Bachelor of Science with a Major in Chemistry

The Department of Chemistry offers four options for bachelor of science degree, all designed to give students a broad background in the basic divisions of chemistry: analytical, biochemistry, inorganic, organic, and physical. 

Option 1 provides considerable concentration in chemistry while permitting a wider selection of electives. It should meet the needs of students preparing to enter the fields of medicine, law, dentistry, and business, among others.

The following requirements must be fulfilled:The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Undergraduate Programs and the required curriculum.

Prerequisite courses for the bachelor of science degree:
CHEM 1111
& CHEM 1112		General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry II
CHEM 2122
& CHEM 2123W		Introductory Quantitative Analysis
and Introductory Quantitative Analysis Laboratory
MATH 1231
& MATH 1232		Single-Variable Calculus I
and Single-Variable Calculus II
PHYS 1021
& PHYS 1022		University Physics I
and University Physics II
or PHYS 1025 University Physics I with Biological Applications
Two additional semesters of approved coursework in the natural sciences or mathematics, such as one of the following:
BISC 1115
& BISC 1125		Introductory Biology: Cells and Molecules
and Introduction to Cells and Molecules Laboratory *
BISC 1116
& BISC 1126		Introductory Biology: The Biology of Organisms
and Introduction to Organisms Laboratory
GEOL 1001Physical Geology *
or GEOL 1005 Environmental Geology
GEOL 1002Historical Geology
*Credit for the degree cannot be earned for both GEOL 1001 and GEOL 1005.

*Honors Program students and those who have been invited to join the Scholars in Quantitative and Natural Sciences (SQNS) Program take BISC 1120 instead of BISC 1125 for the lab component.

Required courses:
CHEM 2151
& CHEM 2153		Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
CHEM 2152
& CHEM 2154		Organic Chemistry II
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
CHEM 3171
& CHEM 3172		Physical Chemistry I
and Physical Chemistry II
CHEM 3173Physical Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 3165Biochemistry I
CHEM 4122Instrumental Analytical Chemistry
CHEM 4134Inorganic Chemistry

Suggested Program of Study:

Students should follow this sequence in general and are urged to consult with the chemistry and premedical advisors concerning their academic program.

First Year
CHEM 1111
& CHEM 1112		General Chemistry I
Select one of the following:
MATH 1231
& MATH 1232*		Single-Variable Calculus I
MATH 1220
& MATH 1221		Calculus with Precalculus I
Second Year
CHEM 2122Introductory Quantitative Analysis
CHEM 2151
& CHEM 2153		Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 2152
& CHEM 2154		Organic Chemistry II
PHYS 1021 or 1025University Physics I
PHYS 1022 or 1026University Physics II
MATH 1232 (if not taken in the first year)Single-Variable Calculus II
Third Year
CHEM 2123Introductory Quantitative Analysis Laboratory
CHEM 3171
& CHEM 3172		Physical Chemistry I
CHEM 3173Physical Chemistry Laboratory
Fourth Year
CHEM 3165 (if not taken in the junior year)Biochemistry I
CHEM 4122Instrumental Analytical Chemistry
CHEM 4134 (if not taken in the junior year)Inorganic Chemistry

The Department of Chemistry offers four options for bachelor of science degree, all designed to give students a broad background in the basic divisions of chemistry: analytical, biochemistry, inorganic, organic, and physical. 

Option 2 is for students preparing for graduate study in chemistry or those planning to enter the chemical profession and wishing to be certified by the American Chemical Society as having met the minimum requirements for professional training. 

The following requirements must be fulfilled:

The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Undergraduate Programs and the required curriculum.

