Academic Programs Catalog

The degree Bachelor of Science with a major in chemistry is designed to provide a thorough foundation in the various fields of chemistry and the related sciences, as well as a proper educational balance in the liberal arts. The program is intended for students planning careers in industry or in governmental laboratories and for those planning graduate study in chemistry.

The Bachelor of Science degree program in chemistry is approved by the American Chemical Society.

The completion of one or more semesters of independent research (Chemistry 400H or 420) is strongly recommended for students in this program.
A detailed description of this program may be obtained from the Department of Chemistry. 
 

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry

1. The University requirements for bachelor's degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry.
   
   The University's Tier II writing requirement for the Chemistry major is met by completing Chemistry 395, 415, 435, and 495. Those courses are referenced in items 3. b. (3) and 3. b. (4) below.
   
   Students who are enrolled in the College of Natural Science may complete the alternative track to Integrative Studies in Biological and Physical Sciences that is described in item 1. under the heading Graduation Requirements in the College statement.  Certain courses referenced in requirement 3. below may be used to satisfy the alternative track.
2. The requirements of the College of Natural Science for the Bachelor of Science degree.
   
   The credits earned in certain courses referenced in requirement 3. below may be counted toward College requirements as appropriate.
3. The following requirements for the major:

   a.	The following courses outside the Department of Chemistry (28 to 33 credits):
   	(1)	One of the following courses (3 or 5 credits):
   		BS	161	Cell and Molecular Biology			3
   		BS	181H	Honors Cell and Molecular Biology			3
   		LB	145	Biology II: Cellular and Molecular Biology			5
   	(2)	One of the following courses (3 or 4 credits):
   		LB	118	Calculus I			4
   		MTH	132	Calculus I			3
   		MTH	152H	Honors Calculus I			3
   	(3)	One of the following courses (4 credits):
   		LB	119	Calculus II			4
   		MTH	133	Calculus II			4
   		MTH	153H	Honors Calculus II			4
   	(4)	One of the following courses (4 credits):
   		LB	220	Calculus III			4
   		MTH	234	Multivariable Calculus			4
   		MTH	254H	Honors Multivariable Calculus			4
   	(5)	One of the following courses (3 credits):
   		MTH	235	Differential Equations			3
   		MTH	340	Ordinary Differential Equations I			3
   		MTH	347H	Honors Ordinary Differential Equations			3
   	(6)	One of the following groups of courses (8 or 10 credits):
   		(a)	PHY	183	Physics for Scientists and Engineers I		4
   			PHY	184	Physics for Scientists and Engineers II		4
   			PHY	191	Physics Laboratory for Scientists I		1
   			PHY	192	Physics Laboratory for Scientists II		1
   		(b)	PHY	191	Physics Laboratory for Scientists I		1
   			PHY	192	Physics Laboratory for Scientists II		1
   			PHY	193H	Honors Physics I - Mechanics		4
   			PHY	294H	Honors Physics II - Electromagnetism		4
   		(c)	LB	273	Physics I		4
   			LB	274	Physics II		4
   		(d)	PHY	173	Studio Physics for Scientists and Engineers I		5
   			PHY	174	Studio Physics for Scientists and Engineers II		5
   	(7)	The following course (3 credits):
   		BMB	461	Advanced Biochemistry I			3
   b.	The following courses in the Department of Chemistry (46 or 47 credits):
   	(1)	One of the following pairs of courses (7 or 8 credits):
   		(a)	CEM	151	General and Descriptive Chemistry		4
   			CEM	152	Principles of Chemistry		3
   		(b)	CEM	181H	Honors Chemistry I		4
   			CEM	182H	Honors Chemistry II		4
   		(c)	LB	171	Principles of Chemistry I		4
   			LB	172	Principles of Chemistry II		3
   	(2)	One of the following groups of courses (5 credits):
   		(a)	CEM	161	Chemistry Laboratory I		1
   			CEM	162	Chemistry Laboratory II		1
   			CEM	262	Quantitative Analysis		3
   		(b)	CEM	185H	Honors Chemistry Laboratory I		2
   			CEM	262	Quantitative Analysis		3
   		(c)	CEM	262	Quantitative Analysis		3
   			LB	171L	Introductory Chemistry Laboratory I		1
   			LB	172L	Principles of Chemistry II - Reactivity Laboratory		1
   	(3)	All of the following courses (31 credits):
   		CEM	351	Organic Chemistry I			3
   		CEM	352	Organic Chemistry II			3
   		CEM	355	Organic Chemistry Laboratory I			2
   		CEM	356	Organic Laboratory II			2
   		CEM	395	Analytical/Physical Laboratory			2
   		CEM	411	Advanced Inorganic Chemistry			4
   		CEM	434	Advanced Analytical Chemistry			3
   		CEM	435	Analytical Chemistry Laboratory			3
   		CEM	444	Chemical Safety			1
   		CEM	483	Quantum Chemistry			3
   		CEM	484	Molecular Thermodynamics			3
   		CEM	495	Molecular Spectroscopy			2
   	(4)	The following capstone course (3 credits):
   		CEM	415	Advanced Synthesis Laboratory			3

