Chemistry

Graduates with a degree in chemistry will be well prepared for employment, graduate study in a chemistry-related field, or professional school. Chemists are employed in research, quality control, design, sales and management. Many graduates pursue masters and doctoral degrees in chemistry, biochemistry, medicinal chemistry, materials science, or environmental science, among others. A chemistry degree is excellent preparation for medical school and related fields, and also for careers in business, law or education.

The curriculum at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology provides a rigorous introduction to all subdisciplines of chemistry. Students have access to modern instrumentation in our modern laboratories in the Fowler Academic Building. Rose-Hulman students are introduced to modern computational methods beginning in the sophomore year. There are many opportunities for research or other individual projects, and students are encouraged to present their results at regional and national chemistry conferences. Close interaction with engineering departments provides students with a point of view not available at most other undergraduate institutions.

Students may broaden their education by choosing a minor or second major. Many students, including chemistry majors, may be interested in a second major or minor in biochemistry and molecular biology. Other common choices include biology, chemical engineering and mathematics.

List of Required Chemistry Courses

CHEM 111General Chemistry I3
CHEM 111LGeneral Chemistry I Lab1
CHEM 113General Chemistry II3
CHEM 113LGeneral Chemistry II Laboratory1
CHEM 115General Chemistry III3
CHEM 115LGeneral Chemistry III Laboratory1
CHEM 251Organic Chemistry I3
CHEM 251LOrganic Chemistry I Laboratory1
CHEM 252Organic Chemistry II3
CHEM 252LOrganic Chemistry II Laboratory1
CHEM 253Organic Chemistry III3
CHEM 253LOrganic Chemistry III Laboratory1
CHEM 225Analytical Chemistry3
CHEM 225LAnalytical Chemistry Laboratory1
CHEM 326Bioanalytical Chemistry4
CHEM 327Advanced Analytical Chemistry4
CHEM 361Physical Chemistry I4
CHEM 362Physical Chemistry II4
CHEM 463Quantum Chemistry & Molecular Spectroscopy4
CHEM 441Inorganic Chemistry I4
CHEM 442Inorganic Chemistry II4
CHEM 330Biochemistry I4
CHEM 291Introduction to Chemical Research3
CHEM 395Chemistry Seminar0
CHEM 490Chemical Research2
CHEM 490Chemical Research2
CHEM 490Chemical Research2
CHEM 491Senior Thesis1
CHEM 495Chemistry Seminar0
CHEM 496Chemistry Seminar0
CHEM 497Senior Presentation1
CHEM 200Career Preparation1
Electives11
Total Hours83

Summary of Minimum Graduation Requirements

Course or Areas Required Elective Total
Chemistry 72 11 83
Physics 12 0 12
Mathematics 19 0 19
Biology 4 0 4
Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts 8 28 36
Math/Science Elective 0 4 4
Electives 0 32 32
Foundations for Rose-Hulman Success 1 0 1
Total 116 75 191

Below is a sample plan of study that illustrates one way to achieve the program requirements. Any given student's plan of study may differ based on a variety of factors (e.g., advanced credit, placement exams, adding a minor). Enrolled students will work with their academic advisor; utilize the degree audit/planner to create a specific plan of study.

Plan of Study Grid
Freshman
FallHours
CHEM 111 General Chemistry I 3
CHEM 111L General Chemistry I Lab 1
MA 111 Calculus I 5
HUM H190 First-Year Writing Seminar 4
RHIT 100 Foundations for Rose-Hulman Success 1
 Hours14
Winter
CHEM 113 General Chemistry II 3
CHEM 113L General Chemistry II Laboratory 1
MA 112 Calculus II 5
PH 111 Physics I 4
PH 111L Physics I Lab 0
BIO 110 Cell Structure and Function 1 4
 Hours17
Spring
CHEM 115 General Chemistry III 3
CHEM 115L General Chemistry III Laboratory 1
MA 113 Calculus III 5
HSSA Elective 4
PH 112 Physics II 4
PH 112L Physics II Lab 0
 Hours17
Sophomore
Fall
CHEM 251 Organic Chemistry I 3
CHEM 251L Organic Chemistry I Laboratory 1
PH 113 Physics III 4
PH 113L Physics III Lab 0
Select one of the following: 4
MA 223
 Engineering Statistics  
MA 381
 Introduction to Probability with Applications to Statistics  
Prob. Stat.
  
