Curriculum
Required for a major:
151, 152, 202, 241, 242, 361, 365, 490, 490L (201 may be taken in place of 151 and 152). Additionally, students must complete four half-courses, including at least one from three of the following four categories:
Biochemistry: 301, 348
Physical Chemistry: 351, 362, 366
Chemical Analysis: 344, 345
Inorganic Chemistry: 379, 472, 473
In addition one year of calculus (mathematics 151 and 152) and a year of physics (181 and 182, or 151 and 152) are required for the major. Students considering going on to a graduate program in chemisty should consider taking additional courses beyond the minimum listed above. Students interested in teaching should see the Education Department Website for secondary education minor requirements.
(ACS Certified). Students wishing to be certified by the American Chemical Society should complete the requirements above plus all of the following courses: Biochemistry 301, 348; Physical Chemistry 351, 362, 366; Chemical Analysis 344, 345; Inorganic Chemistry 379, 472, 473.
Required for a minor: 151, 152, 202, 241(201 may be taken in the place of 151 and 152). Four hours of chemistry in courses numbered above 300.
Writing requirement: Chem 242 is designated to fulfill the writing requirement and includes two writing projects.
Suggested Plans of Study
Below are some suggested plans of study for current and incoming chemistry majors:
Suggested plan of study for Chemistry Majors beginning in Chemical Principles (.pdf)
Suggested plan of study for Chemistry Majors beginning in Advanced Chemical Principles (.pdf)
Suggested plan of study for Chemistry/Biology Double Majors beginning in Advanced Chemical Principles (.pdf)
Suggested plan of study for Chemistry Majors beginning in the second year (.pdf)
Chemistry for Chemistry and Biology Students
Students majoring in chemistry and biology are required to take Chemical Principles (general chemistry).
When? Chemistry majors should take Chemical Principles beginning in the fall semester of their first year. Biology majors who intend a second major in chemistry are advised to take Chemical Principles in the fall semester of their first year in lieu of Biology 151. If one plans to major in biology with no second major in chemistry, the choice of either taking Chemical Principles or Biology 151 in the first year at Luther is not critical and depends on a number of factors that should be discussed with your academic advisor.
Which Chemical Principles course – 151 or 201? Chemistry 151-152 is the most common sequence of Chemical Principles courses. Chemistry 201 is Luther’s Advanced Chemical Principles course. Chemistry 201 covers much of the same material as in Chemistry 151 and 152, only at a faster rate. This enables students who take 201 in the fall to take Analytical Chemistry (202) in the spring. The sequence 201/202 can be considered a year of advanced general chemistry. The advantages of 201 are that it permits additional flexibility in the next three years and it better matches the needs of higher ability students.
If you are very familiar with stoichiometry and comfortable with chemical calculations, Chemistry 201 is a good choice. Students with good ACT scores, a strong chemistry background, and good math skills (testing into Math 151 - Calculus I is suggested) are encouraged to register for 201.
Important note: Students may certainly switch from 201 to 151 (and vice versa) early in the semester. Strong students are advised to give 201 a try.
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