L. Paul Rosenberg, Department Head
(585) 475-6159, lprsch@rit.edu
Program overview
The BS degree in chemistry may be completed in four or five years, depending on the amount of cooperative education experience the student elects. Co-op may begin as early as the summer of the first year. The five-year course schedule assumes that the student will participate in co-op assignments for a total of eight academic quarters. Students may elect to complete the BS degree requirements in a traditional four-year program with three summers of co-op work experience.
The program prepares graduates for positions in several fields of chemistry, including professional industrial work in processing and laboratory operations, research and experimental work, supervision of technical projects, and managerial positions. A substantial number of graduates continue their education and earn advanced degrees in chemistry or pursue careers in pharmacy, medicine, and dentistry.
The chemistry program allows for flexibility in the type and number of chemistry and university-wide elective courses taken by the student. The program also provides students with the option of planning an elective concentration in complementary fields such as imaging science, business, graphic arts, psychology, biology, criminal justice, computer science, engineering, environmental science, forensics, mathematics, packaging science, physics, and printing.
Curriculum
Chemistry (ACS certified), BS degree, typical course sequence (quarters)
| Course | Qtr. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| 1010-200 | Chemical Safety | 1 |
| 1010-230 | Introduction to Cooperative Education and Chemical Careers | 1 |
| 1010-251, 252 | General Chemistry I, II | 7 |
| 1010-255 | General Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| 1008-261, 262 | Quantitative Analysis I, II | 7 |
| 1008-265, 266 | Quantitative Analysis Lab I, II | 3 |
| 1016-281, 282, 283 | Calculus I, II, III | 12 |
| Liberal Arts* | 16 | |
| 1105-051, 052 | First-Year Enrichment | 2 |
| Wellness Education† | 0 | |
| 1010-499 | Cooperative Education (optional, summer) | Co-op |
| Second Year | ||
| 1008-311 | Instrumental Analysis | 3 |
| 1008-318 | Instrumental Analysis Lab | 1 |
| 1008-312 | Separations Techniques | 3 |
| 1008-319 | Separations Techniques Lab | 1 |
| 1016-305 | Multivariable Calculus | 4 |
| 1013-431, 432, 433 | Organic Chemistry I, II, III | 9 |
| 1013-435, 436 | Preparative Organic Chemistry Lab I, II | 2 |
| 1013-437 | Systematic Identification of Organic Compounds III Lab | 2 |
| Liberal Arts* | 8 | |
| 1010-499 | Cooperative Education (optional) | Co-op |
| Third Year | ||
| 1016-306 | Differential Equations | 4 |
| 1017-311, 312, 313 | University Physics I, II, III | 12 |
| 1014-441 | Chemical Thermodynamics | 4 |
| 1014-445 | Chemical Thermodynamics Lab | 1 |
| Liberal Arts*§ | 12 | |
| 1010-499 | Cooperative Education (optional) | Co-op |
| Fourth Year | ||
| 1014-442 | Quantum Chemistry | 4 |
| 1014-446 | Quantum Chemistry Lab | 1 |
| 1014-443 | Chemical Kinetics | 4 |
| 1014-447 | Chemical Kinetics Lab | 1 |
| 1010-401 | Chemical Literature | 2 |
| 1012-562, 563 | Inorganic Chemistry I, II** | 8 |
| 1009-502 | Biochemistry** | 3 |
| University-wide Electives‡ | ||
| 1010-499 | Cooperative Education (optional) | Co-op |
| Fifth Year | ||
| 1012-565 | Preparative Inorganic Chemistry Lab** | 3 |
| 1008-511 | Advanced Instrumental Analysis** | 3 |
| 1008-621 | Advanced Instrumental Analysis Lab** | 2 |
| Chemistry Electives§ | ||
| University-wide Electives‡ | ||
| 1010-499 | Cooperative Education (optional) | Co-op |
| Total Quarter Credit Hours | 182 | |
*Please see Liberal Arts General Education Requirements for more information.
†Please see Wellness Education Requirement for more information.
‡Chemistry Research (1010-541, 542, 543) may be used as a university-wide elective and is highly recommended. Electives are necessary to bring the total quarter credit hours to 180 for graduation. Twelve quarter credit hours are necessary for full-time status.
§ACS highly recommends a foreign language (preferably German).
