Chemistry - ACS Approved (BS)

Summary

The Bachelor of Science (BS) chemistry curriculum is recognized by the American Chemical Society (ACS). This curriculum meets ACS standards for depth and rigor of study in the various sub-disciplines of chemistry. Students graduating with a Chemistry BS have numerous career options available. Our alumni work as chemists in many small companies throughout the region as well as in Fortune 500 companies and municipality/government positions. Many graduates pursue post-baccalaureate programs including chemistry, medicine, pharmacy and law. 

Catalog Year

2024-2025

Degree

Bachelor of Science

Major Credits

66

Total Credits

120

Locations

Mankato

Career Cluster

Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics

Update Your Major

Program Requirements

Required General Education

Limits, continuity, the derivative and applications, transcendental functions, L'Hopital's Rule, and development of the Riemann integral.

Prerequisites: Satisfy Placement Table in this section, MATH 115 or both MATH 112 and MATH 113 with "C" (2.0) or better.

Goal Areas: GE-04

General background in physical concepts for those who do not plan advanced study in physics or engineering. Topics include mechanics, fluids, heat and thermodynamics. Lecture and laboratory.

Prerequisites: Either MATH 112 and MATH 113, or MATH 115

Goal Areas: GE-02, GE-03

Major Common Core

Introduction to the basic principles of chemistry including atomic and molecular structure, bonding, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, thermodynamics and states of matter. Laboratory will reinforce lecture concepts. Prereq: C or higher in MATH 112 or the equivalent; high school chemistry or C or higher in CHEM 104

Prerequisites: "C" (2.0) or higher in MATH 112 or the equivalent; high school chemistry or "C" (2.0) or higher in CHEM 104.

Goal Areas: GE-02, GE-03

Continuation of the basic principles of chemistry including properties of solutions, kinetics, acids and bases, equilibria, buffers, precipitation reactions, electron transfer reactions, electrochemistry, entropy and free energy. Laboratory will reinforce lecture concepts.

Prerequisites: "C" (2.0) or higher in CHEM 201

The course will cover aspects of the ethical conduct of research, chemical safety, and preparation for a profession related to chemistry or biochemistry.

Prerequisites: CHEM 322

Introduction to the principles of chemical analysis, with emphasis on classical methods of analysis. Lectures will stress the theory of chemical measurements and sample handling. Laboratory exercises will provide students with opportunities to explore calibration methods, method development, and established procedures for volumetric and gravimetric analyses. Basic atomic spectroscopy is also presented.

Prerequisites: "C" (2.0) or higher in CHEM 202

Introduction to organic nomenclature, structure, bonding, chemical reactivity, organic acid-base reactions, mechanisms and stereochemistry. IR, MS, and NMR spectroscopy will be introduced. The chemistry of alkanes, alkyl halides, alkenes, alkynes, and alcohols will be covered. Laboratory illustrates synthetic techniques and the preparation and reactions of functional groups discussed during lecture.

Prerequisites: CHEM 202, "C" (2.0) or higher in CHEM 202.

This course is a continuation Chem 322 and includes organic nomenclature, structure, bonding, chemical reactivity, organic acid-base reactions, and reaction mechanisms; the chemistry of ethers, aromatic and heterocyclic compounds, polyenes, ketones, aldehydes, amines, carboxylic acids and their derivatives, and alpha carbonyl compounds and synthetic transformations is covered.

Prerequisites: CHEM 322 with a "C" (2.0) or higher.

Laboratory will highlight common techniques including recrystallization, melting point determination, simple and fractional distillation, extraction, gas and thin layer chromatography, and chemical and spectroscopic qualitative analysis. Single and multi-step syntheses illustrating aromatic and carbonyl chemistry will be performed.

Prerequisites: CHEM 324

Detailed treatment of thermodynamics and chemical kinetics. Topics include equations of state, laws of thermodynamics, phase and reaction equilibrium, reaction kinetics, and thermodynamic properties of polymers, solutions, and of biochemical and electrochemical processes. C (2.0) or higher in all prerequisites.

