Chemistry Major
Requirements for the Chemistry major are as follows:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| First Year | ||
| CHEM 1321 & CHEM 1311 | General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Recitation | 4 |
| CHEM 1331 | General Chemistry Lab I | 2 |
| CHEM 1322 & CHEM 1312 | General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Recitation | 4 |
| CHEM 1332 | General Chemistry Lab II | 2 |
| MATH 1206 | Calculus I 1 | 4 |
| MATH 1207 | Calculus II | 4 |
| BISC 1403 & BISC 1413 | Introductory Biology I and Introductory Biology Lab I 2 | 5 |
| BISC 1404 & BISC 1414 | Introductory Biology II and Introductory Biology Lab II 2 | 5 |
| Sophomore Year | ||
| CHEM 2521 & CHEM 2511 | Organic Chemistry I and Organic Chemistry I Recitation | 4 |
| CHEM 2531 | Organic Chemistry Lab I for Chem Majors | 2 |
| or CHEM 2541 | Organic Chemistry Lab I | |
| CHEM 2522 & CHEM 2512 | Organic Chemistry II and Organic Chemistry II Recitation | 4 |
| CHEM 2532 | Organic Chemistry Lab II for Chem Majors | 2 |
| or CHEM 2542 | Organic Chemistry Lab II | |
| PHYS 1701 & PHYS 1511 | Physics I and Physics I Lab | 4 |
| PHYS 1702 & PHYS 1512 | Physics II and Physics II Lab | 4 |
| Junior Year | ||
| CHEM 3621 & CHEM 3631 | Physical Chemistry I and Physical Chemistry Lab I | 6 |
| CHEM 3622 & CHEM 3632 | Physical Chemistry II and Physical Chemistry Lab II | 6 |
| CHEM 3721 | Quantitative Analysis | 4 |
| CHEM 3722 | Instrumental Analysis | 4 |
| CHEM 4030 | Chemistry Seminar 3 | 0 |
| Senior Year | ||
| CHEM 4221 | Biochemistry I 4 | 3 |
| CHEM 4422 | Inorganic Chemistry 4 | 3 |
| Chemistry Elective 5 | 3 to 4 | |
| CHEM 4030 | Chemistry Seminar 3 | 0 |
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MATH 12AB Transfer Calculus AB or MATH 12BC Transfer Calculus BC (transfer credit from AP Calculus) also fulfills the Calculus I requirement. Students pursuing the ACS Certified Degree and/or interested in graduate study are also strongly encouraged, but not required, to take MATH 2004 Multivariable Calculus I.
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OPTIONAL: Students in Pre-Health or interested in the Biochemistry minor should take BISC 1403 Introductory Biology I and BISC 1404 Introductory Biology II, along with labs. Students not pursuing these tracks are not required to take these courses.
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Four semesters of CHEM 4030 Chemistry Seminar are required, generally taken during each semester of the junior and senior years. Additional elective research courses may be taken throughout the four-year curriculum. Contact the Associate Chair for details.
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ACS-Certified degree candidates should also take the corresponding laboratory courses CHEM 4231 Biochemistry Lab I and CHEM 4432 Inorganic Chemistry Lab
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Courses with the subject code CHEM, numbered 4222-4989, may count as electives. A rotating selection of courses satisfying the chemistry elective requirement are offered, including CHEM 4222 Biochemistry II, CHEM 4241 Biomimetic Chemistry, CHEM 4340 Environmental Chemistry, CHEM 4621 Bionanotechnology and Introduction to Nanomedicine, and CHEM 4625 Computational Chemistry. Students may take additional electives if their schedule permits.
General Advice
Majors meet with their academic adviser within the department to have their course schedules approved each semester.
For all CHEM foundation courses (i.e. General Chemistry through Organic Chemistry, including labs), a minimum grade of C- (in both lecture and lab) is required, both in order to enroll in the next course in the sequence, and for the course to apply towards the major.
Students are encouraged to pursue research projects with faculty members in the department for academic credit. These courses do not count toward major or minor requirements. Enrollment in research courses requires approval by the faculty supervisor. First-year students can enroll in CHEM 1990 Introduction to Research. Sophomores, juniors, and seniors can enroll in CHEM 3990 Directed Research. Juniors and seniors pursuing independent research can enroll in CHEM 4990 Independent Research.
Students are required to consult with the department before registering for CHEM 4030 Chemistry Seminar. Detailed instructions can be found on the department’s website.
It is recommended that all chemistry majors take CHEM 3141 Methods of Biochemical Research in the years that it is offered.
Students planning to pursue graduate study in physical chemistry or chemical engineering are encouraged to take additional coursework in computer programming and mathematics and should speak with their adviser.
American Chemical Society (ACS) Certification
As an ACS-approved program in chemistry, Fordham offers the option of an ACS-certified chemistry major. This is generally recommended for students interested in pursuing careers or further study in chemistry and requires additional laboratory experience. In addition to the coursework listed above, students must complete CHEM 4432 Inorganic Chemistry Lab and CHEM 4231 Biochemistry Lab I, Students in pursuing this option are also encouraged (but not required) to take additional mathematics coursework, such as MATH 2004 Multivariable Calculus I
Biochemistry Minor
Requirements for the biochemistry minor can be found in the academic bulletin. In addition to the courses listed above, chemistry majors interested in the biochemistry minor typically take:
- First year: BISC 1403 Introductory Biology I, BISC 1413 Introductory Biology Lab I, BISC 1404 Introductory Biology II, and BISC 1414 Introductory Biology Lab II
- Sophomore year: General Genetics with Lab (BISC 2539 General Genetics/BISC 2549 General Genetics Lab or NSCI 3133 Genetics Lecture/NSCI 3833 Genetics Lab)
- Junior year: CHEM 4221 Biochemistry I , CHEM 4231 Biochemistry Lab I, CHEM 4222 Biochemistry II (Physical Chemistry can be postponed to senior year)
- Senior year: Two elective courses outside the chemistry major
Pre-Health Track
Students interested in pre-health should consult the recommended pre-health professions curriculum guidelines posted online.
In general, many chemistry majors who are pre-health take BISC 1403 Introductory Biology I, BISC 1413 Introductory Biology Lab I, BISC 1404 Introductory Biology II, and BISC 1414 Introductory Biology Lab II, in their first year. However, this coursework is not strictly required for the chemistry major. In addition, many students find taking the biochemistry sequence (CHEM 4221 Biochemistry I and CHEM 4222 Biochemistry II) to be useful preparation for taking such professional school examinations as the MCAT, DAT, and VCAT.
3-2 Engineering Track
Interested students should consult with the director of the 3-2 engineering program for information regarding major courses to be completed in their sophomore and junior years. In general, these programs often require taking coursework in the sophomore year, such as CISC 1600 Computer Science I, MATH 2004 Multivariable Calculus I, and MATH 2005 Multivariable Calculus II. Your 3-2 engineering program adviser will be able to provide additional guidance.
Availability
The chemistry major is available at Fordham College at Rose Hill. Students in Fordham's School of Professional and Continuing Studies may major in chemistry only if they receive the approval of their advising dean and/or department, and if their schedules are sufficiently flexible to permit them to take day courses at the Rose Hill campus.
Fordham College at Rose Hill students: The requirements above are in addition to those of the Core Curriculum.
Professional and Continuing Studies students: The requirements above are in addition to those of the PCS Core Curriculum and any additional electives that may be required to earn a minimum of 124 credits.
CIP Code
40.0501 - Chemistry, General.
You can use the CIP code to learn more about career paths associated with this field of study and, for international students, possible post-graduation visa extensions. Learn more about CIP codes and other information resources.