Degree Programs & Four-Year Plans
Iowa State offers two undergraduate degrees in Chemistry, a Bachelor of Science (BS) and a Bachelor of Arts (BA). In addition, we have multiple other program paths that you can follow including Chemistry Education, Minor in Chemistry, BS/MS in Chemistry, and BA/BS in Chemistry with an MBA.
The BS degree meets the standards of the American Chemical Society for the preparation of chemists for entry into graduate school in Chemistry or entry directly into careers in Chemistry. Most all of our BS students carry out research with one or more of the research groups during their careers at ISU. Below are listed the required classes for the BS Chemistry degree, not including general education requirements.
Core Chemistry Classes
General Chemistry
Chem 1770/L - General Chemistry I and Laboratory
Chem 1780/L - General Chemistry II and Laboratory
OR
Chem 2010/L - Advanced General Chemistry and Laboratory
Organic Chemistry
Chem 3310 - Organic Chemistry I for majors
Chem 3330L - Organic Chemistry I Lab for majors
Chem 3320 - Organic Chemistry II for majors
Chem 3340L - Organic Chemistry II Lab for majors
Analytical Chemistry
Chem 2110/L - Quantitative & Environmental Analysis and Laboratory
Chem 3160/L - Instrumental Methods of Chemical Analysis and Laboratory
Inorganic Chemistry
Chem 3010 - Inorganic Chemistry
Chem 4020 - Inorganic Chemistry (Metals)
Chem 4010L - Inorganic Chemistry Lab
Physical Chemistry
Chem 3240 - Introductory Quantum Mechanics
Chem 3250 - Chemical Thermodynamics
Chem 3210L/3220L - Physical Chemistry Lab
Biochemistry (Recommended)
BBMB 3010 - Survey of Biochemistry
Other Chemistry Classes
Chem 1010A/B - Orientation to the Chemistry Learning Community
Chem 1100 - Cutting Edge Chemistry: Research and Career Opportunities
Chem 5500 - Safety in the Chemical Laboratory
Chem 2990/3990/4990 - Undergraduate Research
Math and Physics
Math 1650 - Calculus I
Math 1660 - Calculus II
Math 2650 - Calculus III
Phys 2310/L - Classical Physics I
Phys 2320/L - Classical Physics II
For a catalog list of required classes for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry see: B.S._Degree_2023-2024
The BA program requires fewer courses and is designed for programs of study in which Chemistry is pre-eminent, but expertise in other areas is also required. For example, students interested in a career in medicine, veterinary, or high school teaching may opt for the BA in order to take more courses outside the Department of Chemistry. Research opportunities are always open for our BA students as well. Below are listed the required classes for the BA Chemistry degree, not including general education requirements.
Core Chemistry Classes
General Chemistry
Chem 1770/L - General Chemistry I and Laboratory
Chem 1780/L - General Chemistry II and Laboratory
OR
Chem 2010/L - Advanced General Chemistry and Laboratory
Organic Chemistry
Chem 3310 - Organic Chemistry I for majors
Chem 3330L - Organic Chemistry I Lab for majors
Chem 3320 - Organic Chemistry II for majors
Chem 3340L - Organic Chemistry II Lab for majors
Analytical Chemistry
Chem 2110/L - Quantitative & Environmental Analysis and Laboratory
Chem 3160/L - Instrumental Methods of Chemical Analysis and Laboratory
Inorganic Chemistry
Chem 3010 - Inorganic Chemistry
Physical Chemistry
Chem 3240 - Introductory Quantum Mechanics
Chem 3250 - Chemical Thermodynamics
Chem 3210/3220L - Physical Chemistry Lab
Biochemistry (Recommended)
BBMB 3010 - Survey of Biochemistry
Other Chemistry Classes
Chem 1010A/B - Orientation to the Chemistry Learning Community
Chem 1100 - Cutting Edge Chemistry: Research and Career Opportunities
Chem 5500 - Safety in the Chemical Laboratory
Chem 2990/3990/4990 - Undergraduate Research
Math and Physics
Math 1650 - Calculus I
Math 1660 - Calculus II
Phys 2310/L - Classical Physics I
Phys 2320/L - Classical Physics II
For a catalog list of required classes for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry see: B.A._Degree_2023-2024
For those wanting to teach at the high school level the Chemistry Department partners with the School of Education to offer a BA in Chemistry with Secondary Education. Below are listed the required classes for the BA Chemistry and Secondary Education degrees, not including general education requirements.
