Chemistry, B.S.
Learn more about the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry.
The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry prepares students for excellence in graduate or medical school, and employment in the chemical, biotechnological, or pharmaceutical industries. Students learn a wide array of topics in Chemistry, Mathematics, and Physics. The program emphasizes the "hands-on" nature of chemistry in laboratory courses, giving students the tools that chemists need to pursue research. They also learn how to write scientific reports, analyze data, and place these results in a broader scientific context. Accomplished majors are encouraged to pursue independent research with a professor, and to present their work internally and at national meetings.
Undergraduate Contact Information:
Dr. Ann Valentine, Chair
Beury Hall, Room 130
215-204-7118
ann.valentine@temple.edu
Dr. Vince Voelz, Vice Chair
Beury Hall, Room 240
215-204-1973
vincent.voelz@temple.edu
Dr. Steven Fleming, Faculty Advisor (Last names A-C)
Beury Hall, Room 446
215-204-0359
sfleming@temple.edu
Dr. Roy Keyer, Faculty Advisor (Last names D-G)
Beury Hall, Room 440
215-204-7286
roy.keyer@temple.edu
Dr. Dan Strongin, Faculty Advisor (Last names H-K)
Beury Hall, Room 246
215-204-7119
dstrongi@temple.edu
Dr. Jonathan Smith, Faculty Advisor (Last names L-O)
Beury Hall, Room 213
215-204-2252
jmsmith1@temple.edu
Dr. Vladi Wilent, Faculty Advisor (Last names P-S)
Beury Hall, Room 344
215-204-7186
vladi.wilent@temple.edu
Dr. Graham Dobereiner, Faculty Advisor (Last names T-Z)
Beury Hall, Room 342
215-204-3185
dob@temple.edu
Dr. Daniele Ramella, Faculty Advisor (Undergraduate research)
Beury Hall, Room 126B
215-204-1931
daniele.ramella@temple.edu
Bachelor of Science
Summary of Requirements for the Degree
- University Requirements (123 total s.h.)
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Students must complete all University requirements including those listed below.
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All Temple students must take a minimum of two writing-intensive courses at Temple as part of their major. The specific writing-intensive course options for this major are:
Course List Code Title Credit Hours BIOL 2296 Genetics (S) 4 BIOL 3096 Cell Structure and Function (F) 4 BIOL 3396 Scientific Writing for Biology: The Art of Communicating 3 CHEM 4196 Techniques of Chemical Measurement II 5 CHEM 3397
& CHEM 3398Physical Chemistry Laboratory I
and Physical Chemistry Laboratory II4 EES 2096 Climate Change: Oceans To Atmosphere (S - even years) 4 MATH 3098 Modern Algebra (F) 3 MATH 4096 Senior Problem Solving 3 PHYS 2796 Introduction to Modern Physics (S) 4 or PHYS 4796 Experimental Physics - Students must complete the General Education (GenEd) requirements.
- See the General Education section of the Undergraduate Bulletin for the GenEd curriculum.
- Students who complete CST majors receive a waiver for 2 Science & Technology (GS) and 1 Quantitative Literacy (GQ) GenEd courses.
- Students must satisfy general Temple University residency requirements.
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College Requirements
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45 Upper Level (2000+) credits within the College of Science & Technology (CST), the College of Liberal Arts (CLA), or the College of Engineering (ENG).
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90 credits within the College of Science & Technology (CST), the College of Liberal Arts (CLA), or the College of Engineering (ENG).
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All students in the College of Science and Technology are required to take a one credit first year seminar. SCTC 1001 CST First Year Seminar is the appropriate course option for every entering first year CST major. Transfer students should use SCTC 2001 CST Transfer Seminar to fulfill this requirement. Other courses that fulfill this requirement may be found on the CST College Requirements page.
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Major Requirements for Bachelor of Science (70-74 s.h.)
At least 9 courses required for the major must be completed at Temple. At least 7 Chemistry courses must be completed at Temple. -
American Chemical Society (ACS) Certification Requirements (optional, see Footnote 2 below for more details)
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A foundational course in each of the 5 areas of chemistry (analytical, biochemistry, inorganic, organic, and physical). General chemistry courses do not count as foundational courses.
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In-depth courses in at least 4 of the 5 areas, where an in-depth course is defined as a second semester of study in that particular area. For example, CHEM 2202 Organic Chemistry II qualifies as an in-depth course in organic chemistry.
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400 laboratory hours.
