Chemistry, Bachelor of Science
| Degree: | Bachelor of Science (B.S.) |
| Major: | Chemistry |
| Specializations: | Chemistry Chemistry/Biochemistry |
| Certificate: | Chemistry for Laboratory Health Sciences |
| Department: | Chemistry Building 58C, Room 204 850-474-2739 http://uwf.edu/chemistry |
| College: | Hal Marcus College of Science and Engineering |
| CIP Code: | 40.0501 |
| Semester Hours Required For Degree: 120 | |
The B.S. specializations in Chemistry and Chemistry/Biochemistry have been approved by the Committee on Professional Training of the American Chemical Society (ACS) and consist of courses designed to offer training in the fundamentals of chemistry. Opportunities exist for the student to take courses to prepare for a wide variety of careers in chemistry and related fields. The B.S. program is recommended for students wishing to enter graduate programs in chemistry or to find employment as professional chemists.
Students interested in obtaining certification to teach this subject area in secondary education need to contact an advisor in this department to carefully plan the course work to satisfy degree and some teacher certification requirements. A degree in this major is required for participation in teacher education certification options.
Program Requirements
In addition to general University requirements, students seeking the B.S. in Chemistry must meet the requirements listed below.
Students should consult with their academic advisor for courses which may satisfy both the General Education requirements and common prerequisites.
A grade of “C-” or better is required in all common prerequisites. No grade below a “C-” in a major course may be applied toward graduation.
Chemistry B.S. and Chemistry/Biochemistry B.S. specialization majors must complete the following for ACS certification:
| PHY 2048 | Calculus-Based Physics I | 3 |
| PHY 2049 | Calculus-Based Physics II | 3 |
| BCH 3033 & 3033L | Biochemistry I and Biochemistry I Laboratory | 4 |
Chemistry/Biochemistry, B.S. Specialization majors must also take the following for ACS certification:
| One of the following: | 4 | |
| Genetics and Genetics Lab | ||
| Microbiology and Microbiology Laboratory | ||
| Plus one additional course in biochemistry | 3 | |
B.S. Chemistry Specialization
General Education
ADDENDUM - 06/12/2025
In addition to the General Education requirements, students must satisfy all additional State of Florida requirements, including the College-Level Communication and Computation, Civic Literacy, and Foreign Language requirements. With appropriate planning and coordination with an academic advisor, students may satisfy some of the general University requirements through the General Education curriculum. For a complete listing of general degree requirements, refer to the State University Requirements and Degree Requirements sections of this catalog.
General Education Curriculum:
Civic Literacy Requirement
The 2017 Florida Legislature amended Section 1007.25, Florida Statutes, to require students initially entering a State University System (SUS) and/or Florida College System (FCS) institution in 2018-2019 and thereafter to demonstrate competency in civic literacy by passing an assessment or taking AMH 2020 United States Since 1877 or POS 2041 American Politics.
The 2021 Legislature further amended Florida Statutes, requiring students to complete both a civic literacy course and an exam. In 2024, the Board of Governors made an additional revision, recognizing two new courses meeting the Civic Literacy requirement, AMH 2010 United States to 1877 and AMS 2010 Civil Discourse and the American Political Order. As a result, there are four cohorts of students currently matriculating at Florida public institutions that are subject to varying requirements.
As demonstrated in the table below, the exact civic literacy requirements are based on the academic term in which a student first enrolled in a Florida public institution.
| Students Included in Cohort | Civic Literacy Competency Requirement |
| Cohort 1: Students initially entering the SUS or FCS before fall 2018 | None |
| Cohort 2: Students initially entering the SUS or FCS in Academic Year 2018 through Academic Year 2020 | Complete a course or Assessment. |
| Cohort 3: Students initially entering the SUS or FCS in Academic Year 2021 through Academic Year 2023 | Course and Assessment. |
| Cohort 4: Students initially entering the SUS or FCS in fall 2024 and thereafter | Course and Assessment. |
Additionally, for Cohorts 3 and 4, approved accelerated mechanisms may meet the course and/or assessment requirement, and students who pass the Florida Civic Literacy Exam (FCLE) in high school are exempt from the postsecondary exam requirement.
There are multiple ways to satisfy this requirement. Students should work with their academic advisor to determine which option is best for their degree requirements/degree plan.
Additional information can be found on our Civic Literacy website, SUS regulation BOG 8.006, and Florida Statute s.1007.25(4,a-b).
