Chemistry Curriculum

This page contains information on the curriculum of the Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry and Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (general and biochemistry options).

Course descriptions

Follow the links below for descriptions of each course. The chemistry majors use courses from several different disciplines:

Important planning notes

  • You must earn a minimum of 180 credits to complete a degree from 56³Ô¹ÏÍø Bothell.
  • All courses required for this degree (not including general education courses) must be passed with a minimum grade of 2.0 or higher.
  • Chemistry Electives can be fulfilled by any 300-level or higher “BCHEM” course that is not already required for your degree option.
  • We strongly recommend taking Analytical Chemistry (BCHEM 316+317 and 426) in your Junior year, followed by Physical Chemistry (BCHEM 401, 402, 404) in your senior year, because:
    • We have found that students find more success when starting with Analytical Chemistry before moving on to Physical Chemistry.
    • These courses are very challenging. We strongly recommend that you do not take them courses at the same time, and instead spread them out over the course of two years.

General education requirements

All 56³Ô¹ÏÍø students must complete a common set of general education requirements. As a Chemistry major, you will have already completed the Natural Science (NSc) and Reasoning (R) requirements by taking chemistry, physics, and math classes, but make sure to plan for completion of the following:

  1. English Composition (C) – 5 credits
  2. Additional Writing (W) – 10 credits
  3. Diversity (DIV) – 5 credits (almost always also fulfills A&H or SSc; was only 3 credits prior to autumn 2023)
  4. Arts & Humanities (A&H) – 15 credits (cannot overlap with SSc)
  5. Social Sciences (SSc) – 15 credits (cannot overlap with A&H)

Entry prerequisites

Visit our Admissions page for information on prerequisite coursework.

B.A. in Chemistry

The Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry is intentionally flexible, allowing you to tailor your academic journey — whether that means pursuing a minor, adding a second major, preparing for graduate school or a future career, or simply diving into courses that you enjoy.

Minimum 2.0 grade for any course applied to the major.

General Chemistry series

  • B CHEM 143/144 General Chemistry I w/ Lab
  • B CHEM 153/154 General Chemistry II w/ Lab
  • B CHEM 163/164 General Chemistry III w/ Lab

Organic Chemistry series

  • B CHEM 237 Organic Chemistry I
  • B CHEM 238/241 Organic Chemistry II w/ Lab
  • B CHEM 239/242 Organic Chemistry III w/ Lab

Physics series

  • B PHYS 121 Mechanics
  • B PHYS 122 Electromagnetism and Oscillatory Motion
  • B PHYS 123 Waves

Chemistry series

  • B CHEM 294 Chemistry Seminar
  • B CHEM 312 Inorganic Chemistry I
  • B CHEM 315 Quantitative Environmental Analysis*
  • B CHEM 315 is no longer offered at 56³Ô¹ÏÍø Bothell. Students should replace this requirement with B CHEM 316 and BCHEM 317
  • B CHEM 316 Quantitative Chemical Analysis and Equilibrium Chemistry (4) NSc, RSN
  • B CHEM 317 Quantitative Environmental Analysis Lab (3) NSc, RSN
  • B CHEM 401 Physical Chemistry I
  • B CHEM 402 Physical Chemistry II
  • B CHEM 495 Investigative Chemistry I
  • B CHEM 497 Apprenticeship in Chemistry Education

Mathematics

  • STMATH 124 Calculus I
  • STMATH 125 Calculus II
  • STMATH 126 Calculus III

In addition, any ONE of the following courses to be selected:

  • STMATH 307 Introduction to Differential Equations
  • STMATH 308 Matrix Algebra with Applications
  • STMATH 324 Multivariable Calculus

Upper division Chemistry electives

Complete 9 credits from any of the following courses, including at least one lab. Each elective course is 5 credits unless otherwise noted.

