Chemistry: Environmental Chemistry, BS

for the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry Concentration


This concentration is designed to provide a background in environmental chemistry that is sufficient in breadth and depth to prepare a person to work as an environmental chemist in the public or private sectors and/or to pursue an advanced degree in the field. Students who complete this concentration will be certified in environmental chemistry by the American Chemical Society (ACS). The Environmental Chemistry Concentration is based on the Specialized Curriculum in Chemistry.

for the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry Concentration


Specialized Curriculum

Graduation requires grade point averages of at least 2.0 overall and 2.0 in chemistry, mathematics, and physics courses.

Students in the Specialized Curriculum in Chemistry must include a course in Biochemistry in the Advanced Chemistry area or the Technical Electives area to be certified by the American Chemical Society as having met its specifications.

Departmental distinction: Students qualify for graduation with distinction by exhibiting superior performance in both course work and in senior thesis research. To be eligible, a student must have a UIUC coursework major grade point average of 3.25, must take CHEM 499 (normally for two semesters) and submit a senior thesis for evaluation, and must have their undergraduate research advisor submit to the department Head a letter of support attesting to the effort invested by the student. The minimum major GPAs for Distinction, High Distinction, and Highest Distinction are 3.25, 3.5, and 3.75, respectively. Final decisions on awarding Distinction honors will be made by the Head or designee.

Graduation Requirements

Minimum hours required for graduation: 120 hours.

University Requirements

Minimum of 40 hours of upper-division coursework, generally at the 300- or 400-level. These hours can be drawn from all elements of the degree.  Students should consult their academic advisor for additional guidance in fulfilling this requirement.

The university and residency requirements can be found in the Student Code (§ 3-801) and in the Academic Catalog.

General Education Requirements

Follows the campus General Education (Gen Ed) requirements. Some Gen Ed requirements may be met by courses required and/or electives in the program.

Composition I4-6
Advanced Composition3
Humanities & the Arts (6 hours)6
Natural Sciences & Technology (6 hours)6
Social & Behavioral Sciences (6 hours)6
Cultural Studies: Non-Western Cultures (1 course)3
Cultural Studies: US Minority Cultures (1 course)3
Cultural Studies: Western/Comparative Cultures (1 course) 3
Quantitative Reasoning (2 courses, at least one course must be Quantitative Reasoning I)6-10
Language Requirement (Completion of the third semester or equivalent of a language other than English is required)0-15
Orientation and Professional Development
LAS 101Design Your First Year Experience1
OR
LAS 100
LAS 101
Success in LAS for International Students
and Design Your First Year Experience
3
OR
LAS 102Transfer Advantage1
Total Hours1 or 3
Major Core Requirements and Electives
Core Chemistry37
First Semester Success in Chemistry (Transfer students may substitute 1 hour of 200 level or higher Chemistry, including CHEM 297, CHEM 397, CHEM 497, or CHEM 499, for the 1 hour of CHEM 150. This may not include CHEM 222 or CHEM 223 for students who took the CHEM 102, CHEM 103, CHEM 104, and CHEM 105 sequence instead of CHEM 202, CHEM 203, CHEM 204, and CHEM 205.)
Accelerated Chemistry I
Accelerated Chemistry Lab I
Accelerated Chemistry II
Accelerated Chemistry Lab II
If necessary, CHEM 102, CHEM 103, CHEM 104, CHEM 105, CHEM 222, and CHEM 223 may be substituted for CHEM 202, CHEM 203, CHEM 204, and CHEM 205.
Fundamental Organic Chem I
Structure and Synthesis
Inorganic Chemistry
Instrumental Chem Systems Lab
Instrumental Characterization
Fundamental Organic Chem II
Physical Chemistry I
Physical Chemistry II
Physical Principles Lab I
Advanced Chemistry11
CHEM or BIOC courses numbered 300 or higher, which must include three laboratory courses from the following:
Inorganic Chemistry Lab
Organic Chemistry Lab
Physical Principles Lab II
Solid State Structural Anlys
Technqs Biochem & Biotech
A student who has earned at least 6 credit hours in any combination of CHEM 397, CHEM 497, or CHEM 499 must complete only two laboratory courses from the list, one of which must be CHEM 317, CHEM 437, or CHEM 447.
Mathematics16-19
Calculus
Calculus I
Introductory Matrix Theory
Linear Algebra for Data Science
Linear Algebra with Computational Applications
Applied Linear Algebra
Calculus II
Calculus III
Intro Differential Equations
Physics10
University Physics: Mechanics
University Physics: Elec & Mag
Univ Physics: Quantum Physics
Technical Electives7-9
CHEM (300 or higher), BIOC, CHBE (200 or higher)
Courses in life sciences (all courses at 200 or higher)
Mathematics or computer science above the basic level
Other courses in the physical and biological sciences and engineering including CHEM 199 (Three hours maximum credit in CHEM 199. Additional courses in sciences and engineering can be taken, upon consultation with the SCS advisor and approval from the chemistry department. Approved courses must generally have a strong technical prerequisite, such as one year of college-level math or science.)
Required Technical Elective Courses for the Environmental Chemistry Concentration12
These courses can contribute, in whole or in part, to the required 7-9 hours of technical electives for the Specialized Curriculum in Chemistry.
Basic Courses
CHEM 360Chemistry of the Environment3
or CEE 330 Environmental Engineering
Advanced Courses9
Select three courses from the following:
Atmospheric Chemistry
Biogeochemical Cycles
Env Eng Principles, Chemical
Individual Study Junior
Green Chemistry
Individual Study Senior
Senior Thesis
Environmental Geology
Geochemistry
Introduction to Environmental Chemistry
Soil Chemistry
Surface Water System Chemistry
Other 400 level courses dealing with economic, engineering, or biological aspects of environmental chemistry, upon consultation with the SCS advisor and approval of the chemistry department.

