Chemistry Major

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.

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.  

The chemistry major 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. 

 

To learn more about this area of study, visit the Department of Chemistry and Life Science.

Required Courses

CH371 INTRO TO ANALYTICAL CHEM 

CH383 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I 

CH384 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II 

CH471 POLYMER CHEMISTRY

CH472I NORGANIC CHEMISTRY 

CH473 BIOCHEMISTRY

CH474 INSTRU METHODS OF ANALYSIS 

CH481 PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY I 

CH482 PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY II

MA205 CALCULUS II 

PH206 PHYSICS II

 

Sample Electives

CH362 MASS & ENERGY BALANCES  

CH375 ADVANCED BIOLOGY 

CH385I NTRODUCTION TO CELL BIOLOGY  

CH450 BIOENGINEERING MDLING & ANLSIS

CS350 DATABASE DESIGN & IMPLEMENT

EV350 ENVIRONMNTL ENGR TECHNOLOGIES

MA364 ENGINEERING MATHEMATICS 

MA365 ADV MATH FOR ENGRS/SCIENTISTS 

MA376 APPLIED STATISTICS 

MC311 THERMAL-FLUID SYSTEMS I

PH365 MODERN PHYSICS 

PL390 BIOLOGICAL PSYCHOLOGY 

XS391 PRIN & APPL OF ENV CHEM

 

This major offers an honors track. 

 

To 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.

Honor Societies:
Gamma Sigma Epsilon- Chemistry Honor Society
Golden Key - International Honour Society
Phi Kappa Phi - Oldest and Largest Collegiate Honor Society

To learn more about enrichment for this area of study, visit the Department of Chemistry and Life Science or the Center for Molecular Science.