Chemistry Major (with ACS Certification) - Bachelor of Science (BS)

The Chemistry Program at UW-La Crosse is approved by the American Chemical Society (ACS). Students completing a baccalaureate degree that meets the following ACS guidelines will receive an ACS-Certified Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry. This degree track includes the course work and experiences necessary to satisfy the requirements for ACS certification.

(All colleges, excluding teacher certification programs)

45-50 credits (21 additional credits including MTH and PHY requirements)

Core curriculum 

CHM 103General Chemistry I5
CHM 104General Chemistry II5
CHM 271The Chemical Community1
CHM 301Analytical Chemistry5
CHM 303Organic Chemistry Theory I3
CHM 304Organic Chemistry Theory II3
CHM 305Organic Chemistry Laboratory2
CHM 309Physical Chemistry Theory I3
CHM 310Physical Chemistry Theory II3
CHM 313Physical Chemistry Laboratory2
CHM 325Fundamental Biochemistry4
or CHM 417 Biochemistry I: Macromolecules
CHM 331Fundamentals of Inorganic Chemistry3
Total Credits39

Elective and laboratory requirements

Students must complete a combination of upper level elective courses in chemistry totaling at least six course credits, of which three or more credits must be comprised of "laboratory content" (see lists below).

 In-depth upper-level electives:

CHM 312
Atmospheric Chemistry 1
CHM 322
Chemistry of Materials 2
CHM 323
Polymer Chemistry Laboratory 2
CHM 330
Industrial Chemistry 1
CHM 403
Advanced Organic Chemistry 1
CHM 405
Advanced Organic Synthesis 2
CHM 407
Biophysical Chemistry 1
CHM 412
Aquatic and Soil Chemistry 1
CHM 413
Environmental Chemistry Laboratory 2
CHM 418
Biochemistry II: Metabolism and Genetic Information 1
CHM 419
Advanced Biochemistry Lab 2
CHM 424
Spectroscopy 2
CHM 431
Inorganic Synthesis and Methods 2
CHM 441
Instrumental Analysis 2
CHM 445
Biochemistry of Antimicrobials 1
CHM 461
Nuclear Chemistry 2
CHM 499
Research 2
1

in-depth upper-level elective 

2

in-depth upper-level elective with laboratory component. See list below for how many credits in this course will go toward the laboratory component.

 Courses with laboratory content:

One credit of laboratory content:
CHM 322
Chemistry of Materials
or CHM 323
 Polymer Chemistry Laboratory
or CHM 424
 Spectroscopy
or CHM 441
 Instrumental Analysis
or CHM 461
 Nuclear Chemistry
Two credits of laboratory content:
CHM 405
Advanced Organic Synthesis
or CHM 413
 Environmental Chemistry Laboratory
or CHM 419
 Advanced Biochemistry Lab
or CHM 431
 Inorganic Synthesis and Methods
A maximum of two credits of CHM 499 may be applied to meet the laboratory content requirement.

In completing these degree requirements, ACS Certified Chemistry majors must experience 400+ chemistry laboratory hours beyond CHM 104.

Required prerequisite courses (21 credits)

Select an additional 21 credits to meet prerequisites for required courses including the following:
MTH 207Calculus I5
MTH 208Calculus II4
MTH 310Calculus III: Multivariable Calculus4
PHY 103Fundamental Physics I4
or PHY 203 General Physics I
PHY 104Fundamental Physics II4
or PHY 204 General Physics II

Exam and survey requirement

During the student's last semester on campus, completion of the following is required in order to graduate:

  1. The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Learning Environment Survey
  2. A standardized exam covering the major subject area

All students must complete the general education, college core, major/minor, and university degree requirements in order to qualify for a degree. The easiest way to track all of these requirements is to refer to the Advisement Report (AR) found in the Student Information System (WINGS) Student Center. All enrolled students have access to the AR. 

College of Science and Health (CSH) Bachelor of Science core requirements

B.S. and B.A. students graduating from the College of Science and Health are required to take two natural laboratory science courses selected from the general education laboratory science category (GE 05) and/or from BIO 203, BIO 304, BIO 210, CHM 104, GEO 221, GEO 222, PHY 104 or PHY 204, and they either must take two mathematics courses or one math course and one computer science course from the math/logical systems category of the general education requirements (GE 02). One of the two science courses must be from a department outside of the student’s major department.

Note: Math courses can be pairs, i.e. 150 and 151; MTH/CS majors can use two science courses from same department.

For the Bachelor of Science degree, in addition to all other College of Science and Health core requirements, students from non-exempted programs1 must complete one of the following options. It is recommended that courses are selected in consultation with students’ academic advisor.

  1. Complete a second major; or

  2. Complete a minor outside the major; or

  3. Complete two certificates outside the major with at least 12 combined credits at the 300/400 level; or

  4. Complete an individualized option, consisting of 18 credits

    1. At least 12 credits must be earned at the 300/400 level outside the major department.

    2. The remaining six credits should come from

      1. 100 level or higher courses outside the major (General education courses may apply provided they are not being used to fulfill minimum general education requirements.); or

      2. 300/400 level courses inside major not being used to fulfill major requirements.