Prerequisite courses for the bachelor of science degree:
CHEM 1111
& CHEM 1112		General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry II
CHEM 2122
& CHEM 2123W		Introductory Quantitative Analysis
and Introductory Quantitative Analysis Laboratory
MATH 1231
& MATH 1232		Single-Variable Calculus I
and Single-Variable Calculus II
PHYS 1021
& PHYS 1022		University Physics I
and University Physics II
or PHYS 1025 University Physics I with Biological Applications
Two additional semesters of approved coursework in the natural sciences or mathematics, such as one of the following:
BISC 1115
& BISC 1125		Introductory Biology: Cells and Molecules
and Introduction to Cells and Molecules Laboratory *
BISC 1116
& BISC 1126		Introductory Biology: The Biology of Organisms
and Introduction to Organisms Laboratory
GEOL 1001Physical Geology *
or GEOL 1005 Environmental Geology
GEOL 1002Historical Geology
*Credit for the degree cannot be earned for both GEOL 1001 and GEOL 1005.

*Honors Program students and those who have been invited to join the Scholars in Quantitative and Natural Sciences (SQNS) Program take BISC 1120 instead of BISC 1125 for the lab component.

Required courses:
CHEM 2151
& CHEM 2153		Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
CHEM 2152
& CHEM 2154		Organic Chemistry II
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
CHEM 3171
& CHEM 3172		Physical Chemistry I
and Physical Chemistry II
CHEM 3173Physical Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 3165Biochemistry I
CHEM 4122Instrumental Analytical Chemistry
CHEM 4123Instrumental Analytical Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 4134Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM 4195Undergraduate Research
or CHEM 4195W Undergraduate Research
A course in a structured computer programming language, such as one of the following courses, is recommended:
STAT 1129Introduction to Computing
CSCI 1011Introduction to Programming with Java
CSCI 1041Introduction to FORTRAN Programming
CSCI 1121Introduction to C Programming
CSCI 1131Introduction to Programming with C

Suggested Program of Study:

Students should follow this sequence in general and are urged to consult with the chemistry and premedical advisors concerning their academic program.

First Year
CHEM 1111
& CHEM 1112		General Chemistry I
MATH 1231
& MATH 1232*		Single-Variable Calculus I
MATH 1220
& MATH 1221		Calculus with Precalculus I
One of the following:
Second Year
CHEM 2122Introductory Quantitative Analysis
CHEM 2151
& CHEM 2153		Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 2152
& CHEM 2154		Organic Chemistry II
PHYS 1021 or 1025University Physics I
PHYS 1022 or 1026University Physics II
MATH 1232 (if not taken in the first year)Single-Variable Calculus II
Third Year
CHEM 2123Introductory Quantitative Analysis Laboratory
CHEM 3171
& CHEM 3172		Physical Chemistry I
CHEM 3173Physical Chemistry Laboratory
Fourth Year
CHEM 3165Biochemistry I
CHEM 4122Instrumental Analytical Chemistry
CHEM 4123Instrumental Analytical Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 4134 (if not taken in the junior year)Inorganic Chemistry

The Department of Chemistry offers four options for bachelor of science degree, all designed to give students a broad background in the basic divisions of chemistry: analytical, biochemistry, inorganic, organic, and physical. 

Option 3 prepares students to meet the needs of federal and state forensic sciences laboratories.

The following requirements must be fulfilled:

The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Undergraduate Programs and the required curriculum.

Prerequisite courses for the bachelor of science degree:
CHEM 1111
& CHEM 1112		General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry II
CHEM 2122
& CHEM 2123W		Introductory Quantitative Analysis
and Introductory Quantitative Analysis Laboratory
MATH 1231
& MATH 1232		Single-Variable Calculus I
and Single-Variable Calculus II
PHYS 1021
& PHYS 1022		University Physics I
and University Physics II
or PHYS 1025 University Physics I with Biological Applications
Two additional semesters of approved coursework in the natural sciences or mathematics, such as one of the following:
BISC 1115
& BISC 1125		Introductory Biology: Cells and Molecules
and Introduction to Cells and Molecules Laboratory *
BISC 1116
& BISC 1126		Introductory Biology: The Biology of Organisms
and Introduction to Organisms Laboratory
GEOL 1001Physical Geology *
or GEOL 1005 Environmental Geology
GEOL 1002Historical Geology
*Credit for the degree cannot be earned for both GEOL 1001 and GEOL 1005.

