Chemistry strives to understand the properties of materials and the transformations they undergo. Called the "Central Science," chemistry plays a key role in many different fields: agriculture, food, medicine, geology, energy production, metallurgy, polymers, and plastics, to name a few. The chemistry program at Buena Vista University offers courses in the traditional areas: inorganic, organic, analytical, physical, and biochemistry, and some in newer fields, such as environmental chemistry. Graduates have entered several of the above fields, more recently in areas such as medicine, pharmaceuticals, research, forensic science, teaching, chemical engineering, and industry, often after pursuing graduate education.

The chemistry program has two tracks, depending upon the student’s goals and occupational interests. One major meets the needs of those who wish to be professional chemists, while the other major is designed for liberal arts students preparing for medicine, teaching, sales, or industrial work.

Both majors and minors provide opportunities for independent and specialized summer research projects and special Interim courses.

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Major in Chemistry - Professional (56 credit hours)

Designed for further graduate study or for industry:

Support Work:
MATH 160 Calculus I: Differential Calculus
MATH 161 Calculus II: Integral Calculus
PHYS 211 General Physics I (Calculus based)
PHYS 212 General Physics II (Calculus based)

Major Courses:
CHEM 151 General and Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM 152 Inorganic Chemistry and Qualitative Analysis
CHEM 261 Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 262 Organic Chemistry II
CHEM 300 Chemistry Research or CHEM 495 Chemistry Internship CHEM 311 Quantitative Analysis
CHEM 321 Spectroscopy or CHEM 322 Chemical Separations
CHEM 353 Physical Chemistry I
CHEM 354 Physical Chemistry II
CHEM 355 Physical Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM/BIOL 498 Seminar (two semesters)
Six credit hours of Chemistry electives (300 level or above)

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Major in Chemistry - Liberal Arts (42 credit hours)

Designed for pre-medical students, assistants in industry and high school teaching:

Support Work:
MATH 160 Calculus I: Differential Calculus
PHYS 201 or PHYS 211 General Physics I
PHYS 202 or PHYS 212 General Physics II

Major Courses:
CHEM 151 General and Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM 152 Inorganic Chemistry and Qualitative Analysis
CHEM 261 Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 262 Organic Chemistry II
CHEM 300 Chemistry Research or CHEM 495 Chemistry Internship CHEM 311 Quantitative Analysis
CHEM 353 Physical Chemistry I
CHEM 498 Chemistry Seminar
Three credit hours of Chemistry electives 300/400 level

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Minor in Chemistry (20 credit hours)

CHEM 151 General and Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM 152 Inorganic Chemistry and Qualitative Analysis
CHEM 261 Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 311 Quantitative Analysis
Three credit hours of Chemistry electives

Major in Chemistry with Teaching Licensure
(7-12)

Option 1:
Liberal arts chemistry major and requirements listed under secondary education and the education core.

Option 2:
Only Science Education students. Must have 12 hours at 300/400 level.
30 credit hours in science, including:
CHEM 151 General and Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM 152 Inorganic Chemistry and Qualitative Analysis
CHEM 261 Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 311 Quantitative Analysis
CHEM 498 Seminar

Four or more hours in Organic Chemistry
Eight additional credit hours in Science
Requirements for secondary education and education core

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Minor in Chemistry with Teaching Licensure
(24 credit hours)

CHEM 151 General and Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM 152 Inorganic Chemistry and Qualitative Analysis
CHEM 261 Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 311 Quantitative Analysis
Four or more credit hours in Organic Chemistry
Three additional hours in Chemistry
Requirements for Secondary Education and education core

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