**Required only for ACS certification.
Chemistry, BS degree, typical course sequence (semesters), effective fall 2013
| Course | Sem. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| CHEM-130 | Chemical Connections | 3 |
| CHEM-151 | General Chemistry | 3 |
| MATH-181 | Project-based Calculus I LAS-7a | 4 |
| First-Year Seminar | 3 | |
| LAS Perspectives I | 3 | |
| CHMA-161 | Quantitative Analysis | 3 |
| CHMA-165 | Analytical Methods Lab | 2 |
| CHMO-331 | Comp. Organic Chem. I | 3 |
| CHMO-335 | Comp. Organic Chem. Lab I | 1 |
| MATH-182 | Project-based Calculus II LAS-7b | 4 |
| Writing Seminar | 3 | |
| Second Year | ||
| CHMA-221 | Instrumental Analysis | 3 |
| CHMO-332 | Comp. Organic Chem. II | 3 |
| CHMO-336 | Comp. Organic Chem. Lab II | 2 |
| CHMI-351 | Inorganic Chemistry I | 3 |
| MATH-219 | Multivariable Calculus | 3 |
| CHMA-222 | Chemical Separations | 3 |
| CHMB-402 | Biochemistry I | 3 |
| PHYS-211 | University Physics I LAS-5 | 4 |
| LAS Perspectives 2 | 3 | |
| LAS Immersion 1 | 3 | |
| Third Year | ||
| CHMP-441 | Physical Chemistry I | 3 |
| PHYS-212 | University Physics II LAS-6 | 4 |
| LAS Perspectives 3 | 3 | |
| LAS Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| CHMP-442 | Physical Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHMP-445 | Experimental Physical Chemistry (Writing Intensive) | 3 |
| LAS Elective | 3 | |
| LAS Perspectives 4 | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| CHMI-352 | Inorganic Chemistry II | 3 |
| Advanced Chemistry Elective 1 | 3 | |
| LAS Immersion 2 | 3 | |
| LAS Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Advanced Chemistry Lab | 3 | |
| Advanced Chemistry Elective 2 | 3 | |
| LAS Immersion 3 | 3 | |
| LAS Elective | 3 | |
| Free Elective | 3 | |
| Total Semester Credit Hours | 123 | |
Accelerated dual degree options
The BS chemistry program may be combined with the MS chemistry program or the MS in materials science and engineering program, allowing undergraduate students to acquire both a bachelor's and a master's degree in a total of five years. There are two BS/MS options:
- BS chemistry/MS chemistry
- BS chemistry/MS materials science and engineering
BS Chemistry (environmental chemistry option) (ACS certified)/MS Chemistry option
ADMISSION TO THIS OPTION HAS BEEN SUSPENDED FOR THE 2011-2012 ACADEMIC YEAR.
The environmental chemistry option in the BS chemistry program requires the following courses: General Biology and Lab (1001-201, 1001-205), Microbiology (1004-210), Environmental Chemistry (1015-520), Atmospheric Chemistry (1015-521), and Aquatic Toxicology and Chemistry (1015-522) in place of chemistry electives, university-wide electives, and Inorganic Chemistry II. The environmental studies concentration is recommended as part of the liberal arts upper-level electives.
In addition, environmentally related science courses may be selected according to the student’s interests in areas such as field biology, ecology, oceanography, hydrology, environmental monitoring, geology, treatment of waste and sewage, packaging, polymer technology, and chemical research.
Chemistry, combined BS (environmental chemistry option)/MS degree, typical course sequence (quarters)
| Course | Qtr. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| 1010-200 | Chemical Safety | 1 |
| 1010-230 | Introduction to Cooperative Education and Chemical Careers | 1 |
| 1010-251, 252 | General Chemistry I, II | 7 |
| 1010-255 | General Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| 1008-261, 262 | Quantitative Analysis I, II | 7 |
| 1008-265, 266 | Quantitative Analysis Lab I, II | 3 |
| 1016-281, 282, 283 | Calculus I, II, III | 12 |
| Liberal Arts* | 12 | |
| 1105-051, 052 | First-Year Enrichment | 2 |
| Wellness Education† | 0 | |
| 1001-201 | General Biology | 3 |
| 1001-205 | General Biology Lab | 1 |
| 1010-499 | Cooperative Education (optional, summer) | Co-op |
| Second Year | ||
| 1008-311 | Instrumental Analysis | 3 |
| 1008-318 | Instrumental Analysis Lab | 1 |
| 1008-312 | Separations Techniques | 3 |
| 1008-319 | Separations Techniques Lab | 1 |
| 1016-305 | Multivariable Calculus | 4 |
| 1013-431, 432, 433 | Organic Chemistry I, II, III | 9 |
| 1013-435, 436 | Preparative Organic Chemistry Lab I, II | 2 |
| 1013-437 | Systematic Identification of Organic Compounds Lab | 2 |
| 1004-210 | Microbiology in Health and Disease | 4 |
| Liberal Arts* | 12 | |
| 1010-499 | Cooperative Education (optional, summer) | Co-op |
| Third Year | ||
| Liberal Arts*‡ | 12 | |
| 1016-306 | Differential Equations | 4 |
| 1008-511 | Advanced Instrumental Analysis | 3 |
| 1008-621 | Advanced Instrumental Analysis Lab | 2 |
| 1017-311, 312, 313 | University Physics I, II, III | 12 |
| 1015-522 | Aquatic Toxicology and Chemistry | 3 |
| 1010-499 | Cooperative Education (optional, summer) | Co-op |
| Fourth Year | ||
| 1009-702 | Biochemistry | 3 |
| 1014-441 | Chemical Thermodynamics | 4 |
| 1014-445 | Chemical Thermodynamics Lab | 1 |
| 1014-442 | Quantum Chemistry | 4 |
| 1014-446 | Quantum Chemistry Lab | 1 |
| 1014-443 | Chemical Kinetics | 4 |
| 1014-447 | Chemical Kinetics Lab | 1 |
| 1015-720 | Environmental Chemistry | 3 |
| 1012-562 | Inorganic Chemistry I | 4 |
| 1012-565 | Preparative Inorganic Chemistry Lab | 3 |
| Chemistry Electives§‡ | ||
| 1010-879 | Research and Thesis Guidance** | 3 |
| 1010-401 | Chemical Literature | 2 |
| Fifth Year†† | ||
| 1015-721 | Atmospheric Chemistry | 3 |
| 1010-870 | Chemistry Seminar | 2 |
| 1010-879 | Research and Thesis Guidance** | 6–13 |
| Total Quarter Credit Hours | 225 | |
*Please see Liberal Arts General Education Requirements for more information. Environmental studies concentration is recommended.
