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 (and requirements for additional major in chemistry)

The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Chemistry is the most commonly awarded undergraduate degree in the department. It provides strong preparation for graduate study or for employment in research, development, or analytical roles in industry. The curriculum includes foundational coursework in organic, physical, inorganic, and analytical chemistry, and it emphasizes hands-on laboratory training using modern instrumentation.

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 curriculum offers flexibility, allowing students to tailor their schedules to include electives, minors, or an additional major. While it is recommended that core technical courses be completed early, students may choose to delay some requirements to accommodate other interests or programs.

When planning your schedule, be aware that many required chemistry courses are 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)

Planning Tip: Students interested in majoring in chemistry who have a strong chemistry background should enroll in 09-107 Honors Chemistry: Fundamentals, Concepts and Applications  rather than 09-105 Introduction to Modern Chemistry I. Students who complete 09-107 with an A grade will be exempted from the requirement to take 09-106 Modern Chemistry II via a prerequisite waiver.

There are some elective laboratory courses offered for MCS students in the first year including 03-117 Frontiers, Analysis, and Discovery in Biological Sciences  or 09-101 Introduction to Experimental Chemistry and 09-115 Introduction to Undergraduate Research in Chemistry. While not required for the major, we strongly encourage students who are interested in early research engagement to register for 09-115 Introduction to Undergraduate Research in Chemistry. This course introduces students to research within the department and includes laboratory safety and hazardous waste training, which are often necessary for working in scientific labs at CMU. It is included in the sample schedule above to highlight this opportunity.

The maximum units allowed during the first semester is 54; therefore, students wishing to take a lab should take an alternate technical course to Physics I such as 15-110 Principles of Computing or 03-121 Modern Biology so that their unit total is lower.

Planning Tip: Chemistry majors who place out of 09-106 Modern Chemistry II can take 09-348 Inorganic Chemistry , 09-510 Chemistry and Sustainability  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. 09-510 Chemistry and Sustainability will serve as both a Chemistry elective as well as a MCS Science and Society requirement. Please note that 09-291 Environmental Systems on a Changing Planet does not count toward chemistry electives.

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. 

Sophomore 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.

Junior 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

Senior 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.

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)
• 09-216 Chemistry Tech II to Lab II Transition (for 09-208 Techniques for Organic Synthesis and Analysis) 

Options for the Bachelor's Degrees in Chemistry

The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry allows students to take a range of elective courses, particularly in the junior and senior years, in chemistry and other disciplines. Students may choose to focus these electives in a particular area of interest by completing one of several recommended options. Each option provides a structured group of electives that complements the B.S. in Chemistry and offers additional depth in a specialized area not covered by the standard curriculum.

Options are noted on the student’s transcript (but not on the diploma) and are recognized with a certificate awarded by the Department of Chemistry at Commencement.

For each option, students should refer to the Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree requirements described earlier in the catalog. The core chemistry requirements remain unchanged. However, the option-specific courses should be taken as electives and are listed within each option’s description.

Chemistry courses taken as part of an option may also count toward the chemistry elective requirement for the B.S. degree. In some cases, option courses may fulfill MCS technical core requirements or, for example, nontechnical core requirements in the Management Option. However, students should note that there is very limited ability to count a course toward both an option and a minor or additional major in a closely related field.

Students are encouraged to consult with their academic advisor or the advisor for the relevant department to clarify any potential overlap or restrictions.

Honors B.S./M.S. Program in Chemistry

The Honors B.S./M.S. Program in Chemistry offers students the opportunity to earn both a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with Departmental Honors and a Master of Science in Chemistry, typically within four years. This program is distinctively research-intensive and is best suited for students who have made significant progress on an independent research project early in their undergraduate career. Students admitted to this program are expected to demonstrate initiative, deep engagement with the scientific literature, and the ability to work at a level comparable to a beginning graduate student.

Only students pursuing the B.S. in Chemistry or the B.S. in Chemistry/Biological Chemistry Track are eligible for this program. It is not open to students in the B.A. program. Applications are typically submitted in the second half of the sophomore year but must be received no later than the first semester of the junior year. Later applications are only considered under exceptional circumstances and may require an extension into a fifth year.

Eligibility and Application

To be eligible for admission to the Honors B.S./M.S. program, students must:

• Have a QPA of 3.2 or higher
• Demonstrate significant and sustained progress in undergraduate research
• Have a faculty research advisor in place
• Show evidence that their research has the potential to lead to a master’s thesis. This may include a novel method or technique, the discovery of a new phenomenon, or a study that advances understanding in a particular field.

