Chemistry Major Chemistry Major Chemistry is the branch of sciences that studies the composition, structure, properties, changes and interactions of matter. It underpins the efforts by scientists and engineers to improve life for humankind.Offered by the Department of Chemistry and Life Science. Breadcrumb academics majors and minors chemistry major academics-sidebarnav MENU Academic Program Majors & Minors Annual Theme Enrichment Opportunities Internships Study Abroad Scholars Program Service Academy Exchange Program Departments Overview Program Enrichment Chemistry is the branch of sciences that studies the composition, structure, properties, changes, and interactions of matter. Every material thing - from the foods we eat, to the medicine we take, to the air we breathe - is a chemical or a mixture of chemicals. Therefore, it is truly the central science and underpins much of the efforts of scientists and engineers to improve life for humankind. Since chemistry is the molecular science, military applications of chemistry rely on the understanding of the structure and changes at the molecular level. These application areas can include the synthesis and development of advanced materials and explosives, solving environmental problems, creating innovative biotechnology solutions, and chemical or biological sensing. The chemistry major includes all the courses recommended by the American Chemical Society, designed to provide cadets with basic instruction with comparable emphasis on the areas of analytical chemistry, biochemistry, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry and physical chemistry. It provides an opportunity to earn an American Chemical Society (ACS) Certified Degree in addition to the baseline major. The chemistry major also offers an honors program in addition to the baseline and ACS Certified Degree. Chemistry majors have a lab requirement component.This major offers an honors track. Educational ObjectivesThrough a broad-based and rigorous education in the chemical sciences that includes subdisciplines such as analytical, biochemistry, inorganic, organic, physical, and polymer chemistry with an emphasis on hands-on experience through integrated labs in each course; laboratory intensive courses, such as instrumental methods of analysis and advanced chemistry laboratory; and education through research, our cadets gain the intellectual, experimental, and communication skills to become effective scientific professionals, and competent and creative problem-solving leaders in the army.Cadet OutcomesUse information resources to gather, organize, and understand scientific materialDesign and execute experiments to address a problem or questionAnalyze and assess scientific data gathered in the laboratoryEffectively and clearly communicate scientific information in written and oral form to a variety of audiencesUnderstand the applications of chemistry in the army and societyRecognize relationships between the properties of a substance, its molecular structure, and its reactivityUnderstand and apply the physical concepts of chemistryIntegrate professional ethics in decision makingFollow CLS on social mediaTo learn more about this area of study, visit the Department of Chemistry and Life Science. In addition to the 37 core curriculum courses, the chemistry major degree requires 13 major specific courses. Cadets interested in the American Chemical Society (ACS) certified degree will conduct research to enrich their laboratory experience and to further develop their scientific professional skills. Cadets may also pursue a chemistry major with ACS certification and honors designation. Required CoursesCH371: Analytical ChemistryCH383/384: Organic Chemistry I/IICH471: Polymer ChemistryCH472: Inorganic ChemistryCH473: BiochemistryCH474: Instrumental Methods of AnalysisCH481/482: Physical Chemistry I/IICH487: Advanced Chemistry LaboratoryElective TracksCHM1 Chemistry MajorCHM1A Chemistry Major with ACS Certification (requires 4.5 credit hours of research)CHM1H Chemistry Major with Honors (includes ACS Certification) (requires GPA ≥ 3.5 in Chemistry Program Courses and completion of CH489 and CH490)Sample ElectivesCH362: Mass and Energy BalancesCH375: Advanced BiologyCH385: Introduction to Cell BiologyCH450: Bioengineering, Modeling and AnalysisCS350: Database Design and ImplementationEV350: Environmental Engineering TechnologiesMA364: Engineering MathematicsMA365: Advance Math for Engineers/ScientistsMA376: Applied StatisticsMC311: Thermal-Fluid Systems IPH365: Modern PhysicsPL390: Biological PsychologyXS391: Principle and Application of Environmental ChemistryCH289/290: Introduction to Research I/IICH389/390/391/392: Advanced Lab Projects I/II/III/IVCH489/490: Individual Research I/IICH491/492: Advanced Individual Study I/IITo learn more, view the full Chemistry major curriculum. Cadets have numerous opportunities to participate in activities that will expand their intellectual and social interests within their field including scholarship opportunities, projects day participation, and summer Academic Individual Advanced Development (AIAD) program, USMA-run academic enrichment experience. Chemistry provides the foundation for a number of disciplines, such as biology, medicine, materials science, and environmental science. Therefore, possessing an understanding of the chemical sciences provides insights into a range of physical and biological phenomena that underpins much of the efforts of scientists and engineers to improve life for humankind. Our chemistry major curriculum is certified by the American Chemical Society (ACS), the world's largest scientific organization with the mission of advancing the broader chemistry enterprise. As an ACS approved program, our curriculum is recognized as offering a broad-based and rigorous chemistry education that gives cadets intellectual, experimental, and communication skills to become effective scientific professionals. In addition, the opportunity for cadets to enrich their education through research enables them to successfully compete for admission to competitive medical schools and for technical scholarships (e.g. National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP), and Purdue Military Research Initiative (PMRI)) to pursue advanced degrees in the chemical and biological sciences.Check out our recent award and scholarship winners.Honor Societies:Gamma Sigma Epsilon- Chemistry Honor SocietyGolden Key - International Honour SocietyPhi Kappa Phi - Oldest and Largest Collegiate Honor SocietyTo learn more about enrichment in this area of study, visit the Department of Chemistry and Life Science or the Center for Molecular Science.