CHEM 225 Analytical Chemistry 3
CHEM 225L Analytical Chemistry Laboratory 1
 Hours16
Winter
CHEM 200 Career Preparation 1
CHEM 252 Organic Chemistry II 3
CHEM 252L Organic Chemistry II Laboratory 1
CHEM 291 Introduction to Chemical Research 3
Math/Science Elective 2 4
HSSA Elective 4
 Hours16
Spring
HSSA Elective 4
CHEM 253 Organic Chemistry III 3
CHEM 253L Organic Chemistry III Laboratory 1
Free Elective 4
ENGL H290 Technical & Professional Communication 4
 Hours16
Junior
Fall
HSSA Elective 4
CHEM 361 Physical Chemistry I 3 4
CHEM 330 Biochemistry I 4
CHEM 395 Chemistry Seminar 0
CHEM 490 Chemical Research 2
 Hours14
Winter
CHEM 326 Bioanalytical Chemistry 4
CHEM 362 Physical Chemistry II 3 4
CHEM 490 Chemical Research 2
HSSA Elective 4
Free Elective 4
 Hours18
Spring
CHEM 463 Quantum Chemistry & Molecular Spectroscopy 4
Advanced CHEM Elective 4 4
HSSA Elective 4
CHEM 490 Chemical Research 2
CHEM 327 Advanced Analytical Chemistry 4
 Hours18
Senior
Fall
CHEM 441 Inorganic Chemistry I 4
Free Elective 4
CHEM 495 Chemistry Seminar 0
Advanced CHEM Elective 4 4
HSSA Elective 4
 Hours16
Winter
CHEM 442 Inorganic Chemistry II 4
Advanced CHEM Elective 4 3
CHEM 496 Chemistry Seminar 0
Free Elective 4
Free Elective 4
 Hours15
Spring
CHEM 491 Senior Thesis 1
CHEM 497 Senior Presentation 1
Free Elective 4
Free Elective 4
Free Elective 4
 Hours14
 Total Hours191
1

BIO 120 Comparative Anatomy & Physiology or BIO 130 Evolution & Diversity may be substituted for BIO 110 Cell Structure and Function

2

Math/ScienceElective defined as 200 level or above coursework with any of the following prefixes: BIO, BMTH, CSSE, GEOL, ECONS, MA, or PH

3

CHE 303 Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics, CHE 304 Multi-Component Thermodynamics and CHEM 360 Introduction to Physical Chemistry for Engineers may be substituted for CHEM 361 Physical Chemistry I and CHEM 362 Physical Chemistry II.

4

Advanced CHEM Elective defined as 300 level or above coursework with CHEM prefix.

Notes

Two degree or double major programs in biochemistry and either chemistry or biochemistry and molecular biology is not allowed.

Students must complete at least 3 credits of CHEM 490 Chemical Research prior to the Spring quarter of their senior year.

Students may count up to 8 credits of research toward their electives, of which no more than 2 credits can come from CHEM 290 Chemical Research.

Student Outcomes

Student Outcomes are statements that describe what students are expected to have by the time of graduation.

  1. An ability to design and conduct experiments as well as to analyze and interpret data.
  2. An ability to recognize the professional and ethical responsibilities of a chemist.
  3. An ability to communicate effectively in presentations and reports.
  4. An ability to recognize chemistry practices outside of the academic environment.
  5. An ability to operate safely and effecitvely in a chemistry laboratory.