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Chemistry Degree 4-Year Plan

The 4-Year Plan is a model for completing your Chemistry degree in a timely manner. The plan below is one of several possible ways for you to complete the Chemistry degree. Your individualized plan may look different if you have already fulfilled some requirements. Check your Financial Aid as it may require additional term credits for full-time funding. You must complete all university and program requirements successfully to complete this degree (GPA, 120 credits, LASC, WI, residency).

Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry 4-Year Plan

The 4-Year Plan is a model for completing your BA in Chemistry degree in a timely manner. The plan below is one of several possible ways for you to complete the BA in Chemistry degree. Your individualized plan may look different if you have already fulfilled some requirements. Check your Financial Aid as it may require additional term credits for full-time funding. You must complete all university and program requirements successfully to complete this degree (GPA, 120 credits, LASC, WI, residency).

Program: Bachelor of Arts: Chemistry
Total Credits: 120
Catalog: 2024-2025

First Year

Curriculum	Course	Course Title	Credits
Fall (1st Fall)
Core Requirement: LASC Goal 3	CHEM 150	General Chemistry I Lecture	3
Core Requirement: LASC Goal 3¹	CHEM 150L	General Chemistry I Lab	1
Graduation Requirement: First Year Experience Course	FYE 101	First Year Experience	1
LASC Goal 2¹			3
LASC Goal Elective⁸			3
LASC Goal 4²	MATH 261	Calculus I	4
Total Credits: 15
Spring (1st Spring)
Core Requirement: LASC Goal 3	CHEM 210	General Chemistry II Lecture	3
Core Requirement: LASC Goal 3¹	CHEM 210L	General Chemistry II Lab	1
Core Requirement:	CHEM 297	Introduction to Research	1
Related Requirement: LASC Goal 4³	MATH 262	Calculus II	4
LASC Goal 1B	ENGL 101	English Composition	3
LASC Goal/WI Elective⁸			3
Total Credits: 15

Notes:

¹ Chem 275 can be taken in place of either general chemistry lab and counts as a LASC 2. Students in LC will either take Biol 100 or Chem 275.
² ACT math score is needed to inform whether a student should begin directly in calculus or a lower math class.
³ Math 234 or Biol 275 can be taken instead of Calculus II.
⁸ Classes like HIST 374/379 (5/10/WI), HIST 105 (5/8), POL 160 (5/8), POL 120 (5/9), ENGL 407 (6/10), PHIL 215/311/312/318 (6/9/WI?), PHIL 102/120/235 (6/7), MUS 240 (6/7), PHIL 302 (6/8) double count. The right set of 4 of these takes out all required LASC 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 + 2WI.

Second Year

Curriculum	Course	Course Title	Credits
Fall (2nd Fall)
Core Requirement:	CHEM 350	Organic Chemistry I Lecture	3
Core Requirement:	CHEM 355	Organic Chemistry I Lab	1
Related Requirement: LASC Goal 3⁵	PHYS 200	Physics I with Calculus and Lab	4
LASC Goal Elective⁸			3
LASC Goal/WI Elective⁸			3
Total Credits: 14
Spring (2nd Spring)
Core Requirement:¹⁰	CHEM 360	Organic Chemistry II Lecture	3
Core Requirement:	CHEM 365	Organic Chemistry II Lab	1
Core Requirement:⁹	CHEM 380/380L	Analytical Chemistry I with Lab	4
Related Requirement: LASC Goal 3⁵	PHYS 201	Physics II with Calculus and Lab	4
LASC Goal 1A	COMM 100	Speech Communication	3
Total Credits: 15

Notes:

⁵ If a student has not taken Calculus, Phys 160/161 can be taken instead of Phys 200/201.
⁸ Classes like HIST 374/379 (5/10/WI), HIST 105 (5/8), POL 160 (5/8), POL 120 (5/9), ENGL 407 (6/10), PHIL 215/311/312/318 (6/9/WI?), PHIL 102/120/235 (6/7), MUS 240 (6/7), PHIL 302 (6/8) double count. The right set of 4 of these takes out all required LASC 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 + 2WI.
⁹ An alternative to Chem 380 is Chem 480. Chem 480 does not have a separate lab and is taught in falls of odd years.
¹⁰ Students must take 2 additional classes in chemistry from a list that also includes Chem 410, Chem 420, or BCBT 463.