Students apply by submitting the BS/MS Honors Program application form, available on the Chemistry undergraduate Canvas site. This form requires:

• A brief description (1000 words or fewer) of the student’s research accomplishments and goals for the thesis
• A projected timeline for completion of the thesis work and writing
• A statement of support from the research advisor

Once submitted, applications are reviewed by a subset of the Undergraduate Program Committee. If the written application is deemed competitive, the student will be invited to deliver an oral presentation. This oral presentation is a key component of the application process. It should be at least 30 minutes long and include:

• A clear explanation of the research question or purpose
• Background literature and scientific context
• Results to date
• A detailed plan and timeline for completion

Presentations must include appropriate visual materials. After the presentation and discussion, the committee will confer privately to evaluate whether the student is prepared to meet the expectations of the program. Students are typically notified of the committee’s decision within 48 hours. While most students are accepted after this stage, the committee may, in rare cases, recommend deferral or alternative research pathways (such as the Departmental Honors track) if the project is not yet sufficiently developed.

Thesis Committee

Upon acceptance, the student must form a Thesis Committee to oversee their academic and research progress. This committee will replace the Undergraduate Program Committee for the remainder of the student’s degree. The committee must include:

• The student’s research advisor
• One member of the Undergraduate Program Committee, appointed by the Director of Undergraduate Studies
• A third faculty member selected jointly by the student and their advisor (this individual may be from another department or institution and may hold a tenure-track, teaching-track, or research-track position)

The student is responsible for securing the participation of the third member and notifying the Director of Undergraduate Studies and Undergraduate Academic Program Coordinator. A shared Box folder will be created for each student to store key documents, including the application materials, written reports, and thesis drafts.

Coursework Requirements

The B.S./M.S. Honors degree requires the completion of five graduate-level chemistry courses. These are typically 12-unit courses numbered 09-7xx or 09-8xx. Two 6-unit minis at these levels may also be combined to fulfill one course requirement.

While 09-6xx courses are sometimes offered at the graduate level, some (such as 09-611 Chemical Thermodynamics) are considered remedial and do not count toward the B.S./M.S. requirement, due to significant overlap with undergraduate content. Others, such as those associated with the M.S. in Science or Engineering and Public Policy or the Future Lab initiative, may be accepted with approval from the Director of Undergraduate Studies. Examples include:

• 09-615 Computational Modeling, Statistical Analysis and Machine Learning in Science 
• 09-616 Neural Networks & Deep Learning in Science 

To support interdisciplinary study, up to three of the five required graduate courses may be fulfilled using advanced undergraduate chemistry electives (09-5xx). These courses must be 9 units each and approved by the Director of Undergraduate Studies. While 09-5xx courses can be appropriate in some contexts, the 09-7xx versions are generally preferred, as they include additional assignments or projects that build skills important for graduate-level work.

Students must:

• Earn a grade of C or better in each of the five qualifying courses and in 09-455 Honors Thesis.
• Maintain a minimum QPA of 3.2 overall and  3.0 average across the five graduate (or approved 09-5xx) courses, 09-445 Undergraduate Research  and 09-455 Honors Thesis.

Research and Progress Expectations

Students in the B.S./M.S. program are expected to maintain a level of rigor, independence, and productivity that exceeds the Departmental Honors requirements. This includes:

• A minimum of 30 units of 09-445 Undergraduate Research (most students exceed this requirement)
• Active participation in research group meetings and departmental seminars
• Summer research after the sophomore and junior years (10 weeks each summer is strongly encouraged). Students are typically supported by their research group or through competitive programs such as the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)
• Presentation of research at Meeting of the Minds, typically during the junior year

In addition, students are expected to meet with their Thesis Committee regularly, at least once every three months and at the start of their final semester. One week before each meeting, students must submit the following materials:

• A 3–5 page written summary of research progress
• A one-page outline of remaining work
• Presentation slides for discussion

These meetings serve as formal checkpoints to assess progress, identify challenges, and support the student in achieving timely completion of the thesis.

Thesis and Defense

Students in the B.S./M.S. program must complete a formal thesis based on original research that meets the standards of a Master of Science degree in chemistry. The thesis should demonstrate independence, technical rigor, and depth of understanding in a specific field. While publication is not required, the research should be of a quality and scope that could reasonably lead to publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal.

To support timely and successful completion, students are expected to follow the timeline below:

Late Junior Year and Summer (prior to final year):

• Students should have completed a substantial portion of their research by the end of the junior year.
• A thorough literature review should be conducted over the summer in preparation for the thesis introduction.
• Preliminary organization of thesis chapters (e.g., outlining sections, figures, tables) is encouraged.