†Please see Wellness Education Requirement for more information.
‡ACS (American Chemical Society) highly recommends a foreign language (preferably German).
§ A minimum of 36 hours of 700–level or higher chemistry courses is required to graduate with both a BS and MS degree.
**A student will be required to have 9 to 16 credit hours of Research and Thesis Guidance (1010-879).
††Course work in this year will be determined by the graduate committee and will need to fulfill the requirement of 225 credit hours.
BS chemistry/MS chemistry option
Chemistry, combined BS/MS degree, typical course sequence (quarters)
| Course | Qtr. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| 1010-200 | Chemical Safety | 1 |
| 1010-230 | Introduction to Cooperative Education and Chemical Careers | 1 |
| 1010-251, 252 | General Chemistry I, II | 7 |
| 1010-255 | General Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| 1008-261, 262 | Quantitative Analysis I, II | 7 |
| 1008-265, 266 | Quantitative Analysis Lab I, II | 3 |
| 1016-281, 282, 283 | Calculus I, II, III | 12 |
| Liberal Arts* | 16 | |
| 1105-051, 052 | First-Year Enrichment | 2 |
| Wellness Education† | 0 | |
| 1010-499 | Cooperative Education (optional, summer) | Co-op |
| Second Year | ||
| 1008-311 | Instrumental Analysis | 3 |
| 1008-318 | Instrumental Analysis Lab | 1 |
| 1008-312 | Separations Techniques | 3 |
| 1008-319 | Separations Techniques Lab | 1 |
| 1016-305 | Multivariable Calculus | 4 |
| 1016-306 | Differential Equations | 4 |
| 1013-431, 432, 433 | Organic Chemistry I, II, III | 9 |
| 1013-435, 436 | Preparative Organic Chemistry Lab I, II | 2 |
| 1013-437 | Systematic ID of Organic Compounds III Lab | 2 |
| Liberal Arts* | 8 | |
| 1010-499 | Cooperative Education (optional, summer) | Co-op |
| Third Year | ||
| 1010-401 | Chemical Literature | 2 |
| 1017-311, 312, 313 | University Physics I, II, III | 12 |
| 1014-441 | Chemical Thermodynamics | 4 |
| 1014-445 | Chemical Thermodynamics Lab | 1 |
| Liberal Arts*‡ | 12 | |
| Chemistry Electives§ | ||
| 1010-499 | Cooperative Education (optional, summer) | Co-op |
| Fourth Year | ||
| 1014-442 | Quantum Chemistry | 4 |
| 1014-446 | Quantum Chemistry Lab | 1 |
| 1014-443 | Chemical Kinetics | 4 |
| 1014-447 | Chemical Kinetics Lab | 1 |
| 1009-702 | Biochemistry†† | 3 |
| 1008-711 | Advanced Instrumental Analysis†† | 3 |
| 1008-621 | Advanced Instrumental Analysis Lab†† | 2 |
| 1012-562, 563 | Inorganic Chemistry I, II†† | 8 |
| 1012-765 | Preparative Inorganic Chemistry Lab†† | 3 |
| Chemistry Electives§ | ||
| 1010-879 | Research and Thesis Guidance** | 3 |
| Fifth Year§§ | ||
| 1012-870 | Chemistry Seminar | 2 |
| 1010-879 | Research and Thesis Guidance** | 6–13 |
| Total Quarter Credit Hours | 225 | |
*Please see Liberal Arts General Education Requirements for more information.