for the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry Concentration


Sample Sequence

This sample sequence is intended to be used only as a guide for degree completion. All students should work individually with their academic advisors to decide the actual course selection and sequence that works best for them based on their academic preparation and goals. Enrichment programming such as study abroad, minors, internships, and so on may impact the structure of this four-year plan. Course availability is not guaranteed during the semester indicated in the sample sequence.

Students must fulfill their Language Other Than English requirement by successfully completing a third level of a language other than English. See the corresponding section on the Degree and General Education Requirements page.

First Year
First SemesterHours
LAS 1011
CHEM 1501
CHEM 2023
CHEM 2032
MATH 220 or 2214
Language Other Than English (3rd level) or Composition I course4
 15
Total Hours 15
First Year
Second SemesterHours
CHEM 2043
CHEM 2052
MATH 2313
PHYS 2114
Composition I course or Language Other Than English (3rd level)4
 16
Total Hours 16
Second Year
First SemesterHours
CHEM 2364
CHEM 2372
PHYS 2124
MATH 2414
General Education course3
 17
Total Hours 17
Second Year
Second SemesterHours
CHEM 4363
Environmental Chemistry Technical Electives3
PHYS 2142
MATH 225 or 4153
MATH 2853
General Education course3
 17
Total Hours 17
Third Year
First SemesterHours
CHEM 4424
CHEM 4202
CHEM 3152
General Education course3
General Education course3
 14
Total Hours 14
Third Year
Second SemesterHours
CHEM 4444
CHEM 4452
CHEM 3123
General Education course3
General Education course3
 15
Total Hours 15
Fourth Year
First SemesterHours
Advanced Chemistry course3
Advanced Chemistry lab2
Environmental Chemistry Technical electives3
CHEM 360 or CEE 3303
General Education course3
 14
Total Hours 14
Fourth Year
Second SemesterHours
Advanced Chemistry course3
Additional Advanced Chemistry course3
Environmental Chemistry Technical Electives3
General Education course3
 12
Total Hours 12

Total Hours: 120

for the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry Concentration


Students graduating with the BS in Chemistry will have:
  1. A thorough knowledge of the basic principles of chemistry, including atomic and molecular structure, chemical dynamics and the chemical and physical properties of substances.
  2. An exposure to the subfields of chemistry, such as analytical, organic, physical, materials, inorganic, as well as chemical biology.
  3. The ability to read, evaluate, interpret, and present (via oral and written communication) numerical, chemical and general scientific data, information and literature.
  4. The ability to carry out experiments, use appropriate experimental apparatus effectively, and demonstrate proper laboratory safety skills.

Undergraduate Degree Programs in Chemistry


for the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry Concentration


Chemistry

Chemistry website
Chemistry faculty
SCS Academic Advising

College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

Liberal Arts & Sciences College & Admissions requirements
LAS website