*Honors Program students and those who have been invited to join the Scholars in Quantitative and Natural Sciences (SQNS) Program take BISC 1120 instead of BISC 1125 for the lab component.

Required courses:
CHEM 2151
& CHEM 2153		Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
CHEM 2152
& CHEM 2154		Organic Chemistry II
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
CHEM 3171
& CHEM 3172		Physical Chemistry I
and Physical Chemistry II
CHEM 3173Physical Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 3165Biochemistry I
CHEM 4122Instrumental Analytical Chemistry
CHEM 4134Inorganic Chemistry
BISC 1115
& BISC 1125		Introductory Biology: Cells and Molecules
and Introduction to Cells and Molecules Laboratory
BISC 1116
& BISC 1126		Introductory Biology: The Biology of Organisms
and Introduction to Organisms Laboratory
FORS 6213Elements of of Forensic Sciences
FORS 6221Criminal Law I
Three of the following:
FORS 6206Trace Evidence Analysis
FORS 6234Medicinal Chemistry I
FORS 6235Medicinal Chemistry II
FORS 6238Forensic Chemistry I
FORS 6239Forensic Chemistry II
FORS 6240Forensic Drug Analysis

Suggested Program of Study:

Students should follow this sequence in general and are urged to consult with the chemistry and premedical advisors concerning their academic program.

First Year
CHEM 1111
& CHEM 1112		General Chemistry I
Select one of the following:
MATH 1231
& MATH 1232*		Single-Variable Calculus I
MATH 1220
& MATH 1221		Calculus with Precalculus I
Second Year
CHEM 2122Introductory Quantitative Analysis
CHEM 2151
& CHEM 2153		Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 2152
& CHEM 2154		Organic Chemistry II
PHYS 1021 or 1025University Physics I
PHYS 1022 or 1026University Physics II
MATH 1232 (if not taken in the first year)Single-Variable Calculus II
Third Year
CHEM 2123Introductory Quantitative Analysis Laboratory
CHEM 3171
& CHEM 3172		Physical Chemistry I
CHEM 3173Physical Chemistry Laboratory
Fourth Year
CHEM 3165Biochemistry I
CHEM 4122Instrumental Analytical Chemistry
CHEM 4123Instrumental Analytical Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 4134 (if not taken in the junior year)Inorganic Chemistry

The Department of Chemistry offers four options for bachelor of science degree, all designed to give students a broad background in the basic divisions of chemistry: analytical, biochemistry, inorganic, organic, and physical. 

Option 4 includes additional courses in biochemistry and fulfills the American Chemical Society requirement for a certified degree program in chemistry with a biochemistry option.

The following requirements must be fulfilled:

The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Undergraduate Programs and the required curriculum.

Prerequisite courses for the bachelor of science degree:
CHEM 1111General Chemistry I
CHEM 1112General Chemistry II
CHEM 2122Introductory Quantitative Analysis
CHEM 2123WIntroductory Quantitative Analysis Laboratory
MATH 1231Single-Variable Calculus I
MATH 1232Single-Variable Calculus II
PHYS 1021University Physics I
or PHYS 1025 University Physics I with Biological Applications
PHYS 1022University Physics II
or PHYS 1026 University Physics II with Biological Applications
BISC 1115
& BISC 1125		Introductory Biology: Cells and Molecules
and Introduction to Cells and Molecules Laboratory *
BISC 1116
& BISC 1126		Introductory Biology: The Biology of Organisms
and Introduction to Organisms Laboratory
Required courses:
CHEM 2151
& CHEM 2153		Organic Chemistry I
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
CHEM 2152
& CHEM 2154		Organic Chemistry II
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
CHEM 3171
& CHEM 3172		Physical Chemistry I
and Physical Chemistry II
CHEM 3173Physical Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 3165
& CHEM 3166		Biochemistry I
and Biochemistry II (BIOC/BISC equivalents may be substituted)
CHEM 3262Biochemistry Laboratory (BIOC/BISC equivalent may be substituted)
CHEM 4122Instrumental Analytical Chemistry
CHEM 4123Instrumental Analytical Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 4134Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM 4195Undergraduate Research
or CHEM 4195W Undergraduate Research
The following are recommended:
BISC 2202Cell Biology
BISC 2207Genetics
BISC 2322Human Physiology

Suggested Program of Study:

Students should follow this sequence in general and are urged to consult with the chemistry and premedical advisors concerning their academic program.