Third Year

Curriculum	Course	Course Title	Credits
Fall (3rd Fall)
Core Requirement:¹⁰	CHEM 300	Inorganic Chemistry I	3
Core Requirement:	CHEM 400	Biochemistry I	3
Core Requirement:	CHEM 405	Biochemistry I Lab	1
Upper Level Electives:⁶			4
LASC Goal Elective			4
Total Credits: 15
Spring (3rd Spring)
Core Requirement:⁷	CHEM 450	Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics	3
Upper Level Electives:⁶			4
LASC Goal Elective			4
Writing Intensive: 200-level or higher			4
Total Credits: 15

Notes:

⁶ CHEM 480 is a odd fall course. It will need to be taken either fall of year 3 or fall of year 4, depending on the year. Flip with CHEM 375 depending on year.
⁷ CHEM 420 is a odd spring course. It will need to be taken either fall of year 3 or fall of year 4, depending on the year. Consider flipping with CHEM 450 depending on year.
¹⁰ Students must take 2 additional classes in chemistry from a list that also includes Chem 410, Chem 420, or BCBT 463.

Fourth

Curriculum	Course	Course Title	Credits
Fall (4th Fall)
Core Requirement: WI for major	CHEM 375	Team-Based Research	4
Upper Level Electives:⁶			4
Electives:⁴			4
Electives:⁴			4
Total Credits: 16
Spring (4th Spring)
Upper Level Electives:⁶			4
Electives:⁴			4
Electives:⁴			4
Electives:⁴			3
Total Credits: 15

Notes:

⁴ In considering electives, keep in mind that all of the Liberal Arts and Science Curriculum requirements must be fulfilled.
⁶ CHEM 480 is a odd fall course. It will need to be taken either fall of year 3 or fall of year 4, depending on the year. Flip with CHEM 375 depending on year.

*Official degree requirements can only be found in the MSUM Bulletin/Catalog. The information on this webpage is a high-level overview of the degree. Please refer to the bulletin for up-to-date requirements.

Bachelor of Science in Chemistry 4-Year Plan

The 4-Year Plan is a model for completing your BS in Chemistry degree in a timely manner. The plan below is one of several possible ways for you to complete the BS in Chemistry degree. Your individualized plan may look different if you have already fulfilled some requirements. Check your Financial Aid as it may require additional term credits for full-time funding. You must complete all university and program requirements successfully to complete this degree (GPA, 120 credits, LASC, WI, residency).

Program: Bachelor of Science: Chemistry
Total Credits: 120
Catalog: 2024-2025

First Year

Curriculum	Course	Course Title	Credits
Fall (1st Fall)
Core Requirement: LASC Goal 3	CHEM 150	General Chemistry I Lecture	3
Core Requirement: LASC Goal 3¹	CHEM 150L	General Chemistry I Lab	1
Graduation Requirement: First Year Experience Course	FYE 101	First Year Experience	1
LASC Goal 2¹			3
LASC Goal Elective⁸			3
LASC Goal 4²	MATH 261	Calculus I	4
Total Credits: 15
Spring (1st Spring)
Core Requirement: LASC Goal 3	CHEM 210	General Chemistry II Lecture	3
Core Requirement: LASC Goal 3¹	CHEM 210L	General Chemistry II Lab	1
Core Requirement:	CHEM 294 (*previously CHEM 297)	Introduction to Research	1
LASC Goal 4	MATH 262	Calculus II	4
LASC Goal 1A	ENGL 101	English Composition	3
LASC Goal/WI Elective⁸			3
Total Credits: 15

Notes:

¹ CHEM 275 can be taken in place of either general chemistry lab and counts as a LASC 2. Students in LC will either take Biol 100 or Chem 275
² ACT math score is needed to inform whether a student should begin directly in calculus or a lower math class.
⁸ Classes like HIST 374/379 (5/10/WI), HIST 105 (5/8), POL 160 (5/8), POL 120 (5/9), ENGL 407 (6/10), PHIL 215/311/312/318 (6/9/WI?), PHIL 102/120/235 (6/7), MUS 240 (6/7), PHIL 302 (6/8) double count. The right set of 4 of these takes out all required LASC 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 + 2WI.

