ACS Certified Chemistry Degree

Bachelor's of Science
Suggested Program of Study

This is a term-by-term sample course schedule (program map). The milestones listed below each year are designed to keep you on course to graduate in four years. A sample schedule is provided as a general guideline to help you build a schedule each term. Your courses must be selected with your academic advisor to satisfy all core curriculum and other requirements. Refer to the Undergraduate Catalog for the most current curriculum. View a course checklist.

Year 1
Fall
Spring
Milestones: Complete Principles of Chemistry sequence. Complete legislative requirements. ≥2.0 GPA. Core or Elective includes 9 hours of Modern Foreign Language. Electives must be chosen to give 39 total upper-division hours, 6 hours of which must be other than chemistry. Mathematics helps us understand chemistry so students should begin CHEM 1211 with a good foundation of college algebra and trig. Students placed in MATH 1111 or 1112 should try to complete MATH 1113 (Precalculus) and Calculus I and II sequence as soon as possible. Calculus I and II are co-requisites for Year 2 physics courses and pre-requisites for Physical Chemistry in Year 3. Students registering for CHEM 1200 should complete the Chemistry Placement Test to see if they qualify for CHEM 1211. Completing CHEM 1200 may be necessary but it will delay enrollment in all subsequent chemistry classes.
Year 2
Fall
Spring
  • Organic Chemistry II
    4
  • Introductory Physics II or Principles of Physics II
    4
  • Core or Elective (MATH 3340 rec.)
    3
  • Core or Elective
    3
  • Sophomore Seminar 1
    1
  • Total credit hours
    15
Milestones: ≥2.0 GPA. Complete MATH requirement. Strongly suggest students join the American Chemical Society. Apply for summer research program, if applicable. ≥2.0 GPA. Complete Organic Chemistry requirement. Apply for summer research program, if applicable.
Year 3
Fall
Spring
  • Physical Chemistry II
    4
  • Laboratory Techniques in Biochemistry
    2
  • Core or Elective
    9
  • Total credit hours
    15
Milestones: ≥2.0 GPA. Apply for summer research program, if applicable. Complete Physics requirement. Complete legislative requirements. Complete ENGL requirement. Apply for summer research program, if applicable. ≥2.0 GPA. By spring of your third year, you should decide if you want to pursue a minor. Visit the Office of Career Opportunities and begin planning for life after VSU.
Year 4
Fall
Spring
  • Instrumental Analysis
    4
  • Senior Seminar 1
    1
  • Core or Elective
    10
  • Total credit hours
    15

Milestones: ≥2.0 GPA. Complete Biochemistry requirement. Submit graduation application. By spring of your senior you should begin applications for graduate or professional school if required for your career plans. Contact professors to write letters of reference for you. Prepare a professional resume. Make plans to walk across that graduation stage - You Earned It!
Chemistry