†Please see Wellness Education Requirement for more information.
‡ACS highly recommends a foreign language (preferably German).
§ A minimum of 6 to 8 quarter credit hours of 500-level course work.
§§ Course work in the fifth year will be determined by the graduate committee and will need to fulfill the requirement of 225 total credit hours. A minimum of 36 hours of 700-level or higher chemistry courses is required to graduate with both a BS and MS degree in chemistry.
**A student will normally have 9 to 16 credit hours of Research and Thesis Guidance.
†† Required only for ACS certification.
BS Chemistry/MS materials science and engineering option
The combined BS chemistry/MS materials science and engineering option is designed for students who wish to enter industrial applications of chemistry in the areas of developing new materials (polymers, plastics, natural product substitutes), new processes for producing those materials, and research into new applications for existing materials.
Chemistry, BS/MS materials science and engineering degree option, typical course sequence (BS is ACS certified) (quarters)
| Course | Qtr. Cr. Hrs. | |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| 1010-200 | Chemical Safety | 1 |
| 1010-230 | Introduction to Cooperative Education and Chemical Careers | 1 |
| 1010-251, 252 | General Chemistry I, II | 7 |
| 1010-255 | General Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| 1008-261, 262 | Quantitative Analysis I, II | 7 |
| 1008-265, 266 | Quantitative Analysis Lab I, II | 3 |
| 1016-281, 282, 283 | Calculus I, II, III | 12 |
| Liberal Arts* | 16 | |
| 1105-051, 052 | First-Year Enrichment | 2 |
| Wellness Education† | 0 | |
| 1010-499 | Cooperative Education (optional, summer) | Co-op |
| Second Year | ||
| 1008-311 | Instrumental Analysis | 3 |
| 1008-318 | Instrumental Analysis Lab | 1 |
| 1008-312 | Separations Techniques | 3 |
| 1008-319 | Separations Techniques Lab | 1 |
| 1013-431, 432, 433 | Organic Chemistry I, II, III | 9 |
| 1013-435, 436 | Preparative Organic Chemistry Lab I, II | 2 |
| 1013-437 | Systematic Identification of Organic Compounds Lab | 2 |
| 1016-305 | Multivariable Calculus | 4 |
| 1016-306 | Differential Equations | 4 |
| 1017-311, 312, 313 | University Physics I, II, III | 12 |
| Liberal Arts*‡ | 4 | |
| 1010-499 | Cooperative Education (optional, summer) | Co-op |
| Third Year | ||
| 1010-401 | Chemical Literature | 2 |
| 1014-441 | Chemical Thermodynamics | 4 |
| 1014-445 | Chemical Thermodynamics Lab | 1 |
| 1014-442 | Quantum Chemistry | 4 |
| 1014-446 | Quantum Chemistry Lab | 1 |
| 1014-443 | Chemical Kinetics | 4 |
| 1014-447 | Chemical Kinetics Lab | 1 |
| Liberal Arts*‡ | 16 | |
| University-wide elective | 4 | |
| 1010-499 | Cooperative Education (optional, summer) | Co-op |
| Fourth Year | ||
| 1008-511 (or 711) | Advanced Instrumental Analysis** | 3 |
| 1008-621 | Advanced Instrumental Analysis Lab** | 2 |
| 1009-502 | Biochemistry: Conformation and Dynamics** | 3 |
| 1012-562, 563 | Inorganic Chemistry I, II** | 8 |
| 1012-565 | Preparative Inorganic Chemistry Lab** | 3 |
| Advanced Chemistry Electives§ | ||
| 1028-701 | Introduction to Materials Science | 4 |
| 1028-702 | Introduction to Polymer Science | 4 |
| 1028-705 | Introduction to Experimental Techniques | 4 |
| 1028-879 | Research and Thesis Guidance†† | |
| Materials Science Electives§ | ||
| Fifth Year | ||
| 1015-721 | Atmospheric Chemistry | 3 |
| 1028-703 | Solid State Science | 4 |
| 1028-704 | Introduction to Theoretical Methods | 4 |
| 1028-710 | Materials Properties and Selection | 4 |
| 1028-780 | Sensors and Actuators | 4 |
| 1028-785 | Sensors and Actuators Lab | 2 |
| Materials Science Electives§ | ||
| 1028-879 | Research and Thesis Guidance†† | |
| 1028-890 | Seminar | 1 |
| Total Quarter Credit Hours | 225 | |
*Please see Liberal Arts General Education Requirements for more information.
†Please see Wellness Education Requirement for more information.
‡ACS highly recommends a foreign language (preferably German).
§A minimum of 36 hours of 700–level or higher chemistry/materials science courses is required to graduate with both a BS and MS degree.
**Required only for ACS certification.
††A student will be required to have 9 to 16 credit hours of Research and Thesis Guidance (1028-879).