Second Year

Curriculum	Course	Course Title	Credits
Fall (2nd Fall)
Core Requirement:	CHEM 350	Organic Chemistry I Lecture	3
Core Requirement:	CHEM 355	Organic Chemistry I Lab	1
LASC Goal 3	PHYS 200	Physics I with Calculus and Lab	4
LASC Goal Elective⁸			3
LASC Goal/WI Elective⁸			3
Total Credits: 14
Spring (2nd Spring)
Core Requirement:	CHEM 360	Organic Chemistry II Lecture	3
Core Requirement:	CHEM 365	Organic Chemistry II Lab	1
Core Requirement:	CHEM 380/380I	Analytical Chemistry I with Lab	4
LASC Goal 3	PHYS 201	Physics II with Calculus and Lab	4
LASC Goal 1A	COMM 100	Speech Communication	3
Total Credits: 15

Notes:

⁸ Classes like HIST 374/379 (5/10/WI), HIST 105 (5/8), POL 160 (5/8), POL 120 (5/9), ENGL 407 (6/10), PHIL 215/311/312/318 (6/9/WI?), PHIL 102/120/235 (6/7), MUS 240 (6/7), PHIL 302 (6/8) double count. The right set of 4 of these takes out all required LASC 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 + 2WI.

Third Year

Curriculum	Course	Course Title	Credits
Fall (3rd Fall)
Core Requirement:	CHEM 300	Inorganic Chemistry I	3
Core Requirement:	CHEM 400	Biochemistry I	3
Core Requirement:⁶	CHEM 405	Biochemistry I Lab	1
Core Requirement:	CHEM 480	Analytical Chemistry II	3
LASC Goal Elective			3
LASC Goal Elective			3
Total Credits: 16
Spring (3rd Spring)
Core Requirement:⁷	CHEM 420	Inorganic Chemistry II	3
Core Requirement:	CHEM 397	Undergraduate Research	1
Upper Level Electives:			3
Writing Intensive: 200-level or higher			3
Electives:⁴			3
Electives:⁴			3
Total Credits: 16

Notes:

⁴ In considering electives, keep in mind that all of the Liberal Arts and Science Curriculum requirements must be fulfilled.
⁶ CHEM 480 is a odd fall course. It will need to be taken either fall of year 3 or fall of year 4, depending on the year. Flip with CHEM 375 depending on year.
⁷ CHEM 420 is a odd spring course. It will need to be taken either fall of year 3 or fall of year 4, depending on the year. Consider flipping with CHEM 450 depending on year.

Fourth

Curriculum	Course	Course Title	Credits
Fall (4th Fall)
Core Requirement: WI for major⁶	CHEM 375	Team-Based Research	4
Core Requirement:³	CHEM 460	Physical Chemistry: Quantum Chemistry & Kinetics	3
Core Requirement:	CHEM 397	Undergraduate Research	1
Electives:⁴			3
Electives:⁴			3
Total Credits: 14
Spring (4th Spring)
Core Requirement:⁷	CHEM 450	Physical Chemistry Thermodynamics	3
Core Requirement:	CHEM 497	Senior Thesis	1
Core Requirement:⁵	CHEM 465	Physical Chemistry Lab	1
Electives:⁴			10
Total Credits: 15

Notes:

³ CHEM 460 is an even, fall course. It will need to be taken either fall of year 3 or fall of year 4, depending on the year.
⁴ In considering electives, keep in mind that all of the Liberal Arts and Science Curriculum requirements must be fulfilled.
⁵ CHEM 465 is an odd spring course . It will need to be taken either spring of year 3 or spring of year 4, depending on the year.
⁶ CHEM 480 is a odd fall course. It will need to be taken either fall of year 3 or fall of year 4, depending on the year. Flip with CHEM 375 depending on year.
⁷ CHEM 420 is a odd spring course. It will need to be taken either fall of year 3 or fall of year 4, depending on the year. Consider flipping with CHEM 450 depending on year.