UMass Boston

A Bachelor of Science in Chemistry that prepares you for multiple career paths.

Tailor your Chemistry BS for your future. You can choose from courses in foundations of the pharmaceutical industry, biotech, forensics, green chemistry, renewable energy, data science, and more.

This program is certified by the American Chemical Society. The department requires 57 credits in chemistry, including the following courses: 

• Chem 115 and 117; Chem 116 and 118 (Principles of Chemistry I and II, and labs)
• Chem 251 and 255; Chem 252 and 256 (Organic Chemistry I and II, and labs)
• Chem 311 and 313 (Analytical Chemistry, lecture and lab)
• Chem 312 and 314 (Physical Chemistry, lecture and lab)
• Chem 369 and 379 (Chemical Structure, lecture and lab)
• Chem 370 and 371 (Inorganic Chemistry, lecture and lab)
• Biochm 383 (Biochemistry I lecture)
• One chemistry/biochemistry elective that is a laboratory course such as Organic Qualitative Analysis (Chem 351), Analytical Instrumentation (Chem 361), Advanced Laboratory in Chemistry (Chem 481 or 482), or Biochemistry Lab I (Biochm 385), among others.
• One other chemistry/biochemistry elective at the 300 level or above
• Chemistry Capstone requirement (see below)

In addition, the Chemistry Department requires two semesters of Calculus (MATH 140, 141) which should be taken as early in the academic career as possible, as subsequent chemistry and physics courses have calculus as a pre- or co-requisite.

Two semesters of Calculus-Based Physics (PHYS 113, 114) and Physics Lab (PHYS 181, 182) are also required, and should be taken as early in the academic career as possible, as subsequent chemistry courses have physics as a pre-requisite.

One semester of General Biology (BIOL 111) as a pre-requisite for Biochem 383.

Chemistry Electives – at least two required for the BS degree
Upper-Level Lab Elective (at least one required):

• Chem 351 – Organic Qualitative Analysis (typically offered during the fall semester)
• Chem 361 – Analytical Instrumentation (typically offered during the spring semester)
• Biochm 385 – Biochemistry Lab 1 (must be taken with Biochm 383)
• Chem 481 or 482 – Advanced Lab (working with UMB Faculty in their research group - can't be taken concurrently with Chem 498 or 499)

Upper-Level Electives (offered on rotating basis, check with advisor about timing):

• Chem 408 – Chemical Computation
• Chem 431 – Chemical Toxicology
• Chem 458 – Medicinal Chemistry
• Chem 471 – Into to Green Chemistry
• Biochm 384 – Biochemistry II ((Biochm 383 and Cell Bio (Biol 212) prerequisites)

Graduate courses can also count.

Capstone Requirement: Students majoring in Chemistry must, during their senior year, register for CHEM 498 and 499 (Senior Thesis). This yearlong course will require the student to undertake a research project, either in the laboratory or literature-based research, culminating in the preparation of a research paper of significant length. The student will also present the work orally at the end of the year. Research topics must be approved by the faculty mentor before research begins. A grade of at least "C" in the capstone is required for graduation.