University Catalog 2024-2025

Chemistry (BA)

Chemistry is a diverse and growing field that is full of academic and career opportunities for undergraduate students. Our two degree programs offer flexibility in choosing the appropriate academic path to fulfill your interest and career goals.  

The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Chemistry is built around the core sub-disciplines of chemistry with the addition of elective coursework in a chosen field. This program is designed to train you for a career outside of traditional laboratory work.  

The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Chemistry program is certified by the American Chemical Society and trains you for entry in the chemical workforce or graduate school in the chemical sciences.  

The Chemistry Honors Program offers students a challenging program of advanced study where they can develop independence, collaborative skills and a deeper understanding of chemistry required for careers in both industry and graduate school.

Outside of the classroom, students in Chemistry actively share their passion for chemistry with others, including the next generation of scientists. Opportunities in this area are possible through participation in our student groups: 

  • Alpha Chi Sigma – professional co-ed chemistry fraternity; benefits students not only by helping with their studies but also by providing projects and activities that teach the roles of leadership and management
  • American Chemical Society – the student chapter of the ACS takes part in activities including tours of local research facilities, trips to national and regional conferences, and presentations by guest speakers
  • Cosmetic Chemistry Club - open to all students interested in learning about cosmetics and the industry behind them; connects students to the cosmetic industry through guest speakers, company visits, and other activities

Undergraduate research can be one of the most rewarding aspects of your academic experience at NC State. Research offers opportunities to make pioneering discoveries at the forefront of science, using instrumentation and techniques far more sophisticated than those you would encounter in standard laboratory courses. Students often co-author publications in peer-reviewed journals and present their research at conferences. For more information on getting involved, please contact our Undergraduate Research Coordinator.

For more information about this program, visit our website.

Contact

Undergraduate Programs in Chemistry
chemistry-dup@ncsu.edu

Dr. Kirsten Kramer
Co-Director of Undergraduate Programs
919.515.6322
kdaykin@ncsu.edu

Dr. Marion Martin
Co-Director of Undergraduate Programs
919.515.3836
mmarti24@ncsu.edu 

Ms. Robin Tanner
Undergraduate Programs Coordinator
919.515.2561
robin_tanner@ncsu.edu

Dr. Tatyana Smirnova
Undergraduate Research Coordinator
tismirno@ncsu.edu

Dr. Ana Ison
Chemistry Honors Program Director
aison@ncsu.edu

Plan Requirements

Orientation
COS 100Science of Change 22
Writing and Speaking
ENG 101Academic Writing and Research 14
Advanced Writing3
Communications
Communications Requirement 33
Basic Math & Sciences 1
Select one of the following Physics I courses:4
Physics for Engineers and Scientists I
and Physics for Engineers and Scientists I Laboratory
College Physics I
Select one of the following Physics II courses:4
Physics for Engineers and Scientists II
and Physics for Engineers and Scientists II Laboratory
College Physics II
MA 131Calculus for Life and Management Sciences A3-4
or MA 141 Calculus I
MA 231Calculus for Life and Management Sciences B3-4
or MA 241 Calculus II
Statistics 53
Chemistry Core Courses 1
CH 103General Chemistry I for Students in Chemical Sciences3
CH 104General Chemistry Laboratory I for Students in Chemical Sciences1
CH 203General Chemistry II for Students in Chemical Sciences3
CH 204General Chemistry Laboratory II for Students in Chemical Sciences1
CH 225Organic Chemistry I for Students in Chemical Sciences3
CH 226Organic Chemistry Laboratory I for Students in Chemical Sciences1
CH 227Organic Chemistry II for Students in Chemical Sciences3
CH 228Organic Chemistry Laboratory II for Students in Chemical Sciences1
CH 315Quantitative Analysis3
CH 316Quantitative Analysis Laboratory1
CH 331Introductory Physical Chemistry4
CH 401Systematic Inorganic Chemistry I3
Chemistry Advanced Elective 96
Advised Electives
Advised Electives 424
Advised Electives are designed to allow students to concentrate in areas related to their professional goals. Advised Electives will be planned by the student in consultation with their academic advisor. At least 15 credit hours must be at the 300 level or higher with remaining credit hours being fulfilled by courses at the 200 level or above (exceptions to the 200 level course restriction include BIO 181, BIO 183, and FL* 1** courses that are not in your language of proficiency). Courses used to meet GEP requirements cannot also be used to meet Advised Electives requirements.
GEP Courses
GEP Humanities6
GEP Social Sciences6
GEP Health and Exercise Studies2
GEP US Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion3
GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives3
GEP Global Knowledge (verify requirement)
World Language Proficiency (verify requirement)
Free Electives
Free Electives (12 Hr S/U Lmt) 614
Free Elective courses can NOT be CH 100, C 111, MA 100, MA 101, MA 103, MA 107, MA 108, MA 111, MA 121, MA 131, MA 231, PY 131, PY 211, PY 212, ENG 100. 100-level World Language Courses (WL*) can be used if not satisfying the language proficiency requirement.
Total Hours120