    3. Internship credits may not count toward the individualized option.

1

The list of exempted CSH programs is below.

Baccalaureate degree requirements

Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degrees must accomplish the following:

  1. Fulfill the general education requirements.
  2. Complete at least one ethnic studies (diversity) course.
  3. Complete the courses prescribed by the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee for the degree desired in the respective school or college.
  4. Earn a minimum of 120 semester credits with at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA.1, 2
  5. At least 40 credits must be earned in 300/400 level courses. Transfer courses earned or transferred at the 300/400 level apply to this requirement.
  6. Complete major and minor requirements with at least a 2.00 GPA1, 2 in each major and minor (and concentration or emphasis, if selected).
  7. A minimum of 30 semester credits in residence at UWL is required for graduation. (See undergraduate resident requirement.)
  8. Submit an application for graduation via the "Apply for Graduation" link in the WINGS Student Center as soon as the student has registered for his or her final semester or summer term in residence. December and winter intersession graduates should apply by May 1. May and summer graduates should apply by December 1.
1

Grade point average requirements for some programs will be considerably higher than 2.00. Re-entering students may be required to earn credits in excess of the 120 needed for graduation in any curriculum in order to replace credits earned in courses in which the content has changed substantially in recent years. Each case will be judged on its own merit.

2

The grade point average recorded at the time the degree is awarded will not be affected by future enrollment.

No degree will be awarded unless all requirements are fulfilled and recorded within 30 days after the official ending date of each term.

Below is a sample degree plan that can be used as a guide to identify courses required to fulfill the major and other requirements needed for degree completion. A student's actual degree plan may differ depending on the course of study selected (second major, minor, etc.). Also, this sample plan assumes readiness for each course and/or major plan, and some courses may not be offered every term. Review the course descriptions or the class timetable for course offering information.

The sample degree plans represented in this catalog are intended for first-year students entering UWL in the fall term. Students should use the Advisement Report (AR) in WINGS and work closely with their faculty advisor(s) and college dean’s office to ensure declaration and completion of all requirements in a timely manner.

General Education Program
The general education curriculum (Gen Ed) is the common educational experience for all undergraduates at UWL. Sample degree plans include Gen Ed placeholders to ensure completion of the general education requirements. Courses may be rearranged to fit the needs or recommendations of the student’s program of study. Gen Ed courses may be taken during winter term (January between the semesters) and summer to reduce the course load during regular terms (fall and spring). Students should consult with their advisor and/or the college academic services director in their college/school for assistance with course and schedule planning. Refer to the general education requirements for more specific details.

At least 40 credits of the 120 credits required must be earned at the 300/400-level. 

Note: New students and transfer students with less than 12 credits earned are required to take FYS 100 First-Year Seminar (3 cr.) during one of their first two semesters at UWL.

This sample degree plan does not establish a contractual agreement. It identifies the minimum requirements a student must successfully complete, to qualify for a degree, in a format intended to assist the student in planning their academic career. Actual degree plans may differ.

Year 1
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CHM 103 (Gen Ed Natural Lab Science)5CST 110 (Gen Ed Literacy-Oral)3
ENG 110 or 112 (Gen Ed Literacy-Written)3MTH 207 (Gen Ed Math)5
MTH 151 (Gen Ed Math)4CHM 1045
Gen Ed Arts2-3FYS 100 (Gen Ed First-Year Seminar)3
 15 16
Year 2
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CHM 2711CHM 3043
CHM 3313CHM 3052
MTH 208 (Gen Ed Math)4Gen Ed Global Studies3
CHM 3033MTH 3104
PHY 103 or 203 (Gen Ed Natural Lab Science)4PHY 104 or 2044
 15 16
Year 3
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CHM 3093Gen Ed Humanistic Studies3
CHM 3015CHM 3132
CSH Core (300/400 not from major) or Minor3CSH Core (300/400 not from major) or Minor3
University Elective1Gen Ed Health & Well-Being3
Gen Ed World History3CHM 3103
 15 14
Year 4
FallCreditsSpringCredits
CHM 325 or 4174CHM In-Depth Coursework - see list11-4
CHM In-Depth Coursework - see list11-4CSH Core (300/400 not from major) or Minor3
CHM In-Depth Coursework - see list11-4CSH Core or Minor23
CSH Core or Minor23Gen Ed Minority Cultures3
Gen Ed Self & Society3University Elective2
Gen Ed Arts2-3Exam and Survey Requirement3 
 16 13
Total Credits: 120
1

Students must complete a combination of upper level elective courses in chemistry totaling at least 6 course credits, of which 3 or more credits must be comprised of laboratory content. See list of in-depth upper-level elective courses.

2

See CSH BS Core Requirements for information on completing the individualized option. 300/400 requirements for graduation may be impacted.

3

Exam and Survey Requirement - During the student's last semester on campus, completions of the following is required in order to graduate:

  1. the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Learning Environment Survey and
  2. a standardized exam covering the major subject area.