Many occupations require a moderate training in chemistry combined with training in one or more other areas. Accordingly, the Bachelor of Arts degree is intended for the students desiring a lesser degree of specialization than required for the Bachelor of Science degree. Students who desire chemistry as a major while pursuing programs in prehealth, prelaw, or education, or as training for many professional or industrial positions, may elect this program. Ample opportunity in the choice of electives is provided for students who are planning to obtain positions such as the following: technical writers, technical librarians, technical sales personnel, and patent lawyers. Additional collateral work may be necessary if this program is presented for admission to a school of graduate studies. A more detailed statement may be obtained from the Department of Chemistry. 

Requirements for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Chemistry

1. The University requirements for bachelor's degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry.
   
   The University's Tier II writing requirement for the Chemistry major is met by completing Chemistry 333 and 425.  Those courses are referenced in item 3. b. (5) below.
   
   Students who are enrolled in the College of Natural Science may complete the alternative track to Integrative Studies in Biological and Physical Sciences that is described in item 1. under the heading Graduation Requirements in the College statement.  Certain courses referenced in requirement 3. below may be used to satisfy the alternative track.
2. The requirements of the College of Natural Science for the Bachelor of Arts degree.
   
   The credits earned in certain courses referenced in requirement 3. below may be counted toward College requirements as appropriate.
3. The following requirements for the major:

   a.	The following courses outside the Department of Chemistry (21 to 27 credits):
   	(1)	One of the following courses (3 to 5 credits):
   		BS	161	Cell and Molecular Biology			3
   		BS	162	Organismal and Population Biology			3
   		BS	181H	Honors Cell and Molecular Biology			3
   		BS	182H	Honors Organismal and Population Biology			3
   		ENT	205	Pests, Society and Environment			3
   		IBIO	150	Integrating Biology: From DNA to Populations			3
   		LB	144	Biology I: Organismal Biology			4
   		LB	145	Biology II: Cellular and Molecular Biology			5
   		MMG	141	Introductory Human Genetics			3
   		MMG	201	Fundamentals to Microbiology			3
   		PLB	105	Plant Biology			3
   		PSL	250	Introductory Physiology			4
   	(2)	One of the following courses (3 or 4 credits):
   		LB	118	Calculus I			4
   		MTH	132	Calculus I			3
   		MTH	152H	Honors Calculus I			3
   	(3)	One of the following courses (4 credits):
   		LB	119	Calculus II			4
   		MTH	133	Calculus II			4
   		MTH	153H	Honors Calculus II			4
   	(4)	One of the following groups of courses (8 or 10 credits):
   		(a)	PHY	231	Introductory Physics I		3
   			PHY	232	Introductory Physics II		3
   			PHY	251	Introductory Physics Laboratory I		1
   			PHY	252	Introductory Physics Laboratory II		1
   		(b)	PHY	183	Physics for Scientists and Engineers I		4
   			PHY	184	Physics for Scientists and Engineers II		4
   			PHY	191	Physics Laboratory for Scientists I		1
   			PHY	192	Physics Laboratory for Scientists II		1
   		(c)	LB	273	Physics I		4
   			LB	274	Physics II		4
   		(d)	PHY	173	Studio Physics for Scientists and Engineers I		5
   			PHY	174	Studio Physics for Scientists and Engineers II		5
   		(e)	PHY	221	Studio Physics for Life Scientists I		4
   			PHY	222	Studio Physics for Life Scientists II		4
   	(5)	One of the following courses (3 or 4 credits):
   		BMB	401	Comprehensive Biochemistry			4
   		BMB	461	Advanced Biochemistry I			3
   b.	The following courses in the Department of Chemistry (36 or 37 credits):
   	(1)	One of the following pairs of courses (7 or 8 credits):
   		(a)	CEM	141	General Chemistry		4
   			CEM	142	General and Inorganic Chemistry		3
   		(b)	CEM	151	General and Descriptive Chemistry		4
   			CEM	152	Principles of Chemistry		3
   		(c)	CEM	181H	Honors Chemistry I		4
   			CEM	182H	Honors Chemistry II		4
   		(d)	LB	171	Principles of Chemistry I		4
   			LB	172	Principles of Chemistry II		3
   	(2)	One of the following groups of courses (5 credits):
   		(a)	CEM	161	Chemistry Laboratory I		1
   			CEM	162	Chemistry Laboratory II		1
   			CEM	262	Quantitative Analysis		3
   		(b)	CEM	185H	Honors Chemistry Laboratory I		2
   			CEM	262	Quantitative Analysis		3
   		(c)	CEM	262	Quantitative Analysis		3
   			LB	171L	Introductory Chemistry Laboratory I		1
   			LB	172L	Principles of Chemistry II - Reactivity Laboratory		1
   	(3)	One of the following pairs of courses (6 credits):
   		(a)	CEM	251	Organic Chemistry I		3
   			CEM	252	Organic Chemistry II		3
   		(b)	CEM	351	Organic Chemistry I		3
   			CEM	352	Organic Chemistry II		3
   	(4)	One of the following courses (2 credits):
   		CEM	255	Organic Chemistry Laboratory			2
   		CEM	355	Organic Chemistry Laboratory I			2
   	(5)	All of the following courses (13 credits):
   		CEM	333	Instrumental Methods and Applications			3
   		CEM	383	Introductory Physical Chemistry I			3
   		CEM	384	Introductory Physical Chemistry II			3
   		CEM	425	Chemistry Communication and Professional Development (W)			3
   		CEM	444	Chemical Safety			1
   	(6)	The following capstone course (3 credits):
   		CEM	311	Inorganic Chemistry			3

The major in Chemical Physics provides a strong foundation in chemistry, physics and mathematics for those students who have a professional interest in the areas of overlap between chemistry and physics. It is particularly suitable for students planning to pursue a graduate degree in the area of chemical physics or physical chemistry.

A detailed description of this program may be obtained from the Department of Chemistry.

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Physics

1. The University requirements for bachelor's degrees as described in the Undergraduate Education section of this catalog; 120 credits, including general elective credits, are required for the Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Physics.
   
   The University's Tier II writing requirement for the Chemical Physics major is met by completing two enrollments of Chemistry 499.  That course is referenced in item 3. b. (6) below.
   
   Students who are enrolled in the College of Natural Science may complete the alternative track to Integrative Studies in Biological and Physical Sciences that is described in item 1. under the heading Graduation Requirements in the College statement.  Certain courses referenced in requirement 3. below may be used to satisfy the alternative track.
2. The requirements of the College of Natural Science for the Bachelor of Science degree.
   
   The credits earned in certain courses referenced in requirement 3. below may be counted toward College requirements as appropriate.
3. The following requirements for the major:

