Program Requirements in Chemistry

Frostburg State University offers a major and minor in Chemistry with several pathways by which you can earn a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or a Bachelor of Science (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.

You will experience chemistry in real-world applications either by conducting your own research project and critically evaluating the research of others. You will also take our Research Methods and Computational Techniques courses to help you build skills in experimental design and data analysis. 

View the Chemistry Major in the Undergraduate Catalog.

• 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
    • Chemistry Seminar:
      • Introductory Seminar in your first year
      • Senior Seminar  
    • Advanced Chemical Research
    • 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
  • Microbiology
  • Anatomy and Physiology I and II
  • Biochemistry I
  • One chemistry elective
  • One of
    • Introduction to Strategic Communication 
    • Introduction to Public Communication
  • 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.

• B.S. in Chemistry + Doctor of Pharmacy Dual Degree Programs

  FSU established dual degree programs with pharmacy schools to allow students to complete a B.S. in Chemistry from FSU along with the Pharm.D. program in fewer than the eight years typically required. Students pursuing a dual degree program remain on track to complete the Pre-Pharmacy concentration in four years if the student remains at FSU. 

  Currently, FSU has agreements with:

  • The University of Maryland, Eastern Shore School of pharmacy. Read the agreement here.
  • The West Virginia University School of Pharmacy. Read the agreement here.

  For more details about the dual degree programs, including for contact information for the pharmacy schools, contact Dr. Matthew Crawford at FSU.

  All Chemistry majors in the Pharmacy Dual Degree Programs take the following courses in addition to Chemistry core courses and FSU's General Education Program. Students will apply to their chosen Pharm.D. program during their third year of study at FSU and must meet the admission requirements to that Pharm.D. program before matriculation. 

  • General Biology I
  • First Year Composition
  • Cell Biology
  • Microbiology
  • Anatomy and Physiology I and II
  • Biochemistry I
  • One of
    • Introduction to Strategic Communication
    • Introduction to Public Communication
  • 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 Dual Degree Programs 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 Dual Degree Programs.

• 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 490 and above.