About

Are you interested in a career in medicine, dentistry, or pharmacy? Does the possibility of working in pharmaceutical research or alternative energy research excite you? The chemistry department offers both a BA and BS degree in chemistry.

ECU's BS degree in chemistry is a rigorous, scientific degree that focuses on the physical and mathematical foundations of chemistry. A BS in chemistry student will take higher-level calculus and physics classes, and more challenging physical chemistry and inorganic chemistry classes to fulfill their core curriculum. The BS degree is a challenging yet rewarding degree that provides a solid laboratory-based background, as well as a literature and writing foundation that will benefit the student after graduation.

ECU Advantage

Our BS degree is one of the most challenging and prestigious degrees awarded at ECU.

·The BS degree is certified by the American Chemical Society, which gives the degree an extra stamp of approval that employers like to see.

·You will meet and get to know you professors, thanks to our engaged faculty and small class sizes.Junior and senior level classes are as small as 20 students.Faculty routinely invite students to participate in undergraduate research, and award them with course credit that is part of the BS chemistry degree plan.

·Hands-on training in a pharmaceutical analysis laboratory is provided in Pharmaceutical Industry Skills Laboratory: Good Manufacturing Practices (CHEM 4522), taught by industry scientists now in the Department of Chemistry. Because students enjoy such close contact with scientists who have worked or are working at regional pharmaceutical companies, it is a great way to connect with internship and job opportunities at companies like Patheon, Hospira, Mayne Pharma, and Alcami.

·The Department of Chemistry proudly supports the science and healthcare leaders of the future.This is evidenced by the long and steady track record our majors have of winning the Robert H. Wright Alumni Leadership Award. The award recognizes academic achievement, service, and leadership qualities.Only five students per year are recognized with the Wright Award at University Commencement exercises.In the last 14 years, 14 chemistry majors have won this prestigious award.

·Many of our graduates have gone on to medical, dental, and pharmacy programs within the state or elsewhere. A solid chemistry foundation has been shown to provide higher entrance exam scores and higher acceptance rates into these types of schools. Individuals who have wanted to pursue research have matriculated into nationally recognized PhD programs.

As an ECU student, you can research your future career in Steppingblocks. Explore real-world stats about your major, your interests, and your dream job title with data-powered career exploration tools designed for doers like you.

What You Will Study

Program Coordinator: Lisa Bennett (416 Science and Technology Building; 252-328-9727; bennettl@ecu.edu)

The Chemistry, BS degree is the appropriate program for students considering advanced degree programs in chemistry, biochemistry, and other related fields or a professional career in chemistry. Graduates of this program meet certification requirements of the American Chemical Society. Students are strongly encouraged to pursue undergraduate research with a faculty member. Up to 6 s.h. of undergraduate research may be applied toward degree requirements. Information regarding undergraduate research may be obtained from the director of undergraduate studies. Students completing the BS degree are encouraged to consider some of the following courses as electives: COMM 2410; ITEC 3290 or ENGL 3820; MATH 2228, MATH 3256, MATH 3331; CHEM 4515, CHEM 4516, CHEM 4517; advanced 5000-level courses in chemistry; and BIOL 4880 or BIOL 4890. If a student successfully completes a higher-level cognate course after bypassing the lower-level prerequisite course(s), he/she may use free electives to substitute for the prerequisite hours. All students are required to take a departmentally administered assessment examination before graduation. Scores from this examination will not be included in the calculation of GPA for academic standing. The performance on this exam will be noted on the student's transcript.

The degree requires a minimum of 120 s.h. as follows:

1. General education requirements including those listed below - 40 s.h.

(For information about courses that carry general education credit view the General Education Program section.)

  • MATH 1065 - College Algebra
  • PHYS 1251 - General Physics Laboratory I
  • PHYS 2350 - University Physics I
2. Core - 43 s.h.
  • CHEM 1150 - General Chemistry I
  • CHEM 1151 - General Chemistry Laboratory I
  • CHEM 1160 - General Chemistry II
  • CHEM 1161 - General Chemistry Laboratory II
  • CHEM 2103 - Introduction to Chemical Literature
  • CHEM 2750 - Organic Chemistry I
  • CHEM 2753 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
  • CHEM 2760 - Organic Chemistry II
  • CHEM 2763 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
  • CHEM 3250 - Quantitative and Instrumental Analysis
  • CHEM 3251 - Quantitative and Instrumental Analysis Laboratory
  • CHEM 3450 - Elementary Inorganic Chemistry
  • CHEM 3451 - Elementary Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory
  • CHEM 3770 - Biological Chemistry
  • CHEM 3950 - Physical Chemistry I
  • CHEM 3951 - Physical Chemistry I Laboratory
  • CHEM 3960 - Physical Chemistry II
  • CHEM 3961 - Physical Chemistry II Laboratory
  • CHEM 4350 - Instrumental Analysis
  • CHEM 4351 - Instrumental Analysis Laboratory
3. Electives - 3-5 s.h.

(Choose a minimum of 3 s.h. from the following.).

  • BIOL 4890 - Principles of Biochemistry II
  • CHEM 4517 - Research Problems in Chemistry
  • CHEM 4522 - Pharmaceutical Industry Skills Laboratory: Good Manufacturing Practices
  • CHEM 4550 - Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
  • CHEM 5760 - Organic Structure Elucidation
  • CHEM 5993 - Industrial Internship in Chemistry
    • Note:

    (If the elective hours selected above includes CHEM 4517 or CHEM 5993, then lab elective requirements have been fulfilled.  If the elective hours selected above includes CHEM 4522, then select at minimum 1 s.h. from the list below.  If the elective hours selected above includes BIOL 4890 or CHEM 4550 or CHEM 5760, then select at minimum 2 s.h. from the list below.)

    • BIOL 4891 - Principles of Biochemistry Laboratory
    • CHEM 2301 - Chemistry Instruction
    • CHEM 3301 - Practicum in Teaching
    • CHEM 3771 - Biological Chemistry Laboratory
    • CHEM 4515 - Research Problems in Chemistry
    • CHEM 4516 - Research Problems in Chemistry
    • PHYS 4700 - Advanced Laboratory
    • PHYS 4701 - Advanced Laboratory
4. Cognates - 20 s.h.
  • MATH 1083 - Precalculus
  • MATH 2171 - Calculus I
  • MATH 2172 - Calculus II
  • MATH 2173 - Calculus III
  • PHYS 1261 - General Physics Laboratory II
  • PHYS 2360 - University Physics II
5. Electives to complete requirements for graduation.
    For more information about this degree visit the university's academic catalogs.
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