  • B CHEM 310 Molecular Modeling
  • B CHEM 313 Inorganic Chemistry II (3 credits)
  • B CHEM 350 Atmospheric Chemistry and Air Pollution
  • B CHEM 364 Biochemistry I
  • B CHEM 365 Biochemistry II
  • B CHEM 366 Biochemistry Lab (3 credits)
  • B CHEM 375 Molecular Biology
  • B CHEM 404 Physical Chemistry Lab (4 credits)
  • B CHEM 426 Instrumental Analysis
  • B CHEM 493 Advanced Topics in Chemistry (1-5 credits, max. 15)
  • B CHEM 494 Special Topics in Biochemistry (3 credits, max. 12)
  • B CHEM 497 Apprenticeship in Chemistry Education (1-3 credits, max. 6)

Upper division Chemistry electives with a lab that satisfies the lab requirement:

  • B BIO 366 / B CHEM 366 Biochemistry Lab (3 credits)
  • B CHEM 404 Physical Chemistry Lab (4 credits)
  • B CHEM 426 Instrumental Analysis (5 credits)

Special considerations:

  • Approved Independent Study in Chemistry (B CHEM 498) (1-5 credits, max. 10)
  • Approved Undergraduate Research in Chemistry (B CHEM 499) (1-5 credits, max. 10)
  • Additional courses: As needed to fulfill University General Education Requirements and to equal 180 credits.

B.S. in Chemistry (general option)

The following courses are required to successfully complete the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry.

Minimum 2.0 grade for any course applied to the major.

General Chemistry series

  • B CHEM 143/144 General Chemistry I w/ Lab
  • B CHEM 153/154 General Chemistry II w/ Lab
  • B CHEM 163/164 General Chemistry III w/ Lab

Organic Chemistry series

  • B CHEM 237 Organic Chemistry I
  • B CHEM 238/241 Organic Chemistry II w/ Lab
  • B CHEM 239/242 Organic Chemistry III w/ Lab

Physics series

  • B PHYS 121 Mechanics
  • B PHYS 122 Electromagnetism and Oscillatory Motion
  • B PHYS 123 Waves

Chemistry series

  • B CHEM 294 Chemistry Seminar
  • B CHEM 312 Inorganic Chemistry I
  • B CHEM 313 Inorganic Chemistry II
  • B CHEM 315 Quantitative Environmental Analysis*
  • B CHEM 315 is no longer offered at 56³Ô¹ÏÍø Bothell. Students should replace this requirement with B CHEM 316 and BCHEM 317
  • B CHEM 316 Quantitative Chemical Analysis and Equilibrium Chemistry (4) NSc, RSN
  • B CHEM 317 Quantitative Environmental Analysis Lab (3) NSc, RSN
  • B CHEM 364 Biochemistry I
  • B CHEM 401 Physical Chemistry I
  • B CHEM 402 Physical Chemistry II
  • B CHEM 404 Physical Chemistry Lab
  • B CHEM 426 Instrumental Analysis
  • B CHEM 495 Investigative Chemistry I

Mathematics

  • STMATH 124 Calculus I
  • STMATH 125 Calculus II
  • STMATH 126 Calculus III

In addition, any ONE of the following courses to be selected:

  • STMATH 307 Introduction to Differential Equations
  • STMATH 308 Matrix Algebra with Applications
  • STMATH 324 Multivariable Calculus

Upper division Chemistry electives

Complete 16 credits. Each elective course is 5 credits unless otherwise noted.

  • B CHEM 310 Molecular Modeling
  • B CHEM 350 Atmospheric Chemistry and Air Pollution
  • B CHEM 365 Biochemistry II
  • B CHEM 366 Biochemistry Lab (3 credits)
  • B CHEM 375 Molecular Biology
  • B CHEM 493 Advanced Topics in Chemistry (1-5 credits, max. 15)
  • B CHEM 494 Special Topics in Biochemistry (3 credits, max. 12)
  • B CHEM 497 Apprenticeship in Chemistry Education (1-3 credits, max. 6)
  • Approved Independent Study in Chemistry (B CHEM 498) (1-5 credits, max. 10)
  • Approved Undergraduate Research in Chemistry (B CHEM 499) (1-5 credits, max. 10)

Upper division STEM electives

Complete five (5) additional credits of approved 300- or 400-level courses offered by the School of STEM.

