Typical Four-year Outline: Chemistry BS (ACS Certified)

The typical four-year outline for Michigan Tech's Chemistry BS degree provides a semester-by-semester guide to core courses, labs, and requirements.

The Interactive Degree Audit is the official method for tracking the completion of your specific degree requirements. Please be aware that there are multiple ways for students to progress through this major. This is just one sample and adjustments may be required due to curriculum changes. Students should work with their advisor to develop their individual plan. A full list of undergraduate course descriptions is available.

Print Outline

First Year

Fall Semester
Course Credit
CH 1134 Pro. Dev. for Chemists  1
CH 1150 University Chemistry I And 3
CH 1151 University Chemistry Lab I And 1
CH 1153 University Chemistry I Recitation 1
PH 1100 Physics by Inquiry I 1
MA 1160 Calculus with Technology I 4
UN 1015 Composition (or Foundations of the Human World course) 3
Well-Being and Success 1
Total 15

Second Year

Third Year

Fourth Year

Fall Semester
Course Credit
CH 4310 Inorganic Chemistry I 3
CH 4311 Inorganic Chemistry Lab 2
Major Approved Elective 3
Free Electives 8
Total 16
Spring Semester
Course Credit
Major Approved Elective 3
Free Electives 13
Total 16

Grand Total = 125 Credits

Chemistry Concentrations

  • Concentrations ( Secondary Education, Chemical Physics, Environmental, Biochemistry, and Polymers) require additional courses to fulfill the degree in those options.

Major Approved Elective

  • Required Elective must be chosen from the specified Major Approved Electives list.
  • CH 4990 Undergraduate Research is strongly recommended, but it must be taken for two semesters for a minimum of 6 credits.

Co-Curricular Activities

  • 3 units of co-curricular activities are required (PE courses are taught in 0.5 unit classes. Thus, 6 of these are needed for 3 units).
  • It is highly recommended that students take at least one PE class during each semester of their first year, if possible.

Essential Education Requirements (24 total credits)

Required courses are:

  • Essential Ed Seminar (UN 1013 or UN 2013, 1 credit),
  • Composition (UN 1015-3 credits),
  • a Natural and Physical Science course (3 credits),
  • a Communication Intensive course (3 credits),
  • an Arts and Culture course (3 credits),
  • an Intercultural Competency course (3 credits),
  • an Essential Education Experience course (3 credits),
  • and 3 credits of Activities for Well-being and Success.

For specific courses, reference Essential Education on the Registrar's website.

Additional Notes

  • Prerequisite (pre-req) course must be successfully completed PRIOR to taking the subsequent course.
    • Concurrent Prerequisites (concurrent noted by (C) or ©) may be taken at the same time, although it is not necessary if the prerequisite course is completed first.
      • Required Corequisite (co-req) courses that MUST be taken together in the same semester.
      • Class Standing: So (Sophomore Standing earned 30 credits) Jr (Junior Standing earned 60 credits), Sr (Senior Standing earned 90 credits)
      • Semester Offered: Noted under electives with F (Fall), Sp (Spring), Su (Summer) or On Demand (no anticipated offering but may show in the schedule, consult with your advisor)
  • Math: Students are placed into an initial math course based on ACT/SAT math score, the online ALEKS assessment, or a math placement exam score for credit (AP, IB, CLEP).
  • Transfer, Advanced Placement, or study abroad courses are not included in credit hours used for GPA calculations. Transfer credit is awarded for Michigan Tech equivalent coursework only if a grade of ‘C’ or better (2.00/4.00) or equivalent is earned at a transfer institution. Study abroad credit will be awarded based on passing a course according to equivalent international standards. Advanced Placement credit is awarded according to published AP Exam score standards (also IB and CLEP).

This degree plan is not an official list of degree requirements. Adjustments may be required due to curriculum changes.

Revised Spring 2023 for 2023-2024 academic year.