Program Requirements and Course Descriptions

Frostburg State University offers a major and minor in Chemistry with several pathways by which you can earn a B.A. or B.S. in Chemistry. The tracks share a common core that provides you critical laboratory and research skills while building a solid background in general chemistry, organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, and physical chemistry. The common core also provides the physics and calculus fundamentals you need to succeed in chemistry. All students also take our Research Methods and Computational Techniques courses to help you build skills in experimental design and data analysis. Our capstone course sequence allows you the opportunity to experience chemistry in real-world applications either through an internship (usually paid) or by conducting your own research project and critically evaluating the research of others.

• Core courses for all chemistry majors

  All Chemistry majors take the following core courses:

  • General Chemistry I and II
  • Organic Chemistry I and II
  • Organic Chemistry Lab I and II
  • Calculus I and II
  • Physics I and II (either General Physics or Principles of Physics
  • Quantitative Chemical Analysis
  • Research Methods in Chemistry
  • Computational Techniques in Chemistry
  • Physical Chemistry I
  • Physical Chemistry Lab I
  • Experiential Courses (Choose two)
    • Chemistry Seminar
    • Advanced Chemical Research
    • Internship in Chemistry ( Learn more about internship opportunities!)
  • Capstone Experience

• The Traditional Track in Chemistry

  The Traditional Track includes additional course in analytical chemistry, physical chemistry, and calculus to prepare you for many careers in the chemical industry. The Traditional Track is also a great choice if you want to complete a second major.

  All Chemistry majors on the Traditional Track take the following courses in addition to the core courses:

  • Instrumental Analysis
  • Physical Chemistry II
  • Physical Chemistry Lab II
  • Calculus III

  
  

  All students completing the Traditional Track must earn a grade of C or better in General Chemistry I, General Chemistry II, Organic Chemistry I, Organic Chemistry II, Quantitative Chemical Analysis, and Physical Chemistry I

  View a sample study plan for the Traditional Track

• The Professional Concentration in Chemistry

  The Professional Concentration builds on the Traditional Track by providing additional courses in biology, biochemistry, and inorganic chemistry to prepare you for graduate studies in chemistry. The Professional Concentration also allows you the flexibility to customize your chemistry major through the choice of electives.

  All Chemistry majors in the Professional Concentration take the following courses in addition to the core courses:

  • General Biology I
  • Instrumental Analysis
  • Inorganic Chemistry
  • Physical Chemistry II
  • Physical Chemistry Lab II
  • Calculus III
  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry I
  • Two chemistry electives

  
  

  All students completing the Professional Concentration must earn a grade of C or better in General Chemistry I, General Chemistry II, Organic Chemistry I, Organic Chemistry II, Quantitative Chemical Analysis, and Physical Chemistry I

  View a sample study plan for the Professional Concentration

• The Biochemistry Concentration in Chemistry

  The Biochemistry Concentration includes a full biochemistry course sequence, including a comprehensive biochemistry lab course, as well as courses in microbiology, cell biology, genetics, and molecular biology to prepare you for careers or graduate studies in biochemistry, biotechnology, or the health professions.

  All Chemistry majors in the Biochemistry Concentration take the following courses in addition to the core courses:

  • General Biology I
  • Cell Biology
  • Microbiology
  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry I
  • Biochemistry II
  • Biochemistry Lab

  
  

  All students completing the Biochemistry Concentration must earn a grade of C or better in General Chemistry I, General Chemistry II, Organic Chemistry I, Organic Chemistry II, Quantitative Chemical Analysis, and Biochemistry I

  View a sample study plan for the Biochemistry Concentration

• The Pre-Pharmacy Concentration in Chemistry

  The Pre-Pharmacy Concentration is built around the common prerequisite courses at professional schools of pharmacy, including a strong foundation of chemistry and biology. The Pre-Pharmacy Concentration is a great choice to prepare you to enter a PharmD program or for any other career or graduate studies in pharmacy, pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, biomedical research, or medicine.

  All Chemistry majors in the Pre-Pharmacy Concentration take the following courses in addition to the core courses:

  • General Biology I
  • Cell Biology
  • Anatomy and Physiology I and II
  • Biochemistry I
  • One chemistry elective
  • One of
    • Introduction to Human Communication
    • Public Speaking
  • One of
    • Basic Economics
    • Principles of Economics(Macro)
  • One of
    • Scientific Writing
    • Technical Writing
  • One of
    • Elements to Applied Probability and Statistics
    • Introductory Applied Statistics and Data Analysis

  
  

  All students completing the Pre-Pharmacy Concentration must earn a grade of C or better in General Chemistry I, General Chemistry II, Organic Chemistry I, Organic Chemistry II, Quantitative Chemical Analysis, and Biochemistry I

  View a sample study plan for the Pre-Pharmacy Concentration.

• 3+3 B.S. in Chemistry + PharmD

  The 3+3 is designed for students to be able to complete a B.S. in Chemistry from FSU along with the Pharm.D. program at University of Maryland, Eastern Shore in six years total. It also leaves students on track to complete the Pre-Pharmacy concentration in four years if the student remains at FSU. More information for prospective students is available here. For more details contact Dr. Matthew Crawford at FSU or Dr. T. Sean Vasaitis at UMES.

  All Chemistry majors in the 3+3 Program take the following courses in addition to the core courses:

  • General Biology I
  • First Year Composition
  • Cell Biology
  • Microbiology
  • Anatomy and Physiology I and II
  • Biochemistry I
  • One of
    • Introduction to Human Communication
    • Public Speaking
  • One of
    • Basic Economics
    • Principles of Economics(Macro)
  • One of
    • Scientific Writing
    • Technical Writing
  • One of
    • Elements to Applied Probability and Statistics
    • Introductory Applied Statistics and Data Analysis

  
  

  All students completing the 3+3 Program must earn a grade of C or better in all prerequisite courses and maintain an overall and prerequisite course GPA of 3.3.

  View a sample study plan for the 3+3 Program.

• The Chemistry Minor

  The Chemistry Minor gives you the opportunity to supplement your studies in another major with several courses in chemistry.

  The requirements of the Chemistry Minor are:

  • General Chemistry I and II
  • Organic Chemistry I
  • Organic Chemistry Lab I
  • 9 additional credits in Chemistry at the 300-level or higher, with no more than 3 hours in courses numbered in the 490s.