Students planning to work toward a degree in chemistry from the University of Cincinnati should lay the groundwork with a solid foundation in high school. Students should take at least one year of high school chemistry, and two years if offered at their high school. In addition, four years of high school mathematics is very important, with a beginning course in calculus if possible. A strong background in English is also important, since written work (for example, lab reports) is an important component of a degree in chemistry. Coursework in related sciences, particularly physics and biology, would be very helpful as well.