Gizelle Sherwood, Director of Undergraduate Studies
Location: Doherty Hall 1316

Umi Davis, Undergraduate Academic Program Coordinator
Location: Doherty Hall 1317

www.chem.cmu.edu

B.S. in Chemistry/Biological Chemistry Track

The B.S. in Chemistry/Biological Chemistry is ideal for students preparing for graduate work in biochemistry, molecular biology, or biomedical fields, or for those pursuing careers in pharmaceuticals, healthcare, or biotechnology. This degree combines the rigorous core of the B.S. in Chemistry with expanded study in biology and biochemistry. 

In addition to the standard chemistry curriculum, students complete biology and biochemistry courses and a novel laboratory course that models the drug discovery process. The program emphasizes research readiness and interdisciplinary thinking at the intersection of chemistry and the life sciences.

Curriculum Planning and Course Scheduling

The curriculum and sample schedule presented here are intended for students who matriculate in Fall 2025. Students who entered in prior years should consult their degree audit and speak with the Director of Undergraduate Studies to confirm the requirements that apply to them.

The B.S. in Chemistry/Biological Chemistry track requires early and careful planning. Students are strongly encouraged to complete required technical courses at the earliest opportunity to ensure timely progress through the curriculum. Some flexibility exists to postpone certain courses in favor of electives, especially when coordinating a minor or additional major. However, such adjustments must take into account the sequencing and availability of key chemistry courses, which are often offered only once per academic year:

 For example:

Course Scheduling Note: Occasionally, a course that is typically offered in the fall may be shifted to the spring (or vice versa) due to departmental curriculum changes or faculty availability. Students are encouraged to consult the department and their advisor each semester to confirm course timing and build a long-term plan that anticipates such changes and accommodates personal goals such as study abroad, research, or double majoring.

Technical and Non-Technical Requirements

MCS Core Technical Requirements

Chemistry majors must complete a minimum of four technical courses outside of chemistry to satisfy the MCS core technical breadth requirement. These include courses in physics, biology, computer science, and mathematics:

Sample Schedule by Year (First–Senior)

First Year

Planning Tip: Chemistry majors who place out of 09-106 Modern Chemistry II can take 09-348 Inorganic Chemistry or  09-381 Environmental Systems on a Changing Planet as a chemistry elective.  09-381 Environmental Systems on a Changing Planet is especially recommended for students pursuing the Environmental and Sustainability Studies minor.   Please note that 09-291 Environmental Systems on a Changing Planet does not count toward chemistry electives.

In the B.S. Chemistry track, students are given the option of taking 09-510 Chemistry and Sustainability as a chemistry elective. Students interested in sustainability should certainly consider this course, as it fulfills both a chemistry elective and the MCS Science and Society requirement. In the B.S. in Chemistry/Biological Chemistry track, however, 09-510 Chemistry and Sustainability does not count toward the biological chemistry elective requirement. Instead, 09-403 Hooked: The Chemical Basis of Drug Addiction fulfills both a biological chemistry elective and the Science and Society requirement. If a student takes both 09-510 Chemistry and Sustainability and 09-403 Hooked: The Chemical Basis of Drug Addiction, only one may be used to fulfill the Science and Society requirement. 09-403 Hooked: The Chemical Basis of Drug Addiction is offered in the Fall semesters. 

The sample schedule above also includes  laboratory electives. Students wishing to actively engage in research should take 09-116 Undergraduate Research Shadowing in Chemistry, which pairs them with a research group in the department for half a semester. With a faculty mentor’s recommendation, students may continue in the same lab through 09-445 Undergraduate Research. Those who want focused hands-on experience in a chemistry lab environment may consider 09-101 Introduction to Experimental Chemistry. Students interested in biology-based lab work may also take 03-117 Frontiers, Analysis, and Discovery in Biological Sciences. 

Second Year

Planning Tip: Students pursuing careers in the health professions or following the Biological Chemistry Track may wish to take 03-232 Biochemistry I  in the Spring semester and delay 09-348 Inorganic Chemistry  to the spring of their senior year.