   a.	The following courses outside the Department of Chemistry (51 to 60 credits):
   	(1)	One of the following courses (3 to 5 credits):
   		BS	161	Cell and Molecular Biology			3
   		BS	162	Organismal and Population Biology			3
   		BS	181H	Honors Cell and Molecular Biology			3
   		BS	182H	Honors Organismal and Population Biology			3
   		ENT	205	Pests, Society and Environment			3
   		IBIO	150	Integrating Biology: From DNA to Populations			3
   		LB	144	Biology I: Organismal Biology			4
   		LB	145	Biology II: Cellular and Molecular Biology			5
   		MMG	141	Introductory Human Genetics			3
   		MMG	201	Fundamentals to Microbiology			3
   		PLB	105	Plant Biology			3
   		PSL	250	Introductory Physiology			4
   	(2)	The following course (4 credits):
   		CMSE	201	Computational Modeling and Data Analysis I			4
   	(3)	One of the following courses (3 or 4 credits):
   		LB	118	Calculus I			4
   		MTH	132	Calculus I			3
   		MTH	152H	Honors Calculus I			3
   	(4)	One of the following courses (4 credits):
   		LB	119	Calculus II			4
   		MTH	133	Calculus II			4
   		MTH	153H	Honors Calculus II			4
   	(5)	One of the following courses (4 credits):
   		LB	220	Calculus III			4
   		MTH	234	Multivariable Calculus			4
   		MTH	254H	Honors Multivariable Calculus			4
   	(6)	One of the following courses (3 credits):
   		MTH	235	Differential Equations			3
   		MTH	340	Ordinary Differential Equations I			3
   		MTH	347H	Honors Ordinary Differential Equations			3
   	(7)	One of the following sets of courses (4 to 7 credits):
   		(a)	MTH	299	Transitions		4
   			MTH	309	Linear Algebra I		3
   		(b)	MTH	299	Transitions		4
   			MTH	314	Matrix Algebra with Computational Applications		3
   		(c)	MTH	317H	Honors Linear Algebra		4
   	(8)	One of the following courses (3 credits):
   		MTH	310	Abstract Algebra I and Number Theory			3
   		MTH	320	Analysis I			3
   		MTH	327H	Honors Introduction to Analysis			3
   		MTH	415	Applied Linear Algebra			3
   		MTH	418H	Honors Algebra I			3
   		MTH	441	Ordinary Differential Equations II			3
   		MTH	442	Partial Differential Equations			3
   		MTH	451	Numerical Analysis I			3
   	(9)	One of the following groups of courses (8 or 10 credits):
   		(a)	PHY	183	Physics for Scientists and Engineers I		4
   			PHY	184	Physics for Scientists and Engineers II		4
   			PHY	191	Physics Laboratory for Scientists I		1
   			PHY	192	Physics Laboratory for Scientists II		1
   		(b)	PHY	191	Physics Laboratory for Scientists I		1
   			PHY	192	Physics Laboratory for Scientists II		1
   			PHY	193H	Honors Physics I - Mechanics		4
   			PHY	294H	Honors Physics II - Electromagnetism		4
   		(c)	LB	273	Physics I		4
   			LB	274	Physics II		4
   		(d)	PHY	173	Studio Physics for Scientists and Engineers I		5
   			PHY	174	Studio Physics for Scientists and Engineers II		5
   	(10)	All of the following courses (12 credits):
   		PHY	215	Thermodynamics and Modern Physics			3
   		PHY	321	Classical Mechanics I			3
   		PHY	471	Quantum Physics I			3
   		PHY	481	Electricity and Magnetism I			3
   	(11)	One of the following courses (3 or 4 credits):
   		PHY	410	Thermal and Statistical Physics			3
   		PHY	415	Methods of Theoretical Physics			4
   		PHY	422	Classical Mechanics II			3
   		PHY	431	Optics I			3
   		PHY	472	Quantum Physics II			3
   		PHY	480	Computational Physics			3
   		PHY	482	Electricity and Magnetism II			3
   		PHY	491	Introduction to Condensed Matter Physics			3
   		PHY	492	Introduction to Nuclear Physics			3
   		PHY	493	Introduction to Elementary Particle Physics			3
   b.	The following courses in the Department of Chemistry (29 to 31 credits):
   	(1)	One of the following pairs of courses (7 or 8 credits):
   		(a)	CEM	151	General and Descriptive Chemistry		4
   			CEM	152	Principles of Chemistry		3
   		(b)	CEM	181H	Honors Chemistry I		4
   			CEM	182H	Honors Chemistry II		4
   		(c)	LB	171	Principles of Chemistry I		4
   			LB	172	Principles of Chemistry II		3
   	(2)	One of the following groups of courses (5 credits):
   		(a)	CEM	161	Chemistry Laboratory I		1
   			CEM	162	Chemistry Laboratory II		1
   			CEM	262	Quantitative Analysis		3
   		(b)	CEM	185H	Honors Chemistry Laboratory I		2
   			CEM	262	Quantitative Analysis		3
   		(c)	CEM	262	Quantitative Analysis		3
   			LB	171L	Introductory Chemistry Laboratory I		1
   			LB	172L	Principles of Chemistry II - Reactivity Laboratory		1
   	(3)	One  of the following pairs of courses (6 credits):
   		(a)	CEM	251	Organic Chemistry I		3
   			CEM	252	Organic Chemistry II		3
   		(b)	CEM	351	Organic Chemistry I		3
   			CEM	352	Organic Chemistry II		3
   	(4)	One of the following courses (2 or 3 credits):
   		CEM	333	Instrumental Methods and Applications			3
   		CEM	395	Analytical/Physical Laboratory			2
   		CEM	495	Molecular Spectroscopy			3
   	(5)	All of the following courses (7 credits):
   		CEM	444	Chemical Safety			1
   		CEM	483	Quantum Chemistry			3
   		CEM	484	Molecular Thermodynamics			3
   	(6)	The following capstone course (2 credits):
   		CEM	499	Chemical Physics Seminar			2
   		The completion of Chemistry 499 fulfills the department's capstone requirement. Two enrollments in Chemistry 499 are required, 1 credit per enrollment.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Natural Science, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

