Chemistry
Chemistry is often called the central science because of the pivotal role it plays in the biological and physical sciences, and in engineering, agriculture, medicine and allied health disciplines. Bachelor's degree chemists choose from diverse paths for their short-term and lifetime careers, including graduate study in a variety of programs, rewarding employment in industry or government laboratories, professional or law school, or much-needed teaching in high schools.
About This Major
- College: Liberal Arts and Sciences
- Degree: Bachelor of Science
- Specializations: Standard Chemistry, Biochemistry
- Hours for Degree: 120
- Minor: Yes
- Website: web.chem.ufl.edu/ugrad/majors/
Overview
Students can choose the standard chemistry program, which is comparable to that offered in any major university, or the biochemistry program, which is designed to give more flexibility to students wanting to pursue courses with biological focus. The department encourages students in either specialization to include independent study with one of the department's internationally recognized faculty as a component of the undergraduate experience. Undergraduate research will frequently result in journal publications and/or presentations at scientific meetings.
Coursework for the Major
For either specialization (standard chemistry or biochemistry), all required courses must be completed with minimum C grades within two attempts. Any foreign language acceptable to the college can be taken with this minimum program. Languages can be taken S-U. It is also recommended that ENC 3254 (Writing in the Discipline) be used to fulfill part of the university writing requirement.
Required Coursework
Required coursework will depend upon the program the student chooses. Coursework for each specialization can be found below under Critical Tracking and Recommended Semester Plan.
Course Details
Introduction to General Chemistry: CHM 1025, a two-credit course, is offered for students who need to strengthen their understanding of basic concepts of atomic structure and stoichiometry before beginning the general chemistry sequence (CHM 2045/2045L and 2046/2046L). A Chemistry Readiness Assessment is offered on ISIS and the score achieved determines whether CHM 1025 or CHM 2045 is the appropriate first course in chemistry.
General Chemistry: The following general chemistry offerings are available.
CHM 1030/1031 is a terminal sequence, which meets preprofessional requirements in the College of Nursing and in one major in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.
CHM 1083 is a terminal general education course that explores chemistry in terms of consumer products. This course meets requirements in certain areas of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences.
CHM 2045/2045L and 2046/2046L is the standard general chemistry sequence. It meets the preprofessional requirement for a broad range of science and engineering majors. Students are presumed to have a good background in high school chemistry and mathematics (through MAC 1147) and are expected to pass the Chemistry Readiness Assessment offered on ISIS before registering for CHM 2045.
CHM 2095/2045L and 2096/2046L is an alternative general chemistry sequence especially designed for engineering majors.
CHM 2047/2047L is a one-semester program for entering students with strong backgrounds in chemistry, normally reflected by high AP or IB chemistry test scores. This program allows students to move more quickly into advanced work.
CHM 2051 (General Chemistry Honors) is offered as an alternative to CHM 2046 for students who have done particularly well in CHM 2045.
CHM 2054L (Accelerated General Chemistry Laboratory) is a 2-credit inquiry-based lab focusing on major concepts in chemistry and their application to quantitative life-sciences research. Equivalent to CHM 2045L and CHM 2046L or CHM 2047L.
Minors and/or Certificates
A.C.S. Certified Program: To receive American Chemical Society certification and adequate preparation for the profession, a student must complete the standard chemistry major. In addition, credit must be earned for CHM 3610L and CHM 3218 plus an additional two credits of advanced work in chemistry courses such as CHM 4034, CHM 4235, CHM 4272, CHM 4302L, CHM 4304, CHM 4910 and CHS 5110L. If CHM 4910 (Senior Research) is used, a thesis must be written. The language requirement must be met in German, French or Russian.
UFTeach Program: There is a severe shortage of qualified high school chemistry teachers in Florida and nationwide. Students interested in becoming part of this high-demand profession should see a chemistry adviser about the UFTeach program. UFTeach students complete the UFTeach minor in science education with their B.S. in chemistry and have the coursework and preparation for professional teacher certification in Florida when they graduate.
Placement
For placement into the appropriate first course in chemistry, please refer to the Academic Advising section or consult a chemistry adviser. All students should complete their general chemistry studies without interruption.
