The science of substance. Chemists study matter’s composition and reactions, creating new compounds to solve industrial, engineering, and medical challenges.
Master the skills to reshape the physical world. Our program emphasizes the practical application of chemical principles, empowering you to pioneer the new materials and molecules that drive technological progress. At LTU, you don’t just observe the behavior of matter – you direct it.
Graduates of LTU’s chemistry program are prepared to find careers in a variety of rewarding fields, from forensics to sustainability and next-generation drug discovery and development. This is also a preferred major for students interested in health-related professions such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and more.
Our Chemistry program is accredited by the American Chemical Society, a professional organization that promotes excellence in chemistry education. Take the first step into your future with a respected degree that prepares you to succeed.
Build your skills (and your resume) with research projects that have real-world impacts. Engage in LTU’s course-based research experiences, Quest co-curricular undergraduate research program, and senior project sequence to drive cutting-edge chemistry research.
Find your own path. Explore a variety of exciting careers in industry, research, and medicine with expert advice from experienced faculty advisors. Get involved in internships, job shadowing, and resume-building experiences starting as early as your freshman year.
Participating in undergraduate research is an excellent opportunity to develop essential critical thinking and problem-solving skills and to enhance your career or graduate school prospects. At LTU, chemistry researchers work on cutting-edge research projects with real-world impacts, driving innovation in materials, medicine, green chemistry, and more.
LTU biology students have many opportunities to get involved in research:
Want to connect with other LTU students who love chemistry? Join our American Chemical Society/American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ACS/ASBMB) student chapter!
With fun events like decorating campus for Chalktober, liquid nitrogen slushie-making, and science trivia night, ACS/ASBMB is a great way for students to get involved in campus life and make new friends. The organization provides professional development too: leadership opportunities on the elected board, funding for conference travel, and networking opportunities with leaders from industry, medicine, and academia.
For more information, contact ASC faculty advisor Dr. Irfana Muqbil or check out upcoming events on the official LTU ACS/ASBMB Instagram.
Want to learn more? Visit us for a personalized tour!
Take a behind-the-scenes look at LTU Biology with a personal tour of our teaching and research spaces. Stop by a class, chat with a professor, and ask any questions you have about classes, careers, or campus life.
The information below is based on the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry Progression Flowchart (last updated April, 2026). View our Course Catalog page for more information about our individual courses.
May need 1 year high school chemistry and chemistry placement or math placement. Laws and concepts of chemistry and their application to chemical systems. The liquid and solid states, phase changes and phase diagrams, topics in the chemistry of materials, oxidation-reduction chemistry, electrochemistry, chemical thermodynamics and gas-phase equilibrium. Lect. 3 hrs., Workshop 1 hr., 3 hours credit. The following courses can be taken concurrently with this course: MCS 1074, MCS 1414, MCS 1424.
CHM1213
3
Laboratory experiments supporting topics covered in CHM1213. Lab 3 hrs. The following course can be taken concurrently with this course: CHM 1213.
CHM1221
1
Must have one high school science course. The basic structure, chemistry and energetics of a cell. Mechanisms of inheritance, gene structure and function, and Mendelian genetics, Origin and history of life, mechanisms evolution, and introduction to systematics. Lecture 3 hrs, Lab 3 hrs.
BIO1213
3
Topics include, limits and continuity, differentiation of algebraic and transcendental functions, mean value theorem, applications of differentiation, anti-derivatives, indefinite integrals, inverse trigonometric functions, substitutions, definite integrals, the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, applications of integration. Applications will be emphasized. In addition to regular class meetings, all students are required to participate in calculus lab sessions. The schedule, frequency, and modality of these labs may vary by section. Refer to the class schedule and course syllabus for details.
MCS1414
4
Introduction to scientific thinking with emphasis on collaboration, community, and scientific communication. Hands-on experiments and laboratory safety. Exploration of institutional resources and active areas of scientific research at LTU.
PSC1161
1
College Composition develops students’ acquisition of the fundamental principles of academic writing. This course focuses on the development of writing thesis statements and main arguments, topic sentences, transitional words and phrases, supporting paragraphs, use of evidence, essay organization, and research skills. Extensive writing and research practice is required.
COM1103
3
Total Credits:
16
Modern concepts of molecular-orbital theory and spectroscope methods. The solution state and colligative properties of solutions, and solution-phase equilibrium theory applied to solubility, chemical kinetics, acids and bases, and complex formation. Descriptive chemistry of the main-group and transition elements. Lecture 3 hrs.
