Program: Chemistry [CHM] - SUNY Cortland - Modern Campus Catalog™

2016-17 Undergraduate Catalog

Apr 19, 2025

The chemistry major provides a solid foundation in chemistry, physics and mathematics. Students in this major can pursue many career pathways including employment, government positions or electing to continue their studies in a wide variety of graduate programs.

Career Potential

Industrial Chemist
Health professions
Research scientist
Consultant
Patent Attorney
State and Federal Agency scientist and policy maker

A. Required Courses: 45 credit hours

In addition to the course requirements listed below, students must take five additional credit hours in chemistry at the 300 level or above, excluding CHE 305 and CHE 306.

Students who fulfill this requirement in part by taking 2 cr. hrs. of CHE 480 - Independent Research, fulfill the requirements for the American Chemical Society approved major in Chemistry.

CHE 221 - General Chemistry I (4 cr. hr.)
CHE 222 - General Chemistry II (4 cr. hr.)
CHE 301 - Organic Chemistry I (4 cr. hr.)
CHE 302 - Organic Chemistry II (3 cr. hr.)
CHE 304 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (1 cr. hr.)
CHE 310 - Foundations of Analytical Chemistry (4 cr. hr.)
CHE 340 - Inorganic Chemistry (3 cr. hr.)
CHE 361 - Introduction to Research in Chemistry and Biochemistry (1 cr. hr.)
CHE 431 - Physical Chemistry I (3 cr. hr.)
CHE 432 - Physical Chemistry II (3 cr. hr.)
CHE 451 - Biochemistry I (3 cr. hr.)
CHE 461 - Senior Seminar in Chemistry and Biochemistry (1 cr. hr.)
CHE 477 - Advanced Laboratory I (3 cr. hr.)
CHE 478 - Advanced Laboratory II (3 cr. hr.)

B. Related Courses: 17-20 credit hours

MAT 121 - Calculus A (3 cr. hr.) and
MAT 122 - Calculus B (3 cr. hr.)
or
MAT 135 - Calculus I (4 cr. hr.) and
MAT 236 - Calculus II (4 cr. hr.)

Plus

One additional math course at the 200 level or higher, selected in consultation with advisor. Appropriate courses would include MAT 224, MAT 237, MAT 272 and MAT 430.

Plus

PHY 201 - Principles of Physics I (4 cr. hr.)
PHY 202 - Principles of Physics II (4 cr. hr.)

C. Other Degree Requirements

59-62 credit hours of General Education requirements and free electives

Total Credit Hours Required for Graduation: 124

Example of the bachelor's degree in Chemistry over four years

* indicates prerequisite; Link to General Education (GE ); Link to Foreign Language

First Year Fall

CHE 221 - General Chemistry I (4 cr. hr.)
CHE 224 - Problem-Solving in General Chemistry I (1 cr. hr.)
MAT 121 - Calculus A (3 cr. hr.) or
MAT 135 - Calculus I (4 cr. hr.)
COR 101 - The Cortland Experience: A First Year Seminar (1 cr. hr.)
CPN 100 - Writing Studies I (3 cr. hr.) or
CPN 102 - Writing Studies in the Community I (4 cr. hr.)
GE course (3 cr. hr.)

Total credit hours for semester: 16

First Year Spring

CHE 222 - General Chemistry II (4 cr. hr.)
CHE 225 - Problem-Solving in General Chemistry II (1 cr. hr.)
MAT 122 - Calculus B (3 cr. hr.) or
MAT 236 - Calculus II (4 cr. hr.)
PHY 201 - Principles of Physics I (4 cr. hr.)
CPN 101 - Writing Studies II (3 cr. hr.) or
CPN 103 - Writing Studies in the Community II (4 cr. hr.)

Total credit hours for semester: 16

Second Year Fall

CHE 301 - Organic Chemistry I (4 cr. hr.)
CHE 305 - Problem-Solving in Organic Chemistry I (1 cr. hr.)
CHE 340 - Inorganic Chemistry (3 cr. hr.) *
CHE 361 - Introduction to Research in Chemistry and Biochemistry (1 cr. hr.)
PHY 202 - Principles of Physics II (4 cr. hr.)
GE course (3 cr. hr.)

Total credit hours for semester: 16

Second Year Spring

CHE 302 - Organic Chemistry II (3 cr. hr.) *
CHE 304 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (1 cr. hr.) *
CHE 306 - Problem-Solving in Organic Chemistry II (1 cr. hr.) *
CHE 310 - Foundations of Analytical Chemistry (4 cr. hr.) *
GE course (3 cr. hr.)
GE course (3 cr. hr.)

Total credit hours for semester: 15

Third Year Fall

CHE 431 - Physical Chemistry I (3 cr. hr.)
CHE 461 - Senior Seminar in Chemistry and Biochemistry (1 cr. hr.)
CHE 477 - Advanced Laboratory I (3 cr. hr.)
GE course (3 cr. hr.)
GE course (3 cr. hr.)
GE course (3 cr. hr.)

Total credit hours for semester: 16

Third Year Spring

CHE 432 - Physical Chemistry II (3 cr. hr.)
CHE 478 - Advanced Laboratory II (3 cr. hr.)
CHE 300-level elective (3 cr. hr.) *
MAT 200-level elective (3 cr. hr.) *
Foreign language (3 cr. hr.)

Total credit hours for semester: 15

Fourth Year Fall

CHE 451 - Biochemistry I (3 cr. hr.) *
CHE 480 - Independent Research (1-3 cr. hr.) *
CHE 300-level elective (3 cr. hr.) *
GE course (3 cr. hr.)
Elective (3 cr. hr.)
Elective (3 cr. hr.)

Total credit hours for semester: 16

Fourth Year Spring

CHE 480 - Independent Research (1-3 cr. hr.) *
CHE 300-level elective (3 cr. hr.) *
Elective (3 cr. hr.)
Elective (3 cr. hr.)
Elective (3 cr. hr.)
Elective (3 cr. hr.)

Catalog

Career Potential

A. Required Courses: 45 credit hours

B. Related Courses: 17-20 credit hours

Plus

Plus

C. Other Degree Requirements

Total Credit Hours Required for Graduation: 124

Example of the bachelor's degree in Chemistry over four years

First Year Fall

Total credit hours for semester: 16

First Year Spring

Total credit hours for semester: 16

Second Year Fall

Total credit hours for semester: 16

Second Year Spring

Total credit hours for semester: 15

Third Year Fall

Total credit hours for semester: 16

Third Year Spring

Total credit hours for semester: 15

Fourth Year Fall

Total credit hours for semester: 16

Fourth Year Spring

Total credit hours for semester: 16

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