Chemistry (Bachelor of Science, B.S.)

Missouri Western’s Bachelor of Science in Chemistry program prepares students to enter the dynamic chemical industry or to attend graduate programs in chemistry and related fields. Students get extensive lab experience and unique research opportunities in a challenging program that has been certified by the American Chemical Society since 1977.

Students may design the restricted electives portion of the major to pursue careers in allied fields such as health professions, chemical education, business and entrepreneurship, forensic science, scientific writing, data science, or geoscience. Students should consult with advisors in chemistry and related departments to choose the best electives for their career plans.

For students intending a career as chemist or admission into a chemistry graduate program, the ACS Certification concentration offers our best comprehensive preparation while fulfilling the restricted electives within program requirements.

Students who choose this bachelor degree program will have no more than 6 years from admission or subsequent declaration to meet the requirements listed below. If certification, accreditation or statutory requirements change and additional requirements become effective during this time, the new requirements take precedence.

General Studies
Students must complete General Studies courses42
Core Requirements
CHE 111General Chemistry I5
CHE 120General Chemistry II with Qualitative Analysis5
CHE 310Organic Chemistry I3
CHE 311Organic Chemistry Laboratory I2
CHE 312Organic Chemistry II3
CHE 313Organic Chemistry Laboratory II2
CHE 321Quantitative Analysis4
CHE 326Instrumental Analysis4
CHE 340Foundations of Physical Chemistry4
CHE 370Biochemistry I4
CHE 380Environmental Chemistry & Chemical Management3
CHE 485Chemistry Capstone Experience2
MAT 167Calculus with Analytic Geometry I5
PHY 110College Physics I4
PHY 111College Physics II4
Select one of the following:
Major in Chemistry (No Concentration)
Major in Chemistry (ACS Certification Concentration)

Major in Chemistry (No Concentration)

Restricted Electives
Complete a minimum of thirteen credit hours from the following courses. At least five credit hours must be CHE 300 or higher
Principles of Cell Biology
Genetics
History and Philosophy of the Natural Sciences
Chemistry Laboratory Assistantship 1
Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
Inorganic Synthesis
Independent Research/Project 2
Chemistry Teaching: Methods and Techniques
Biochemistry II
Internship in Chemistry 2
Advanced Physical Chemistry
Research in Chemistry 2
Introduction to Criminal Justice
Introduction to Computer Programming
Entrepreneurship I
Entrepreneurship II
Physical Geology
Introduction to Technical Communication
Physical Geography
Calculus with Analytic Geometry II
Multivariable Calculus
1

CHE 420 may be repeatable for a total of 2 credit hours.

2

CHE 450, CHE 475, and CHE 490 may be repeated for a total of 3 credit hours each.

Major in Chemistry (ACS Certification Concentration)

CHE 441Advanced Inorganic Chemistry3
CHE 480Advanced Physical Chemistry4
CHE 490Research in Chemistry 13
or CHE 470 Biochemistry II
or CHE 475 Internship in Chemistry
MAT 177Calculus with Analytic Geometry II3
or MAT 287 Multivariable Calculus
1

To satisfy requirements, CHE 490 must consist of three credit hours on a single project that culminates in a single written report. The three credit hours do not have to be completed in a single semester.

Chemistry majors may seek career specialization by adding one or more of the following other degree programs. 

Forensic Science: Students seeking entrance to career in forensic science or a graduate program in forensic science are encouraged to add a Minor in Criminal Justice. Elective choices within the minor should be discussed with an advisor in Chemistry and/or Criminal Justice. 

Health Professions: Students seeking entrance into professional programs in pharmacy, medicine, dentistry or similar programs may consider a Minor in Biology as they will complete several prerequisite biology courses. Elective choices within the minor should be catered toward specific entrance requirements, and should be discussed with an advisor in Chemistry and/or Biology.

Chemical Business: Students seeking a career in the chemical industry in sales, human resources, management, or business development are encouraged to complete a Minor in Business or Entrepreneurship.  Elective choices within the minor should be discussed with an advisor in Chemistry and/or Business.

Scientific Writing: Students seeking a career in scientific writing or graduate programs are encouraged to complete a Minor in Technical Writing. Elective choices within the minor should be discussed with an advisor in Chemistry and/or English.

Secondary Teaching: Students seeking to become a secondary teacher (grades 9-12) should pair this major with the Master of Arts in Teaching, Secondary Education. This combination will ensure completion of both scientific and pedagogical content toward achievement of teaching certification through the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Note that other requirements beyond content must also be completed for certification, such as minimum GPA, a criminal background check, and standardized exams. Students seeking this career should consult with advisors in both Chemistry and Education.

 Program Graduation Requirement

  1. Earn an overall GPA of at least 2.0 and a major GPA of at least 2.0.

University Graduation Requirements 

  1. Earn a minimum of 120 credit hours (100 level and higher, maximum of 6 CED credit hours applicable).
  2. Earn a minimum of 30 credit hours in upper-division courses.  Lower-division transfer courses accepted as meeting upper-division departmental course requirements cannot be used to fulfill this requirement.
  3. Earn 30 of the last 45 credit hours at MWSU in institutional coursework (exclusive of credit by examination).
  4. Participate in required departmental and campus wide assessments. 
  5. Fulfill the Missouri Constitution requirement.
  6. Successfully pass the Missouri Higher Education Civics Achievement exam.