Prerequisites: MATH 121, PHYS 211, CHEM 305

Detailed treatment of quantum mechanics, spectroscopy, and statistical thermodynamics. Topics include the foundations of quantum mechanics, application of quantum mechanics to atomic and molecular structure, foundations of spectroscopic techniques, photophysics and photochemistry, statistical thermodynamics, and molecular aspects of reaction kinetics. "C" (2.0) or higher in all prerequisites.

Prerequisites: MATH 122, PHYS 212, CHEM 445

Laboratory to accompany CHEM 445. An advanced treatment of measurement theory and data analysis precedes a series of thermodynamic and kinetic experiments designed to complement topics treated in lecture to help students' independence and sophistication in planning, performing, and reporting experimental work.

Prerequisites: CHEM 445

Laboratory to accompany CHEM 446. Experiments and computational projects in quantum mechanics, spectroscopy, and statistical mechanics. The experiments and projects will continue to work toward the goal of increasing the students' independence and sophistication. Prereq: C (2.0) or better in CHEM 445; pre or coreq: CHEM 446

Prerequisites: CHEM 445

In this course, students will develop discipline-specific skills in critical reading and evaluation of the primary and secondary literature, including the use of libraries and databases to identify reliable sources. Work will culminate in a literature review that synthesizes the current state of research in synthetic polymers, biological macromolecules, supramolecular aggregates and/or meso/nanoscale materials with consideration toward future directions. Throughout the course, students will participate in peer review, revision of written work, learn key ethical considerations of writing, develop better writing mechanics and understand different conventions of scientific writing all while increasing their familiarity in the topics above.

Prerequisites: ENG 101, CHEM 324

Capstone course for majors in Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Chemistry Teaching. During this course, students will present their mentored undergraduate research projects OR present a literature review synthesized from primary literature articles. Forums for presentation include an oral presentation and poster presentation.

Prerequisites: CHEM 445 or CHEM 465

Techniques of integration, applications of integration, improper integrals, numerical integration, the calculus of parametric curves, and infinite series and sequences.

Prerequisites: MATH 121 with "C" (2.0) or better or consent

Includes waves and sound, electricity and magnetism, light and optics, and topics in modern physics. Lecture and laboratory.

Prerequisites: PHYS 211

Biochemistry Foundation - Choose 3 - 4 Credit(s). Chose 1 course

Analysis of the structure and metabolism of biologically important compounds. This intermediate-level course is designed for students in the medical technology, food science, chemistry education, chemistry and pre-professional health majors. The laboratory teaches basic biochemical techniques.

Prerequisites: CHEM 322. CHEM 324 is strongly recommended.

Detailed analysis of the structures, properties, and functions of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids; introduction to carbohydrate metabolism; theory for the purification and analysis of proteins. Concurrent enrollment in CHEM 465 is recommended.

Prerequisites: BIOL 106, CHEM 324. BIOL 106 or permission "C" (2.0) or higher in all prerequisites.

Inorganic Foundation - Choose 3 Credit(s). Choose 1 course

This course is designed to survey descriptive main group chemistry and augment General Chemistry's introduction to solid state and nuclear chemistry.

Prerequisites: "C" (2.0) or higher in CHEM 202

This course is designed to address transition metal chemistry, introduce bonding theory, nomenclature, reactivity and mechanisms for transition metal compounds. It will also address and use examples from bioinorganic chemistry and catalysis.

Prerequisites: "C" (2.0) or higher in CHEM 202

Major Restricted Electives

Math electives - Choose 4 Credit(s). Choose 1 of the following courses.

Surfaces, vector-valued functions, partial differentiation, multiple integration, and vector calculus.

Prerequisites: MATH 122 with "C" (2.0) or better, or consent

Matrices, determinants, systems of linear equations, vector spaces, linear transformations, and characteristic value problems.

Prerequisites: MATH 122 with "C" (2.0) or better or consent

This course presents the theory, computations, and applications of first and second order differential equations and two-dimensional systems.

Prerequisites: MATH 122 with "C" (2.0) or better or consent

Major Unrestricted Electives

Choose 12 credits and at least 3 different courses from the 300-400-level CHEM courses other than CHEM 479. No CHEM courses can be double-counted in the degree.