Chemistry Advanced Electives

CH 335Principles of Green Chemistry4
CH 403Systematic Inorganic Chemistry II3
CH 415Analytical Chemistry II3
CH 435Introduction to Quantum Chemistry3
CH 441Forensic Chemistry3
CH 495Special Topics in Chemistry3
CH 572Proteomics3
CH 701Advanced Inorganic Chemistry I: Structure and Bonding3
CH 703Advanced Inorganic Chemistry II: Applications of Group Theory to Bonding and Spectroscopy3
CH 705Organometallic and Inorganic Reaction Mechanism3
CH 721Advanced Organic Chemistry I3
CH 723Advanced Organic Chemistry II3
CH 725Physical Methods in Organic Chemistry3
CH 727Biological Mass Spectrometry3
CH 730Advanced Physical Chemistry3
CH 732Advanced Physical Chemistry in Biological Applications3
CH 734Spectroscopic Methods in Chemical Biology3
CH 735Magnetic Resonance in Chemistry3
CH 737Quantum Chemistry3
CH 743Electrochemistry3
CH 745Chemical Separation3
CH 755Organic Reaction Mechanisms3
CH 765Chemistry of Materials3
CH 770Bioinorganic Chemistry3
CH 772Solid State Chemistry3
CH 795Special Topics in Chemistry3

  Advanced Writing

ENG 214Introduction to Editing3
ENG 281Introduction to Creative Nonfiction3
ENG 287Explorations in Creative Writing3
ENG 288Fiction Writing3
ENG 289Poetry Writing3
ENG 316Introduction to News and Article Writing3
ENG 323Writing in Rhetorical Traditions3
ENG 331Communication for Engineering and Technology3
ENG 332Communication for Business and Management3
ENG 333Communication for Science and Research3
ENG 425Analysis of Scientific and Technical Writing3

 Statistics

ST 311Introduction to Statistics3
ST/BUS 350Economics and Business Statistics3
ST 370Probability and Statistics for Engineers3

 Communications

COM 110Public Speaking3
COM 112Interpersonal Communication3
COM 201Introduction to Persuasion Theory3
COM 202Small Group Communication3
COM 211Argumentation and Advocacy3
COM 289Science Communication and Public Engagement3
1

No grades below a C- are permitted.

2

For students that did not enroll in COS 100 during their first semester, a GEP-Interdisciplinary Perspectives course may substitute for COS 100.

3

Communications requirement must be selected from COM 110, 112, 201, 202, 211, 289. The Communications requirement may not be used to satisfy the GEP requirements; it is taken in addition to the GEP.

4

Advised Electives are designed to allow students to concentrate in areas related to their professional goals. Advised Electives will be planned by the student in consultation with their academic advisor.  At least 15 credit hours must be at the 300 level or higher with remaining credit hours being fulfilled by courses at the 200 level or above (exceptions to the 200 level course restriction include BIO 181, BIO 183, and WL* 1** courses that are not in your language of proficiency).  Courses used to meet GEP requirements cannot also be used to meet Cross Discipline Electives requirements.   

5

Statistics requirement must be selected from ST 311, 350 (or BUS 350), 370.

6

Free Elective courses can NOT be CH 100, C 111, MA 100, MA 101, MA 103, MA 107, MA 108, MA 111, MA 121, MA 131, MA 231, PY 131, PY 211, PY 212, ENG 100. 100-level World Language Courses (WL*) can be used if not satisfying the language proficiency requirement. 

7

The two course sequence: CH 431 plus CH 433 can substitute for CH 331.

8

Advanced Writing course must be selected from ENG 214, 281, 287, 288, 289, 316, 323, 331, 332, 333, 425. The Advanced Writing course may not be used to satisfy the GEP requirements; it is taken in addition to the GEP. 

