Chemistry

What Is Chemistry ?

Chemistry is the study of all matter found in living structures, geological formations and human-created products. Chemists explore the molecular structure of matter in order to develop theories about how these structures work and to apply these theories to the development of products that range from pharmaceuticals to heat shields.

Success Factors

The UC McMicken College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) BA program in chemistry is well suited for students with a background and interest in science. The program provides for extensive laboratory work in addition to formal lecture courses. While not required, undergraduate research is an important component of the BA program for many students and may be used as the student’s capstone experience. Chemistry majors also learn to observe critically and record what happens in the laboratory; they analyze data and apply chemical knowledge learned in the classroom to draw conclusions about their observations.

Career Possibilities

Graduates of this major are employed as:

• Chemists in the manufacturing industry and in state, local or federal governments
• Chemistry teachers and professors
• Research and development specialists

Major Details

The bachelor of arts (BA) degree in chemistry is ideal for students seeking a strong foundation in chemistry, but with sufficient flexibility and free electives in their program to pursue career paths outside of chemistry. Students planning to go to medical or pharmacy school, into forensics or high school chemistry teaching, and some chemical technician positions will find this program very attractive. The mathematics and physics requirements of this degree program are identical to those required by most medical schools. Undergraduate research is also available for students pursuing this degree program. The BA program in chemistry is designed to be completed in four years by students who enter the program as freshmen. Students planning on graduate work in chemistry should consider the BS or BS with biochemistry concentration degree programs.

McMicken College's flexible degree requirements allow for and highly encourage students to pursue multiple areas of study. Free electives allow for enough credits for students to pursue a minor, certificate program or even complete a second major. Some of the most common pairings are listed below.

• Foreign languages 
• Biological sciences 
• Biomedical engineering
• Math
• Chemical and material engineering

Minor Details

Chemistry Minor

The minor is designed for students who want a strong background in chemistry to complement their major area of study. Students who are enrolled in pre-professional programs may also find a minor in chemistry to be helpful to their professional preparation. To obtain a minor in chemistry, a minimum of 40 credits must be successfully completed, with the following distribution:

• First Year Chemistry and Lab: 15CHEM101/111-102/112/103/113 (15 credits)
• Organic Chemistry and Lab: 15CHEM201/211-202/212-203/213 (16 credits)
• At least nine credits from any additional chemistry courses numbered 300 or higher [except 331-2-3 and 350-1-2-3]. Credits must bring total number of hours in Chemistry to at least 40. Undergraduate research, Chemistry 499, may not be used for fulfillment of these credits.
• Applied Calculus: 15MATH224-226-227 (9 credits) or Calculus: 15MATH251-252/256 (10 credits)
• College Physics: 15PHYS101/111-102/112-103/113 or General Physics: 15PHYS201/211-202/212-203/213       (15 credits)

Certificate Program
There is no certificate program for students currently enrolled in a major at the University of Cincinnati. Rather, the minor in chemistry described above is available. Students not currently enrolled in a major may earn a certificate in chemistry (but not a minor in chemistry) by completing the same set of requirements needed for the minor.

Students interested in pursuing a minor in chemistry should see Dr. Ault in room 401 Crosley (bruce.ault@uc.edu, 556-9238) to plan a program. As a student nears completion of the minor, he or she should meet with Dr. Ault to complete the McMicken College of Arts and Sciences Application for a Minor.

Curriculum

This curriculum information is intended as a general information guide for students considering enrollment in this major. These online tools are designed to assist you, but are not a substitute for planning with an academic or faculty advisor.

If you are currently enrolled at UC, you can audit your degree online. If you are considering transferring to this major from another school use the course applicability system (CAS) to see how credits you have earned will apply to this major at UC. For course descriptions by college, click here.

Note: All chemistry major courses not taken within this college must receive prior approval by the Chemistry Undergraduate Curriculum Committee.

This is a suggested plan to complete the program in four years. Students will take required courses at different times depending upon their choice of options and the combination of the major with a minor or other program.

*Needed to fulfill A&S college requirements.

** Note: While Chemistry 213 is an elective laboratory course for the BA degree program, students planning on applying to medical school or related professional schools should be aware that Chemistry 213 is required for these curricula. If CHEM 362 is selected as one of the elective lab courses, it must be taken after CHEM 342, generally in the fourth year.

*** The general education capstone requirement for chemistry majors may be satisfied by any one of the following:

1. Undergraduate Research
At least two credits per quarter of Chemistry 499 must be taken for two quarters, and these must be completed no sooner than the end of spring quarter of the junior year or during the senior year. The research director will certify successful completion by his/her signature on an appropriate form (obtained from the department) to be provided by the student. This form will be given to the director of undergraduate studies.

A written report is required for a grade in Chemistry 499. This report is to be according to the format requested by the research supervisor and at such a time as he/she deems appropriate. For example, a report may be required each quarter or at the end of each academic year, or at the completion of a project. It is recommended that the grade of "SP" be assigned each quarter until the final report is written. The report is to be evaluated by a committee of two faculty members consisting of the research supervisor and an additional colleague chosen by the research supervisor. In addition, an oral presentation of the results must be made to the committee, at a poster session or at a professional meeting.

