Academic Catalog

Chemistry Major

Major Requirements

Chemistry is the study of the structure and properties of matter, and the roles of energy and entropy.  Together, they define our physical environment and affect nearly every aspect of our lives. A chemistry education explores the theories, laws, applications, and potential of this science. The chemistry curriculum is sufficiently flexible to allow students with career interests in areas such as the health professions, research, environmental science, law, business, and education to design a suitable major program. Students interested in careers in chemistry will find electives that provide a background for work in graduate school, industry, or other positions requiring a strong foundation in chemistry. The department and its curriculum are approved by the American Chemical Society (ACS), and an ACS-certified major is offered.

The chemistry major requirements include core courses, elective courses, and a senior capstone course. Some courses have math or physics prerequisites, which are normally taken in the first two years. It is highly recommended that 200-level core courses be completed by the end of the junior year.

Chemistry Core

Complete the following courses:

Complete at least one course from the following:

Chemistry Elective

Complete two additional courses from the following:

  • Any Chemistry course 200-level or above, except CHEM 360
  • CHEM S37 Advanced Chemical Measurement Laboratory/Lab
  • CHEM S42 Chemical Synthesis and Reactivity/Lab

An elective course may not also be used to fulfill another course requirement for the Chemistry major. Independent study courses and Short Term courses other than CHEM S37 and S42 cannot be used to satisfy elective requirements.

Elective course selections depend upon the goals and interests of the student. All students preparing for graduate study should choose advanced courses in their specific area of interest.

Research-Based Capstone

Complete one course from the following:

  • CHEM 401 Biochemistry Research: Prokaryotic Gene Expression
  • CHEM 402 Chemistry Research: Chemical Biology and Synthesis
  • CHEM 403 Pre-Health Capstone
  • CHEM 404 Capstone in Lipid Biochemistry
  • CHEM 457 Senior Research and Seminar
  • CHEM 458 Senior Research and Seminar
Students may request permission to conduct a two-semester thesis, at the discretion of the thesis advisor and the department; this option is most appropriate for students considering graduate school and a career in research. A second semester of thesis can count toward the thirty-two credits required for graduation, but only one of the two thesis semesters may count toward the major.

Senior Project Description 

The [W3] requirement may be completed through a research-based capstone course, CHEM 401 Biochemistry Research: Prokaryotic Gene Expression, CHEM 402 Chemistry Research: Chemical Biology and Synthesis, CHEM 403 Pre-Health Capstone, CHEM 404 Capstone in Lipid Biochemistry, or through a written thesis, CHEM 457 Senior Research and Seminar or CHEM 458 Senior Research and Seminar. The written thesis may be either an experimental (including computational) or a non-experimental thesis. Students conducting an experimental thesis register for CHEM 457, 458, or both, while students undertaking a non-experimental thesis register for either CHEM 457 or 458. Students pursuing honors must register for both CHEM 457 and 458. Details about the capstone requirements are found on the department website.

Courses Taken Outside of Bates

Students receiving scores of four or five on the Chemistry AP examination, a grade of A or B on the A-level Chemistry examinations, or a grade of six or seven on the IB HL program examination may receive credit for CHEM 107 Atomic and Molecular Structure/Lab and/or CHEM 108 Chemical Reactivity/Lab. These credits may be used toward a major or minor in chemistry or the major in biochemistry, and may be used as a prerequisite for any course that requires CHEM 107 Atomic and Molecular Structure/Lab or CHEM 108 Chemical Reactivity/Lab. Their suitability as a prerequisite for a medical school is determined by the requirements of each individual medical school program. Except for AP or IB courses, a maximum of two credits taken elsewhere (transfer or off-campus study courses) may be used as a core or elective course, subject to department approval.

Pass/Fail

Pass/Fail grading may not be elected for courses applied toward the major.

Declaration Restrictions

Students who have declared the Chemistry major may not declare the following:

  • Biochemistry major
  • Chemistry minor
  • Neuroscience major
  • Chemistry (C003) concentration

Starting with the class of 2030, students may not declare this major any later than March 1 of the Junior year.

Other Considerations

With the exception of CHEM S37 and S42, Short Term courses may not be used to fulfill the requirements of the major.

In order to earn an ACS-accredited chemistry major, students must take CHEM 321 Biological Chemistry I/Lab (may count as an elective), two additional courses with a laboratory component (e.g. CHEM 303 Modern Data Acquisition and Analysis or CHEM 322 Biological Chemistry II/Lab), and both CHEM 457 Senior Research and Seminar and CHEM 458 Senior Research and Seminar. Students may satisfy the [W2] requirement by completing a series of required and elective courses as described on the Chemistry and Biochemistry W2 Requirement website. Most courses required for the B.S. degree are normally fulfilled through required courses and their prerequisites. However, students may need additional courses and should consult the requirements for the B.S. degree.