56³Ô¹ÏÍø

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
• Important planning notes
• Entry prerequisites
• General education requirements
• B.A. in Chemistry requirements
• B.S. in Chemistry (general option) requirements
• B.S. in Chemistry (biochemistry option) requirements
• Petitions

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.

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)

Minimum 2.0 grade is required in each one of the above chemistry courses.

Physics series

Choose one of the following three-course series options:

Mathematics

Any ONE of the following courses to be selected:

• STMATH 207 Introduction to Differential Equations (5 credits)
• STMATH 208 Matrix Algebra with Applications (5 credits)
• STMATH 224 Multivariable Calculus (5 credits)
• STMATH 341 Introduction to Statistical Inference (5 credits)

Chemistry series

• B CHEM 294 Chemistry Seminar (1 – 2 credits)
• B CHEM 312 Inorganic Chemistry I (3 credits)
• B CHEM 316 Quantitative Chemical Analysis and Equilibrium Chemistry (4 credits)
• B CHEM 317 Quantitative Environmental Analysis Lab (3 credits)
• B CHEM 401 Physical Chemistry I (4 credits)
• B CHEM 402 Physical Chemistry II (4 credits)
• B CHEM 495 Investigative Chemistry I (3 credits)
• B CHEM 497 Apprenticeship in Chemistry Education (1 – 3 credits, maximum 6)

Upper division Chemistry electives

Complete seven (7) credits from any of the following courses, including at least one lab.

• B CHEM 310 Molecular Modeling (5 credits)
• B CHEM 313 Inorganic Chemistry II (3 credits)
• B CHEM 350 Atmospheric Chemistry and Air Pollution
• B BIO 364 / B CHEM 364 Biochemistry I (5 credits)
• B BIO 365 / B CHEM 365 Biochemistry II (5 credits)
• B BIO 366 / B CHEM 366 Biochemistry Lab (3 credits)
• B BIO 375 / B CHEM 375 Molecular Biology (5 credits)
• B CHEM 402 Physical Chemistry Lab (4 credits)
• B CHEM 426 Instrumental Analysis (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)
• 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.

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.

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)

Minimum 2.0 grade is required in each one of the above chemistry courses.

Physics series

Choose one of the following three-course series options:

Mathematics

Any ONE of the following courses to be selected:

• STMATH 207 Introduction to Differential Equations (5 credits)
• STMATH 208 Matrix Algebra with Applications (5 credits)
• STMATH 224 Multivariable Calculus (5 credits)
• STMATH 341 Introduction to Statistical Inference (5 credits)

Chemistry series

• B CHEM 294 Chemistry Seminar (1 – 2 credits)
• B CHEM 312 Inorganic Chemistry I (3 credits)
• B CHEM 313 Inorganic Chemistry II (3 credits)
• B CHEM 316 Quantitative Chemical Analysis and Equilibrium Chemistry (4 credits)
• B CHEM 317 Quantitative Environmental Analysis Lab (3 credits)
• B BIO 364 / B CHEM 364 Biochemistry I (5 credits)
• B CHEM 401 Physical Chemistry I (4 credits)
• B CHEM 402 Physical Chemistry II (4 credits)
• B CHEM 404 Physical Chemistry Lab (4 credits)
• B CHEM 426 Instrumental Analysis (5 credits)
• B CHEM 495 Investigative Chemistry I (3 credits)

Upper division Chemistry electives

Complete fourteen (14) credits from any of the following courses. Each elective course is 5 credits unless otherwise stated.

• B CHEM 310 Molecular Modeling (5 credits)
• B CHEM 350 Atmospheric Chemistry and Air Pollution (5 credits)
• B BIO 365 / B CHEM 365 Biochemistry II (5 credits)
• B BIO 366 / B CHEM 366 Biochemistry Lab (3 credits)
• B BIO 375 / B CHEM 375 Molecular Biology (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)

Upper division STEM electives

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

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.

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)

Minimum 2.0 grade is required in each one of the above chemistry courses.

Physics series

Choose one of the following three-course series options:

Mathematics

Any ONE of the following courses to be selected:

• STMATH 207 Introduction to Differential Equations (5 credits)
• STMATH 208 Matrix Algebra with Applications (5 credits)
• STMATH 224 Multivariable Calculus (5 credits)
• STMATH 341 Introduction to Statistical Inference (5 credits)

Biology series

• B BIO 180 Introductory Biology I (5 credits)
• B BIO 200 Introductory Biology II (5 credits)

Chemistry series

• B CHEM 294 Chemistry Seminar (1 – 2 credits)
• B CHEM 316 Quantitative Chemical Analysis and Equilibrium Chemistry (4 credits)
• B CHEM 317 Quantitative Environmental Analysis Lab (3 credits)
• B BIO 364 / B CHEM 364 Biochemistry I (5 credits)
• B BIO 365 / B CHEM 365 Biochemistry II (5 credits)
• B BIO 366 / B CHEM 366 Biochemistry Lab (3 credits)
• B BIO 375 / B CHEM 375 Molecular Biology (5 credits)
• B CHEM 401 Physical Chemistry I (4 credits)
• B CHEM 402 Physical Chemistry II (4 credits)
• B CHEM 404 Physical Chemistry Lab (4 credits)
• B CHEM 426 Instrumental Analysis (5 credits)
• B CHEM 495 Investigative Chemistry I (3 credits)

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.