Undergraduate Education
The Chemistry Major Requirements
Degrees Offered
B.S. in Chemistry
B.S. in Chemistry w/ Biochemistry concentration
B.A. in Chemistry
B.A. in Chemistry w/ Biochemistry or BioPhysics concentration
Minor in Chemistry
The department offers programs leading to the BA and BS degrees in chemistry. The BS degrees are certified by the American Chemical Society.
The bachelor of science degree in chemistry requires 37.5 hours in chemistry and must include the following courses (and corequisite labs): 111, 122, 223, 230, 260, 334, 341, 344, 361, 381, 382, 383, 391 (or 392); one of the following courses: 370, 371, 372 or 356/357; Mathematics 111 and 112 and either 113 or 301; and Physics 113, 114. The BS program is designed for those students who plan a career in chemistry at the bachelor or advanced degree level.
For the BS major, the following schedule of chemistry and related courses is typical:
First Year: CHM 111, 111L, 122, 122L, Math. 111, 112
Sophomore: CHM 223, 223L, 230, 260, Physics 113, 114, Math. 113 (or 301)
Junior: CHM 341, 341L, 344, 342L, 381, 382, 383, 391 (or 392), Math. 113 (or 301)
Senior: CHM 334, 334L, 361, 361L, 381, 382, 300-level elective
The bachelor of science degree in chemistry with concentration in biochemistry, requires 37.5 hours in chemistry and must include the following courses (and corequisite labs): 111, 122, 223, 230, 260, 334, 341, 361, 371, 372, 381, 382, 383, and either 391 or 392; Biology 112, 213, 214; Mathematics 111, 112; Physics 113, 114, and one additional 300-level elective in either biology or chemistry.
For the BS major with concentration in biochemistry, the following schedule of chemistry and related courses is typical:
First Year: CHM 111, 111L, 122, 122L, Math. 111, 112
Sophomore: Biology 213, 214, CHM 223, 223L, 230, 260, Physics 113, 114
Junior: CHM 341, 341L, 371, 372, 391 (or 392)
Senior: CHM 334, 334L, 361, 361L, 381, 382, 300-level elective in biology or chemistry
The bachelor of arts degree in chemistry requires 28 hours in chemistry and includes the following courses (and corequisite labs): 111, 122, 230, 260, 341; three of the following courses (and corequisite labs): 223, 334, 342 (or 344), 361, 371; one of the following courses: 381, 382, 383, 391 or 392; Mathematics 111, 112; and Physics 113 and 114.
The BA degree program is designed for those students who do not plan to do graduate work in the physical sciences but desire a stronger background in chemistry than is provided in the chemistry minor program.
For the BA major, the following schedule of chemistry and related courses is typical:
First Year: CHM 111, 111L, 122, 122L, Math. 111, 112
Sophomore: CHM 230, 260, Physics 113, 114
Junior: CHM 341, 341L, and one upper-level elective
Senior: Either CHM 381, 382, 383, 391, or 392 and two upper-level electives
The bachelor of arts degree in chemistry with concentration in biochemistry and bio-physics requires 32.5 to 33.5 hours in chemistry and must include the following courses (and corequisite labs) 111, 122, 230, 260, 341, 371, 391 or 392 (may substitute Physics 381 or 382 or Biology 391, 392, 393, or 394); two electives from 223, 342, 334, 361; two elec-tives from Biology 112, 213, 214; Mathematics 111, 112; Physics 113, 114, 141 and one elective from Physics 307/325, 320/323.
For the BA major with concentration in biochemistry and biophysics, the following schedule of chemistry and related courses is typical:
First Year: CHM 111, 111L, 122, 122L, Math. 111, 112
Sophomore: One Biology elective, CHM 230, 260, Physics 113, 114
Junior: One Biology elective, CHM 341, 341L, 371, 391 or 392 (or substitute), Physics 141
Senior: Two upper-level Chemistry electives and one Physics elective
*The same numbered course cannot be repeated. Subsequent courses should be taken in consecutive order.
For variations in the schedules above, the student should consult a member of the faculty in chemistry.
The Health Professions Program at Wake Forest recommends that students take the following chemistry courses before the end of the third year: 111, 122, 223, 230, 260. Students interested in this track should see the Health Professions Program advisor for more information.
A minor in chemistry requires nineteen hours in chemistry and must include at least one of the following: 334, 341, 356/357, 361, 370, 371 or 372. The department will not accept courses taken pass/fail to count toward the minor. Unless otherwise stated, all chemistry courses are open to chemistry majors on a letter-grade basis only (even those courses not required for the major). Majors are also required to complete on a letter-grade basis the required physics, biology, and mathematics courses.
A minimum grade point average of 2.0 in the first two years of chemistry is required of students who elect to major in the department. Admission to any class is contingent upon satisfactory grades in prerequisite courses, and registration for advanced courses must be approved by the department. Candidates for either the BA or BS degree with a major in chemistry must have a minimum grade point average of 2.0 in their chemistry courses numbered 200 or above.
Qualified majors are considered for honors in chemistry. To be graduated with the designation “Honors in Chemistry,” a student must have a minimum grade point average in chemistry courses of 3.3 and a minimum overall grade point average of 3.0. In addition, the honors candidate must satisfactorily complete an approved research project, prepare a paper describing the project, and present results at a seminar for departmental approval. For additional information, members of the departmental faculty should be consulted.
The department will accept transfer courses completed by incoming transfer students provided that those courses were taken only at four-year colleges and universities that offer a major in chemistry. These courses must be equivalent in content and level to courses offered at Wake Forest (as judged by a departmental curriculum committee). Courses taken in summer school elsewhere, or in Wake Forest University study abroad programs, must meet these same criteria and receive pre-approval. Advanced courses, 300-level and above, are typically not transferable. Students enrolled at Wake Forest may not take courses in chemistry at other institutions to satisfy divisional requirements.