Biochemistry
Required Coursework
The chemistry major with biochemistry specialization must complete at least the following program (this may include equivalent transfer coursework):
- General chemistry: choose one of the three options
- CHM 2045 and CHM 2045L and CHM 2046 and CHM 2046L
- CHM 2045 and CHM 2045L and CHM 2051 and CHM 2046L
- CHM 2047 and CHM 2047L
- Note: CHM 2054L can substitute for the CHM 2045L / 2046L sequence or for CHM 2047L
- Analytical chemistry (CHM 3120/3120L)
- Organic chemistry (CHM 2212/2213 or CHM 2210/2211 or CHM 3217)
- Biochemistry (CHM 3218)
- Organic chemistry laboratory (CHM 2211L)
- Inorganic chemistry (CHM 3610)
- Biophysical chemistry (CHM 3400 and CHM 4411L or 4413L)
- Biochemistry laboratory (CHM 4302L)
- Biological science (BSC 2010/2010L and BSC 2011/2011L)
- Analytic Geometry and Calculus (MAC 2311/2312)
- Physics (PHY 2053/2053L and PHY 2054/2054L) or
Physics with Calculus (PHY 2048/2048L and PHY 2049/2049L) - Basic Biology of Microorganisms (MCB 3020)
- Biochemistry electives (a minimum of six credits) selected from Instrumental Analysis (CHM 4130/4130L), Chemical Aspects of Cellular Control (CHM 4304), Advanced Biochemistry and Chemical Biology (CHM 4034), Genetics of Microorganisms (MCB 4304), Prokaryotic Cell Structure and Function (MCB 4403), Energy Transformation in Microorganisms (MCB 5458), Mammalian Molecular Biology and Genetics (BCH 5413), Introduction to Biophysics (PHZ 4710), Immunology (PCB 5235), Genetics (PCB 3063), Eukaryotic Cell Structure and Function (PCB 3134), General Virology (MCB 4503), Bacterial and Viral Pathogens (MCB 4203), Molecular Genetics (PCB 4522), The Organic Chemistry of Polymers (CHM 4272,) Organic Spectroscopy (CHM 4235).
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements. For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements — Structure of a CLAS Degree.
Critical Tracking and Recommended Semester Plan
Equivalent critical tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students
Semester 1
- 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5
- Complete one CHM course and MAC course
Semester 2
- Complete CHM 2045/2045L and MAC 2311
Semester 3
- Complete CHM 2046/2046L and BSC 2010/2010L
Semester 4
- Complete BSC 2011/2011L
- 2.75 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework
Semester 5
- Complete MAC 2312 and either CHM 2212, CHM 2210 or CHM 3217 with 2.75 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework
Recommended Semester Plan
Students are expected to complete the writing and math requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are also expected to complete the general education international (GE-N) and diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another general education requirement (typically, GE-C, H or S).
| Semester 1 | Credits |
| CHM 2045 and 2045L General Chemistry 1 (3) and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory (1) (GE-P) | 4 |
| MAC 2311 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1 (GE-M) | 4 |
| Composition (GE-C, WR) | 3 |
| Humanities (GE-H) | 3 |
| Total | 14 |
| Semester 2 | Credits |
| BSC 2010 and 2010L Integrated Principles of Biology 1 (3) and Integrated Principles of Biology 1 Laboratory (1) (GE-B) | 4 |
| CHM 2046 and 2046L General Chemistry 2 (3) and General Chemistry 2 Laboratory (1) (GE-P) | 4 |
| MAC 2312 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2 (GE-M) | 4 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 3 | Credits |
| BSC 2011 and 2011L Integrated Principles of Biology 2 (3) and Integrated Principles of Biology 2 Laboratory (1) (GE-B) | 4 |
| CHM 2212 Enhanced Organic Chemistry 1 | 3 |
| Foreign language | 4-5 |
| Humanities (GE-H) | 3 |
| Total | 14-15 |
| Semester 4 | Credits |
| CHM 2211L Organic Chemistry Laboratory | 2 |
| CHM 2213 Enhanced Organic Chemistry 2 | 3 |
| PHY 2053 and 2053L Physics 1 (4) and Physics 1 Laboratory (1) (GE-P) | 5 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Foreign language | 3-5 |
| Total | 16-18 |
| Semester 5 | Credits |
| CHM 3120 and 3120L Introduction to Analytical Chemistry (3) and Introduction to Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (1) | 4 |
| CHM 3218 Organic/Biochemistry 2 | 4 |
| PHY 2054 and 2054L Physics 2 (4) and Physics 2 Laboratory (1) (GE-P) | 5 |
| Elective (or foreign language if 4-3-3 option) | 3 |
| Total | 16 |
| Semester 6 | Credits |
| CHM 3610 Inorganic Chemistry | 3 |
| CHM 4302L Laboratory in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology | 2 |
| MCB 3020 Basic Biology of Microorganisms | 3 |
| Composition (GE-C, WR) | 3 |
| Humanities (GE-H) | 3 |
| Total | 14 |
| Semester 7 | Credits |
| CHM 3400 Physical Chemistry | 3 |
| CHM 4413L Biophysical Chemistry Laboratory | 2 |
| Biochemistry elective | 3 |
| Electives | 4 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 8 | Credits |
| Biochemistry elective | 3 |
| Electives | 10-7 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) | 3 |
| Total | 16-13 |
Standard Chemistry
Required Coursework
The standard chemistry major must complete at least the following program (this may include equivalent transfer coursework):
- General chemistry: choose one of the three options
- CHM 2045 and CHM 2045L and CHM 2046 and CHM 2046L
- CHM 2045 and CHM 2045L and CHM 2051 and CHM 2046L
- CHM 2047 and CHM 2047L
- Note: CHM 2054L can substitute for the CHM 2045L / 2046L sequence or for CHM 2047L
- Analytical chemistry (CHM 3120/3120L and CHM 4130/4130L)
- Organic chemistry (CHM 2212/2213/2211L or CHM 2210/2211/2211L)
- Inorganic chemistry (CHM 3610)
- Physical chemistry (CHM 4411/4412)
- Physical chemistry laboratory (CHM 4411L)
- Calculus (MAC 2311/2312/2313)
- Physics with Calculus (PHY 2048/2048L and PHY 2049/2049L) or
Physics (PHY 2053/2053L and PHY 2054/2054L).
