Chemistry is the study of the energetics, composition, properties, structure and reactions of matter. A student earning a B.S. Chemistry degree will learn about the composition of matter, how matter and energy interact, and will also learn to apply the principles of chemistry to their daily life. The chemistry major provides students with a broad introduction to the discipline of chemistry combined with detailed exploration of at least one area of interest. The chemistry major prepares students to apply scientific methodology to solve chemical problems, to relate chemistry to their daily life and environment, to think critically and quantitatively, and to understand the experimental methods, techniques and instrumentation used in chemistry.
Earning a B.S. degree in chemistry can be a natural pathway to a wide variety of career choices. Some of these career options are lab intensive positions such as research, analytical and product chemists. Others options that are outside of the typical lab oriented positions would be careers in sales, marketing and management. The B.S. chemistry degree can also be a stepping stone towards careers that require more advanced degrees such as teaching chemistry at a university level, medicine, law, pharmacy or dentistry.
In addition to the overall university graduation requirements, the B.S. Chemistry major requires each student to complete 64 credits in the major, including at least 25 upper division Chemistry credits, at least 25 Metropolitan State University credits and at least 6 upper division lab credits as part of the chemistry electives. Students must also complete the Chemistry program exit interview and assessment test during their final semester of classes before graduation.
All prerequisite and required courses must be completed with grades of C- or above. Transfer coursework equivalency is determined by the Natural Sciences Department. Each foundation science course must include at least one credit of professionally supervised laboratory experience with standard undergraduate laboratory equipment and materials. Lower-division (100- and 200-level) courses cannot be used to fulfill core or elective requirements of the major.