Colorado Mesa University offers bachelor of science degrees in chemistry and biochemistry. Each of these degrees involves a curriculum comparable to those typically offered at universities across the nation. Specifically, a student who completes the B.S. in Chemistry at CMU will be able to:
1. Demonstrate fluency in the concepts from the major fields of chemistry.
2. Utilize mathematics to solve chemical problems.
3. Employ proper experimental techniques.
4. Interpret chemical information from peer-reviewed publications.
5. Communicate chemical topics effectively, both verbally and in writing.
6. Demonstrate a solid understanding of genetics, cellular, and molecular biology. (Biochemistry Concentration)
The required curriculum for both degrees consists of a series of Foundation Courses, Core Chemistry Courses and Elective Courses, each of which contributes to one or more of the five (or six) program-level learning outcomes listed above. (See matrix here.)
BS in Chemistry Requirements
Core Chemistry Courses (44 credit hours):
CHEM 131 General Chemistry
CHEM 131L General Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 132 General Chemistry
CHEM 132L General Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 301 Analytical Chemistry
CHEM 301L Analytical Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 311 Organic Chemistry
CHEM 311L Organic Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 312 Organic Chemistry
CHEM 312L Organic Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 321 Physical Chemistry I
CHEM 322 Physical Chemistry II
CHEM 341 Advanced Laboratory I
CHEM 351 Inorganic Chemistry I
CHEM 431 Instrumental Analysis
CHEM 431L Instrumental Analysis Laboratory
CHEM 442 Communication in Chemistry
MATH 253 Calculus III
Restricted Elective Courses (7 credit hours):
Courses are to be chosen from the following list. No more than 4 credit hours can come from CHEM 397 or 487.
CHEM 300 Environmental Chemistry
CHEM 315/315L Biochemistry/Biochemistry Laboratory
CHEM 316 Biochemistry II
CHEM 352 Inorganic Chemistry II
CHEM 396 Topics
CHEM 397 Structured Research
CHEM 421 Advanced Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 422 Advanced Organic Chemistry II
CHEM 487 Formal Research
CHEM 494 Seminar
CHEM 496 Topics
Other Required Foundation Courses:
MATH 151 Calculus I
MATH 152 Calculus II
PHYS 131 Fundamental Mechanics OR PHYS 111 General Physics I
PHYS 132 Electromagnetism & Optics OR PHYS 112 General Physics II
PHYS 132L Electromagnetism & Optics Laboratory OR PHYS 112L General Physics Laboratory II
Other graduation requirements, including Essential Learning requirements, can be found on the appropriate program sheet and in the Colorado Mesa University Catalog.
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BS in Chemistry - Biochemistry Concentration Requirements
Core Chemistry Courses (27 semester hours):
CHEM 131 General Chemistry
CHEM 131L General Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 132 General Chemistry
CHEM 132L General Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 301 Analytical Chemistry
CHEM 301L Analytical Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 311 Organic Chemistry
CHEM 311L Organic Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 312 Organic Chemistry
CHEM 312L Organic Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 321 Physical Chemistry I
CHEM 341 Advanced Laboratory I
CHEM 442 Communication in Chemistry
Biochemistry Concentration Courses (20 semester hours):
CHEM 315 Biochemistry I
CHEM 315L Biochemistry I Laboratory
CHEM 315 Biochemistry II
CHEM 321 Physical Chemistry I
BIOL 301 Principles of Genetics
BIOL 301L Principles of Genetics Laboratory
BIOL 302 Cellular Biology
BIOL 371L Lab Investigations in Cellular Biology
Restricted Elective Courses (7 semester hours):
Courses are to be chosen from the following list. No more than 4 credit hours can come from CHEM 397, CHEM 487, CHEM 497, BIOL 387, or BIOL 487 .
CHEM 322 Physical Chemistry II
CHEM 351 Inorganic Chemistry I
CHEM 352 Inorganic Chemistry II
CHEM 396 Topics (1-3)
CHEM 397 Structured Research
CHEM 421 Advanced Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 422 Advanced Organic Chemistry II
CHEM 431/431L Instrumental Analysis and Lab
CHEM 487 Formal Research
CHEM 494 Seminar
CHEM 496 Topics
CHEM 497 Structured Research
BIOL 310/310L Developmental Biology
BIOL 341/341L General Physiology and Lab
BIOL 343 Immunology
BIOL 350/350L Microbiology and Lab
BIOL 387 Structured Research
BIOL 403 Evolution
BIOL 425 Molecular Genetics
BIOL 441 Endocrinology
BIOL 442 Pharmacology
BIOL 487 Advanced Research
Other Required Foundation Courses:
BIOL 105 Attributes of Living Systems
BIOL 105L Attributes of Living Systems Laboratory
MATH 151 Calculus I
MATH 152 Calculus II
PHYS 131 Fundamental Mechanics OR PHYS 111 General Physics I
PHYS 131L Fundamental Mechanics Laboratory OR PHYS 111 General Physics ILaboratory
PHYS 132 Electromagnetism & Optics OR PHYS 112 General Physics II
PHYS 132L Electromagnetism & Optics Laboratory OR PHYS 112L General Physics Laboratory II
Other graduation requirements, including Essential Learning requirements, can be found on the appropriate program sheet and in the Colorado Mesa University Catalog.
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Students may also pursue a minor in chemistry.
Minor in Chemistry Requirements
Required Courses (15 credit hours):
CHEM 131 General Chemistry I
CHEM 131L General Chemistry Laboratory I
CHEM 132 General Chemistry II
CHEM 132L General Chemistry Laboratory II
CHEM 311 Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 311L Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
Elective Courses (9 credit hours):
Courses are to be chosen from upper division Chemistry courses. No more than 1 credit hour can come from CHEM 397 or 487. At least 1 credit hour must be a laboratory course from the list below.
CHEM 301L Analytical Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 312L Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
CHEM 315L Biochemistry Laboratory I
CHEM 397 Structured Research
CHEM 431L Instrumental Analysis Laboratory
CHEM 487 Formal research