CHEMISTRY (CHEM)

College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Chemistry
O’Shaughnessy Science Hall (OSS) 402, (651) 962-5575
Fort (Chair), Borgerding, Dittmer, Donato, Gengenbach, Ippoliti, Layfield, Marsh, McCue, Ocampo, Ojala, Pardini, Popescu, Prevette, Uzcategui, Wammer

The Department of Chemistry at the University of St. Thomas educates future scientific leaders in an inclusive, supportive, and collaborative community. Through impactful experiences and mentorship, we empower undergraduate students to find success and to solve challenging problems in service of the common good.

Department of Chemistry Website

The Department of Chemistry is accredited by the American Chemical Society (ACS) for the professional training of chemists.

The Department of Chemistry offers three degree programs in the field of chemistry:

  • Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree
    • The B.S. degree is certified by the American Chemical Society.
    • The B.S. has either a chemistry or a biochemistry concentration option.
  • Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree
  • Biochemistry B.S. degree, offered in partnership with the Department of Biology

The B.S. degree is recommended for students who plan to pursue graduate study or research in academic, industrial, or government laboratories.
The B.A. degree requires fewer chemistry courses and offers flexibility for completing additional majors to enhance a student’s curriculum.

Students graduating with a major in chemistry will have the necessary knowledge to prepare them for a career in chemistry, its many related fields, and graduate school. They will have developed the skills necessary to analyze data and to draw conclusions from it. They will have the ability to read, comprehend, write, and speak with clarity and understanding in technical areas. They will apply critical thinking to their reading of the technical literature. They will have developed good laboratory skills and be familiar with modern instrumentation and technology used in related fields.

Chemistry is an excellent major for students interested in chemistry, biochemistry, medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, pharmaceutical chemistry, food science, forensic science, patent law, materials science, environmental science, and many other interdisciplinary fields. When paired with course work aligned with a pre-health track, a Chemistry degree provides academic preparation for a variety of graduate programs in health care. The major is also suited to students with a complementary interest in other sciences, engineering, data science, education, economics, or business.

Interdisciplinary Programs:

The Departments of Chemistry and Biology jointly offer a B.S. degree in “Biochemistry”. Students interested in teacher licensure should consider science offerings from “School of Education”. Students interested in “Data Analytics” and “Environmental Science” can find a chemistry track within the majors.

Transfer Students and Non-majors:

In order to receive a degree in chemistry from the University of St. Thomas, transfer students must complete a minimum of sixteen credits in chemistry at the university in addition to the two-credit seminar sequence (CHEM 481-484).
The department offers a number of courses for non-majors to fulfill the laboratory science component of the core curriculum (CHEM 100, 101, 109, 111, and 115). 

Chemistry Honors:

Students graduating with a B.A. or B.S. degree in chemistry may also qualify for departmental honors. Students interested in this designation should consult with the department chair one year prior to their graduation date.

Requirements include:

  1. a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 and a major field GPA of 3.50;
  2. completion of four credits of research (CHEM 491) or the equivalent in paid research (up to two credits). Research must be completed at least one semester before graduation.
  3. preparation of a written thesis in the format of a primary literature article;
  4. successful defense of the thesis before a panel composed of:
    • thesis director (chair of committee)
    • two additional UST chemistry faculty
    • one UST faculty member outside the chemistry department
    • one faculty member from another institution selected in consultation with the thesis adviser
  5. presentation of research at regional or national meeting of chemistry professionals
  6. All requirements must be completed early enough to allow for proper notification of the registrar and academic dean for the graduating term.

Major in Chemistry (B.S.) (ACS-certified)

  • CHEM 111 General Chemistry I (4 credits) and CHEM 112 General Chemistry II (4 credits)
    or CHEM 115 Accelerated General Chemistry (4 credits)
Plus:
  • CHEM 201 Organic Chemistry I (4 credits)
  • CHEM 202 Organic Chemistry II (4 credits)
  • CHEM 220 Foundations in Inorganic Chemistry (4 credits)
  • CHEM 300 Quantitative Analysis (4 credits)
  • CHEM 320 Instrumental Analysis (4 credits)
  • CHEM 331 Chemical Thermodynamics and Reaction Dynamics (4 credits)
  • CHEM 332 Quantum Chemistry and Molecular Spectroscopy (4 credits)
  • CHEM 440 Biochemistry I (4 credits)
  • CHEM 481-484 Student Seminar Sequence (2 credits total) 
Plus six credits from:
  • CHEM 250 Organometallic Chemistry (2 credits)
  • CHEM 295 Topics (2 credits)
  • CHEM 296 Topics (2 credits)
  • CHEM 298 Topics (4 credits)
  • CHEM 340 Organic Spectroscopy (2 credits)
  • CHEM 391, 392 Research (1 credit each)
  • CHEM 400 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (2 credits)
  • CHEM 404 Advanced Organic Chemistry (2 credits)
  • CHEM 420 Bioanalytical and Forensic Chemistry (2 credits)
  • CHEM 430 Polymer Chemistry (2 credits)
  • CHEM 442 Biochemistry II (4 credits)*
  • CHEM 444 Advanced Metabolism (2 credits)
  • CHEM 450 Metals in Biology (2 credits)
  • CHEM 487, 488 Topics (2 credits each)
  • CHEM 491 Research (2 or 4 credits)
    Note: Only 4 credits of research may be applied to the degree.

