Accreditation: The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry is approved by the Committee on Professional Training of the American Chemical Society.
Chemistry is the central science, encompassing elements of physics, biology, and mathematics, as well as unique elements of its own. The Chemistry and Biochemistry Department offers four undergraduate degree programs in Chemistry (B.A., B.S.), which are designed to focus on individual student interests. The department also offers two certificate programs, including the Pharmaceutical Technology Certificate Program (PTCP) and the Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program in Chemistry (PREPChem) Certificate. At the master's level, the department offers a Master of Science in Chemistry (M.S.) and a Master of Science in Teaching (M.S.T.). A doctoral degree program in Chemistry (Ph.D.) is also available.
All Chemistry majors must take a minimum of 16 credits of chemistry at Florida Atlantic University. The following courses are required for all Chemistry majors.
| Biochemistry 1 BCH 3033 3 |
| General Chemistry 1 CHM 2045 3 |
| General Chemistry 1 Lab CHM 2045L 1 |
| General Chemistry 2 CHM 2046 3 |
| General Chemistry 2 Lab CHM 2046L 1 |
| Organic Chemistry 1 CHM 2210 3 |
| Organic Chemistry 2 CHM 2211 3 |
| Organic Chemistry Lab CHM 2211L 2 |
| Quantitative Analysis CHM 3120 2 |
| Quantitative Analysis Lab CHM 3120L 2 |
| General Physics 1 Lab PHY 2048L 1 |
| General Physics 2 Lab PHY 2049L 1 |
The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) is a liberal arts degree intended for students planning professional careers in chemistry-related professions. These include health professions (medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy), environmental consulting, technical sales, and secondary school teaching. This degree is often pursued by students studying in related disciplines (e.g., biological sciences, geology, and psychobiology) who wish to obtain a second major or a second degree.
In addition to the core curriculum, the B.A. degree program requires the following courses.
| Biochemistry Lab BCH 3103L 3 |
| Introduction to Physical Chemistry CHM 3400 3 |
| Inorganic Chemistry CHM 3609 3 |
| Inorganic Chemistry Lab CHM 3609L 1 |
| College Algebra MAC 1105 3 |
| Methods of Calculus MAC 2233 3 |
| College Physics 1 PHY 2053 4 |
| College Physics 2 PHY 2054 4 |
The Bachelor of Science degree (B.S.) is designed for students preparing for professional careers as chemists in industry, government, or academic research. Students interested in pursuing advanced graduate studies in chemistry, biochemistry, or related fields should also follow one of the B.S. degree programs. Three B.S. degree programs in Chemistry are offered:
In addition to the core curriculum, the Comprehensive B.S. degree program requires the following courses.
| Chemical Literature CHM 3060 1 |
| Physical Chemistry 1 CHM 3410 3 |
| Physical Chemistry 1 Lab CHM 3410L 2 |
| Physical Chemistry 2 CHM 3411 3 |
| Physical Chemistry 2 Lab CHM 3411L 2 |
| Inorganic Chemistry CHM 3609 3 |
| Inorganic Chemistry Lab CHM 3609L 1 |
| Bioanalytical Instrumentation CHM 4139 2 |
| Bioanalytical Instrumentation Lab CHM 4139L 2 |
| Directed Independent Study CHM 4905 3 |
| Calculus with Analytic Geometry 1 MAC 2311 4 |
| Calculus with Analytic Geometry 2 MAC 2312 4 |
| General Physics 1 PHY 2048 4 |
| General Physics 2 PHY 2049 4 |
The ACS-approved B.S. program requires all courses in the Comprehensive program, plus one of the following courses.
| Biochemistry 2 BCH 3034 3 |
| Environmental Chemistry CHM 3080 3 |
| Organic Chemistry 3 CHM 4220 3 |
In addition to the core curriculum, the B.S. in Chemistry (Biochemistry concentration) program requires the following courses:
| Biological Principles BSC 1010 3 |
| Biological Principles Lab BSC 1010L 1 |
| Biochemistry 2 BCH 3034 3 |
| Biochemistry Lab BCH 3103L 3 |
| Advanced Biochemistry BCH 4035 3 |
| Chemical Literature CHM 3060 1 |
| Physical Chemistry 1 CHM 3410 3 |
| Physical Chemistry 1 Lab CHM 3410L 2 |
| Calculus with Analytic Geometry 1 MAC 2311 4 |
| Exp Design & Stat Inference PSY 3234 3 |
| General Physics 1 PHY 2048 4 or College Physics 1 PHY 2053 4 |
| General Physics 2 PHY 2049 4 or College Physics 2 PHY 2054 4 |
| Minimum one of the following: |
| Structural Biochemistry CHM 4350 3 |
| Introduction to Drug Design CHM 4273 3 |
| Bioanalytical Instrumentation & Lab CHM 4139 2 & 4139L 2 (4 total) |
| Inorganic Chemistry CHM 3609 (3) & Lab CHM 3609 3 & 3609L 1 (4 total) |
| Environmental Chemistry CHM 3080 3 |
| Materials Chemistry CHM 4714 3 |
| Organic Chemistry 3 CHM 4220 3 |
| Minimum one of the following: |
| General Microbiology & Lab MCB 3020 3 & 3020L 1 (4 total) |
| Genetics PCB 3063 4 |
| Cell Biology PCB 4023 3 |
| Biological bases of behavior PSB 3002 3 |
| Minimum one of the following: |
| Directed Independent Study CHM 4905 1-3 |
| Science Internship Course IDS 3941 1-3 |
| CMBB Research Seminar BSC 4932 1 |
Additional courses for Pre-Professional majors:
Required course
| Biodiversity BSC 1011 3 |
| Biodiversity Lab BSC 1011 1 |
Suggested electives
| Human Morph & Function 1 & Lab PCB 3703 3 & PCB 3703L 1 (4 Total) or Comparative Vertebrate Morph & Lab ZOO 4690 3 & ZOO 4690L 1 (4 total) |
| Human Morph & Function 2 & Lab PCB 3704 3 & PCB 3704L 1 (4 total) or Comparative Animal Physiology & Lab PCB 4723 3 & PCB 4723L 1 (4 total) |
| Comparative Animal Behavior CBH 4024 3 |
| Medical Shadowing Internship IDS 3940 1 |
The Pharmaceutical Technology Certificate Program (PTCP) combines new drug development courses with existing analytical chemistry, biochemistry, and organic chemistry courses that are beneficial for industry related job opportunities. This is a 14 credits certificate program. PTCP is for advanced undergraduate students who completed upper level courses and, who aim to pursue a career in biopharmaceutical industry. Students will gain understanding of drug development life cycle from discovery to market launch; regulatory requirements, pharmacokinetics, formulation and analytical development.
Click here to learn more about the Pharmaceutical Technology Certificate Program.
For more info contact: Shailaja Allani, Ph.D., at skesaraj@fau.edu.
A program leading to teacher certification in chemistry is available. For information, contact the Department of Teaching and Learning in the College of Education.
FAU recognizes superior academic performance by granting baccalaureate degrees of distinction to undergraduates who have earned at least 45 credits at FAU. The breakdown for Commencement Honors for the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science is as follows:
Click here to learn more about the Honors in Chemistry program.