4-Year Plan

The 4-Year Plan is a model for completing your degree in a timely manner. Your individual 4-Year plan may change based on a number of variables including transfer courses and the semester/year you start your major. Carefully work with your academic advisors to devise your own unique plan.
* Please meet with your advisor on appropriate course selection to meet your educational and degree goals.

First Year

Fall - 15 Credits

Limits, continuity, the derivative and applications, transcendental functions, L'Hopital's Rule, and development of the Riemann integral.

Prerequisites: Satisfy Placement Table in this section, MATH 115 or both MATH 112 and MATH 113 with "C" (2.0) or better.

Goal Areas: GE-04

Introduction to the basic principles of chemistry including atomic and molecular structure, bonding, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, thermodynamics and states of matter. Laboratory will reinforce lecture concepts. Prereq: C or higher in MATH 112 or the equivalent; high school chemistry or C or higher in CHEM 104

Prerequisites: "C" (2.0) or higher in MATH 112 or the equivalent; high school chemistry or "C" (2.0) or higher in CHEM 104.

Goal Areas: GE-02, GE-03

Spring - 16 Credits

Techniques of integration, applications of integration, improper integrals, numerical integration, the calculus of parametric curves, and infinite series and sequences.

Prerequisites: MATH 121 with "C" (2.0) or better or consent

Continuation of the basic principles of chemistry including properties of solutions, kinetics, acids and bases, equilibria, buffers, precipitation reactions, electron transfer reactions, electrochemistry, entropy and free energy. Laboratory will reinforce lecture concepts.

Prerequisites: "C" (2.0) or higher in CHEM 201

Second Year

Fall - 15 Credits

General background in physical concepts for those who do not plan advanced study in physics or engineering. Topics include mechanics, fluids, heat and thermodynamics. Lecture and laboratory.

Prerequisites: Either MATH 112 and MATH 113, or MATH 115

Goal Areas: GE-02, GE-03

Introduction to the principles of chemical analysis, with emphasis on classical methods of analysis. Lectures will stress the theory of chemical measurements and sample handling. Laboratory exercises will provide students with opportunities to explore calibration methods, method development, and established procedures for volumetric and gravimetric analyses. Basic atomic spectroscopy is also presented.

Prerequisites: "C" (2.0) or higher in CHEM 202

Introduction to organic nomenclature, structure, bonding, chemical reactivity, organic acid-base reactions, mechanisms and stereochemistry. IR, MS, and NMR spectroscopy will be introduced. The chemistry of alkanes, alkyl halides, alkenes, alkynes, and alcohols will be covered. Laboratory illustrates synthetic techniques and the preparation and reactions of functional groups discussed during lecture.

Prerequisites: CHEM 202, "C" (2.0) or higher in CHEM 202.

Spring - 15 Credits

Includes waves and sound, electricity and magnetism, light and optics, and topics in modern physics. Lecture and laboratory.

Prerequisites: PHYS 211

The course will cover aspects of the ethical conduct of research, chemical safety, and preparation for a profession related to chemistry or biochemistry.

Prerequisites: CHEM 322

This course is a continuation Chem 322 and includes organic nomenclature, structure, bonding, chemical reactivity, organic acid-base reactions, and reaction mechanisms; the chemistry of ethers, aromatic and heterocyclic compounds, polyenes, ketones, aldehydes, amines, carboxylic acids and their derivatives, and alpha carbonyl compounds and synthetic transformations is covered.

Prerequisites: CHEM 322 with a "C" (2.0) or higher.

Laboratory will highlight common techniques including recrystallization, melting point determination, simple and fractional distillation, extraction, gas and thin layer chromatography, and chemical and spectroscopic qualitative analysis. Single and multi-step syntheses illustrating aromatic and carbonyl chemistry will be performed.

Prerequisites: CHEM 324

Third Year

Fall - 15 Credits

Detailed treatment of thermodynamics and chemical kinetics. Topics include equations of state, laws of thermodynamics, phase and reaction equilibrium, reaction kinetics, and thermodynamic properties of polymers, solutions, and of biochemical and electrochemical processes. C (2.0) or higher in all prerequisites.

