fygp.
B.S. in Chemistry
Degree Requirements—B.S. in Chemistry
To earn a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry degree from UIC, students need to complete University, college, and department degree requirements. The Department of Chemistry degree requirements are outlined below. Students should consult the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section for additional degree requirements and college academic policies.
| B.S. in Chemistry Degree Requirements |
Hours |
| Requirements for the Curriculum |
120 |
| Total Hours—B.S. in Chemistry |
120 |
Requirements for the Curriculum
The Requirements for the Curriculum include courses necessary to complete the Course Requirements described in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences section.
| Courses |
Hours |
| ENGL 160—English Composition I |
3 |
| ENGL 161—English Composition II |
3 |
| Foreign language (the equivalent of two years of |
|
| a single language at the college level) |
0–16 |
| Humanities |
9 |
| Social sciences |
9 |
| MATH 180—Calculus Ia |
5 |
| MATH 181—Calculus II |
5 |
| MATH 210—Calculus III |
3 |
| PHYS 141—General Physics I (Mechanics) |
4 |
PHSY 142—General Physics II (Electricity and
Magnetism) |
4 |
| |
|
| One of the following sequences in general and |
|
| analytical chemistry: |
14 |
| CHEM 116—Honors General Chemistry I (5)b |
|
| CHEM 118—Honors General Chemistry II (5)b |
|
| CHEM 222—Analytical Chemistry (4)b |
|
| OR |
|
| CHEM 112—General College Chemistry I (5) |
|
| CHEM 114—General College Chemistry II (5) |
|
| CHEM 222—Analytical Chemistry (4) |
|
| |
|
| CHEM 232—Organic Chemistry I |
4 |
| CHEM 233—Organic Chemistry Laboratory I |
1 |
| CHEM 234—Organic Chemistry II |
4 |
| CHEM 235—Organic Chemistry Laboratory II |
2 |
| CHEM 432—Intermediate Organic Chemistry |
2 |
| CHEM 342—Physical Chemistry I |
3 |
| CHEM 343—Physical Chemistry Laboratoryc |
3 |
| CHEM 346—Physical Chemistry II |
3 |
| CHEM 444—Physical Chemistry III |
2 |
| CHEM 414—Inorganic Chemistry I |
3 |
| CHEM 415—Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory |
2 |
| CHEM 416—Inorganic Chemistry II |
3 |
| CHEM 421—Instrumental Analysis |
4 |
| CHEM 302—Application of Computers to Chemistry |
2 |
Electives at the 300-level or above in the natural
sciences or mathematics, as approved by the departmental advisor |
6 |
| Electives |
1–17 |
| Total Hours—Requirements for the Curriculum |
120 |
a MATH 180 fulfills the LAS quantitative reasoning requirement.
b CHEM 116, 118, and 222 are recommended.
c CHEM 343 fulfills the LAS Writing-in-the-Discipline requirement.
Recommended Plan of Study
To view a recommended plan of study for the B.S. in Chemistry, please see the end of this department listing or visit the LAS Web site http://www.uic.edu/las/college/info/fygp.
Distinction
Departmental Distinction. Chemical research is recognized as an important component of the honors candidate’s program. Favorable consideration for departmental distinction will be given to those students who combine superior class performance with research accomplishments. Distinction may be awarded to students who have met the following criteria:
- Completed a B.S. degree or have a distribution of courses with advanced hours in chemistry beyond the B.A. requirements.
- Earned a GPA of at least 3.50/4.00 in science and mathematics courses.
- Completed the physical chemistry 342, 343, 346 sequence.
- Shown ability in chemical research by completing a research project or advanced laboratory courses.
High Distinction. In addition to fulfilling the conditions for distinction, candidates are required to have a GPA of 3.70/4.00 or above in science and mathematics courses, and have completed a research project in the Department of Chemistry.
Highest Distinction. In addition to fulfilling criteria for high distinction, candidates are required to have a GPA of 3.80/4.00 or above in science and mathematics courses, and to present evidence of exceptional performance in research.
Recommended Plan of Study
Chemistry is a highly structured discipline. Because most advanced courses require physical chemistry as a prerequisite, which in turn requires prerequisites of general chemistry, physics, and mathematics, careful course planning is essential. It is best to start with mathematics and general chemistry in the first year, followed by organic chemistry and physics in the second year, and physical chemistry in the third year. A recommended basic course sequence for the BS and BA is given below. Consult the Biochemistry section for more information on the B.S. in Biochemistry and Secondary Education Program in the College of Education section for more information on the B.S. in the Teaching of Chemistry.
Note: Students who are not ready to start with MATH 180 and CHEM 112 should expect to take summer session courses and/or take longer than four years to graduate.
| Freshman Year |
|
| Courses |
Hours |
| MATH 180—Calculus I |
5 |
| MATH 181—Calculus II |
5 |
| |
|
| One of the following general and |
|
| analytical chemistry sequences: |
10 |
| CHEM 116—Honors General Chemistry I (5) |
|
| CHEM 118—Honors General Chemistry II (5) |
|
| OR |
|
| CHEM 112—General College Chemistry I (5) |
|
| CHEM 114—General College Chemistry II (5) |
|
| College requirements |
|
| |
|
| Sophomore Year |
|
| Courses |
Hours |
| CHEM 222—Analytical Chemistry |
4 |
| CHEM 232—Organic Chemistry I |
4 |
| CHEM 233—Organic Chemistry Laboratory I |
1 |
| CHEM 234—Organic Chemistry II |
4 |
| CHEM 235—Organic Chemistry Laboratory II |
2 |
| |
|
| One of the following general physics sequences: |
8–10 |
| PHYS 141—General Physics I (Mechanics) (4) |
|
| PHSY 142—General Physics II (Electricity and |
|
| Magnetism) (4) |
|
| OR |
|
| PHYS 105—Introductory Physics I—Lecture (4)a |
|
| PHYS 106—Introductory Physics I—Laboratory (1)a |
|
| PHYS 107—Introductory Physics II—Lecture (4)a |
|
| PHYS 108—Introductory Physics II—Laboratory (1)a |
|
| |
|
| MATH 210—Calculus IIIb |
3 |
| CHEM 302—Application of Computers to Chemistryb |
2 |
| College requirements |
|
| |
|
| Junior Year |
|
| Courses |
Hours |
| CHEM 342—Physical Chemistry I |
3 |
| CHEM 343—Physical Chemistry Laboratoryc |
3 |
| |
|
| One of the following options: |
2 or 3 |
| CHEM 344—Physical Chemistry for Biochemists (2)a |
|
| OR |
|
| CHEM 346—Physical Chemistry II (3) |
|
| |
|
| CHEM 432—Intermediate Organic Chemistryc |
2 |
| CHEM 414—Inorganic Chemistry I |
3 |
| CHEM 421—Instrumental Analysisc |
4 |
| College requirements and electives |
|
| |
|
| Senior Year |
|
| Courses |
Hours |
| CHEM 415—Inorganic Chemistry Laboratoryc |
2 |
| CHEM 416—Inorganic Chemistry IIc |
3 |
| CHEM 444—Physical Chemistry IIIc |
2 |
| College requirements and electives |
|
| Supervised research (recommended) |
|
a These courses are not acceptable for the B.S. in Chemistry degree program.
b These courses are required for the B.S. in Chemistry and the B.S. in Teaching of Chemistry degrees only.
c These courses are required for the B.S. in Chemistry degree only.
|
