Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry

Action, reaction – it’s chemistry. If you love the science of chemistry – from composition to organic compounds – you owe it to yourself to pursue your passion at University of the Cumberlands. You’ll work closely with experienced faculty members who care about ensuring your progress in our challenging coursework.  Small classes ensure you get personal attention and easy access to top-notch equipment in our classrooms and laboratories.

• Mission and Goals
• Is Chemistry a Good Major?
• Chemistry BA vs BS
• What can I do with a Chemistry Degree?
• Degree Requirements for Degree Degree
• More Information on Chemistry Degree

Mission and Goals

The purpose of the chemistry degree program at UC is to prepare students to move directly into a chemistry career in a variety of areas, including secondary education, industrial chemistry and environmental science. Or, chemistry degree majors can continue their graduate studies in chemistry, medicine, dentistry, optometry or pharmacy in one of many outstanding professional graduate schools around the country.

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Is Chemistry a Good Major?

In addition to working with knowledgeable and experienced faculty, a chemistry major can be an excellent foundation for further scientific studies and opportunities.  During your senior year, you’ll have the opportunity to perform a research project in your area of special interest.  In recent years, many of our bachelor’s in chemistry student projects have been selected for summer programs at research institutions, including Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Clemson University, Notre Dame, Brown University, and the Natural History Museum in London, England.

Plus, you’ll have the option of joining the Alchemist Club, an affiliate of the American Chemical Society, on field trips and special events, including guest speakers. They also sponsor the annual University of the Cumberlands’ Chemistry Symposium, a day of competitive events for high school students designed to excite young people about the possibilities of careers in science.

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Chemistry BA vs BS

As the name suggests, a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry is more science-oriented with practical lab work and a focus on science and math courses. A Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry still includes lots of science and math – but also includes more generalized courses typical of liberal arts programs, such as foreign languages, humanities, and more.

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What can you do with a Chemistry Degree?

Whether you decide to pursue a BA in chemistry or a BS in chemistry, you’ll be well on your way toward qualification for chemistry major jobs or chemistry degree programs at a graduate or doctoral level.  Career options to consider include:

CHEMIST¹

A degree in Chemistry from University of the Cumberlands is designed to help you enter a number of scientific fields in a professional capacity – including as a chemist. In a field projected to grow 6 percent over the better part of the next decade, chemists and material scientists average a median wage of $79,760 annually.

EDUCATION – TEACHER^2,3

With the right certification, you could teach high school chemistry, a field projected to grow 8 percent over the next several years, averaging a median salary of $61,820 a year. Or pass along what you’ve learned to an older student base and teach at a college or university level. With a median annual salary of $79,640, employment of post secondary teachers is projected to grow 12 percent over the next decade.

NATURAL SCIENCES MANAGER⁴

Or use your education as a springboard into an alternative field of scientific study as a Natural Sciences Manager where the salary averages $137,900 per year.

CAREERS

• Natural Sciences Manager
• Laboratory Manager
• Biology Director
• Clinical Researcher
• Biology Teacher
• Science Teacher
• Molecular Biology Professor
• Biology Professor
• Biology Instructor
• Chemist
• Chemical Researcher
• Natural Sciences Manager
• Chemistry Teacher (with appropriate certification)

Or, if you continue your studies, you could specialize in variety of medical careers, including:

• Physician
• Physician Assistant
• Dentist
• Veterinarian
• Environmental Scientist
• Forensic Scientist

"$79,760" Median Annual Pay for Chemists and Material Scientists¹

¹Chemists and Material Scientists
²High School Teachers
³Postsecondary Teachers
⁴Natural Sciences Managers

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Required for Chemistry Degree

Bachelor of Science with a Major in Chemistry - Option 1 

OPTION I: 36 semester hours as described below. This option is recommended for students planning to attend graduate school in chemistry or those going directly into employment as an industrial chemist. 

• CHEM 132     General College Chemistry I 
• CHEM 111     General Chemistry Laboratory I 
• CHEM 232     General College Chemistry II 
• CHEM 211     General Chemistry Laboratory II 
• CHEM 331     Organic Chemistry I 
• CHEM 321     Organic Chemistry Laboratory I 
• CHEM 332     Organic Chemistry II 
• CHEM 322     Organic Chemistry Laboratory II 
• CHEM 336     Analytical Chemistry 
• CHEM 328     Analytical Chemistry Laboratory 
• CHEM 441     Physical Chemistry with Laboratory
• CHEM 434     Inorganic Chemistry 
• CHEM 490     Senior Research Project, Capstone in Chemistry (2 hours required) 

Students choosing Option I are strongly encouraged to take other advanced courses, especially Instrumental Analysis (CHEM 436). Other Selected Topics courses include Biochemistry (BIOL 434), and special topics such as those listed in the course description of CHEM 491. 
 