Course List Code Title Credit Hours Chemistry Select one of the following: 4 General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry Laboratory IHonors General Chemical Science I
and Honors Chemical Science Laboratory I (F)Select one of the following: 4 General Chemistry II
and General Chemistry Laboratory IIHonors General Chemical Science II
and Honors Chemical Science Laboratory II (S)Select one of the following: 4 Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory IOrganic Chemistry for Majors I
and Organic Majors Laboratory I (F)Organic Chemistry for Honors I
and Organic Honors Laboratory I (F)Select one of the following: 4 Organic Chemistry II
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory IIOrganic Chemistry for Majors II
and Organic Majors Laboratory II (S)Organic Chemistry for Honors II
and Organic Honors Laboratory II (S)CHEM 3001 Inorganic Chemistry 3 CHEM 3103
& CHEM 3105Techniques of Chemical Measurement I
and Introduction to Chemical Research Techniques4 CHEM 3301 Physical Chemistry Lecture I 3 CHEM 3302 Physical Chemistry Lecture II 3 CHEM 3397
& CHEM 3398Physical Chemistry Laboratory I
and Physical Chemistry Laboratory II4 CHEM 4196 Techniques of Chemical Measurement II 5 Two Advanced Chemistry courses (4002 or above) 1,2 6-8 Two Advanced Science courses - select from the following: 2 6-8 Introduction to Undergraduate Research 3 Cooperative Research 3 Undergraduate Research 3 Cooperative Research 3 Undergraduate Research 3 All other Chemistry courses numbered 4002 and aboveGenetics (S) Cell Structure and Function (F) Developmental Biology (F) Mammalian Physiology All other Biology courses numbered above 3334Mineralogy I All other EES courses numbered above 2011Linear Algebra Probability Theory I All other Math courses numbered above 3031Classical Mechanics (S) Mathematical Physics (S) Introduction to Modern Physics (S) Analytical Mechanics (F) Electricity and Magnetism (F) Classical Electromagnetism (S) Thermal Physics (F) Electronics All other Physics courses numbered above 4301Mathematics MATH 1041 Calculus I 4 or MATH 1941 Honors Calculus I MATH 1042 Calculus II 4 or MATH 1942 Honors Calculus II MATH 2043 Calculus III 4 or MATH 2943 Honors Calculus III Physics Select one of the following: 4 Elementary Classical Physics I Honors Elementary Classical Physics I (F) General Physics I Honors General Physics I (F) Select one of the following 4 Elementary Classical Physics II Honors Elementary Classical Physics II (S) General Physics II Honors General Physics II (S) Total Credit Hours 70-74 Course List Code Title Credit Hours (F) - Fall only course (S) - Spring only course 1 CHEM 4881 and CHEM 4891 will not fulfill an Advanced Chemistry elective for the Chemistry B.A. or B.S. degree.
2 There are several course choices that can be used to meet the ACS certification requirements. See an advisor if you have any questions. The most straightforward pathway is for students to take the elective courses CHEM 4401 Biochemistry I and CHEM 4003 Inorganic Synthesis. Alternately, students could take CHEM 4401 Biochemistry I and CHEM 4002 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry, but this pathway would require additional lab courses (see a Chemistry faculty advisor). Another option is for students to take the elective courses CHEM 4401 Biochemistry I and BIOL 4344 Research Techniques in Biochemistry. In order to fulfill the ACS-mandated requirement of 400 laboratory hours, students must complete either CHEM 4207 Advanced Organic Preparations OR any two (2) of the following: CHEM 3881 Cooperative Research and/or CHEM 3891 Undergraduate Research, CHEM 4004 Crystallography and Diffraction, CHEM 4103 Instrumental Design, CHEM 4107 Drug Analysis, CHEM 4108 Investigative Chemistry, or CHEM 4503 Introduction to Polymer Chemistry.
3 One advanced science course, for a total of 4 credits, may be satisfied by a total of 4 credits of any combination of CHEM 2891, CHEM 3881, CHEM 3891, CHEM 4881, or CHEM 4891. No more than 1 credit of CHEM 2891 may be used toward this total. The research courses may only be used as one advanced science course.
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Calculation of Major GPA
Courses listed under the major requirements for the degree will be included in the calculation of the major GPA. Courses that could not apply toward the major as an elective or required course would not be counted in the calculation of the major GPA. This would include CHEM 1027, for example.
Distinction in Major
To graduate with Distinction in Major, students are required to achieve a 3.33 GPA or higher in all the Chemistry courses in their major.
Suggested Academic Plan
All prospective majors should schedule an appointment with one of the departmental advisors (names of current Faculty Advisors are available in the About section) to plan a program of study. The recommended order of courses for the major is listed below; a different order is acceptable as long as the student adheres to prerequisite requirements.