First Year
CHEM 1111
& CHEM 1112		General Chemistry I
Select one of the following:
MATH 1231
& MATH 1232*		Single-Variable Calculus I
MATH 1220
& MATH 1221		Calculus with Precalculus I
Second Year
CHEM 2122Introductory Quantitative Analysis
CHEM 2151
& CHEM 2153		Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 2152
& CHEM 2154		Organic Chemistry II
PHYS 1021 or 1025University Physics I
PHYS 1022 or 1026University Physics II
MATH 1232 (if not taken in the first year)Single-Variable Calculus II
Third Year
CHEM 3171
& CHEM 3172		Physical Chemistry I
CHEM 2123WIntroductory Quantitative Analysis Laboratory
CHEM 3173Physical Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 3165Biochemistry I
CHEM 3166WBiochemistry II
Fourth Year
CHEM 4122Instrumental Analytical Chemistry
CHEM 4123Instrumental Analytical Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 4134 (if not taken in the junior year)Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM 3262Biochemistry Laboratory

* Honors Program students and those who have been invited to join the Scholars in Quantitative and Natural Sciences (SQNS) Program take BISC 1120 instead of BISC 1125 for the lab component.

In addition to the University General Education Requirement, undergraduate students in Columbian College must complete a further, College-specific general education curriculum—Perspective, Analysis, Communication, or G-PAC. Together with the University General Education Requirement, G-PAC engages students in active intellectual inquiry across the liberal arts. Students achieve a set of learning outcomes that enhance their analytical skills, develop their communication competencies, and invite them to participate as responsible citizens who are attentive to issues of culture, diversity, and privilege.

G-PAC approved courses, Dean's Seminars, and Sophomore Colloquia that may be available for registration are listed on the CCAS Advising website.

Coursework for the University General Education Requirement is distributed as follows:

  • Writing—one approved course in university writing and two approved writing in the disciplines (WID) courses.
  • Humanities—one approved course in the humanities that involves critical or creative thinking skills.
  • Mathematics or Statistics—one approved course in either mathematics or statistics.
  • Natural or Physical Science—one approved laboratory course that employs the process of scientific inquiry.
  • Social Sciences—two approved courses in the social sciences.

Coursework for the Columbian College general education curriculum is distributed as follows:

  • Arts—one approved course in the arts that involves the study or creation of artwork based on an understanding or interpretation of artistic traditions or knowledge of art in a contemporary context.
  • Global or Cross-Cultural Perspective—one approved course that analyzes the ways in which institutions, practices, and problems transcend national and regional boundaries.
  • Humanities—one approved course in the humanities that involves critical thinking skills (in addition to the one course in this category required by the University General Education Requirement).
  • Local or Civic Engagement—one approved course that develops the values, ethics, disciplines, and commitment to pursue responsible public action.
  • Natural or Physical Science—one approved laboratory course that employs the process of scientific inquiry (in addition to the one course in this category required by the University General Education Requirement.
  • Oral Communication—one course in oral communication.

Certain courses are approved to fulfill the requirement in more than one of these categories.

Courses taken in fulfillment of G-PAC also may be counted toward majors or minors. Transfer courses taken prior to, but not after, admission to George Washington University may count toward the University General Education Requirement and G-PAC, if those transfer courses are equivalent to GW courses that have been approved by the University and the College.

In addition to meeting the general requirements stated under University Regulations, a candidate for graduation with Special Honors in chemistry must maintain a cumulative 3.0 grade-point average in chemistry courses and take CHEM 4195 or CHEM 4195W for at least 3 credits over two semesters. In addition to the final report required for CHEM 4195 or CHEM 4195W, a poster or oral presentation is required.