University Catalog 2024-2025

Chemistry (BS)

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 Change2
Writing and Speaking
ENG 101Academic Writing and Research 14
Advanced Writing3
Basic Math & Sciences
PY 205
PY 206
Physics for Engineers and Scientists I
and Physics for Engineers and Scientists I Laboratory 1
4
PY 208
PY 209
Physics for Engineers and Scientists II
and Physics for Engineers and Scientists II Laboratory 1
4
MA 141Calculus I 14
MA 241Calculus II 14
MA 242Calculus III 14
MA 341Applied Differential Equations I 13
BCH 451Principles of Biochemistry 14
Chemistry
CH 103
CH 104
General Chemistry I for Students in Chemical Sciences
and General Chemistry Laboratory I for Students in Chemical Sciences 1
4
CH 203
CH 204
General Chemistry II for Students in Chemical Sciences
and General Chemistry Laboratory II for Students in Chemical Sciences 1
4
CH 225
CH 226
Organic Chemistry I for Students in Chemical Sciences
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I for Students in Chemical Sciences 1
4
CH 227
CH 228
Organic Chemistry II for Students in Chemical Sciences
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory II for Students in Chemical Sciences 1
4
CH 315
CH 316
Quantitative Analysis
and Quantitative Analysis Laboratory 1
4
CH 401Systematic Inorganic Chemistry I 13
CH 415Analytical Chemistry II 13
CH 431Physical Chemistry I 13
CH 433Physical Chemistry II 13
CH 442Advanced Synthetic Techniques 14
CH 452Advanced Measurement Techniques I 14
CH 444Advanced Synthetic Techniques II 14
or CH 454 Advanced Measurement Techniques II
Chemistry Elective 16
Advised Electives 212
Advised electives are designed to allow students to concentrate in areas related to their academic goals. Courses used to fulfill this requirement are selected by students after consultation and approval by their advisors or the Coordinator of Advising.
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 Electives2
Free electives courses cannot be CH 100, CH 111, MA 100, MA 101, 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
1

No grades below a C- are permitted.

2

Consult with your advisor regarding this requirement.

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 332Communication for Business and Management3
ENG 333Communication for Science and Research3
ENG 425Analysis of Scientific and Technical Writing3

Chemistry Electives

BIO 572Proteomics3
BIO 727Biological Mass Spectrometry3
BIT 572Proteomics3
CH 335Principles of Green Chemistry4
CH 403Systematic Inorganic Chemistry II3
CH 415Analytical Chemistry II3
CH 441Forensic Chemistry3
CH 463Molecular Origins of Life3
CH 563Molecular Origins of Life3
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 711Advanced Analytical Chemistry I3
CH 7132
CH 7141
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 736Chemical Spectroscopy3
CH 737Quantum Chemistry3
CH 743Electrochemistry3
CH 745Chemical Separation3
CH 755Organic Reaction Mechanisms3
CH 7573
CH 7593
CH 772Solid State Chemistry3
CH 795Special Topics in Chemistry1-6
PSE 335Principles of Green Chemistry4

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 141 Calculus I 1 4
ENG 101 Academic Writing and Research 1 4
COS 100 Science of Change 2
GEP Health and Exercise Studies 1
 Hours15
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 241 Calculus II 1 4
PY 205 Physics for Engineers and Scientists I 1 3
PY 206 Physics for Engineers and Scientists I Laboratory 1
GEP Requirement 3
 Hours15
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 208 Physics for Engineers and Scientists II 1 3
PY 209 Physics for Engineers and Scientists II Laboratory 1 1
MA 242 Calculus III 1 4
GEP Requirement 3
 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
MA 341 Applied Differential Equations I 1 3
GEP Health and Exercise Studies 1
GEP Requirement 3
 Hours15
Third Year
Fall Semester
CH 431 Physical Chemistry I 1 3
CH 401 Systematic Inorganic Chemistry I 1 3
CH 442 Advanced Synthetic Techniques 1 4
Advanced Writing Elective 1 3
Advised Elective 3
 Hours16
Spring Semester
CH 433 Physical Chemistry II 1 3
CH 415 Analytical Chemistry II 1 3
BCH 451 Principles of Biochemistry 1 4
GEP US Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 3
Advised Elective 3
 Hours16
Fourth Year
Fall Semester
Chemistry Advanced Elective 1 3
CH 452 Advanced Measurement Techniques I 1 4
GEP Requirement 3
Advised Elective 2
Free Elective 3
 Hours15
Spring Semester
CH 444 Advanced Synthetic Techniques II 1 4
Chemistry Advanced Elective 1 3
GEP Interdisciplinary Perspectives 3
Advised Elective 3
 Hours13
 Total Hours120
1

A grade of C- or higher is required.

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

NCcareers.org
Explore North Carolina’s central online resource for students, parents, educators, job seekers and career counselors looking for high quality job and career information.

Occupational Outlook Handbook
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Focus 2 Career Assessment (NC State student email address required)
This career, major and education planning system is available to current NC State students to learn about how your values, interests, competencies, and personality fit into the NC State majors and your future career. An NC State email address is required to create an account. Make an appointment with your career counselor to discuss the results.

American Chemical Society