Chemistry
Major and minor offered; major in biochemistry jointly administered with biology; major in pre-health chemistry offered, combined major with environmental studies, and 3:2 engineering combined.
More information on these majors and important advice on planning for this major can be found at https://www.stlawu.edu/offices/chemistry.
Major Requirements
A student majoring in chemistry elects from two basic courses of study:
Plan 1 provides basic preparation for medical or dental school and secondary school teaching. It also provides greater flexibility for those who wish to participate in study abroad programs or are pursuing double majors.
Plan 2 is endorsed by the committee on professional training of the American Chemical Society (ACS); satisfactory completion of this course of study entitles the student to certification by the society. Those contemplating graduate study in chemistry or careers in industrial research are encouraged to opt for this plan.
The core chemistry requirements for both plans are:
- CHEM 103 & 104. General Chemistry
- CHEM 205. Quantitative Analysis
- CHEM 223 + 223L & 224 + 224L. Organic Chemistry
- CHEM 341. Quantum Chemistry
- Two 0.5 unit SYE courses over two semesters (Unless special permission is obtained in advance to do the full unit in one semester), CHEM 489 and/or 490 (must be original research for plan 2)
*It is recommended that CHEM 103 and 104 be taken during the first year, CHEM 223 and 224 during the second year, and CHEM 205, during the spring semester second year.
Additional chemistry courses required for Plan 1:
2 courses chosen from the following:
- CHEM 303. Inorganic chemistry
- CHEM 309. Biochemistry
- CHEM 342. Thermodynamics and Kinetics
- CHEM 306. Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology
3 advanced laboratory courses selected from:
- CHEM 356. Environmental Chemistry Lab (0.5 unit)
- CHEM 353. Physical Chemistry Lab (0.5 unit)
- CHEM 351 or CHEM 354 Advanced Organic Chemistry (0.5 units each)
- CHEM 394. Biochemistry Research Methods (0.5 or 1.0 unit)
- CHEM 452. Instrumental Analysis (0.5 unit)
- CHEM 451. Advanced Inorganic Chemistry Lab (0.5 unit)
Additional chemistry courses required for Plan 2:
- CHEM 342. Thermodynamics and Kinetics
- CHEM 303. Inorganic Chemistry
- Biochemistry, requirement—see below.
- 4 advanced laboratory courses—see below.
- 1 in-depth course—see below.
Note: courses may double-count towards the biochemistry, advanced laboratory, and in-depth requirements.
For the biochemistry requirement, choose one of the following:
- CHEM 309. Biochemistry
- CHEM 394. Biochemistry Research Methods (0.5 or 1 unit)
- CHEM 324. Synthesis of Pharmaceutical Substances
For the 4 advanced laboratory courses:
2 must come from the following list:
- CHEM 353. Physical Chemistry Lab (0.5 unit)
- CHEM 451. Advanced Inorganic Chemistry Lab (0.5 unit)
- CHEM 394. Biochemistry Research Methods (0.5 or 1.0 unit)
2 additional laboratory courses may include the remaining labs from above or any of the following:
- CHEM 351 or CHEM 354 Advanced Organic Chemistry (0.5 unit each)
- CHEM 452. Instrumental Analysis (0.5 unit)
- CHEM 356. Environmental Chemistry Lab (0.5 unit)
For the in-depth course, choose one of the following:
- CHEM 351 or CHEM 354 Advanced Organic Chemistry (0.5 unit each)
- CHEM 452. Instrumental Analysis (0.5 unit)
- CHEM 451. Advanced Inorganic Chemistry Lab (0.5 unit)
- CHEM 324. Synthesis of Pharmaceutical Substances (1 unit)
- CHEM 415. Advanced Biochemistry
Required courses in other departments:
- MATH 135 & 136. Calculus*
- PHYS 103 or 151 for plan 1. PHYS 151, 152 for plan 2.*
*We recommend completing the math requirements in the first year and physics during the second year.
Note: to fulfill prerequisites for moving from CHEM 103 to 104, a grade of 1.75 is required. To advance from CHEM 104 to 223 and 205, from 223 to 224 and from 224 to 309 requires a grade of 2.0 or higher.
Except for transfer students, a maximum of two courses applied toward the chemistry major or minor may be taken at other institutions.
Pre-Health Chemistry Major Requirements
A major in Pre-Health Chemistry provides basic preparation for continuing in health fields including medical, veterinarian, dental and pharmacy. It also provides greater flexibility for those who wish to participate in study abroad programs or pursue additional majors or minors. As part of the degree, students take two courses that investigate the implications of various social constructs on health and healthcare.
The core pre-health chemistry requirements are:
- CHEM 103 & 104. General Chemistry
- BIOL 101 & BIOL 102. General Biology
- CHEM 223 + 223L & 224 + 224L. Organic Chemistry
- CHEM 309. Biochemistry
- Two 0.5 unit SYE courses over two semesters (Unless special permission is obtained in advance to do the full unit in one semester), CHEM 489 and/or 490 (discuss options with your advisor).
