Degree Options in Chemistry

There are a variety of options for students interested in earning a degree in chemistry at The University of Alabama. The Chemistry Department also offers a minor in chemistry. Requirements for the major and minor are outlined below.

The Chemistry Major

Core Courses: All chemistry majors are required to take the following core courses. Typically these courses will be completed over the first two years, with the exception of CH 338, which is taken in the fall of the junior year.

General Chemistry (101/102, 8 hrs) or Honors General Chemistry (117/118, 8 hrs)
Quantitative Analysis (CH 223, 3 hours)
Organic Chemistry Lecture (231/232, 6 hours)
Organic Chemistry Laboratory (237/338, 4 hours)

Ancillary Requirements: In addition to the core chemistry courses above, students should complete the following ancillary courses during their first 2 years. Students will also need to complete the general requirements as outlined in the undergraduate catalog.

Chemistry, Biochemistry, and ACS-Certified degree tracks
- Calculus (125/126/227, 12 hrs)
- Physics (105/106, 8 hrs)
Pre-Health track
- Calculus (125, 4 hrs)
- Physics (101/102, 8 hrs)
- Biology (114/115/116/117, 8 hrs)

Upper Level Major Requirements: The upper level requirements for the chemistry major will depend on which track the student is pursuing and which catalog the student is following. To complete the chemistry degree, students must fulfill the requirements for one of the tracks below as outlined in their catalog. Students generally use the catalog in force when they first enrolled, but may choose to use a newer catalog. Students may not use an older catalog, however. Thus a student first enrolling in fall 2006 may use the 2008 catalog, but not the 2004 catalog. Requirements from the previous three catalogs are provided. Students using catalogs prior to 2004, should check that catalog for specific requirements, but they will be similar to the 2004 catalog. The choice of track will depend on the student's career goals and interests. Students interested in careers in chemistry or related technical fields should pursue the ACS-certified degrees. Any of the degree tracks below are suitable for students interested in going on to health-professional schools, such as medical, dental, or pharmacy school.

Degree Track	2004-2006 Catalog	2006-2008 Catalog	2008-2010 Catalog
ACS-Certified Chemistry	-Physical Chem (341/342/348, 8 hrs) -Inorg Chem (413 or 401/213, 4 hrs) -Instrumental Analysis (424, 4 hrs) -Biochemistry (461, 3 hrs) -6 hours of 400 level electives	-Physical Chem (341/342/348, 8 hrs) -Inorg Chem (413 or 401/213, 4 hrs) -Instrumental Analysis (424, 4 hrs) -Biochemistry (461, 3 hrs) -6 hours of 400 level electives	-Physical Chem (341/342/348, 8 hrs) -Inorg Chem (413 or 401/213, 4 hrs) -Instrumental Analysis (424, 4 hrs) -Biochemistry (461, 3 hrs)
ACS-Certified Biochemistry	-Physical Chem (341/342/348, 8 hrs) -Inorg Chem (413 or 401/213, 4 hrs) -Instrumental Analysis (424, 4 hrs) -Biochemistry (461/462/463, 9 hrs)	Not Offered	-Physical Chem (341/342/348, 8 hrs) -Inorg Chem (413 or 401/213, 4 hrs) -Biochemistry (461/462/463, 9 hrs)
Pre-Health Track	-Elem Physical Chem (340/343, 4 hrs) -Biochemistry (461/462/463, 9 hrs) -This track requires a minor	-Elem Physical Chem (340/343, 4 hrs) -Biochemistry (461/462/463, 9 hrs) -This track requires a minor	-Elem Physical Chem (340/343, 4 hrs) -Biochemistry (461/462/463, 9 hrs) -This track requires a minor
Honors Track	-Completion of Chemistry degree (ACS or non-ACS) -Maintain 3.3 GPA in chemistry, with no more than 1 C, and a 3.0 overall -Participate in CH 491/492/493/494 honors seminars -Submission of a senior thesis on research done in the chemistry departemnt -Submission of GRE scores	-Completion of Chemistry degree (ACS or non-ACS) -Maintain 3.3 GPA in chemistry, with no more than 1 C, and a 3.0 overall -Participate in CH 491/492/493/494 honors seminars -Submission of a senior thesis on research done in the chemistry departemnt -Submission of GRE scores	-Completion of ACS-Certified degree -Maintain 3.3 GPA in chemistry, with no more than 1 C, and a 3.0 overall -Participate in CH 491/492/493/494 honors seminars -Submission of a senior thesis on research done in the chemistry departemnt -Submission of GRE scores
Chemistry (non-ACS-certified)	-Physical Chem (341/342/348, 8 hrs) -One 400 level elective requiring 341/342 as a prerequisite -This track requires a minor	-Physical Chem (341/342/348, 8 hrs) -Inorganic (413) or Instrumental Analysis (424) (4 hrs) -One 400 level elective requiring 341/342 as a prerequisite -This track requires a minor	Not Offered
Biochemistry (non-ACS-certified)	-Physical Chem (341/342/348, 8 hrs) -Biochemistry (461/462, 6 hrs) -This track requires a minor	-Physical Chem (341/342/348, 8 hrs) -Biochemistry (461/462/463, 9 hrs) -This track requires a minor	Not Offered

The Chemistry Minor

The minor in chemistry requires 23 hours of courses. Students earning degrees in biology or chemical engineering, or who are planning on going to a health-professional school will be very close to completing the minor after finishing the necessary degree requirements for these programs. Requirements for the chemistry minor are the same for all catalogs. The minor requires the following courses:

General Chemistry (101/102, 8 hrs) or Honors General Chemistry (117/118, 8 hrs)
Quantitative Analysis (CH 223, 3 hrs)
Organic Chemistry (231/232/237, 8 hrs)
Elementary Physical Chemistry (340/343, 4 hrs)

Students with questions about these programs should contact the .

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