Students can choose any 300- or 400-level course listed in the School of STEM time schedule as an elective. If the course is from 56³Ô¹ÏÍø Seattle or is outside of a STEM major, students must submit a to the department using the Chemistry Major or Minor Requirement Petition form.

Additional courses: As needed to fulfill the University General Education Requirements

B.S. in Chemistry (biochemistry option)

The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (biochemistry option) focuses on Biology and Biochemistry courses. It has a higher amount of core required courses and fewer electives. This option also requires a lot of time-consuming lab work, so we recommend working proactively with your academic adviser when planning your academic schedule.

Minimum 2.0 grade for any course applied to the major.

General Chemistry series

  • B CHEM 143/144 General Chemistry I w/ Lab
  • B CHEM 153/154 General Chemistry II w/ Lab
  • B CHEM 163/164 General Chemistry III w/ Lab

Organic Chemistry series

  • B CHEM 237 Organic Chemistry I (4 credits)
  • B CHEM 238/241 Organic Chemistry II w/ Lab (4 + 3 credits)
  • B CHEM 239/242 Organic Chemistry III w/ Lab (4 + 3 credits)

Physics series

  • B PHYS 121 Mechanics
  • B PHYS 122 Electromagnetism and Oscillatory Motion
  • B PHYS 123 Waves

Biology series

  • B BIO 180 Introductory Biology I
  • B BIO 200 Introductory Biology II

Chemistry series

  • B CHEM 294 Chemistry Seminar
  • B CHEM 315 Quantitative Environmental Analysis*
  • B CHEM 315 is no longer offered at 56³Ô¹ÏÍø Bothell. Students should replace this requirement with B CHEM 316 and BCHEM 317
  • B CHEM 316 Quantitative Chemical Analysis and Equilibrium Chemistry (4) NSc, RSN
  • B CHEM 317 Quantitative Environmental Analysis Lab (3) NSc, RSN
  • B CHEM 364 Biochemistry I
  • B CHEM 365 Biochemistry II
  • B CHEM 366 Biochemistry Lab
  • B CHEM 375 Molecular Biology
  • B CHEM 401 Physical Chemistry I
  • B CHEM 402 Physical Chemistry II
  • B CHEM 404 Physical Chemistry Lab
  • B CHEM 426 Instrumental Analysis
  • B CHEM 495 Investigative Chemistry I

Mathematics

  • STMATH 124 Calculus I
  • STMATH 125 Calculus II
  • STMATH 126 Calculus III

In addition, any ONE of the following courses to be selected:

  • STMATH 307 Introduction to Differential Equations
  • STMATH 308 Matrix Algebra with Applications
  • STMATH 324 Multivariable Calculus

Upper division Chemistry electives

Complete five (5) credits from any of the following courses:

  • B CHEM 310 Molecular Modeling (5 credits)
  • B CHEM 312 Inorganic Chemistry I (3 credits)
  • B CHEM 313 Inorganic Chemistry II (3 credits)
  • B CHEM 350 Atmospheric Chemistry and Air Pollution (5 credits)
  • B CHEM 493 Advanced Topics in Chemistry (1 – 5 credits, maximum 15)
  • B CHEM 494 Special Topics in Biochemistry (3 credits, maximum 12)
  • B CHEM 497 Apprenticeship in Chemistry Education (1 – 3 credits, maximum 6)
  • Approved Independent Study in Chemistry (B CHEM 498) (1 – 5 credits, maximum 10)
  • Approved Undergraduate Research in Chemistry (B CHEM 499) (1 – 5 credits, maximum 10)

Additional courses: As needed to fulfill the University General Education Requirements

Petitions

Chemistry-related courses that are not included on the core or elective requirements lists are considered on a case-by-case basis. If you have a syllabus, letter from the instructor, or other detailed description for the class you want to use as an elective, you can submit a petition to request for the course to count.

Submit a chemistry major / minor petition