Core Chemistry Classes
General Chemistry
Chem 1770/L - General Chemistry I and Laboratory
Chem 1780/L - General Chemistry II and Laboratory
OR
Chem 2010/L - Advanced General Chemistry and Laboratory
Organic Chemistry
Chem 3310 - Organic Chemistry I for majors
Chem 3330L - Organic Chemistry I Lab for majors
Chem 3320 - Organic Chemistry II for majors
Chem 3340L - Organic Chemistry II Lab for majors
Analytical Chemistry
Chem 2110/L - Quantitative & Environmental Analysis and Laboratory
Chem 3160/L - Instrumental Methods of Chemical Analysis and Laboratory
Inorganic Chemistry
Chem 3010 - Inorganic Chemistry
Physical Chemistry
Chem 3240 - Introductory Quantum Mechanics
Chem 3250 - Chemical Thermodynamics
Chem 3210/3220L - Physical Chemistry Lab
Biochemistry (Recommended)
BBMB 3010 - Survey of Biochemistry
Other Chemistry Classes
Chem 1010A/B - Orientation to the Chemistry Learning Community
Chem 1100 - Cutting Edge Chemistry: Research and Career Opportunities
Chem 5500 - Safety in the Chemical Laboratory
Chem 2990/3990/4990 - Undergraduate Research
Math and Physics
Math 1650 - Calculus I
Math 1660 - Calculus II
Phys 2310/L - Classical Physics I
Phys 2320/L - Classical Physics II
Education
Educ 2040 - Social Foundations of Education in the United States: Secondary
Educ 2190 - Orientation to Teacher Education: FCS, History, Math, Science and World Language and Cultures Majors
Psych 2300 - Developmental Psychology
Educ 2800L - Pre-Student Teaching Experience 1: Secondary Education
Educ 2020 - Education Technologies in the 7-12 Classroom
Educ 3330 - Educational Psychology
Educ 4180 - Secondary Science Methods I
Educ 3800B - Pre-Student Teaching Experience II: Physical Science, Chemistry or Physics
Educ 3950 - Teaching Disciplinary Literacy
Educ 4060 - Social Justice Education and Teaching: Secondary
Educ 4190 - Secondary Science Methods II
Educ 4800B - Pre-Student Teaching Experience III: Physical Science, Chemistry or Physics
Sp Ed - 4010 - Teaching Secondary Students with Exceptionalities in General Education
Educ 4170J - Student Teaching: Physical Sciences, Chemistry, or Physics
For an example 4-year Plan for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Chemistry with Secondary Education see: B.A. Chemistry with Secondary Education
The Chemistry Department offers a minor in Chemistry that requires 18-23 credits in Chemistry.
General Chemistry
Chem 1770/L - General Chemistry I and Laboratory
OR
Chem 2010/L - Advanced General Chemistry and Laboratory
OR
Chem 1670/L - General Chemistry for Engineering Students and Laboratory
Organic Chemistry
Chem 3310/L - Organic Chemistry I and Laboratory
OR
Chem 2310/L - Elementary Organic Chemistry and Laboratory
Analytical Chemistry
Chem 2110/L - Quantitative & Environmental Analysis and Laboratory
Physical Chemistry
Chem 3240 - Introductory Quantum Mechanics
One of the Following:
Chem 3010 - Inorganic Chemistry
Chem 3160/L - Instrumental Methods of Chemical Analysis and Laboratory
Chem 3320L - Organic Chemistry II and Laboratory
Chem 3250 & 3210L or 3220L - Chemical Thermodynamics and Physical Chemistry Lab
For a catalog list of required classes for the Minor in Chemistry, see: Minor Degree
The Chemistry department is offering a concurrent BS/MS in Chemistry. The concurrent degree program reduces by one to two years the usual pattern of a four-year undergraduate degree and a two to three-year MS program. This program is currently undergoing an update. Please check back for additional information.
The Chemistry department has partnered with the College of Business to offer a concurrent BA/BS in Chemistry with an MBA. This program eliminates one year from the usual 6 year process.