Chemistry Major

As a Letters & Science student, you will take a variety of courses across the natural sciences, social sciences, and the humanities to satisfy university-wide General Education Requirements plus additional classes in formal reasoning, international awareness, and research to satisfy Letters & Science Degree Requirements.

The sample below assumes no high school Foreign Language was taken and that the student placed into college-level Math and English. In addition, this sample reflects the degree requirements for students who began their college education in Fall of 2013 or later. If you started college coursework prior to Fall of 2013, your degree requirements may be different.

For chemistry majors it is important to understand your degree requirements because they will differ depending on whether you choose to obtain a Bachelor of Science (BS) or a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree.

There are quality requirements (minimum GPA) and residency requirements (number of classes taken at UWM).

    In order to take CHEM 691 or CHEM 692, students must complete this application and submit a copy of their unofficial transcript (free from the Registrar’s Office or via PAWS) to the Undergraduate Advisor, Mrs. Gloria Freschl.

    4 Year Plan

    Our four-year plan shows one possible route to completing a BS degree with a standard chemistry major in four years.

    Since most students choose the Bachelor of Science path, below are the requirements to earn the chemistry major, standard option.

    Because there are many requirements and many pathways depending on your particular circumstances, it is very important to meet with your Letters & Science advisor at least once a semester to make sure you are on-track. Some classes may count towards more than one requirement and with early planning, you can save yourself time and money.

    Sample Study Plan

    Year 1
    Fall Credits
    MATH 231
    Calculus and Analytic Geometry I
    		4
    1st Semester Foreign Language
    		 3-5
    ENGLISH 101
    Introduction to College Writing
    		3
    CHEM 102
    General Chemistry
    		5
    Spring Credits
    MATH 232
    Calculus and Analytic Geometry II
    		4
    2nd semester Foreign Language
    		 3-5
    ENGLISH 102
    College Writing and Research (OWC-A)
    		 3
    CHEM 104
    General Chemistry and Qualitative Analysis
    		5
    Year 2
    Fall Credits
    MATH 233
    Calculus and Analytic Geometry III
    		4
    PHYSICS 209
    Physics I (Calculus Treatment)
    and PHYSICS 214
    Lab Physics I (Calculus Treatment)    		 6
    CHEM 221
    Elementary Quantitative Analysis
    		4
    CHEM 343
    Organic Chemistry
    		3
    Spring Credits
    MATH 234
    Linear Algebra and Differential Equations (Recommended, but not required.)
    		 4
    PHYSICS 210
    Physics II (Calculus Treatment)
    and PHYSICS 215
    Lab Physics II (Calculus Treatment)     		5
    CHEM 344
    Organic Chemistry Laboratory
    		2
    CHEM 345
    Organic Chemistry
    		3
    L&S Social Science/ International
    		 3
    Year 3
    Fall Credits
    CHEM 311
    Introduction to Inorganic Chemistry
    		3
    CHEM 501
    Introduction to Biochemistry
    or CHEM 611
    Physical Inorganic Chemistry    		 3
    L&S Social Science
    		 3
    Natural Science with lab (not Chem or Physics)
    		 3-5
    L&S Humanities/Cultural Diversity
    		 3
    Spring Credits
    CHEM 561
    Physical Chemistry I
    		3
    OWC-B
    		 3
    L&S Humanities
    		 3
    L&S Social Science/International
    		 3
    L&S Upper-level natural science elective
    		 3-5
    Year 4
    Fall Credits
    CHEM 524
    Instrumental Analysis
    		3
    CHEM 562
    Physical Chemistry II
    		3
    CHEM 563
    Physical Chemistry Laboratory
    		1-2
    CHEM 582
    Advanced Chemistry Laboratory I
    		2
    L&S Humanities/International
    		 3
    Spring Credits
    CHEM 691
    Senior Research
    or CHEM 692
    Senior Thesis     		1-6
    Upper-level Natural Science if needed, or Elective
    		 3-4
    L&S Upper-level Social Science
    		 3
    Arts
    		 3
    L&S Upper-level Humanities
    		 3

    Key
    (A) Arts GER (Int’l) International
    (HU) Humanities (QL-A) Quantitative Literacy A
    (NS) Natural Science (QL-B) Quantitative Literacy B
    (SS) Social Science (OWC-A) Oral and Written Communication A
    (CD) Cultural Diversity GER (OWC-B) Oral and Written Communication B