Note: MAP 2302 is encouraged.
The required courses in the standard chemistry major are generally offered every regular term. Because of budgetary and other restrictions, summer schedules cannot be predetermined. Summer offerings will usually be on a Term C (12 weeks) basis.
To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college and major requirements. For degree requirements outside of the major, refer to CLAS Degree Requirements — Structure of a CLAS Degree.
Critical Tracking and Recommended Semester Plan
Equivalent critical tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students
Semester 1
- 2.0 UF GPA required for semesters 1-5
- Complete one CHM course and one MAC course
Semester 2
- Complete CHM 2045/2045L and MAC 2311
Semester 3
- Complete CHM 2046/2046L and MAC 2312
Semester 4
- 2.75 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework
Semester 5
- Complete MAC 2313 and either CHM 2212, CHM 2210 or CHM 3217 with 2.75 GPA on all critical-tracking coursework
Recommended Semester Plan
Students are expected to complete the writing and math requirement while in the process of taking the courses below. Students are also expected to complete the general education international (GE-N) and diversity (GE-D) requirements concurrently with another general education requirement (typically, GE-C, H or S).
| Semester 1 | Credits |
| CHM 2045 and 2045L (3) General Chemistry 1 and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory (1) (GE-P) | 4 |
| MAC 2311 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 1 (GE-M) | 4 |
| Humanities (GE-H) | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) | 3 |
| Total | 14 |
| Semester 2 | Credits |
| CHM 2046 and 2046L General Chemistry 2 (3) and General Chemistry 2 Laboratory (1) (GE-P) | 4 |
| MAC 2312 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 2 (GE-M) | 4 |
| Biological Science (GE-B) | 3 |
| Composition (GE-C, WR) | 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| Total | 17 |
| Semester 3 | Credits |
| CHM 2212 Enhanced Organic Chemistry 1 | 3 |
| MAC 2313 Analytic Geometry and Calculus 3 (GE-M) | 4 |
| PHY 2048 Physics with Calculus 1 (3) or PHY 2053 Physics 1 (4) (both GE-P) | 3-4 |
| PHY 2048L Physics with Calculus 1 Laboratory or PHY 2053L Physics 1 Laboratory (both GE-P) | 1 |
| Humanities (GE-H) | 3 |
| Total | 14-15 |
| Semester 4 | Credits |
| CHM 2213 and 2211L Organic Chemistry 2 (3) and Organic Chemistry 2 Laboratory (2) | 5 |
| PHY 2049 Physics with Calculus 2 (3) or PHY 2054 Physics 2 (4) (both GE-P) | 3-4 |
| PHY 2049L Physics with Calculus 2 Laboratory or PHY 2054L Physics 2 Laboratory (both GE-P) | 1 |
| Elective | 1 |
| Foreign language | 4-5 |
| Total | 14-16 |
| Semester 5 | Credits |
| CHM 3120 Introduction to Analytical Chemistry * | 3 |
| CHM 3120L Analytical Chemistry Laboratory | 1 |
| Biological Science (GE-B) | 3 |
| Foreign language | 3-5 |
| Humanities (GE-H) | 3 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) | 3 |
| Total | 16-18 |
* Take CHM 3120/3120L any time after completing CHM 2046/2046L, but no later than the first semester of the third year.
| Semester 6 | Credits |
| CHM 4130 Instrumental Analysis | 3 |
| CHM 4130L Instrumental Analysis Laboratory | 2 |
| CHM 4411 Physical Chemistry | 4 |
| Composition (GE-C, WR) | 3 |
| Elective or Foreign language (if foreign language is 4-3-3 option) | 3 |
| Total | 15 |
| Semester 7 | Credits |
| CHM 3610 Inorganic Chemistry | 3 |
| CHM 4411L Physical Chemistry Laboratory or CHM 4413L Biophysical Chemistry Laboratory | 2 |
| CHM 4412 Physical Chemistry | 4 |
| Elective | 3-0 |
| Social and Behavioral Sciences (GE-S) | 3 |
| Total | 15-12 |
| Semester 8 | Credits |
| Electives | 9-8 |
| Electives (3000 level or above, not in dept.) | 6 |
| Total | 15-14 |