Third Year

Planning Tip:

1. 09-231 Mathematical Methods for Chemists  is a co-requisite for 09-344 Physical Chemistry (Quantum): Microscopic Principles of Physical Chemistry and a prerequisite for 09-345 Physical Chemistry (Thermo): Macroscopic Principles of Physical Chemistry.
2. 09-344 Physical Chemistry (Quantum): Microscopic Principles of Physical Chemistry is a prerequisite for 09-322 Laboratory IV: Molecular Spectroscopy and Dynamics .
3. While 09-345 Physical Chemistry (Thermo): Macroscopic Principles of Physical Chemistry  and 09-331 Modern Analytical Instrumentation are often taken alongside 09-322 Laboratory IV: Molecular Spectroscopy and Dynamics, they are not required co-requisites. Students should consult with an advisor if they plan to shift any of these courses to senior year.
4. Students pursuing careers in the health professions or following the Biological Chemistry Track may wish to take 09-403 Hooked: The Chemical Basis of Drug Addiction in the Fall semester of their Junior year. It will fulfill both a Chemistry elective as well as a Science and Society elective

 Students may spread out junior-level courses across the junior and senior years to balance their academic load and research commitments. Work closely with your academic advisor to map out a schedule that fits your goals

Fourth Year

Planning Tip: The senior year is designed to provide maximum flexibility. Use this time to deepen your training through electives, conduct independent research, or prepare for graduate school, professional programs, or job applications. Be mindful of not overloading your final semester and aim to complete general education requirements, including all ENGAGE courses, before your last term.

Unit Summary and Graduation Requirements for the B.S. in Chemistry/Biological Chemistry Track

Chemistry Requirements

A minimum of 187 units must come from chemistry-specific courses:

Note: These courses, along with 33-121 Physics I for Science Students and33-122 Physics II for Biological Sciences and Chemistry Students , are also required for students pursuing an additional major in chemistry.

Biological Chemistry Electives (minimum 27 units required)

A list of currently approved biological chemistry electives is provided below. Students must complete at least three courses totaling 27 units or more. Of these, at least two must be chemistry courses; a maximum of one course may be taken in biology or physics. Exceptions must be approved by the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

With prior approval, one semester of 09-445 Undergraduate Research   may be used to fulfill one biological chemistry elective, provided it is part of a sustained research experience that demonstrates depth of engagement in the area.

Chemistry courses required for the B.S. (numbered 09-2xx or higher) must be taken at Carnegie Mellon. Exceptions are granted only under unusual or extenuating circumstances, with prior approval from the Director of Undergraduate Studies.

To plan your electives effectively, consult with your academic advisor and check semester availability with the chemistry department.

Other Required Courses and Electives

Free Electives

Free electives include any Carnegie Mellon course, except those in science or engineering that are specifically intended for non-majors.

A maximum of 9 units total from the following categories may count toward the free elective requirement:

• Physical Education (P.E.)
• StuCo (Student College)
• ROTC

Students are encouraged to use free electives to pursue minors, deepen technical training, explore other disciplines, or prepare for future academic and career goals.

There is no separate "technical elective" requirement in the B.S. in Chemistry curriculum. However, students may choose to take advanced technical courses in chemistry or related fields as part of their free electives.

Additional Notes on Degree Requirements

Minimum Total Units

The B.S. in Chemistry degree requires a minimum of 360 units. Most students complete this requirement within 41–50 units per semester. Students are strongly encouraged to take additional electives in subjects of personal or professional interest to enrich their undergraduate experience.

AP Credit and Unit Overlap

Some students may need to complete more than 360 units to graduate, especially if they repeat coursework for which they received AP credit. For example, a student who received AP credit for but takes 09-105 or 09-107 at CMU will only receive 10 units toward the requirement — not 20. The duplicate units will not count toward the degree total.

Transfer Students and Course Substitutions

Students who transfer into the department and have taken 09-217 Organic Chemistry I  and/or 09-218 Organic Chemistry II must complete 09-435 Independent Study Chemistry  (1 unit per course) under the supervision of the 09-219 Modern Organic Chemistry and/or 09-220 Modern Organic Chemistry II instructor(s) to cover missing content.

Students who have taken 09-207 Techniques in Quantitative Analysis  and/or 09-208 Techniques for Organic Synthesis and Analysis  must enroll in a 3-unit transition course:

• 09-215 Chemistry Tech I to Lab I Transition   (for 09-207 Techniques in Quantitative Analysis)
• 09216 - Chemistry Tech II to Lab II Transition (for 09-208 Techniques for Organic Synthesis and Analysis)