2025-2026 Academic Catalog

Dec 05, 2025

2025-2026 Academic Catalog

Chemistry, BS (CHEM-BS)

CIP Code: 400501

Program Description

The Department of Chemistry offers programs leading to the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Master of Science degrees in chemistry. The department also offers a Bachelor of Science program, certified by the American Chemical Society, and a Bachelor of Science in chemistry education. While the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science curricula are designed to prepare undergraduate students for entrance into medical, dental, or other professional schools, the Bachelor of Science curricula are strongly suggested for students who wish to pursue a career as a professional chemist or graduate work in chemistry. All undergraduate degree programs are flexible and permit the option of a heavy concentration in chemistry courses or a combination of a chemistry major with extensive course work in allied (other sciences) or non-allied (business, arts) areas. To develop their academic programs to meet specific needs and individual interests, students should consult their academic advisors.

The Bachelor of Science candidate is required to complete the chemistry, mathematics, and physics course sequences in the following program outline with one exception: CHM 4990 - Special Problems in Chemistry is not required. However, it is expected that the serious chemistry major will complete at least four credit hours of this research course during the senior year.

The Bachelor of Science program includes broad coverage of the primary disciplines within the chemical field with course work in analytical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry. In addition to the Wright State Core, the degree program includes foundation studies in mathematics and physics. For the latter, the requirements may be met by either the PHY 1110 , PHY 1120 , PHY 1110L and PHY 1120L sequence or the PHY 2400 , PHY 2410 , PHY 2400L and PHY 2410L sequence.

Because the order in which science courses are taken is so important, students are advised to begin the mathematics, chemistry, and physics sequences as soon as possible.

Bachelor of Science Degree (ACS certified)

The ACS certified Bachelor of Science program is recommended particularly for those students who anticipate pursuing a career in chemistry. The program provides an in-depth coverage of the primary disciplines within the chemical field and adds further breadth to the course work required for the non-ACS Bachelor of Science program by the addition of courses in spectroscopy (CHM 4170 ), inorganic chemistry (CHM 4210 , CHM 4210L ) and biochemistry (BMB 4210 ). In addition, the physics requirement can be met only with the PHY 2400 , PHY 2410 , PHY 2400L and PHY 2410L sequence.

Bachelor of Science - Chemistry Education Degree

The Adolescence to Young Adult Chemistry Licensure Program is based on an undergraduate Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry. The Bachelor of Science candidate is required to complete the chemistry, mathematics, and physics course sequences in the following program outline, which includes the majority of the courses expected for the other B.S. programs, with the addition of overview courses in biology and earth and environmental studies and several courses in education.

Because the order in which science courses are taken is so important, students are advised to begin the mathematics, chemistry, and physics sequences as soon as possible.

Chemistry Education

Students who wish to teach chemistry in Ohio public high schools can pursue the Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry. Upon completion of this undergraduate degree program in the College of Science and Mathematics, students then must complete the Professional Educators Program (PEP) Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree through Wright State’s College of Health, Education, and Human Services. Graduates of the B.S. in chemistry and the M.Ed. Professional Educators Program are eligible to seek licensure from the Ohio Department of Education in either chemistry or chemistry in combination with another science field, depending on the content of the undergraduate curriculum.

Program Learning Objectives

Students enrolled in this program will learn to:

Program Learning Outcomes

As a result of their learning experience, graduates of this program can:

Honors Program

The honors program in chemistry is designed to provide recognition to the intellectually gifted student who pursues a program of independent study under the guidance of a faculty advisor. The program is open to any chemistry major in the B.S. program having at least junior standing and a 3.25 or better overall GPA, including a 3.60 or better average in the four most recent chemistry lecture courses. The normal time for application for admission is at the end of the sophomore year and no later than the end of the junior year. Students apply for admission by contacting the chair of the undergraduate studies committee, who will examine the student’s record to determine eligibility. Eligible students are asked to submit a letter of intent (no longer than one typed page) indicating:

Why they wish to pursue departmental honors
The faculty member who has agreed to work with them
A description of the proposed project (with a timeline).

Upon acceptance into the program, the student should complete at least 9 credits of “A” research work, of which at least 6 credits will be CHM 4990 . An additional 2 credit hours of “A” research work may be completed as collaborative research as specified in the letter of intent. The student also must pass with a minimum of a “B” grade two elective 4000-level lecture chemistry courses and present the research results at a local or national ACS meeting or other specialized conference and as an oral presentation as part of the CHM 8000 seminar series. Full details are available on the chemistry department website.

For More Information

Program Requirements

I. Wright State Core: 37 Credit Hours

As a part of the requirements for a bachelor’s degree at Wright State University, all students must complete the Wright State Core, a general education curriculum. Most programs require 36 hours in the Core, some programs may require additional hours.

Specific Core classes in some of the Elements may be required by some majors. When this occurs, the specific Core courses required will be listed below. In Elements where a specific course is not required, students can choose any course from the Wright State Core Program Requirements.

First-Year Seminar: 1 Credit Hour

All students must successfully complete a First-Year Seminar during their first year. Transfer students who transfer 24 or more credit hours (post high school graduation) are exempt from this requirement and will need to satisfy one additional credit hour in the Additional Core Courses category.

UVC 1010 - First Year Seminar Credit Hour(s): 1 to 3

Element A - English Composition: 6 Credit Hours

First-Year Writing Course (3 credit hours)

All students must successfully complete ENG 1100.  Based on Writing Placement level, some students may be required to enroll in a corequisite course (DEV 0100). 
ENG 1100 - Academic Writing and Reading Credit Hour(s): 3
Second-Year Writing Course (3 credit hours)
ENG 2100 - Research Writing and Argumentation Credit Hour(s): 3

Element B - Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic: 4 Credit Hours

Based on Math Placement Level, students may need additional prerequisite or corequisite coursework in mathematics prior to enrollment in the required course below.

