The ACS Option adds:

  • At least 4 credits of senior-level research; 6 credits recommended
  • Biochemistry course [01:694:407 Molecular Biology and Biochemistry (3) or 11:115:403 General Biochemistry (3)]
  • Advanced course in chemistry

An “advanced course” is a chemistry or chemistry-related course that is not part of the core, but has a major element of the core curriculum as a prerequisite, either the second semester of organic chemistry or the second semester of physical chemistry. An advanced course will typically have a 400 number assigned to it in the Undergraduate Catalog.

The ACS Option leads to certification by the American Chemical Society, a credential that is valued by some employers.

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General ACS Option and Typical Schedule
FIRST YEAR
Fall Spring
General Chemistry Lecture (4.0 cr)1
 01:160:161 OR
 01:160:163
General Chemistry Lecture (4.0 cr)
 01:160:162 OR
 01:160:164

General Chemistry Laboratory (1.0 cr)
01:160:171 Either fall or spring
Calculus I (4.0 cr)
 01:640:151
Calculus II (4.0 cr)
 01:640:152
SECOND YEAR
Fall Spring

Organic Chemistry Lecture (4.0 cr)
 01:160:307 OR
 01:160:3152 (by invitation)

 

Analytical Chemistry (3.0 cr)
01:160:251

 

General Physics (3.0 cr)
 01:750:203

 

General Physics Lab (1.0 cr)
 01:750:205

 

Multivariable Calculus (4.0 cr)
 01:640:251

Organic Chemistry Lecture (4.0 cr)
 01:160:308 OR
 01:160:316

 

Organic Chemistry Laboratory3  (2.5 cr)
 01:160:309

 

General Physics (3.0 cr)
 01:750:204

 

General Physics Lab (1.0 cr)
 01:750:206

 

Linear Algebra (3.0 cr)
 01:640:250 OR
Elementary Differential Equations (3.0 cr)
 01:640:252

THIRD YEAR
Fall Spring

Physical Chemistry Lecture (3.0 cr)
 01:160:3274 OR
 01:160:3414

 

Organic Chemistry Laboratory2 (2.5 cr)
 01:160:310

 

Inorganic chemistry (3.0 cr)
 01:160:3516

 

Instrumental Analysis (3.0 cr)
 01:160:3485

Physical Chemistry Lecture (3.0 cr)
 01:160:328 OR
 01:160:342

 

Experimental Physical Chemistry (2.5 cr)
 01:160:329

 

Inorganic Chemistry (1.5 cr)
 01:160:352 OR 01:160:3536

FOURTH YEAR
Fall Spring

Seminar (1.0 cr)
 01:160:491

 

Research (≥2 cr)
 01:160:495 Independent Study OR
 01:160:497 Honors Research7

 

Biochemistry8 (3 cr)
 01:694:407 Molecular Biology and Biochem
OR
 11:115:403 General Biochemistry (3)

Seminar (1.0 cr)
 01:160:492

 

Research (≥2 cr)
 01:160:496 Independent Study OR
 01:160:498 Honors Research

Advanced course(s) with Physical Chemistry or Organic Chemistry pre-req

 

General ACS Option: Course/Scheduling Notes

Detailed schedules for the third and the fourth years may vary. Some students defer Physical Chemistry Lecture and Laboratory to the senior year; some students defer Chemical Bonding, Inorganic Chemistry, and Instrumental Analysis to the senior year; some students take Biochemistry in the junior year.
1 Pre-calculus prerequisite
2 309 is offered in the spring only; 310 is offered only in the fall only
3 By invitation only
4 327 and 341 have Math 251 as a prerequisite, not as a co-requisite.
  327 and 328 are acceptable for all chemistry majors
  341 and 342 are recommended for students oriented toward the life sciences
5 348 is offered in the fall only and has Chem 251 as a prerequisite; 251 is offered both fall and spring.
6 351 and 352 OR 353 may be taken later than indicated above, if desired; Chem 351 is offered fall and spring, Chem 352 is offered in the spring only; Chem 353 is offered in the fall only. Chem 352 and 353 have 351 AND 308 or 316 AND Calc II as prerequisites.
7 Permission of department, open only to senior honors students
   (For a complete description of the requirements for Honors in Chemistry, see Honors.)
8 Biochemistry courses listed are offered only in the fall