UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN River Falls

Chemistry Program

Chemistry Major

This is the most traditional chemistry major, preparing you for a career in Chemistry or related fields or for graduate study. Our curriculum gives you significant flexibility compared to other institutions, with opportunities for several Chemistry electives to fulfill your major requirements.

Chemistry

Requirements: 56-59 cr. hrs.

CHEM 111 General Chemistry I (4 cr.) AND CHEM 116 General Chemistry I Lab (1 cr.)
CHEM 112 General Chemistry II (4 cr.) AND CHEM 117 General Chemistry II Lab (1 cr.)
CHEM 231 Organic Chemistry I (3 cr.)
CHEM 232 Organic Chemistry II (3 cr.)
CHEM 236 Organic Chemistry Lab I (1 cr.)
CHEM 237 Organic Chemistry Lab II (1 cr.)
CHEM 250 Foundations of Analytical Chemistry (4 cr.)
CHEM 261 Laboratory Safety (2 cr.)
CHEM 322 Inorganic Chemistry (3 cr.)
CHEM 325 Inorganic Chemistry Lab (1 cr.)
CHEM 341 Chemical Thermodynamics and Kinetics (3 cr.) OR CHEM 342 1 Molecular Structure and Spectroscopy (3 cr.)
CHEM 360 Foundations of Biochemistry (4 cr.) OR CHEM 361 Biochemistry I (3 cr.)
CHEM 380 Chemistry Junior Seminar (1 cr.)
CHEM 480 Chemical Communications and Research (1 cr.)

BIOL 150 Introduction to Biology (3 cr.) OR BIOL 160 General Biology - Freshman Research Focus (4 cr.)

MATH 166 Calculus I (4 cr.)
MATH 167 Calculus II (4 cr.)
MATH elective 2 (3-4 cr.)

PHYS 121 Algebra-Based l Physics I (5 cr.)
PHYS 122 Algebra-Based l Physics II (5 cr.)
OR
PHYS 131 Calculus-Based Physics I (5 cr.)
PHYS 132 Calculus-Based Physics II (5 cr.)

In-depth elective courses: 12 credits, including at least 6 lab credits, one of which must be CHEM 366 or CHEM 345.

CHEM 311 Polymer Chemistry (3 cr.)
CHEM 316 Polymer Chemistry Lab (1 lab cr.)
CHEM 333 Organic Synthesis (2 cr.)
CHEM 334 Organic Synthesis Lab (2 lab cr.)
CHEM 341 1 Chemical Thermodynamics and Kinetics (3 cr.) OR CHEM 342 1 Molecular Structure and Spectroscopy (3 cr.)
CHEM 345 Physical Chemistry Laboratory (1 lab cr.)
CHEM 355 Separation Science Laboratory (1 lab cr.)
CHEM 356 Chemical Instrumentation Lab (1 lab cr.)
CHEM 362 Biochemistry II (3 cr.)
CHEM 366 Biochemistry Laboratory (1 lab cr.)
CHEM 378 3 Semester Abroad (1-4 cr. ; includes 1-4 cr. Lab)
CHEM 379 3 Internship (1-4 cr. ; includes 1-4 cr. lab)
CHEM 461 Pharmacology (3 cr.)
CHEM 489 3 Special Topics in Chemistry (1-4 cr.)
CHEM 495 4 Undergraduate Research (1-3 cr.; includes 1-3 lab cr.)
BIOL 451 5 Molecular Biology (4 cr.; includes 1 lab cr.)
PHYS 465 5 Quantum Mechanics (4 cr.)

 

  1. Both CHEM 341 and CHEM 342 are strongly recommended for students considering graduate education in chemistry. 
  2. Allowed Math electives include: MATH 236 Discrete Mathematics, MATH 256 Linear Algebra, MATH 326 Applied Statistics, MATH 346 Numerical Analysis, or PHYS 361 Mathematics of Physics and Engineering.
  3. CHEM 378, CHEM 379 and CHEM 489 could be worth 1-4 credits each for a combined maximum of 4 credits counting toward the in-depth electives. Actual credits will be determined based on department approval at the time of enrollment.
  4. A maximum of 3 credits of CHEM 485 can count toward the in-depth electives.
  5. A maximum of 4 credits of non-chemistry courses may count toward the in-depth electives.

Four Year Plan - Chemistry

Four Year Planning Document