Mathematics Pathway
Students are advised to complete the following courses to fulfill the mathematics pathway that aligns with the mathematics skills needed for success in their program and their career goals. Students should refer to their academic advisor for questions about the math pathway for their program. For information about this requirement, refer to the catalog page for Mathematics Pathways. These courses may also fulfill requirements for General Education and Common Prerequisites.
| Algebra through Calculus | ||
| Students will be placed on a starting point based on their mathematics placement. | ||
| MAC 1105 | College Algebra | 3-4 |
| or MAC 1105C | College Algebra with Lab | |
| or MAC 1147 | Precalculus with Trigonometry | |
| or MAC 2311 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus I | |
| MAC 1147 | Precalculus with Trigonometry | 4 |
| or MAC 2311 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus I | |
| or MAC 2313 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus III | |
Common Prerequisites
State-mandated common prerequisites must be completed prior to graduation, but are not required for admission to the program. See the Common Prerequisite Manual for course substitutions from Florida colleges and universities.
| CHM 2045 & 2045L | General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory * | 4 |
| CHM 2046 & 2046L | General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Laboratory * | 4 |
| MAC 2311 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus I * | 4 |
| MAC 2312 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus II * | 4 |
| CHM 2210 & 2210L | Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry I Laboratory | 4 |
| CHM 2211 & 2211L | Organic Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry II Lab | 4 |
| PHY 2048 & 2048L | Calculus-Based Physics I and Calculus-Based Physics I Lab * | 4 |
| PHY 2049 & 2049L | Calculus-Based Physics II and Calculus-Based Physics II Lab * | 4 |
| Total Hours | 32 | |
- *
Indicates common prerequisites which can be used to satisfy General Education requirements.
Lower Division Electives
| Students must complete sufficient 1000/2000 level electives to satisfy at least 60 semester hours in the lower division. Current UWF students may use elective courses at any level (1000-4000) to meet this elective requirement. | 5-7 | |
| Total Hours | 5-7 | |
Major
| CHM 3120 & 3120L | Analytical Chemistry and Analytical Chemistry Lab + | 4 |
| CHM 3230 | Organic Chemistry III + | 3 |
| CHM 3410 | Physical Chemistry I + | 5 |
| CHM 3411 | Physical Chemistry II + | 4 |
| CHM 3740L | Advanced Laboratory Techniques + | 2 |
| CHM 3741L | Physical Chemistry Laboratory + | 2 |
| CHM 4130 & 4130L | Instrumental Analysis and Instrumental Analysis Lab + | 4 |
| CHM 4610L | Inorganic Synthesis + | 1 |
| CHM 4611 | Inorganic Chemistry + | 4 |
| CHM 4931 | Seminars in Chemistry + | 3 |
| Choose 10-11 sh (with approval from departmental advisor): | 10-11 | |
| Biochemistry I and Biochemistry I Laboratory | ||
| Introduction to Polymer Science and Introduction to Polymer Science Laboratory + | ||
| Undergraduate Chemistry Research + | ||
| Chemistry Internship * + | ||
| Seminar: Special Topics in Advanced Chemistry * + | ||
| Total Hours | 42-43 | |
- *
Courses offered for a variable number of semester hours.
- +
Courses included in the major GPA.
Upper Division Electives
| Students must complete sufficient 3000/4000 level electives to meet UWF’s requirement of 48 semester hours in the upper division or complete all departmental requirements at the 3000/4000 level, whichever is greater. | 17-18 | |
| Total Hours | 17-18 | |
B.S. Chemistry/Biochemistry Specialization
General Education
ADDENDUM - 06/12/2025
In addition to the General Education requirements, students must satisfy all additional State of Florida requirements, including the College-Level Communication and Computation, Civic Literacy, and Foreign Language requirements. With appropriate planning and coordination with an academic advisor, students may satisfy some of the general University requirements through the General Education curriculum. For a complete listing of general degree requirements, refer to the State University Requirements and Degree Requirements sections of this catalog.
General Education Curriculum:
Civic Literacy Requirement
The 2017 Florida Legislature amended Section 1007.25, Florida Statutes, to require students initially entering a State University System (SUS) and/or Florida College System (FCS) institution in 2018-2019 and thereafter to demonstrate competency in civic literacy by passing an assessment or taking AMH 2020 United States Since 1877 or POS 2041 American Politics.
The 2021 Legislature further amended Florida Statutes, requiring students to complete both a civic literacy course and an exam. In 2024, the Board of Governors made an additional revision, recognizing two new courses meeting the Civic Literacy requirement, AMH 2010 United States to 1877 and AMS 2010 Civil Discourse and the American Political Order. As a result, there are four cohorts of students currently matriculating at Florida public institutions that are subject to varying requirements.
As demonstrated in the table below, the exact civic literacy requirements are based on the academic term in which a student first enrolled in a Florida public institution.
| Students Included in Cohort | Civic Literacy Competency Requirement |
| Cohort 1: Students initially entering the SUS or FCS before fall 2018 | None |
| Cohort 2: Students initially entering the SUS or FCS in Academic Year 2018 through Academic Year 2020 | Complete a course or Assessment. |
| Cohort 3: Students initially entering the SUS or FCS in Academic Year 2021 through Academic Year 2023 | Course and Assessment. |
| Cohort 4: Students initially entering the SUS or FCS in fall 2024 and thereafter | Course and Assessment. |
Additionally, for Cohorts 3 and 4, approved accelerated mechanisms may meet the course and/or assessment requirement, and students who pass the Florida Civic Literacy Exam (FCLE) in high school are exempt from the postsecondary exam requirement.
