Mar 29, 2024  
Undergraduate Catalog | 2020-2021 
    
Undergraduate Catalog | 2020-2021 Previous Edition

Chemistry, Biochemistry Concentration, B.S.


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The B.S. degree with a Concentration in Biochemistry is recommended for students planning to begin careers as chemists with the baccalaureate degree and those preparing for graduate study in chemistry.

Admission Requirements


Freshmen

  • Minimum GPA:  2.0; students with prior credit earned at UNC Charlotte must have a minimum overall and Chemistry GPA of 2.0
  • Prerequisite Courses:  Complete the following with minimum grades of C:
  • Declaration of Major:  Students are eligible to declare a Major in Chemistry upon passing MATH 1242 , PHYS 2102 , and PHYS 2102L ; and earning a grade of C or above in CHEM 2132  or CHEM 3111  

Transfers

  • Minimum GPA:  2.0
  • Prerequisite Courses:  Complete the following with minimum grades of C:
  • Declaration of Major:  Transfer students may declare the major if the above requirements were met at their previous institution(s)
  • Transferable Credit Hours:  24

Degree Requirements


The B. S. in Chemistry with  Concentration in Biochemistry requires a total of 120 credit hours.  Students may choose from the ACS-certified degree or the non-certified degree.  A Major in Chemistry leading to the ACS-certified B.S. degree with a Concentration in Biochemistry requires a minimum of 48 credit hours of chemistry courses, 12 credit hours of mathematics courses, and 8 credit hours of physics courses.

The non-certified B.S. degree with a Concentration in Biochemistry follows the same requirements as the ACS-certified degree with the following exceptions: (1) a minimum of 44 credit hours in chemistry are required, and (2) CHEM 4121  is not required.  

General Education Courses (37-41 credit hours)


For details on required courses, refer to the General Education Program .  Students with a Major in Chemistry should plan on taking the following courses that meet both general education and major requirements:

Foreign Language Requirement (0-8 credit hours)


For details on required courses, refer to the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences Foreign Language Requirement 

Notes:


* CHEM 4121  is not required for the non-certified B.S. degree with Concentration in Biochemistry
** BIOL 3900  may be substituted for CHEM 4900  with special permission from the Department of Chemistry.

Related Courses (31 credit hours)


Unrestricted Elective Courses


As needed to complete the credit hours required for graduation.

Degree Total = 120 Credit Hours


Cooperative Education Program


Students majoring in Chemistry may obtain practical work experience in chemistry before graduation by participating in the Chemistry Cooperative Education Experience any time after the completion of Sophomore year and CHEM 2132 .  A minimum GPA of 2.5 overall and 2.5 in chemistry is required.  At least two semesters of full-time work assignments on alternating semesters must be completed concurrent with enrollment in CHEM 3500 . Advisors will assist students to design a schedule that accommodates both work assignments and the upper-division chemistry courses which are normally offered on alternate semesters. Experiences are arranged in coordination with the University Career Center.

Grade and Course Progression Requirements


Students who have declared a major in Chemistry remain in good academic standing within the department if the following criteria are met:

A student whose Chemistry GPA is below 2.0 is placed on provisional continuation status.  Should the Chemistry GPA remain below the required level after three successive semesters, the student is ineligible for continuation in bachelor degree programs in Chemistry.  Students may declare the Chemistry major again if their Chemistry GPA rises to the requisite level if they were previously dropped from the major.

Students attempting CHEM 1251 , CHEM 1251L , CHEM 1252 , CHEM 1252L , CHEM 2131 , CHEM 2131L , CHEM 2132 , CHEM 2132L , and CHEM 3111  for the third time are placed on provisional continuation status.  Students who earn a grade of D, F or W in the third attempt are ineligible for continuation in bachelor degree programs in Chemistry.

Additionally, students must earn a C or above in all required chemistry courses for the major, including the chemistry elective course required for the B.A. degree.  A student may petition for a one-time exemption to this requirement.

A minimum chemistry GPA of 2.0 is required to graduate.  

Honors Program


For details about the Honors Program in Chemistry, visit the program page .

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