Prerequisites: MATH 121, PHYS 211, CHEM 305

Laboratory to accompany CHEM 445. An advanced treatment of measurement theory and data analysis precedes a series of thermodynamic and kinetic experiments designed to complement topics treated in lecture to help students' independence and sophistication in planning, performing, and reporting experimental work.

Prerequisites: CHEM 445

In this course, students will develop discipline-specific skills in critical reading and evaluation of the primary and secondary literature, including the use of libraries and databases to identify reliable sources. Work will culminate in a literature review that synthesizes the current state of research in synthetic polymers, biological macromolecules, supramolecular aggregates and/or meso/nanoscale materials with consideration toward future directions. Throughout the course, students will participate in peer review, revision of written work, learn key ethical considerations of writing, develop better writing mechanics and understand different conventions of scientific writing all while increasing their familiarity in the topics above.

Prerequisites: ENG 101, CHEM 324

Spring - 15 Credits

Analysis of the structure and metabolism of biologically important compounds. This intermediate-level course is designed for students in the medical technology, food science, chemistry education, chemistry and pre-professional health majors. The laboratory teaches basic biochemical techniques.

Prerequisites: CHEM 322. CHEM 324 is strongly recommended.

Detailed treatment of quantum mechanics, spectroscopy, and statistical thermodynamics. Topics include the foundations of quantum mechanics, application of quantum mechanics to atomic and molecular structure, foundations of spectroscopic techniques, photophysics and photochemistry, statistical thermodynamics, and molecular aspects of reaction kinetics. "C" (2.0) or higher in all prerequisites.

Prerequisites: MATH 122, PHYS 212, CHEM 445

Laboratory to accompany CHEM 446. Experiments and computational projects in quantum mechanics, spectroscopy, and statistical mechanics. The experiments and projects will continue to work toward the goal of increasing the students' independence and sophistication. Prereq: C (2.0) or better in CHEM 445; pre or coreq: CHEM 446

Prerequisites: CHEM 445

Fourth Year

Fall - 14 Credits

This course is designed to survey descriptive main group chemistry and augment General Chemistry's introduction to solid state and nuclear chemistry.

Prerequisites: "C" (2.0) or higher in CHEM 202

Spring - 15 Credits

Capstone course for majors in Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Chemistry Teaching. During this course, students will present their mentored undergraduate research projects OR present a literature review synthesized from primary literature articles. Forums for presentation include an oral presentation and poster presentation.

Prerequisites: CHEM 445 or CHEM 465

Transfer Pathways

A Transfer Pathway is a partnership between the Minnesota community colleges and Minnesota State University, Mankato. The Pathway suggests a plan for students with a specific associate degree to complete the last two years for a designated bachelor’s degree.

Students who are transferring to Minnesota State Mankato from a Minnesota community college should meet with an advisor in your college advising office to ensure the Pathway is an appropriate option for completing your degree.

More information on Transfer Pathways is available at https://mnsu.edu/pathways/about/

Third Year

Fall - 15 Credits

Introduction to the principles of chemical analysis, with emphasis on classical methods of analysis. Lectures will stress the theory of chemical measurements and sample handling. Laboratory exercises will provide students with opportunities to explore calibration methods, method development, and established procedures for volumetric and gravimetric analyses. Basic atomic spectroscopy is also presented.

Prerequisites: "C" (2.0) or higher in CHEM 202

This course presents the theory, computations, and applications of first and second order differential equations and two-dimensional systems.

Prerequisites: MATH 122 with "C" (2.0) or better or consent

In this course, students will develop discipline-specific skills in critical reading and evaluation of the primary and secondary literature, including the use of libraries and databases to identify reliable sources. Work will culminate in a literature review that synthesizes the current state of research in synthetic polymers, biological macromolecules, supramolecular aggregates and/or meso/nanoscale materials with consideration toward future directions. Throughout the course, students will participate in peer review, revision of written work, learn key ethical considerations of writing, develop better writing mechanics and understand different conventions of scientific writing all while increasing their familiarity in the topics above.

