Push farther, go further: that’s what we do.

The Comprehensive Chemistry Option offers three tracks: American Chemical Society Certified, Computational Chemistry, and Foundational Chemistry. Certification by the American Chemical Society in your program sends a signal to future employers and graduate schools that you have completed a rigorous program. In short, not all chemistry degrees are equal, and if chemistry is your path, pursuing a Comprehensive Chemistry degree is the smart choice. 

The comprehensive chemistry option will prepare you for a rigorous career in organic, analytical, physical, inorganic, biological, computational, and polymer chemistry.

What You'll Do

  • Interact closely with experienced faculty who are recognized for their writing, training, professional affiliations, and expertise 
  • Study in the state-of-the-art, first-rate learning environment provided by the newly renovated Magill Hall of Science 
  • Pursue research and scholarship that help develop independent thinking and problem solving 
  • Gain employment opportunities within the department that can provide chemistry-related work experience prior to graduation. 

What Can You Do with a Comprehensive Chemistry Degree?

Your education is just one piece to launching an extraordinary career. Once you’ve mastered the material, you still have to find the job you want, make the right connections, sell your knowledge and experience—and if all this is giving you anxiety, don’t panic. SEMO’s Career Services office is here to help you with the next step. They’ll provide the expertise and support you need, so you’re landing your dream job in no time. 

Internship, Employment, and Graduate School Opportunities of Recent Graduates

  • Biokyowa
  • Buzzi Unicem USA
  • Eli Lilly
  • Exxon Mobil
  • Monsanto
  • Pharmacia (currently part of Pfizer)
  • PPG Industries
  • Proctor and Gamble
  • MilliporeSigma
  • Missouri State Highway Patrol Crime Laboratory
  • Indiana University
  • John Hopkins University
  • Penn State University
  • Purdue University
  • Southern Illinois University (School of Medicine)
  • Texas A&M
  • University of Illinois (School of Medicine, Graduate School)
  • University of MissouriColumbia (School of Medicine, Graduate School)
  • University of Notre Dame
  • University of WisconsinMadison
  • Washington University
  • Numerous other graduate/professional programs of study and employers

Comprehensive Chemistry Degree Map

Explore the courses you'll need to complete your degree.

Outcomes & Careers

  • $114k

    Biochemist

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a biochemist and biophysicist is $114,740.

  • $81k

    Chemist & Materials Scientist

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for an elementary or middle school teacher is $81,810.

  • $90k

    Chemist 

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual salary for a chemist is $90,530.

What You'll Study

Degree Map

As a comprehensive chemistry major, you’ll gain a rigorous foundation in chemistry, science, and math in the context of a broad university education. You’ll complete a minimum of 120 credit hours to complete this degree, including the general education requirements and at least 39 senior division hours.

“Critical Courses” are italicized and bold. Data shows that students who have completed this course in the first two years and have earned the noted grade are most likely to complete this program of study.

Required Courses

  • CH184 General Chemistry I Lab (1)
  • CH185 General Chemistry I (3)
  • CH186 General Chemistry II (3)
  • CH187 General Chemistry II Lab (1)
  • CH195 Chemistry Seminar I (1)
  • CH271 Foundations of Analytical Chemistry (5)
  • CH295 Chemistry Seminar 2 (2)
  • CH306 Inorganic Chemistry (3)
  • CH341 Found of Organic Chem (4)
  • CH342 Organic Chemistry Lab I (1)
  • CH360 Polymer Chemistry (1)
  • CH495 Chemistry Seminar 3 (1)
  • CH531 Found of Biochemistry (3)
Comprehensive Chemistry Option
  • CH343 Advanced Organic Chemistry (3)
  • CH Electives (300 level or higher): 3-4
Choose One of the Following Tracks:
American Chemical Society Certified Track
  • CH311 Foundations of Physical Chemistry (4)
  • CH312 Advanced Physical Chemistry (3)
  • CH313 Physical Chemistry Laboratory (3)
  • CH344 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (2)
  • CH391 Undergraduate Research (1)*
  • CH532 Advanced Biochemistry (2)
  • CH563 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (5)
  • CH575 Chemical Instrumentation (4)
Additional Requirements
  • MA140 Analytic Geometry & Calculus I (5)
  • MA145 Analytic Geometry & Calculus II (4)
  • PH230 General Physics I (3)
  • PH231 General Physics II (3)
Computational Chemistry Track
  • CH412 Computational Chemistry (3)
  • CS101 Introduction to Computer Programming (3)
  • CS155 Computer Science I (4)
  • CS265 Computer Science II (4)
  • CS351 C & the POSIX Environment (4)
  • CS503 Fundamentals of Computing (3)
  • CSxxx 400-level elective (3)
Choose one course:
  • CH311 Foundations of Physical Chemistry (4)
  • CH312 Advanced Physical Chemistry (3)
Choose one course:
  • CS433 Introduction to Data Analytics (3)
  • CS445 Software Engineering I (3)
Additional Requirements
  • MA 140 Analytic Geometry & Calculus I (5)
  • MA 145 Analytic Geometry & Calculus II (4)
  • PH 230 General Physics I (3)
  • PH 231 General Physics II (3)
Choose one course:
  • MA 345 Linear Algebra (3)
  • MA 350 Differential Equations I (3)
Foundational Chemistry Track
  • CH344 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (2)
  • Choose 9 hours of CH Electives (300-500 level) (9)
Choose one course:
  • CH311 Foundations of Physical Chemistry (4)
  • CH312 Advanced Physical Chemistry (3)
  • CH575 Chemical Instrumentation (4)
Additional requirements:
Mathematics – 5-6 hours