9

Choose from among the following: CH 335/PSE 335, CH 403, CH 415, CH 435, CH 441, CH 495, CH 5xx or CH 7xx. 

Semester Sequence

This is a sample.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall SemesterHours
CH 103 General Chemistry I for Students in Chemical Sciences 1 3
CH 104 General Chemistry Laboratory I for Students in Chemical Sciences 1 1
MA 131
Calculus for Life and Management Sciences A 1
or Calculus I
3-4
ENG 101 Academic Writing and Research 1 4
COS 100 Science of Change 2
GEP Health and Exercise Studies 1
 Hours14
Spring Semester
CH 203 General Chemistry II for Students in Chemical Sciences 1 3
CH 204 General Chemistry Laboratory II for Students in Chemical Sciences 1 1
MA 231
Calculus for Life and Management Sciences B 1
or Calculus II
3-4
Communications Requirement 3 3
Advised Elective 4 3
GEP Requirement 3
 Hours16
Second Year
Fall Semester
CH 225 Organic Chemistry I for Students in Chemical Sciences 1 3
CH 226 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I for Students in Chemical Sciences 1 1
PY 205
PY 206
Physics for Engineers and Scientists I 1
or College Physics I
4
Statistics 1,5 3
Advised Elective 4 3
GEP Health and Exercise Studies 1
 Hours15
Spring Semester
CH 227 Organic Chemistry II for Students in Chemical Sciences 1 3
CH 228 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II for Students in Chemical Sciences 1 1
CH 315 Quantitative Analysis 1 3
CH 316 Quantitative Analysis Laboratory 1 1
PY 208
PY 209
Physics for Engineers and Scientists II 1
or College Physics II
4
GEP Requirement 3
 Hours15
Third Year
Fall Semester
CH 331 Introductory Physical Chemistry 1,7 4
Advanced Writing 8 3
Advised Elective 4 3
Free Elective 6 3
GEP Requirement 3
 Hours16
Spring Semester
CH 401 Systematic Inorganic Chemistry I 1 3
Advised Elective 4 3
Advised Elective 4 3
Free Elective 6 3
GEP Requirement 3
 Hours15
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
Chemistry Advanced Elective 1,9 3
Advised Elective 4 3
Advised Elective 4 3
Free Elective 6 3
GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives 3
 Hours15
Spring Semester
Chemistry Advanced Elective 1,9 3
Advised Elective 4 3
Free Elective 6 3
Free Elective 6 2
GEP Requirement 3
 Hours14
 Total Hours120

Career Opportunities

Career Titles

  • Agricultural Technician
  • Agronomist
  • Anesthesiologist (MD)
  • Biochemist
  • Biophysicist
  • Cardiologist (MD)
  • Chemical Engineer
  • Chemical Technicians
  • Chemist
  • Chemistry Professor
  • Conservation Scientist
  • Criminalist
  • Dairy Technologist
  • Dental Laboratory Technician
  • Dentist (DDS)
  • Environmental Engineer
  • Environmental Technician
  • Fire Prevention Engineer
  • Food & Drug Inspector
  • Food Science Technicians
  • Food Technologist
  • Forensic Science Technicians
  • Forest and Conservation Technician
  • Fuel Cell Engineers
  • General Internists (MD)
  • Geneticist
  • Geologist
  • High School Teacher
  • Horticulturist
  • Hydrographer
  • Hydrologist
  • Industrial Air Pollution Analyst
  • Industrial Waste Inspector
  • Laboratory Tester
  • Landfill Inspectors
  • Materials Scientist
  • Medical and Health Services Managers
  • Microbiologist
  • Middle School Teacher
  • Neurologists
  • Nuclear Engineer
  • Nuclear Fuels Research Engineer
  • Nuclear Medicine Technologist
  • Occupational Health and Safety Technicians
  • Occupational Safety & Health Inspector
  • Pathologist (MD)
  • Perfumer
  • Petroleum Engineer
  • Pharmacist
  • Pharmacologist
  • Plant Breeder
  • Radiation Protection Engineer
  • Safety Inspector
  • Sales Representative (Chemicals & Drugs)
  • Sanitary Engineer
  • Soil Scientist
  • Surgeons (MD)
  • Sustainability Specialists
  • Technical & Scientific Publications Editor
  • Technical Publications Writer
  • Toxicologist
  • Veterinarian (VMD)

Learn More About Careers

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Focus 2 Career Assessment (NC State student email address required)
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American Chemical Society