*required for a B.S. in Chemistry with a biochemistry concentration, plus a research project in biochemistry

Plus:
  • A research requirement that can be satisfied by taking CHEM 491 Research (2 or 4 credits) in the list above or by completing a summer research project approved by the department.

Allied Requirements

  • MATH 113 Calculus I (4 credits)*
  • MATH 114 Calculus II (4 credits)
  • PHYS 211 Introduction to Classical Physics I (4 credits)
  • PHYS 212 Introduction to Classical Physics II (4 credits) 

Note: *Students not placing into MATH 113 must take MATH 108, 109 and 114 in order to satisfy the overall calculus requirement.

Strongly recommended:

  • MATH - additional courses numbered 200 or above (MATH 200 and 240 are highly recommended).

Course Sequence

All chemistry majors are advised to take General Chemistry (CHEM 111-112 or CHEM 115) and MATH 113-114 (Calculus) during the freshman year, then CHEM 201, 202, 220 and PHYS 211-212 (Introductory Physics) during the sophomore year. (Note that PHYS 109-110 is not acceptable for the chemistry major). Other sequences of math and physics require additional planning. If staring with MATH 108 in the fall of the first semester freshman year and MATH 109 in the second semester (combined MATH 113) or if MATH 113 is started in the second semester of freshman year; then MATH 114 can be taken concurrently with PHYS 211 during first semester sophomore year. 


Major in Chemistry (B.A.)

  • CHEM 111 General Chemistry I (4 credits) and CHEM 112 General Chemistry II (4 credits)
    or CHEM 115 Accelerated General Chemistry (4 credits)
Plus:
  • CHEM 201 Organic Chemistry I (4 credits)
  • CHEM 202 Organic Chemistry II (4 credits)
  • CHEM 300 Quantitative Analysis (4 credits)
  • CHEM 320 Instrumental Analysis (4 credits)
  • CHEM 481-484 Seminar (2 credits total) 
Plus four credits from the following:
  • CHEM 331 Chemical Thermodynamics and Reaction Dynamics (4 credits)
  • CHEM 332 Quantum Chemistry and Molecular Spectroscopy (4 credits)
Plus at least eight credits in courses chosen from the following list:
  • CHEM 220 Foundations in Inorganic Chemistry (4 credits)
  • CHEM 250 Organometallic Chemistry (2 credits)
  • CHEM 295 Topics (2 credits)
  • CHEM 296 Topics (2 credits)
  • CHEM 331 Chemical Thermodynamics and Reaction Dynamics (4 credits)
  • CHEM 332 Quantum Chemistry and Molecular Spectroscopy (4 credits)
  • CHEM 340 Organic Spectroscopy (2 credits)
  • CHEM 391, 392 Research (1 credit)
  • CHEM 400 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (2 credits)
  • CHEM 404 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (2 credits)
  • CHEM 420 Bioanalytical and Forensic Chemistry (2 credits)
  • CHEM 430 Polymer Chemistry (2 credits)
  • CHEM 440 Biochemistry I (4 credits)
  • CHEM 442 Biochemistry II (4 credits)
  • CHEM 444 Advanced Metabolism (2 credits)
  • CHEM 450 Metals in Biology (2 credits)
  • CHEM 487, 488 Topics (2 credits each)
  • CHEM 491 Research (2 or 4 credits)
    Note: Only 4 credits of research may be applied to the degree.

Note: * For students matriculating Fall 2019. All students matriculating prior to Fall 2019 have CHEM 332 as prerequisite for CHEM 400.

Allied Requirements

  • MATH 113 Calculus I (4 credits) and MATH 114 Calculus II (4 credits)*
  • PHYS 211 Introductory Physics I (4 credits) and PHYS 212 Introductory Physics II (4 credits)

*Students not placing into MATH 113 must take MATH 108, 109 and 114 to satisfy the allied mathematics requirement. Additional MATH courses numbered 200 or above (MATH 200 and 240 are highly recommended).

Note: Math and physics requirements are specified above. MATH 200 and 240 are highly recommended. 