Only those persons who are enrolled in a Doctor of Philosophy degree program in the Department of Chemistry or the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Michigan State University may petition the Committee on Chemical Physics for admission to the doctoral program in chemical physics.

Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Chemical Physics

The student must:

1. Pass doctoral comprehensive examinations of the cumulative type.  Details about these examinations may be obtained from the department.
2. Complete at least 6 credits in 800–900 level Chemistry courses.
3. Complete at least 6 credits in 800–900 level Physics and Astronomy courses.
4. Pass an oral examination on the proposed research.

For the Master of Science program in chemistry, the areas of study are analytical, chemical education, inorganic, organic, and physical.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Natural Science, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

The student must have a bachelor's degree and an acceptable grade–point average, and must have had in an undergraduate program one year each of general, analytical, organic, and physical chemistry, one year of physics, and one year of calculus. Deficiencies in the undergraduate program, such as deficiencies in calculus or in foreign language, must be removed before the degree will be recommended.

Requirements for the Master of Science Degree in Chemistry

A total of 30 credits are required for the program under either Plan A (with thesis) or Plan B (without thesis).  Most students earn the degree under Plan A.  For Plan A, students are required to complete 8 credits of master's thesis research and may be permitted to complete up to 15 credits of master's thesis research; approximately two–thirds of the remaining credits are in the major area and the balance is in other areas.

The program is planned by the student and the major professor in accordance with the student's desire for earning only the master's degree or continuing on to the doctorate.

Programs for the Doctor of Philosophy degree, based on a broad and thorough undergraduate program, emphasize study and original research in one of the following areas: analytical, chemical education, inorganic, organic and physical. Numerous cross–disciplinary research opportunities involving, for example, biochemistry or the cyclotron laboratory, are also available.

In addition to meeting the requirements of the University and of the College of Natural Science, students must meet the requirements specified below.

Admission

Students holding bachelor's degrees, or master's degrees or the equivalent, may be admitted for study at the doctoral level on either a provisional or regular basis. Applicants are expected to have had in their undergraduate programs one year each of general, analytical, organic, and physical chemistry, one year of physics, and one year of calculus or their equivalents. Deficiencies in the undergraduate program must be removed. 

Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree  in Chemistry

1. Complete a minimum of one year of teaching requirement.
2. Complete a minimum of 12 to 18 credits of 800-900 level courses through a minimum of 6 courses. Credits earned in requirements 3. and 4. may not be used to fulfill this requirement.
3. Complete the following courses (2 credits):
   CEM 890 Chemical Problems and Reports   1 (section 1 Faculty Seminar)
   CEM 890 Chemical Problems and Reports   1 (section 2 Second Year Oral)
4. Complete 2 credits of seminar course work from one of the following areas: Analytical, Inorganic, Nuclear, Organic, or Physical to demonstrate research preparedness and as a defense of the dissertation. The student's course work must be planned and approved by their academic advisor.
5. Satisfactory performance on doctoral comprehensive examinations of the cumulative type is required. Details about these and the qualification examinations may be obtained  from the department.
6. Complete at least 24 credits and no more than 36 credits of CEM 999 Doctoral Dissertation Research.
7. All students must complete Responsible Conduct of Research Training - https://grad.msu.edu/recr.
8. Additional details on applicable course work can be found in the CEM graduate handbook at www.chemistry.msu.edu.