Chemistry Major with Environmental Science Concentration - Bachelor of Science (BS)
The chemistry major with an environmental science concentration at UW-La Crosse provides a strong background in chemistry, while providing multi-disciplinary elective options in preparation for fields of study such as climate change, contaminants, renewable energy, geospatial analysis, and ecosystem modeling. Our majors are in demand and are routinely hired into industry, government, and academic positions.
(All colleges, excluding teacher certification programs)
53 credits (69 total credits including MTH and PHY requirements)1
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core | ||
| BIO 105 | General Biology | 4 |
| or STAT 145 | Elementary Statistics | |
| or STAT 245 | Probability and Statistics | |
| CHM 103 | General Chemistry I | 5 |
| CHM 104 | General Chemistry II | 5 |
| CHM 271 | The Chemical Community | 1 |
| CHM 301 | Analytical Chemistry | 5 |
| CHM 303 | Organic Chemistry Theory I | 3 |
| CHM 304 | Organic Chemistry Theory II | 3 |
| CHM 305 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory | 2 |
| CHM 309 | Physical Chemistry Theory I | 3 |
| CHM 312 | Atmospheric Chemistry | 3 |
| CHM 412 | Aquatic and Soil Chemistry | 3 |
| CHM 413 | Environmental Chemistry Laboratory | 2 |
| CHM 441 | Instrumental Analysis | 4 |
| Electives | ||
| Select 10 credits from the following: | 10 | |
| Limnology | ||
| Quantitative Methods in Ecology | ||
| Aquatic Toxicology | ||
| Standard Methods/Quality Assurance Water Analyses | ||
| Chemistry of Materials | ||
| Field Research Station Experience 2 | ||
| Research 2 | ||
| Geographic Information Systems and Science I | ||
| Geographic Information System and Science II | ||
| Geospatial Field Methods | ||
| Geographic Information System and Science III | ||
| Aquatic Microbial Ecology | ||
| Mathematical Models in Biology | ||
| Linear Algebra with Differential Equations | ||
| Differential Equations and Dynamical Systems | ||
| Environmental Statistics | ||
| Total Credits | 53 | |
- 1
Students in this major are exempt from the College of Science and Health core requirements.
- 2
Repeatable up to two credits.
Required prerequisite courses (16 credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select an additional 16 credits to meet prerequisites for required courses including the following: | ||
| MTH 207 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MTH 208 | Calculus II | 4 |
| PHY 103 | Fundamental Physics I | 4 |
| or PHY 203 | General Physics I | |
| PHY 104 | Fundamental Physics II | 4 |
| or PHY 204 | General Physics II | |
| Total Credits | 16 | |
Survey requirement
Each student must complete a programmatic assessment survey. Each student will be contacted prior to graduation by the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry with information on how to complete the requirement.
All students must complete the general education, college core, major/minor, and university degree requirements to qualify for a degree. All enrolled students have access to a degree audit to track all of these requirements.
Baccalaureate degree requirements
Candidates for the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Science degrees must accomplish the following:
- Fulfill the Core General Education Requirements (CGER).
- Complete the courses prescribed by the Undergraduate Curriculum Committee for the degree desired in the respective school or college.
- Earn a minimum of 120 semester credits with at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA.1, 2
- 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.
- Complete major and minor requirements with at least a 2.00 GPA1, 2 in each major and minor (and concentration or emphasis, if selected).
- A minimum of 30 semester credits in residence at UWL is required for graduation. (See undergraduate resident requirement.)
- Submit an application for graduation via the "Submit Intent to Graduate" 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 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 their degree audit and work closely with their advisor(s) and college dean's office to ensure declaration and completion of all requirements in a timely manner.
Core General Education Program
The Core General Education Requirement (CGER) is the common educational experience for all undergraduates at UWL. Sample degree plans include CGER placeholders to ensure completion of the core general education requirements. The CGER category listed in parentheses indicated the recommended course to help complete CGER and the program requirements. Transferred courses may alter the plan. Courses may be rearranged to fit the needs or recommendations of the student’s program of study. CGER 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 Core 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 The Eagle Advantage for College Success (UWL 100, 2 cr.) or 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.
This major is exempt from the CSH College Core requirement.
| Year 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CHM 103 (CGER NSWL-ES Natural Science & Wellness: Experiential Science) | 5 | CHM 104 | 5 |
| ENG 110 (CGER CL-WL Communication & Literacy: Written Literacy) | 3 | CST 110 (CGER CL-SL Communication & Literacy: Spoken Literacy) | 3 |
| MTH 151 (CGER MQR-QR Mathematics & Quantitative Reasoning: Quantitative Reasoning) | 4 | MTH 207 | 4 |
| CGER HA-AA Humanities & Arts: Arts & Aesthetics | 3 | UWL 100 or FYS 100 (CGER SBS-FS Social & Behavioral Science: Social Foundation for Success) | 2 |
| 15 | 14 | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CHM 303 | 3 | CHM 304 | 3 |
| CHM 271 | 1 | CHM 305 | 2 |
| MTH 208 | 4 | PHY 104 or 204 | 4 |
| PHY 103 or 203 | 4 | CGER CP-CU Civics & Perspective: Communities of the United States | 3 |
| BIO 105, STAT 145, or STAT 245 | 4 | University Elective | 3 |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Year 3 | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CHM 309 | 3 | CHMENV Elective - see list | 3-4 |
| CHM 301 | 5 | CHM 412 | 3 |
| CHM 312 | 3 | CGER CL-SWT Communication & Literacy: Stories We Tell | 3 |
| CGER SBS-BS Social & Behavioral Science: Social & Behavioral Studies | 3 | CGER NSW-MBP Natural Science & Wellness: Mind, Body, & Planet | 3 |
| University Elective | 3 | ||
| 14 | 15 | ||
| Year 4 | |||
| Fall | Credits | Spring | Credits |
| CHM 413 | 2 | CHMENV Elective - see list | 3-4 |
| CHM 441 | 4 | CGER HA-PDU Humanities & Arts: Pasts that Define Us | 3 |
| CHMENV Elective - see list | 3-4 | University Elective | 3 |
| CGER CP-CW Civics & Perspective: Cultures of Our World | 3 | University Elective | 2 |
| University Elective | 2 | University Elective | 3 |
| University Elective | 2 | Survey Requirement1 | |
| 16 | 15 | ||
| Total Credits: 120 | |||
- 1
Survey Requirement - Each student must complete a Programmatic Assessment Survey. Each student will be contacted prior to graduation by the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry with information on how to complete the requirement.