Degree Requirements
Chemistry and Biochemistry Studies
American Chemical Society Accreditation. The department's major in chemistry is accredited by the American Chemical Society.
Requirements for the Majors in Chemistry and Biochemistry. Susquehanna offers a B.A. degree in chemistry and B.S. degrees in both chemistry and biochemistry.
The B.A. degree in chemistry requires the following courses, with grades of C- or better.
semester hours
8 |
CHEM:101–102 General Chemistry I, II |
8 |
CHEM:221–222 Organic Chemistry I, II |
4 |
CHEM:231 Quantitative Analysis |
8 |
CHEM:341–342 Physical Chemistry I, II |
4 |
CHEM:450 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry |
2 |
Four semesters of CHEM:505 Seminar |
0–8 |
Mathematics through MATH:112 Calculus II |
8 |
PHYS:204-205 Introductory Physics I, II |
Other chemistry courses selected to fulfill career goals
The B.S. degree in chemistry requires a minimum of 41 semester hours in chemistry, including all courses required for the B.A. degree, plus CHEM:430 Instrumental Analysis, one elective in chemistry or biochemistry, and an additional mathematics or computer science course other than MATH:101. All required courses must be completed with a grade of C- or higher.
A student may qualify to graduate as an American Chemical Society–certified professional chemist by completing CHEM:430 Instrumental Analysis, and CHEM:425 The Biochemistry of Nucleic Acids or CHEM:426 The Biochemistry of Proteins and Enzymes, and one advanced senior course beyond the B.A. courses in chemistry.
Secondary Teaching Certification. Majors interested in chemistry teaching certification complete the requirements for the chemistry degree and the appropriate education requirements. For more information, see the catalog section on education requirements.
The B.S. degree in biochemistry requires the following courses with grades of C- or better:
semester hours
8 |
CHEM:101–102 General Chemistry I, II |
8 |
CHEM:221–222 Organic Chemistry I, II |
4 |
CHEM:231 Quantitative Analysis |
4 |
CHEM:341 Physical Chemistry I |
4 |
CHEM:426, CHEM:427 The Biochemistry of Proteins and Enzymes and Biochemistry of Proteins and Enzymes Lab |
3 |
CHEM:425 The Biochemistry of Nucleic Acids or CHEM:424 The Biochemistry of Metabolism |
1 |
CHEM:429 Biochemistry of Metabolism Lab or CHEM:428 Biochemistry of Nucleic Acids Lab |
2 |
Four semesters of CHEM:505 Seminar |
0–8 |
Mathematics through MATH:112 Calculus II |
8 |
PHYS:204–205 Introductory Physics I, II |
4 |
BIOL:102 Cell and Organismal Biology |
12 |
Twelve semester hours of biology courses beyond BIOL:102, at least 8 of which must be at or above the 300 level (excluding BIOL:501 and BIOL:510). |
Honors in Chemistry. The departmental honors program encourages and recognizes superior performance in chemistry. To graduate with honors in chemistry, candidates must do the following:
- petition the department in writing by the third week of the student's final semester,
- maintain at least a 3.25 cumulative GPA overall and a 3.5 cumulative GPA in chemistry courses (plus biology courses for biochemistry majors),
- submit an acceptable written thesis based on two 4-hour semesters of senior research work in CHEM:500 Problems in Chemistry (or BIOL:510 if approved by chemistry department), and
- pass an oral exam based on the submitted thesis.
Minors. Students minoring in chemistry complete five courses: CHEM:101–102, CHEM:221 and CHEM:231, plus one course chosen from CHEM:222, CHEM:341, CHEM:424, CHEM:425, or CHEM:426.
The biochemistry minor requires CHEM:101–102, CHEM:221–222; CHEM:426; CHEM:425 or CHEM:424; and CHEM:427.