Prerequisites: ENG 101, CHEM 324

Spring - 13 Credits

The course will cover aspects of the ethical conduct of research, chemical safety, and preparation for a profession related to chemistry or biochemistry.

Prerequisites: CHEM 322

Analysis of the structure and metabolism of biologically important compounds. This intermediate-level course is designed for students in the medical technology, food science, chemistry education, chemistry and pre-professional health majors. The laboratory teaches basic biochemical techniques.

Prerequisites: CHEM 322. CHEM 324 is strongly recommended.

Fourth Year

Fall - 16 Credits

Detailed treatment of thermodynamics and chemical kinetics. Topics include equations of state, laws of thermodynamics, phase and reaction equilibrium, reaction kinetics, and thermodynamic properties of polymers, solutions, and of biochemical and electrochemical processes. C (2.0) or higher in all prerequisites.

Prerequisites: MATH 121, PHYS 211, CHEM 305

Laboratory to accompany CHEM 445. An advanced treatment of measurement theory and data analysis precedes a series of thermodynamic and kinetic experiments designed to complement topics treated in lecture to help students' independence and sophistication in planning, performing, and reporting experimental work.

Prerequisites: CHEM 445

Spring - 16 Credits

Detailed treatment of quantum mechanics, spectroscopy, and statistical thermodynamics. Topics include the foundations of quantum mechanics, application of quantum mechanics to atomic and molecular structure, foundations of spectroscopic techniques, photophysics and photochemistry, statistical thermodynamics, and molecular aspects of reaction kinetics. "C" (2.0) or higher in all prerequisites.

Prerequisites: MATH 122, PHYS 212, CHEM 445

Laboratory to accompany CHEM 446. Experiments and computational projects in quantum mechanics, spectroscopy, and statistical mechanics. The experiments and projects will continue to work toward the goal of increasing the students' independence and sophistication. Prereq: C (2.0) or better in CHEM 445; pre or coreq: CHEM 446

Prerequisites: CHEM 445

Capstone course for majors in Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Chemistry Teaching. During this course, students will present their mentored undergraduate research projects OR present a literature review synthesized from primary literature articles. Forums for presentation include an oral presentation and poster presentation.

Prerequisites: CHEM 445 or CHEM 465

Policies

Admission to Major. No formal Admission to Major paperwork is required for Chemistry.  Students may enroll in 300- and 400-level courses after they have declared Chemistry as a first major and successfully completed any pre-requisite courses. Students should also have an assigned advisor in the department with whom they discuss their program.

GPA Policy. Students obtaining a major or minor in chemistry must maintain an overall GPA of 2.2 in all courses required for their selected program. All majors cannot have more than 4 credits of "D" (1.0) work in chemistry courses.

P/N Grading Policy. Courses leading to a major or minor in chemistry or biochemistry may not be taken on a P/N basis except where P/N grading is mandatory.

For students who choose to obtain a BS or a BA in Chemistry, CHEM 489 must be taken at Minnesota State Mankato. This course will not be substituted.

Students who use CHEM 498 (Undergraduate Research) as elective credits towards their Chemistry degree must submit a written research report to their faculty mentor upon completion of CHEM 498.

The first year of coursework for all chemistry majors should include general chemistry and mathematics (selection of courses depends on mathematics background). The second year should include organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, additional mathematics and physics. For BS chemistry majors, it is important that the calculus and physics sequences be completed early in the program since they are prerequisites for physical chemistry. Either physical chemistry or instrumental analysis should be taken during the third year. Other upper division courses in chemistry and biochemistry can be taken in either the third or fourth years. Participation in senior capstone is required of all BA/BS majors in their last semester. The required coursework in mathematics may be credited towards a major or minor so it is often desirable and convenient to choose a joint major or minor in mathematics.

Transfer students who are considering the Chemistry BS should note that before taking physical chemistry in the third (junior) year, students must successfully complete with a grade of "C" (2.0) or higher an analytical chemistry course in addition to appropriate mathematics and physics courses either here at Minnesota State Mankato or transferable to Minnesota State Mankato.  Completion of an Associate's degree may not meet the physical chemistry prerequisites and may add up to one year to the program of study.