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry
Requirements for New Students starting in the 2022-2023 Academic Year
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| General Chemistry I | ||
| Honors General Chemical Science I (F) | ||
| MATH 1041 or 1941 | Calculus I | 4 |
| SCTC 1001 | CST First Year Seminar | 1 |
| ENG 0802, 0812, or 0902 | Analytical Reading and Writing [GW] | 4 |
| Elective | 2 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| General Chemistry II | ||
| Honors General Chemical Science II (S) | ||
| MATH 1042 or 1942 | Calculus II | 4 |
| IH 0851 or 0951 | Intellectual Heritage I: The Good Life [GY] | 3 |
| Electives | 5 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Fall | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Organic Chemistry I | ||
| Organic Chemistry for Majors I (F) | ||
| Organic Chemistry for Honors I (F) | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Elementary Classical Physics I | ||
| Honors Elementary Classical Physics I (F) | ||
| General Physics I | ||
| Honors General Physics I (F) | ||
| MATH 2043 or 2943 | Calculus III | 4 |
| IH 0852 or 0952 | Intellectual Heritage II: The Common Good [GZ] | 3 |
| Term Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Organic Chemistry II | ||
| Organic Chemistry for Majors II (S) | ||
| Organic Chemistry for Honors II (S) | ||
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Elementary Classical Physics II | ||
| Honors Elementary Classical Physics II (S) | ||
| General Physics II | ||
| Honors General Physics II (S) | ||
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Electives | 5 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Fall | ||
| CHEM 3103 | Techniques of Chemical Measurement I1 | 3 |
| CHEM 3105 | Introduction to Chemical Research Techniques1 | 1 |
| CHEM 3301 | Physical Chemistry Lecture I | 3 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Elective | 2 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| CHEM 3302 | Physical Chemistry Lecture II | 3 |
| CHEM 3397 | Physical Chemistry Laboratory I [WI] | 2 |
| CHEM 3001 | Inorganic Chemistry | 3 |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3 | |
| Electives | 5 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Fall | ||
| CHEM 3398 | Physical Chemistry Laboratory II [WI] | 2 |
| Advanced Chemistry Course - 4002 or above2,3 | 3-4 | |
| Advanced Science Course3 | 3-4 | |
| GenEd Breadth Course | 3-4 | |
| Elective | 4-1 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| CHEM 4196 | Techniques of Chemical Measurement II [WI] | 5 |
| Advanced Chemistry Course - 4002 or above2,3 | 3-4 | |
| Advanced Science Course3 | 3-4 | |
| Elective | 4-2 | |
| Term Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Total Credit Hours: | 123 | |
| 1 | It is strongly encouraged that CHEM 3103/CHEM 3105 be taken before all chemistry laboratory courses numbered above 3105. |
| 2 | Advanced Chemistry Courses for B.S. students consist of all courses in Chemistry having a number of 4002 or above (except CHEM 4881 and CHEM 4891). If the student has successfully completed the appropriate prerequisite course, a graduate course in Chemistry may be included in this category. |
| 3 | There are several course choices that can be used to meet the ACS certification requirements. See an advisor if you have any questions. The most straightforward pathway is for students to take the elective courses CHEM 4401 Biochemistry I and CHEM 4003 Inorganic Synthesis. Alternately, students could take CHEM 4401 Biochemistry I and CHEM 4002 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry, but this pathway would require additional lab courses (see a Chemistry faculty advisor). Another option is for students to take the elective courses CHEM 4401 Biochemistry I and BIOL 4344 Research Techniques in Biochemistry. In order to fulfill the ACS-mandated requirement of 400 laboratory hours, students must complete either CHEM 4207 Advanced Organic Preparations OR any two (2) of the following: CHEM 3881 Cooperative Research and/or CHEM 3891 Undergraduate Research, CHEM 4004 Crystallography and Diffraction, CHEM 4103 Instrumental Design, CHEM 4107 Drug Analysis, CHEM 4108 Investigative Chemistry, or CHEM 4503 Introduction to Polymer Chemistry. |
Advanced Science Courses for B.S. students consist of:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Science Courses | 6-8 | |
| Only one Advanced Science course may be satisfied by a total of 4 credits in any combination of the following: | 4 | |
| Introduction to Undergraduate Research 1 | ||
| Cooperative Research | ||
| Undergraduate Research | ||
| Cooperative Research | ||
| Undergraduate Research | ||
| All other Chemistry courses numbered 4002 or above | 3-4 | |
| BIOL 2296 | Genetics (S) | 4 |
| BIOL 3096 | Cell Structure and Function (F) | 4 |
| BIOL 3265 | Developmental Biology (F) | 3 |
| BIOL 3334 | Mammalian Physiology | 4 |
| All other Biology courses numbered above 3334 | 3-4 | |
| EES 2011 | Mineralogy I | 4 |
| All other EES courses numbered above 2011 | 3-4 | |
| MATH 2101 | Linear Algebra | 3 |
| MATH 3031 | Probability Theory I | 3 |
| All other Math courses numbered above 3031 | 3-4 | |
| PHYS 2101 | Classical Mechanics (S) | 3 |
| PHYS 2502 | Mathematical Physics (S) | 4 |
| PHYS 2796 | Introduction to Modern Physics (S) | 4 |
| PHYS 3101 | Analytical Mechanics (F) | 3 |
| PHYS 3301 | Electricity and Magnetism (F) | 4 |
| PHYS 3302 | Classical Electromagnetism (S) | 3 |
| PHYS 4101 | Thermal Physics (F) | 3 |
| PHYS 4301 | Electronics | 3 |
| All other Physics courses numbered above 4301 | 3-4 | |
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| (F) - Fall only course | ||
| (S) - Spring only course | ||
| 1 | No more than one credit of CHEM 2891 may be used toward this total. |