CHM1223
3
Laboratory experiments supporting topics covered in CHM1223. Lab 3 hrs. 1 hour credit. The following course can be taken concurrently with this course: CHM 1223.
CHM1231
1
Hyperbolic functions, L’Hospital’s rule, techniques of integration, application to arc length and surface area, polar coordinates, infinite series, Taylor Series. In addition to regular class meetings, all students are required to participate in calculus lab sessions. The schedule, frequency, and modality of these labs may vary by section. Refer to the class schedule and course syllabus for details.
MCS1424
4
A historical survey that develops students’ abilities to critically engage texts of the ancient global world, placing an emphasis on the way these texts reflect their context and human experience. Readings may draw from philosophy, history, literature, visual art, and more. Class activities include reading of primary sources, seminar discussion, and writing in various genres. May be taken concurrently with COM 1103.
HUM1213
3
SSC Elective
SSC2XX3
3
Total Credits:
14
An introduction to the fundamental principles of organic chemistry, focusing on the nomenclature, structure, reactivity, and mechanisms of alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, alkyl halides, alcohols, ethers, epoxides, amines, and sulfur-containing compounds.
CHM2313
3
Through laboratory experiments, students will learn the fundamental techniques used to isolate and synthesize organic molecules, with a focus on green chemistry and a special emphasis on modern purification and characterization methods.
CHM2311
1
Extensive use of computers including spreadsheets and word processing programs. Theory of gravimetric, volumetric, and electroanalytical methods. Theory of separation science and chromatography. Statistical analysis of analytical data.
CHM2343
3
Extensive use of computers, particularly spreadsheet programs. Practice of gravimetric, volumetric, spectrophotometric, chromatographic, and electrometric methods of quantitative chemical analysis. Lab 6 hrs. 2 hours credit. The following course can be taken concurrently with this course: CHM 2352.
CHM2352
2
Three-dimensional analytic geometry. Vectors, vector-valued functions, motions in space, functions of several variables, partial differentiation, multiple integration, integration of vector fields, Green’s Theorem and Divergence Theorem.
MCS2414
4
Calculus based kinematics and dynamics of particles, conservation of energy, momentum, rotational dynamics and statics, fluids, temperature and heat, and laws of thermodynamics. 3 Credit hours. Lecture 3 hrs., Studio 1 hr. The following course can be taken concurrently with this course: MCS1424.
PHY2413
3
Introductory laboratory experiments to complement University Physics 1. 1 Credit Hours. Lab 2 hrs.
PHY2421
1
Total Credits:
17
Mechanisms with emphasis on functional groups, spectroscopic methods and structural proofs; selected topics with special emphasis on instrumental approaches to organic problems, organic compounds of biochemical significance. Lect. 3 hrs. Workshop 1 hr. 3 hours credit
CHM2323
3
Students will learn to read and interpret organic chemistry journal articles and search scientific databases. Organic chemistry laboratory techniques learned in CHM2311 will be used to conduct a course-based research project.
CHM2321
1
Calculus based simple harmonic motion, waves and sound, geometric optics, interference and diffraction, electric charge and interaction, electric current, DC Circuits, magnetism, electromagnetic induction, and RC circuits. 3 Credit Hours. Lecture 3 hrs., Studio 1 hr. The following course can be taken concurrently with this course: MCS 2414.
PHY2423
3
Introductory laboratory experiments complementing University Physics 2. 1 Credit Hours. Lab 2 hrs.
PHY2431
1
A historical survey that develops students’ abilities to engage texts of the modern global world, placing an emphasis on the way these texts reflect their context and human experience. Readings may draw from philosophy, history, literature, visual art, photography, film, digital media, and more. Class activities include reading of primary sources, seminar discussion, and writing in various genres. May be taken concurrently with COM 1103.
HUM1223
3
LLT Elective
LLTXXX3
3
Total Credits:
14
Atomic and molecular structure and spectra. Statistical Thermodynamics. Kinetic theory of gases and chemical kinetics. Lect. 4 hrs. 4 hours credit Note: CHM3423 and CHM3434 are independent courses and can be taken in either order.
CHM3434
4
Laboratory experiments supporting topics covered in CHM3434. Note: CHM3431 and CHM3441 together are equivalent to CHM3442. The following course can be taken concurrently with this course: CHM 3434.
CHM3441
1
Course not found.
