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.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Studies | 42 | |
| Students must complete General Studies courses | ||
| Core Requirements | 54 | |
| CHE 111 | General Chemistry I | 5 |
| CHE 120 | General Chemistry II with Qualitative Analysis | 5 |
| CHE 310 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHE 311 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 2 |
| CHE 312 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHE 313 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory II | 2 |
| CHE 321 | Quantitative Analysis | 4 |
| CHE 326 | Instrumental Analysis | 4 |
| CHE 340 | Foundations of Physical Chemistry | 4 |
| CHE 370 | Biochemistry I | 4 |
| CHE 380 | Environmental Chemistry & Chemical Management | 3 |
| CHE 485 | Chemistry Capstone Experience | 2 |
| MAT 167 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry I | 5 |
| PHY 110 | College Physics I | 4 |
| PHY 111 | College Physics II | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | ||
| Major in Chemistry (No Concentration) | 13 | |
| Major in Chemistry (ACS Certification Concentration) | 13 | |
Concentration:
ACS Certification
Major in Chemistry (No Concentration)
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Restricted Electives | 13 | |
| 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 Chemistry Laboratory Assistantship may be repeatable for a total of 2 credit hours.
- 2
CHE 450 Independent Research/Project, CHE 475 Internship in Chemistry, and CHE 490 Research in Chemistry may be repeated for a total of 3 credit hours each.
Major in Chemistry (ACS Certification Concentration)
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CHE 441 | Advanced Inorganic Chemistry | 3 |
| CHE 480 | Advanced Physical Chemistry | 4 |
| CHE 490 | Research in Chemistry 1 | 3 |
| or CHE 470 | Biochemistry II | |
| or CHE 475 | Internship in Chemistry | |
| MAT 177 | Calculus with Analytic Geometry II | 3 |
| or MAT 287 | Multivariable Calculus | |
| Total Credit Hours | 13 | |
- 1
To satisfy requirements, CHE 490 Research in Chemistry 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 Requirements
- Earn an overall GPA of at least 2.0 and a major GPA of at least 2.0.
University Graduation Requirements
- Earn a minimum of 120 credit hours (100 level and higher, maximum of 6 CED credit hours applicable).
- 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.
- Earn 30 of the last 45 credit hours at MWSU in institutional coursework (exclusive of credit by examination).
- Participate in required departmental and campus wide assessments.
- Fulfill the Missouri Constitution requirement.
- Successfully pass the Missouri Higher Education Civics Achievement exam.