There are multiple ways to satisfy this requirement. Students should work with their academic advisor to determine which option is best for their degree requirements/degree plan.
Additional information can be found on our Civic Literacy website, SUS regulation BOG 8.006, and Florida Statute s.1007.25(4,a-b).
Mathematics Pathway
Students are advised to complete the following courses to fulfill the mathematics pathway that aligns with the mathematics skills needed for success in their program and their career goals. Students should refer to their academic advisor for questions about the math pathway for their program. For information about this requirement, refer to the catalog page for Mathematics Pathways. These courses may also fulfill requirements for General Education and Common Prerequisites.
| Algebra through Calculus | ||
| Students will be placed on a starting point based on their mathematics placement. | ||
| MAC 1105 | College Algebra | 3-4 |
| or MAC 1105C | College Algebra with Lab | |
| MAC 1147 | Precalculus with Trigonometry | 4 |
| or MAC 2311 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus I | |
Common Prerequisites
State-mandated common prerequisites must be completed prior to graduation, but are not required for admission to the program. See the Common Prerequisite Manual for course substitutions from Florida colleges and universities.
| CHM 2045 & 2045L | General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory * | 4 |
| CHM 2046 & 2046L | General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Laboratory * | 4 |
| MAC 2311 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus I * | 4 |
| MAC 2312 | Analytic Geometry and Calculus II * | 4 |
| CHM 2210 & 2210L | Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry I Laboratory | 4 |
| CHM 2211 & 2211L | Organic Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry II Lab | 4 |
| PHY 2048 & 2048L | Calculus-Based Physics I and Calculus-Based Physics I Lab * | 4 |
| PHY 2049 & 2049L | Calculus-Based Physics II and Calculus-Based Physics II Lab * | 4 |
| Total Hours | 32 | |
- *
Indicates common prerequisites which can be used to satisfy General Education requirements.
Lower Division Electives
| Students must complete sufficient 1000/2000 level electives to satisfy at least 60 semester hours (sh) in the lower division. Current UWF students may use elective courses at any level (1000-4000) to meet this elective requirement. Majors should complete the Physics or Organic Chemistry sequence not completed in the Common Prerequisites. | 0-5 | |
| Total Hours | 0-5 | |
Major
| CHM 3120 & 3120L | Analytical Chemistry and Analytical Chemistry Lab + | 4 |
| CHM 3230 | Organic Chemistry III + | 3 |
| CHM 3410 | Physical Chemistry I + | 5 |
| CHM 3411 | Physical Chemistry II + | 4 |
| CHM 3740L | Advanced Laboratory Techniques + | 2 |
| CHM 3741L | Physical Chemistry Laboratory + | 2 |
| CHM 4931 | Seminars in Chemistry + | 3 |
| CHM 4610L | Inorganic Synthesis + | 1 |
| CHM 4611 | Inorganic Chemistry + | 4 |
| Choose two of the following (advisor approved): | 8 | |
| Biochemistry I and Biochemistry I Laboratory | ||
| Biochemistry II | ||
| Microbiology and Microbiology Laboratory | ||
| Genetics and Genetics Lab | ||
| Molecular Biology | ||
| Choose 3-4 from the following (advisor approved): | 6-8 | |
| Instrumental Analysis and Instrumental Analysis Lab + | ||
| Introduction to Polymer Science and Introduction to Polymer Science Laboratory + | ||
| Chemistry Internship + | ||
| Undergraduate Chemistry Research + | ||
| Seminar: Special Topics in Advanced Chemistry + | ||
| Total Hours | 42-44 | |
- +
Courses included in the major GPA.
Major Related
| BSC 2010 & 2010L | Biology I and Biology I Laboratory | 4 |
| BSC 2011 & 2011L | Biology II and Biology II Laboratory | 4 |
| Total Hours | 8 | |
Upper Division Electives
| Students must complete sufficient 3000/4000 level electives to meet UWF’s requirement of 48 semester hours in the upper division or complete all departmental requirements at the 3000/4000 level, whichever is greater. | 15-17 | |
| Total Hours | 15-17 | |
Chemistry for Laboratory Health Sciences Certificate
This certificate program focuses on elements of introductory general chemistry courses and organic chemistry. In this certificate, students will develop knowledge and problem-solving skills to prepare them for advanced studies in Laboratory Health Sciences. Students must complete prerequisites in mathematics for the courses in this program.
| CHM 2030 | General Chemistry 1 for Laboratory Health Sciences | 3 |
| CHM 2031 | General Chemistry 2 for Laboratory Health Sciences | 3 |
| CHM 2202 | Organic Chemistry for Laboratory Health Sciences | 3 |
| Total Hours | 9 | |