Pick one:

  • MA140 Analytic Geometry & Calculus I (5)
  • MA139 Applied Calculus (3)

Pick one:

  • MA223 Elementary Probability and Statistics (3)
  • MA345 Linear Algebra (3)
  • CS101 Introduction to Computer Programming (3)
Physics – 10 hours

Pick one option

  • PH120 Introductory Physics I (5)
  • PH121 Introductory Physics II (5)

OR

  • PH230 General Physics I (3)
  • PH231 General Physics II (3)

*Note: Completion of undergraduate research in the major is required. The departmental advisor should be consulted for information about this requirement.

Some requirements may be fulfilled by coursework in major program.

  • Social and Behavioral Sciences – 6 hours
  • Constitution Requirement – 3 hours
  • Written Communication – 6 hours
  • Oral Communication – 3 hours
  • Natural Sciences – 7 hours (from two disciplines, one to include a lab)
  • Mathematics – 3 hours
  • Humanities & Fine Arts – 9 hours (from at least two disciplines)
  • Additional requirements – 5 hours (to include UI100 for native students)
  • Civics examination

Freshman Year

Fall Semester (14-15 Hours)
  • UI100 (1)
  • EN 100 (3)
  • CH184 (1)
  • CH185 (3)
  • CH195 (1)
  • Required Math Course (3-5)
  • General Education (3)
Spring Semester (15-16 Hours)
  • CH186 (3)
  • CH187 (1)
  • Track Course (3-4)
  • General Education (3)
  • General Education (3)

Milestone: maintain 2.0 cumulative GPA

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester (15 Hours)
  • CH271/071 (5)
  • CH341 (4)
  • CH342 (1)
  • Required Physics course (5)
Spring Semester (15-17 Hours)
  • CH295 (2)
  • CH343 (3)
  • Required Physics course (5)
  • Track Course (2-4)
  • General Education (3)

Milestone: maintain 2.0 cumulative GPA

*Summer courses are encouraged to avoid 18 hour semesters

Junior Year

Fall Semester (16-18 Hours)
  • CH306 (3)
  • CH360 (1)
  • Track Course (3-4)
  • Track Course (3-4)
  • General Education (3)
  • General Education (3)
Spring Semester (15-18 Hours)
  • Track Course (3-4)
  • Track Course (3-4)
  • Track Course or Elective (3-4)
  • General Education (3)
  • General Education (3)

Milestone: maintain 2.0 cumulative GPA

Senior Year

Fall Semester (15-18 Hours)
  • CH531 (3)
  • General Education (3)
  • Track Course or Elective (3-4)
  • Track Course or Elective (3-4)
  • Track Course or Elective (3-4)
Spring Semester (13-17 Hours)
  • CH495 (1)
  • Chemistry Elective (3-4)
  • Track Course or Elective (3-4)
  • Track Course or Elective (3-4)
  • Track Course or Elective (3-4)

Milestone: maintain 2.0 cumulative GPA

*A "Milestone" signifies a significant stage for a student in the completion of a degree.

A minimum 2.0 GPA in the major and overall are required to graduate with a BS degree.

Become a Redhawk.

Do more than dream about the future. Take the first steps to make it all happen.

American Chemical Society (ACS)

  • American Chemical Society’s Approved Chemistry Program Seal

Class of 2021, Biochemistry, ACS Certified Chemistry, Forensic

"In May 2021, I graduated from SEMO with a Bachelor of Science in three majors: ACS Certified Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Forensic Chemistry; as well as a minor in Biology. With the knowledge and skills I have acquired during my undergrad, I received offers of admission into Ph.D. programs at multiple universities and medical centers. Those that interviewed me were impressed with the course work, research, and work experiences I have gained while at SEMO. Another great opportunity found at SEMO that was highly praised in my graduate school interviews was my work experience as a teaching assistant for multiple semesters. I have currently accepted admission to the University of Georgia to begin their Ph.D. program in fall 2021, and my experiences at SEMO have served as a stepping-stone in reaching my educational goals."

Sydney Bedillion

Sydney Bedillion stands with her class with a whiteboard showing results from their project.
Location
Office
Rhodes Hall 306
Mailing Address

Department of Chemistry and Physics
One University Plaza, MS 6400
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701