*It is recommended that CHEM 103 and 104 be taken during the first year, CHEM 221 or 223 and 222 or 224 during the second year, and CHEM 309 during the junior year.
2 Advanced Chemistry Courses selected from:
- CHEM 303. Inorganic Chemistry
- CHEM 306. Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology
- CHEM 324. Synthesis of Pharmaceutical Substances
- CHEM 341. Quantum Chemistry and Spectroscopy
- CHEM 342. Thermodynamics and Kinetics
- CHEM 454. Advanced Biochemistry
2 Advanced Laboratory Courses selected from:
- BIOL 395. Research Methods in Molecular Biology
- CHEM 356. Environmental Chemistry Lab
- CHEM 351. Advanced Organic Chemistry
- CHEM 354. Advanced Organic Synthesis
- CHEM 353. Physical Chemistry
- CHEM 394. Research Methods in Biochemistry
- CHEM 452. Instrumental Analysis
- CHEM 451. Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
2 Health in Society Courses selected from:
Check pre-requisites for these courses prior to the semester you plan to take them. Additional courses may fulfill this requirement with the approval of your advisor and the departmental chair of chemistry.
- ANTH 243. Medicines and Meanings
- ANTH 270. Plagues and Peoples
- ANTH 4020. Anthropology of the Body
- BIOL/GS/REL 412. Cross Cultural Healing
- ANTH/EDU/GNDR 325. Sexuality Education
- ANTH/EDUC/GNDR 314. Great (S)expectations
- GNDR 4020. Dis/Ability, Gender and Health
- GS 264. Global Public Health
- GS 268. Global Health and Justice
- GS 324. Global Public Goods
- GS 365. Rethinking Population, Health and Environment
- PCA 343. Taboo Performances
- PCA 370. Against Health: Rhetoric & the Health Humanities
- PH 216. Introduction to Public Health
- PH 310. Social Determinants of Health
- PHIL 354. Biomedical Ethics
- SOC 225. Women’s Health & Aging
- SOC 246. Aging and Society w/ CBL
- SOC 275. Medical Sociology
- SOC 308. Death and Dying
Required courses in other departments:
- MATH 135. Calculus
- PHYS 103, 104. College Physics or 151, 152. University Physics
Minor Requirements
A minor in chemistry entails completion of CHEM 103-104, CHEM 223 + 223L, two additional electives at the 200 level or above, and one additional elective at the 300 level or above. An SYE mentored by a chemistry professor, following all chemistry SYE guidelines, may serve as one of the electives.
Environmental Chemistry
Students interested in environmental chemistry should talk with one of the chemistry faculty about the options for pursuing a major in that area.
3:2 Chemical Engineering
Refer to the entry for Engineering Combined Programs at the beginning of this Catalog for details.
Planning
Because of course prerequisites, it is important that those considering a chemistry major complete General Chemistry in their first year and discuss their plans with a chemistry faculty member. While there is some flexibility to allow for off-campus programs or late starts in the major, such options require careful planning. It is also important to schedule in the mathematics and physics prerequisites for upper-level chemistry courses.
Suggested Courses
Many of the most important and stimulating chemical research areas involve projects at the interface of chemistry with other disciplines, including biology, geology, physics, psychology, and computer science. Based on their interests, students should consider introductory and advanced coursework in at least one of these disciplines.
Research and Independent Study
Student research is at the heart of the chemistry curriculum and culminates in a year-long senior project carried out in close collaboration with a faculty mentor. Students are encouraged to avail themselves of research opportunities prior to the senior year. Both academic year and a limited number of paid summer research assistantship positions are available every year. The Stradling Fund provides a stipend for a research assistantship each summer and other sources of funding are normally available to support summer student research. Many chemistry students have also won SLU fellowships for summer research with a chemistry mentor.
Honors in Chemistry
Chemistry department honors require a minimum GPA of 3.5 in major courses, original laboratory research, and the submission and defense of a thesis. The student must consult with the project mentor and assemble a thesis committee including three faculty members (at least two from chemistry) by the end of the first semester of their senior year. The committee will conduct the oral examination that is part of the student’s presentation and defense. Qualified students can elect to complete the requirements for honors within the context of the senior project. A minimum grade of 3.5 on the senior project is required for honors. Students do not register for honors; an honors award will be reflected with a course title and number change on the transcript.
Advanced Placement Credit
Students scoring a 4 or 5 on the AP chemistry exam or a 6 or 7 on the high level chemistry IB exam are eligible to receive 1.25 units of credit for CHEM 103. These students may enroll in CHEM 104 in the spring but may choose to enroll in CHEM 103 in the fall if they prefer.
Updated 7/1/26