CHM3453
3
Chemistry of biologically important molecules, including carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. Bioenergetics, the genetic code, and enzyme catalysis. Lect. 3 hrs. 3 hours credit
CHM3403
3
Introductory lab experiments to complement Biochemestry; topics may include cell fractionation, electrophoresis, immunochemical assays, ion-exchange chromatography, membrane-active reagents, spectrophotomety, and other techniques used to isolate, purify, and characterize amino acids, carbohydrates, enzymes, lipids, nucleaic acids, and proteins. Lab 3 hrs. 1 hour credit.
CHM3411
1
Training in a systematic method for producing effective technical communication, written reports, letters, and memos as well as oral presentations. Lecture 3 hours. 3 hours credit
COM2103
3
Total Credits:
15
The First and Second Laws of Thermodynamics, with applications to phase transformations and chemical reactions. Introduction to quantum theory. Lect. 3 hrs. 3 hours credit Note: CHM3423 and CHM3434 are independent courses and can be taken in either order.
CHM3423
3
Laboratory experiments supporting topics covered in CHM3423. The following course can be taken concurrently with this course: CHM 3423.
CHM3431
1
Laboratory problems involving chemical analysis by atomic absorption, X-ray analysis, gas and liquid chromatography, and voltammetry. Lect. 1 hr. Lab 3 hrs. 2 hours credit
CHM4632
2
Advanced topics in theoretical and descriptive inorganic and organometallic chemistry. Kinetics and mechanisms of inorganic reactions. Symmetry and molecular orbital theory applied to the structural and spectroscopic properties of inorganic compounds. Lect. 3 hrs. 3 hours credit
CHM4643
3
General Elective
XXX3
3
Student expectations include literature research, project planning, proposal writing, and presentation. The course will develop project management and conflict resolution skills aligned with academic and industrial best practices. Students will evaluate ethical behavior and leadership models emphasizing the context of cultural diversity and sociopolitical impacts of scientific research. During the course, students will choose a senior research project and advisor and submit a project proposal.
PSC3002
2
Jr./Sr. General Elective
3/4XX3
3
Total Credits:
17
Introduction to computational chemistry, with an emphasis on molecular mechanics, semiempirical, and ab initio methods. Computational lab 6 hrs. 2hour credit. The following course can be taken concurrently with this course: CHM 3434.
CHM4002
2
Preparation and characterization of inorganic, organic, and organometallic compounds using advanced laboratory techniques. Lect. 1 hr. Lab 6 hrs. 3 hours credit
CHM3462
2
Jr./Sr. Elective
LLT/SSC/PSY
3/4XX3
3
CHM Elective
XXX3
3
General Elective
XXX3
3
Initiation of a senior project in chemistry, normally involving a literature search followed by laboratory studies and/or computational calculations. Students will select and work with faculty advisors on the project. The subject matter of the project requires prior approval. Environmental Chemistry majors must include a field study as part of the project. A written proposal and public presentation are required before proceeding to CHM 4921, 4922, or 4923. Course fee: $60.00.
CHM4912
2
Total Credits:
15
Kinetics and mechanism in organic chemistry. Lect. 3 hrs. 3 hours credit
CHM4723
3
The emerging nanotechnology is fundamentally based on the ability to create new materials at the nanoscale. This course provides an overview of the synthesis and properties of nanomaterials. Topics include materials at reduced dimensions, methods of nanoscience, properties and applications at the nanoscale, and the impact of nanomaterials on health, environmental and infrastructure.
CHM4023
3
General Elective
XXX3
3
General Elective
XXX3
3
General Elective
XXX3
3
Completion of senior project in chemistry involving laboratory study and/or computer simulation, culminating in a written report and public seminar. Course fee: $60.00.
CHM4922
2
Total Credits:
14
A degree in biology, chemistry, or physics is the first step to many great careers in research, medicine, or industry, and the careers listed below are just some of excellent options. Through a commitment to hands-on learning, individual attention from faculty mentors, and real-world experiences through research and internships, the Department of Natural Sciences helps prepare you to succeed in whatever your next step may be.
The careers listed below may require further education. LTU ensures you are prepared for your next steps by helping you confidently pass the MCAT, GRE, or any required continuing education exams.
Career
Median Yearly Salary
| Toxicologist | $100,590 |
| Materials Scientist | $104,160 |
| Chemical Engineer | $121,860 |
| Pharmacist | $137,480 |
| Physician/Surgeon | $239,200 |