Required:

MTH 2300 - Calculus I Credit Hour(s): 4

Element C - Arts and Humanities: 6 Credit Hours

Students will select two Arts and Humanities courses, with different course prefixes from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements. One course must fulfill the History requirement.

History Requirement (3 credit hours)

Choose 1 course from the list below:
HST 1100 - Western Civilizations to 1500 Credit Hour(s): 3 (GI) (GI)
HST 1200 - The West and the World since 1500 Credit Hour(s): 3 (GI) (GI)
HST 1500 - Introduction to Greek and Roman Culture Credit Hour(s): 3 (GI) (GI)
Arts and Humanities Course (3 credit hours)

Choose an additional Arts and Humanities course (a different prefix from what is chosen above) from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements.

Element D - Social and Behavioral Sciences: 6 Credit Hours

Students will select two Social and Behavioral Sciences courses, with different course prefixes from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements.

Students following the Chemistry Education concentration must take the following:

ED 2600 - Introduction to Education Credit Hour(s): 3 (IE) (IW)

Element E - Natural Sciences: 10 Credit Hours

Students will select two Natural Science courses, from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements. At least one course must contain a laboratory.

Required:

CHM 1210 - General Chemistry I Credit Hour(s): 3
CHM 1210L - General Chemistry Lab I Credit Hour(s): 2
CHM 1210R - General Chemistry Lab I Recitation Credit Hour(s): 0
CHM 1220 - General Chemistry II Credit Hour(s): 3
CHM 1220L - General Chemistry Lab II Credit Hour(s): 2
CHM 1220R - General Chemistry Lab II Recitation Credit Hour(s): 0

Additional Core Courses: 4 Credit Hours

Students will select up to 4 additional credit hours from Elements A-E from the approved Wright State Core Program Requirements to reach the 36 minimum hours required in the Core. Unless specified by the student’s major, these are selected by the student. When a major has required courses in this area, the specific Core course(s) required will be listed below.

MTH 2310 - Calculus II Credit Hour(s): 4

Additional Core Requirements

Within the 36 credit hours of the Wright State Core students must successfully complete the following:

One Global Inquiry (GI) course

Two Inclusive Excellence (IE) courses

One to two Integrated Writing (IW) courses. To meet degree requirements all students must complete a minimum of 3 IW courses by choosing either (a) 1 in the Core and 2 in the major or (b) 2 in the Core and 1 in the major. Students should check their major program requirements for courses that fulfill Integrated Writing.

Students who do not make choices within the 36 required hours of the Core to fulfill the GI, IE, and IW requirements will take additional Core hours beyond the minimum of 36.

II. Major Core Requirements: 35 Credit Hours

Students in all three concentrations will complete the following classes:

CHM 2110 - Organic Chemistry I Credit Hour(s): 3
CHM 2110L - Organic Chemistry Lab I Credit Hour(s): 2
CHM 2120 - Organic Chemistry II Credit Hour(s): 3
CHM 2120L - Organic Chemistry II Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 2
CHM 3120 - Quantitative Analysis Credit Hour(s): 3
CHM 3120L - Quantitative Analysis Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 2
CHM 3510 - Thermodynamics and Kinetics Credit Hour(s): 3
CHM 3510L - Physical Chemistry Laboratory I Credit Hour(s): 2 (IW) (IW)
CHM 3510R - Physical Chemistry Laboratory I Recitation Credit Hour(s): 0 (IW) (IW)
CHM 3520 - Quantum Chemistry and Statistical Thermodynamics Credit Hour(s): 3
CHM 3520L - Physical Chemistry Laboratory II Credit Hour(s): 2 (IW)
CHM 3520R - Physical Chemistry II Recitation Credit Hour(s): 0 (IW) (IW)
CHM 4350 - Instrumental Analysis Credit Hour(s): 3
CHM 4350L - Instrumental Analysis Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 3
MTH 2320 - Calculus III Credit Hour(s): 4

III. Major Concentration Requirements: 22-43 Credit Hours

All students will choose one of the three concentrations.

IV. General Electives: 5-26 Credit Hours

Students must earn a minimum of 120 credit hours for a baccalaureate degree. If the total number of credit hours in the WSU Core (general education program) and the major requirements do not total at least 120 credits, students will choose additional courses (general electives) to meet the minimum required 120 credit hours. Students may choose from any undergraduate course in the Academic Catalog for which they meet the course prerequisites and for which they do not already have earned credit.

Students are encouraged to consider adding a minor, certificate, or microcredential.

The number of General Electives by concentration is as follows:

General Chemistry concentration: 26 credit hours
- CHM 4990: 4 credit hours recommended
Chemistry ACS Certified concentration: 23 credit hours
Chemistry Education concentration: 5 credit hours

Total: 120 Credit Hours

Graduation Planning Strategy

A Graduation Planning Strategy (GPS), also known as a four-year guide, is an academic tool showing one example of how a program can be completed in a certain amount of time. All Wright State undergraduate majors can be completed in four years with careful planning. Some programs may require summer coursework. Time to degree is dependent on many factors including student placement in mathematics and writing courses, CCP and AP coursework, transfer coursework, and other variables.

These guides are valid for this year’s Academic Catalog only and are subject to change. These guides are a recommendation only and your actual program may vary. Students should consult with their academic advisor on a regular basis and create a personalized plan to degree completion.