Chemistry

Degree Type

Bachelor of Science

About

To address challenges like sustainable energy, pharmaceuticals, polymers and manufacturing materials, you first must understand the chemical reactions that make them possible.

Introduction

Like biology, chemistry is a basic science relevant to all life on Earth (and the larger universe). The field’s foundational principles cross industry and discipline, contributing to groundbreaking innovations that lead to the medicines we take, the cleaning products we use, and even the skin, hair, and beauty products we see online. The skills you learn in chemistry, not only help you understand the known world, but can even be part of your journey to discover unknown ones.

In addition to majoring or minoring in general chemistry, students also have the option to choose a concentration for the chemistry major:

Learn how to: 

  • Demonstrate and share ethical values of scientific research, as well as chemistry’s impact on the environment and society 

  • Recognize interdisciplinary relationships between chemistry and other basic sciences including biology, physics, biophysics, polymers, material sciences, biochemistry, nanotechnology, and mathematics 

  • Think critically and analytically on investigation and interpretation of experimental results 

  • Solve problems of a chemical nature through application of knowledge of experimental and theoretical approaches 

  • Apply knowledge to connect solutions and approaches to new problems 

  • Effectively communicate data and information to the scientific community through written and oral formats 

  • Demonstrate mastery of chemistry foundations and applications 

  • Apply program knowledge to real world questions and issues 

Students studying

750+ Course Options

The Coppin State University Academic Catalog has a wide variety of skill-building courses designed to inspire and prepare you to be in-demand professionals and transformational leaders.

Our renowned faculty design the curriculum to prepare students for careers and pursuits in scientific, professional, and research positions. We welcome students with a passion for science and its applications, who see chemistry as a way to solve the world’s most pressing problems through scientific inquiry.

Learn about the basics of chemical elements, organic and inorganic compounds, concepts and mechanism of chemical reactions, chemical structure and analysis, thermodynamics, as well as instrumentation, experiments, and technologies. Courses in general chemistry, organic and inorganic chemistry, physical chemistry, biochemistry, and polymer chemistry provide in-depth instruction in fundamentals concepts and theories, principles, and techniques.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for admission to the Chemistry major, students must be enrolled and in good academic standing. It also helps if you’re excited about and interested in a career in science!

Program Requirements

To graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Life Sciences, students must complete 120 credit hours. These credit hours split among:

  • General Education Requirements, or GERs

  • Core major courses

  • Supporting major courses

  • Electives

General Education Requirements (GERs)

All students must complete 40 GER credits. In addition, all science majors must also take these courses to satisfy GERs.

  • MATH 131 (College Algebra for science majors)

  • BIOL 106 (Fundamentals of cell biology) and

  • CHEM 101 - General Chemistry (Prerequisite MATH 131)

Learn more about the program courses you may take as part of the Chemistry major.

Core Courses (40 credits)

CoursecreditsName
CHEM 1024General Chemistry II
CHEM 2054Quantitative Analysis
CHEM 3075Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 3085Organic Chemistry II
CHEM 3104Instrumentation
CHEM 4054Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM 4014Physical Chemistry I
CHEM 4024Physical Chemistry II
CHEM 4031Seminar I
CHEM 4041Seminar II
CHEM 3134Biochemistry

Supporting Courses (24 credits)

CoursecreditsName
PHYS 3034Mechanics and Dynamics
PHYS 3044Heat, Electricity, and Magnetism
MATH 1324Pre-Calculus
MATH 2014Calculus I
MATH 2024Calculus II
BIOL 1034Botany

Electives (any courses totaling 15 credits)

CoursecreditsName
CHEM 4703Toxicology
CHEM 4904Polymer Chemistry
CHEM 4094Research & Individual Study
CHEM 2903Computational Chemistry
CHEM 4503Phytochemistry
CHEM 4104Forensic Chemistry
NANO 4003Nanotechnology

Remember! You must complete all major and prerequisite courses with a grade of C or higher.

Sample Degree Plan

This plan is only for example purposes. Your academic journey may be slightly different from another student’s, so be sure to always communicate with your academic advisor before finalizing your course schedule. 

Fall Semester (16 credits)

Course

credits

name

ENGL 101

3

English Composition I

PSYC 201

3

General Psychology 

MATH 131

3

College Algebra

HIST xxx

3

History I Course

PHIL 102

3

Introduction to Logic

ORIE 101

1

Freshman Seminar

Spring Semester (18 credits)

course

credits

name

MATH 132

4

Pre-Calculus

BIOL 106

4

Cell Biology

CHEM 101

4

General Chemistry I

MISY 150

3

Tech Fluency

HIST xxx

3

History II Course

Fall Semester (16 credits)

Course

credits

name

ENGL 102

3

English Composition II

ANTH 207

3

Anthropology

WLIT 207

3

World Literature

BIOL 103

4

General Botany

HEED 1xx

3

Personal Health

Spring Semester (14 credits)

Course

credits

name

CHEM 102

4

General Chemistry II

MATH 201

4

Calculus I

IDIS 102

3

Music and Dance

CHEM 290

3

Computational Chemistry

Fall Semester (17 credits)

Course

credits

name

CHEM 307

5

Organic Chemistry

PHYS 303

4

Mechanics and Particle Dynamics

CHEM 205

4

Quantitative Analysis

CHEM 401

4

Physical Chemistry I

Spring Semester (17 credits)

course

credits

name

CHEM 308

5

Organic Chemistry II

PHYS 304

4

Heat and Electricity

CHEM 310 

4

Instrumentation

CHEM 313

4

Biochemistry

Fall Semester (13 credits)

Course

credits

name

CHEM 403

1

Seminar in Chemistry I

CHEM 410

4

Forensic Chemistry

CHEM 405

4

Advanced Inorganic Chemistry

CHEM 490/450

4/3

Polymer Chemistry/Phytochemistry

Spring Semester (13 credits)

Course

credits

Name

CHEM 470/409

3/4

Toxicology/Research & Individual Study

CHEM 408

1

Seminar in Chemistry II

CHEM 402

4

Physical Chemistry II

MATH 202 

4

Calculus II

Related Natural Science Programs

Applied Molecular Biology and Biochemistry

Graduate
MS

Biology: Pre-Medicine

Undergraduate

Biology: Pre-Pharmacy

Undergraduate

Biology: Pre-Physician Assistant

Undergraduate

Biology

Undergraduate

Chemistry

Undergraduate

Computational Chemistry

Undergraduate

Biochemistry

Undergraduate

Polymer and Material Sciences

Graduate
MS

Biology and Life Sciences

Undergraduate
College

Chemistry lives in the Department of Natural Sciences in the School of Arts & Sciences within the College of Arts & Sciences, and Education