 

Concentration in Biochemistry

Students may receive a biochemistry concentration if they meet the requirements for the B.S. in Chemistry and complete the following:

Required Courses:

  • CHEM 440 Biochemistry I (4 credits)
  • CHEM 442 Biochemistry II (4 credits)
  • Biochemistry Research Project: In consultation with the Chemistry department.

 

MAJOR IN BIOCHEMISTRY (B.S.)

See Biochemistry


Teacher Licensure

  • Elementary Education with a Co-major in Science and Mathematics for Elementary Education
  • Elementary Education with a Specialty in Science (5-8)
  • Co-major in Science (5-8) – Chemistry (9-12) and a Co-major in Secondary Education

See Education


 

Minor in Chemistry

A minor in chemistry shall consist of 24 credits in chemistry courses. A minimum of 8 credits in chemistry must be successfully completed at St. Thomas to earn a minor in the field.

  • CHEM 111 General Chemistry I (4 credits) and CHEM 112 General Chemistry II (4 credits)
    or CHEM 115 Accelerated General Chemistry (4 credits)
  • CHEM 201 Organic Chemistry I (4 credits)
Plus sufficient credits from the following to yield a total of 24:

Note: Some of these courses have prerequisites beyond the core, or require permission of the instructor.

  • CHEM 202 Organic Chemistry II (4 credits)
  • CHEM 220 Foundations in Inorganic Chemistry (4 credits)
  • CHEM 250 Organometallic Chemistry (2 credits)
  • CHEM 295 Topics (2 credits)
  • CHEM 296 Topics (2 credits)
  • CHEM 298 Topics (4 credits)
  • CHEM 300 Quantitative Analysis (4 credits)
  • CHEM 320 Instrumental Analysis (4 credits)
  • CHEM 331 Chemical Thermodynamics and Reaction Dynamics (4 credits)
  • CHEM 332 Quantum Chemistry and Molecular Spectroscopy (4 credits)
  • CHEM 340 Organic Spectroscopy (2 credits)
  • CHEM 400 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (2 credits)
  • CHEM 404 Advanced Organic Chemistry (2 credits)
  • CHEM 420 Bioanalytical and Forensic Chemistry (2 credits)
  • CHEM 430 Polymer Chemistry (2 credits)
  • CHEM 440 Biochemistry I (4 credits)
  • CHEM 442 Biochemistry II (4 credits)
  • CHEM 444 Advanced Metabolism (2 credits)
  • CHEM 450 Metals in Biology (2 credits)
  • CHEM 487, 488 Topics (2 credits each)
  • CHEM 491 Research (2 or 4 credits)*

*A student may take four credits of research for the minor with the approval of the department chair.

Chemistry Undergraduate Courses

Course Number Title Credits
CHEM  100 Chemistry in Our World 4
CHEM  101 Environmental Chemistry 4
CHEM  108 Nursing Chemistry 4
CHEM  109 General Chem for ENGR 4
CHEM  110 Introduction to Chemistry 1
CHEM  111 General Chemistry I 4
CHEM  112 General Chemistry II 4
CHEM  115 Accelerated General Chemistry 4
CHEM  201 Organic Chemistry I 4
CHEM  202 Organic Chemistry II 4
CHEM  220 Foundations in Inorganic Chem 4
CHEM  243 Individual Study 2 OR 4
CHEM  250 Organometallic Chemistry 2
CHEM  269 Research 2 OR 4
CHEM  296 Topics 0 TO 2
CHEM  297 Topics 4
CHEM  300 Quantitative Analysis 4
CHEM  320 Instrumental Analysis 4
CHEM  331 Chem Thermodynamics/Reactio 4
CHEM  332 Quantum Chem/Molecular Spec 4
CHEM  340 Organic Spectroscopy 2
CHEM  389 Research 2 OR 4
CHEM  391 Research 1
CHEM  392 Research 1
CHEM  393 Individual Study 2 OR 4
CHEM  400 Adv Inorganic Chemistry 4
CHEM  404 Advanced Organic Chemistry 0 OR 2
CHEM  420 Bioanalytical/Forensic Chem 2
CHEM  430 Polymer Chemistry 2
CHEM  440 Biochemistry I 4
CHEM  442 Biochemistry II 4
CHEM  444 Advanced Metabolism 2
CHEM  450 Metals in Biology 2
CHEM  476 Experiential Learning 1 TO 4
CHEM  481 Student Seminar 1
CHEM  482 Student Seminar 0
CHEM  483 Student Seminar 0
CHEM  484 Student Seminar 1
CHEM  487 Topics 2
CHEM  488 Topics 2
CHEM  491 Individual Research 2 OR 4
CHEM  492 Individual Research 2
CHEM  494 Individual Research 4
CHEM  495 Individual Study 2 OR 4