2. Chemistry 562-563
Students who choose to satisfy the capstone experience with physical-analytical measurements will choose a scientific paper which reports a project based on one of the areas or using one of the instrumental techniques featured in this course. The student will then critically analyze the paper and develop this analysis into a written report. An oral presentation of the report content will be given to the instructors of Chemistry 562-63, who will certify successful completion by signatures on an appropriate form (obtained from the department) to be provided by the student. This form will be given to the director of undergraduate studies.

3. Chemistry 612
This course is built around an extensive and systematic study of the enzyme ribonuclease A. Students search the literature to develop their own experimental protocols for RNAase assay, reduction and reformation of disulfide bonds in RNAase, tryptic mapping of RNAase A and RNAase S, as well for studying unfolding of RNAase driven by pH, thermolysis and urea.

Reports are written in draft and given back to students for revision before the final version is turned in. The final report is in the form of a journal article and involves substantial effort.

An assignment is given which requires each student to select a protein whose structure is known and to search in protein databases (such as the PDB and the Swiss Protein Database) for information concerning the structure and function of the protein. A report is written and an oral presentation of the information in the report is made to the course instructor(s) and members of the class.

A passing grade in Chemistry 612 will satisfy the requirement.

Note: Chemistry 601-2 and 611 are pre/co-requisites for Chemistry 612. This option is intended for students pursuing the chemistry major with a concentration in biochemistry.

Special Opportunities

Students in the UC McMicken College of Arts and Sciences enjoy many benefits afforded through study at a research-intensive institution ranked among the nation's top 25 public research universities. UC's urban, tri-state location offers exciting opportunities for global education, research and service learning, while its student-centered focus includes an 11:1 student-faculty ratio, a nationally recognized Center for Exploratory Studies and a highly successful First Year Experience program that teaches critical skills for first-year students and provides connections with important campus resources.

Special Programs

The BA program in chemistry provides a strong foundation in chemistry with sufficient flexibility to allow graduates to pursue a wide range of career options. The BA program also integrates well with the optional academic internship program in the department and would allow a student in the program to have two quarters of industrial internship experience and still graduate in four years. The opportunities for undergraduate research are extensive as well, and strongly encouraged. Many undergraduates co-author journal publications from the research they conduct in the department.

Admission Requirements

Admission criteria for this program vary based on the relative strength of test scores, class rank and GPA. Please see the Freshman Class Profile for this major in the Quick Facts sidebar on this page for the range of academic credentials typically accepted into this program. Test scores in the lower range may be acceptable with higher class rank and/or GPA.

Freshmen applying to this program should also have completed the following state of Ohio articulation requirements with no more than two units missing:

• English (4 units)*
• College-preparatory mathematics (3 units)*
• Science (2 units)
• Social science (2 units)
• Foreign language (2 units)*
• Fine arts (1 unit)
• Additional college prep-subjects (2 units)

*McMicken College of Arts & Sciences does not allow units missing from these areas.

Transfer Requirements

Applicants to A&S whose most recent enrollment was not in any of the UC colleges must apply through the Office of Admissions. Applicants in this category must submit transcripts for all secondary school and college-level work. A cumulative GPA of 2.0 for all college-level work is required for admission consideration. Admission to A&S is generally available for any off-campus applicants who have received an associate degree from an accredited college or university and whose cumulative GPA is 2.0 or higher.

Although midyear off-campus transfer students are not able to participate in early registration in the quarter prior to their enrollment, they are included in the summer registration period prior to their fall quarter enrollment.

Changing Major Requirements

Applicants to A&S whose most recent enrollment was as a degree-seeking student in one of UC’s other colleges can apply directly to the A&S college office. Admission to A&S is generally available for any on-campus students who have:

• at least a 2.0 GPA in all college-level courses (both at UC and at other institutions),
• successfully completed two quarters of English Composition or its equivalent and
• gained credit for a college-level mathematics course.

Further details on individual programs are available online or in the A&S Office of Undergraduate Student Affairs and Advising (102 McMicken Hall).

Graduation Requirements

In addition to meeting the university's General Education requirements, the requirements listed in the McMicken College Core Requirements are common to all potential graduates of the college, whether they are pursuing the bachelor of arts, bachelor of science or bachelor of interdisciplinary studies degree.

Application Deadlines

UC operates on a quarter system, with 10-week grading periods beginning in late September, early January, late March and mid-June. While midyear admission is possible, the fall quarter is generally the best time to enter the college, since many course sequences begin in that quarter. Applicants to the UC McMicken College of Arts and Sciences who are enrolled or who were previously enrolled as degree-seeking students in A&S or in other UC colleges should apply for admission directly to A&S (in McMicken 102). All other applicants who wish to earn an undergraduate degree from A&S should apply through the Office of Admissions (3rd Floor, University Pavilion).