Semester Before Final Semester:

• Continue research and begin assembling thesis materials, including figures, data, and chapter outlines, in preparation for formal writing.
• Draft a full literature review and begin writing the thesis introduction.
• A progress meeting must be scheduled with the Thesis Committee during the first two weeks of the final semester.

This meeting is used to assess whether the project is on track for a Master’s-level thesis. If the committee determines that sufficient progress has not been made, students may either extend their timeline for completion, or transition to the Departmental Honors track, provided those requirements are met.

Start of Final Semester:

• Submit a draft of the thesis introduction and a detailed outline of the methods, results, and discussion sections to the Thesis Committee and Undergraduate Program Coordinator.
• Use committee feedback to guide final writing and remaining experimental work.

Two Months Before Intended Defense Date:

• Submit a full draft or substantial sections of the thesis to the research advisor for feedback. This should allow time for revision before sharing with the full committee.

At Least One Week Before Defense:

• Submit the advisor-approved final version of the thesis to all committee members. Missing this deadline will result in the defense being rescheduled.

Defense:

• Deliver a public oral presentation (30–40 minutes), followed by audience Q&A.
• Participate in a private defense with the Thesis Committee immediately after the presentation.

The thesis should follow a formal scientific structure (abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion, conclusion) and adhere to ACS Style Guide formatting. While publication is not a graduation requirement, the work must reflect sustained effort, critical thinking, and mastery of the research topic.

Note: While defenses are commonly scheduled in April for May graduates, alternate timelines apply for August or December graduation. The Undergraduate Academic Program Coordinator will work with each student and their committee to ensure timely scheduling and degree certification.

Graduation with Honors

Students who successfully complete all academic, research, and thesis requirements for the program will receive two degrees:

1. A Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with Departmental Honors
2. A Master of Science in Chemistry

Both degrees are awarded at the same time, and students will receive a separate diploma for each. Departmental Honors and MCS College Honors will be noted on the official transcript but do not appear on the diploma. Only University Honors, which are based on overall academic performance, are printed on the diploma.

Failure to maintain satisfactory progress in research or coursework, or violations of professional or academic standards, may result in removal from the M.S. portion of the program. In such cases, students may still complete the B.S. or Departmental Honors degree, provided they meet the respective requirements.

Curriculum Planning for the Honors B.S./M.S. in Chemistry

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.

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)

The suggested schedule below is designed for students pursuing  the B.S./M.S. program. Students should consult with the Director of Undergraduate Studies and their research advisor to customize their timeline based on research progress, course availability, and personal goals.

First Year

Sophomore Year

Junior Year

Planning Tips: 

The junior year is often when chemistry majors encounter some of the most conceptually rich and mathematically engaging material in the curriculum, including physical chemistry and advanced laboratory techniques. For many students, this is also when research becomes a central focus.

To make the most of this experience, consider how your schedule can support both depth and balance. The senior year includes a number of free electives and flexible space, which can be used to redistribute coursework across semesters. Spreading out junior year requirements over four semesters, instead of concentrating them in just two, is a great way to maintain momentum and quality in both academics and research.

Students should consult with their advisor to discuss an individualized plan to meet their academic goals.

Senior Year

Note for Students in the B.S. in Chemistry/Biological Chemistry Track

Students pursuing the B.S./M.S. program through the Biological Chemistry Track should follow the same curriculum structure shown above. However, they must ensure that the following core courses are included in their schedule:

• 03-232 Biochemistry I 
• 09-323 Bioorganic Chemistry Laboratory 
• 09-518 Bioorganic Chemistry: Nucleic Acids and Carbohydrates or 09-519 Bioorganic Chemistry: Peptides, Proteins and Combinatorial Chemistry.

In place of the chemistry electives normally required in the B.S., students should register for graduate-level chemistry courses that satisfy both the Biological Chemistry Track and the M.S. requirements. Approved substitutions include:

• 09-718 Bioorganic Chemistry: Nucleic Acids and Carbohydrates in place of 09-518 Bioorganic Chemistry: Nucleic Acids and Carbohydrates
• 09-719 Bioorganic Chemistry: Peptides, Proteins and Combinatorial Chemistry in place of 09-519 Bioorganic Chemistry: Peptides, Proteins and Combinatorial Chemistry
• 09-730 Chemistry of Gene Expression in place of 09-530 Chemistry of Gene Expression
• 09-738 Exposure and Risk Assessment for Environmental Pollutants in place of 09-538 Exposure and Risk Assessment for Environmental Pollutants

These substitutions help students meet the graduate course requirement  for the M.S. degree without disrupting the overall B.S. Chemistry/Biological Chemistry Track structure. Research and thesis expectations in the senior year are the same for both the standard Chemistry and the Biological Chemistry Track.