108. Everyday Chemistry. (4h) Introduction to chemistry for non-science majors. Laboratory covers experimental aspects of topics discussed in lecture. Students may not receive credit for both CHM 108 and CHM 111. Lab—three hours. (QR)
*111. College Chemistry. (3h) Fundamental chemical principles. C—CHM 111L. (QR)
*111L. College Chemistry Lab. (1h) Laboratory covers experimental aspects of basic con-cepts. Lab—three hours. C—CHM 111.
120. Physics and Chemistry of the Environment. (4h) The course coheres the basic physical and chemical processes in the earth’s atmosphere, biosphere and the oceans. It consists of two parts: 1) chemical processes in the environment such as element cycles and the chemistry of the pollutants in air and water and, 2) physical aspects of the environment such as solar energy and the atmosphere, and the physics of weather and climate. Lab—three hours. Also listed as Physics 120. (QR)*
122. Introduction to Organic Chemistry. (3h) Principles and reactions of organic chemistry. P—CHM 111. C—CHM 122L.
*122L. Introduction to Organic Chemistry Lab. (1h) Lab—four hours. P—CHM 111.
C—CHM 122.
*223. Organic Chemistry II. (3h) Principles and reactions of organic chemistry and introductory biochemistry. P—CHM 122. C—CHM 223L.
*223L. Organic Chemistry II Lab. (1h) Lab—four hours. P—CHM 122. C—CHM 223.
230. Analytical Biochemistry. (2h) Survey of laboratory methods used to determine the composition of biological samples. 7.5 weeks. Lab—four hours. P—CHM 122.
260. Introduction to Inorganic Chemistry. (2h) Introductory thermodynamics; descriptive inorganic and bio-inorganic chemistry. 7.5 weeks. Lab—four hours. P—CHM 230.
*The lecture and corresponding lab are strict corequisites of each other. A student must register for both during the same semester. (However, either can be repeated independently if the student wishes.)
301, 302. Elective Research. (0h, 0h) P—POI.
334. Chemical Analysis. (4h) Theoretical and practical applications of modern methods of chemical analysis. Lab—four hours (CHM 334L). C—CHM 341, 341L, or POI.
*341. Physical Chemistry I. (3h) Fundamentals of thermodynamics and phenomenological kinetics, and introductory computational methods. P—CHM 260, Mathematics 111, Physics 113-114. C—CHM 341L, Mathematics 112, (Physics 113, with POI).
*341L. Physical Chemistry I Lab. (1h) Lab—four hours. P—CHM 260, Mathematics 111, Physics 113-114. C—CHM 341, Mathematics 112.
*342. Physical Chemistry IIA. (3h) Fundamentals of quantum mechanics, statistical thermodynamics, and introductory computational methods. P—CHM 341, Mathematics 111-112, Physics 113-114. C—CHM 342L, (Physics 114, with POI).
*342L. Physical Chemistry IIA Lab. (1h) Lab—four hours. P—CHM 341, Mathematics 111-112, Physics 113-114. C—CHM 342 or 344.
*344. Physical Chemistry IIB. (3h) Fundamentals of quantum mechanics, statistical thermodynamics, and introductory computational methods. Lab—four hours. P—CHM 341, Mathematics 111-112 and 301 (or 113), Physics 113-114. C—CHM 342L, (Physics 114, with POI).
356, 357. Chemical Spectroscopy. (1.5h, 1.5h) Fundamental aspects of the theory and application of chemical spectroscopy, as found in the areas of analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry. Emphasis varies. Seven-week courses. P—CHM 342 or 344, or POI.
*361. Inorganic Chemistry. (3h) Principles and reactions of inorganic chemistry. P—CHM 341. C—CHM 361L or POI.*361L. Inorganic Chemistry Lab. (1h) Lab—four hours. P—CHM 341. C—CHM 361.
370. Biochemistry: Macromolecules and Metabolism. (3h) A lecture course introducing the principles of biochemistry, with an emphasis on the experimental approaches that elucidated these principles. Major topics include structure, function, and biosynthesis of biological molecules, analysis of enzyme function and activity, bioenergetics, and regulation of metabolic pathways. Also listed as Biology 370. P—Biology 214 and either CHM 223 or 230, or POI.
371. Biochemistry: Macromolecules and Metabolism. (4h) A lecture and laboratory course introducing the principles of biochemistry, with an emphasis on the experimental approaches that elucidated these principles. Major topics include structure, function, and biosynthesis of biological molecules, analysis of enzyme function and activity, bioenergetics, and regulation of metabolic pathways. The laboratory emphasizes approaches for isolation and analysis of proteins and enzymes. Also listed as Biology 371. P—Biology 214 and either CHM 223 or 230, or POI.
372. Biochemistry: Protein and Nucleic Acid Structure and Function. (3h) Fundamentals of biochemistry with emphasis on how chemical properties dictate structure and function of proteins and nucleic acids. Major topics include catalytic mechanisms of enzymes and ribozymes, use of sequence and structure databases, and molecular basis of disease and drug action. P—CHM 223 and Biology 370, 371 or CHM 370, 371.
381, 382. Chemistry Seminar. (0h, 0h) Discussions of contemporary research. Attendance required of BS chemistry majors in the junior and senior years.
383. Chemical Literature. (1h) Introduction to the chemical literature and searching techniques for the acquisition of chemical information. P—CHM 122.
391, 392. Undergraduate Research. (1.5h, 1.5h) Undergraduate research. Lab—eight hours.
*The lecture and corresponding lab are strict co-requisites of each other. A student must register for both during the same semester. (However, either can be repeated independently if the student wishes.)