NOTE: MATH 140, MATH 240, PHYS 241, and PHYS 242 are prerequisites for some upper-level chemistry courses. 

Bachelor of Science with a Major in Chemistry - Option 2

OPTION II: 35 semester hours as described below. This option is recommended for students entering a “blended” area such as pre-professional medically related areas (medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physician assistant, physical therapist, etc.), chemistry/business, and chemistry/biology. 

• CHEM 132     General College Chemistry I 
• CHEM 111     General Chemistry Laboratory I 
• CHEM 232     General College Chemistry II 
• CHEM 211     General Chemistry Laboratory II 
• CHEM 331     Organic Chemistry I 
• CHEM 321     Organic Chemistry Laboratory I 
• CHEM 332     Organic Chemistry II 
• CHEM 322     Organic Chemistry Laboratory II 
• CHEM 336     Analytical Chemistry 
• CHEM 328     Analytical Chemistry Laboratory 
• CHEM 441 Physical Chemistry I with Physical Chemistry Laboratory
• CHEM 434     Inorganic Chemistry 
• CHEM 490     Senior Research Project, Capstone in Chemistry (2 hours required) 

Students choosing Option I are strongly encouraged to take other advanced courses, especially Instrumental Analysis (CHEM 436). Other Selected Topics courses include Biochemistry (BIOL 346), and special topics such as those listed in the course description of CHEM 491.

NOTE: MATH 140, MATH 240, PHYS 241, and PHYS 242 are prerequisites for some upper-level chemistry courses. 

Bachelor of Science with a Major in Science - Option 3 

OPTION III: 36 semester hours as described below. This option is for students majoring in Chemistry and pursuing secondary education certification

• CHEM 132     General College Chemistry I 
• CHEM 111     General Chemistry Laboratory I 
• CHEM 232     General College Chemistry II 
• CHEM 211     General Chemistry Laboratory II 
• CHEM 331     Organic Chemistry I 
• CHEM 321     Organic Chemistry Laboratory I 
• CHEM 332     Organic Chemistry II 
• CHEM 322     Organic Chemistry Laboratory II 
• CHEM 336     Analytical Chemistry 
• CHEM 328     Analytical Chemistry Laboratory
• CHEM 441     Physical Chemistry I lab included (4 hours)
• CHEM 413     Teaching Practicum in Chemistry
• CHEM 434     Inorganic Chemistry
• CHEM 490     Senior Research Project, Capstone in Chemistry (2 hours required)
• CHEM 491     Selected Topics or BIOL 346 Biochemistry (3 hours required if CHEM 345 is chosen above)

NOTE: MATH 140, MATH 240, PHYS 241, and PHYS 242 are prerequisites for some upper-level chemistry courses.

In addition to these course requirements, 42 hours of professional education courses are required as defined by the Education Department.

Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry 

Completion of the requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree plus a world language through the intermediate level.

Minor in Chemistry 

REQUIREMENTS FOR A CHEMISTRY MINOR—23 semester hours as follows: 

• CHEM 132     General College Chemistry I 
• CHEM 111     General Chemistry Laboratory I 
• CHEM 232     General College Chemistry II 
• CHEM 211     General Chemistry Laboratory II 
• CHEM 331     Organic Chemistry I 
• CHEM 321     Organic Chemistry Laboratory I 
• CHEM 332     Organic Chemistry II 
• CHEM 322     Organic Chemistry Laboratory II 
• CHEM 336     Analytical Chemistry 
• CHEM 328     Analytical Chemistry Laboratory 

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More Information on Chemistry Degree

TUITION

Costs for programs of study at University of the Cumberlands are competitive and affordable. Click here to view tuition rates and fees. 

ACCREDITATION 

Click here to view University of the Cumberlands' accreditation information. 

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Whatever your career destination, be prepared with a chemistry degree from UC! Let’s talk about our test-optional college admissions process, scholarship opportunities, and more! Fill out the form on this page for more information.