CHEM-BS - Chemistry (BS)
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Program Overview
Chemistry is about the nature of matter, how to make it, measure it, and model it. It holds the key to making new drugs, creating new materials, and understanding and controlling material properties. It is no wonder that chemistry is called the “Central Science.” Traditionally, it is divided into subdisciplines including organic, inorganic, physical, biological, theoretical, and analytical. Still, these distinctions blur as it is increasingly appreciated how all science, let alone chemistry, is interconnected.
The undergraduate program in Chemistry aims to provide students with foundational knowledge in the subdisciplines of chemistry and depth in one or more advanced areas, as well as the chance to participate in cutting-edge research. Introductory coursework allows students to gain hands-on experience investigating chemical phenomena, gathering data, and proposing models and explanations for their observations. In advanced labs and lectures students build in-depth knowledge of the molecular principles of chemistry, empowering them to become molecular engineers comfortable with the methodologies necessary to solve complex problems and effectively articulate their ideas to the scientific community. Ultimately, the analytical thinking and problem-solving skills developed within the chemistry major make students successful candidates for various careers in chemistry and beyond, including engineering, teaching, consulting, medicine, law, science writing, and science policy.
Minimum Units in the Program
Minimum University Units
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Except for AY 2021-22, students entering the program above course must take the short course course Chemical Laboratory and Safety Skills before any course with a lab component; CHEM100 is only offered the second week of autumn quarter.
A department-approved lab coat and safety glasses will be provided to each student.
All degree courses must be taken for a letter grade if that option is offered.
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AND 2042531 - 1122461
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- 1172271
- 1172291
- 1172301
- 1122531
- 1122781
- 1122841
- 1122861
- 2052151
- 1172571
OR 1172581
OR 2183491 - 1226171
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- 1226191
- 1226371
- 1122731
- 1122701
- 1122801
- 1122851
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- 1122891
- 1122901
- 1122911
- 2069311
Requirements for students who entered Stanford in autumn 2021, autumn 2022, and later. For more senior students, consult the Bulletin matching the year of matriculation (i.e., starting at) Stanford.
- 2042511
AND 2042531 - 1122461
- 1122501
- 1056441
- 1172271
- 1172291
- 1172301
- 1122531
- 1122781
- 1122841
- 1172571
OR 1172581
OR 2183491 - 1226171
- 2114241
- 1122861
- 2052151
- 2193751
OR 2193671
OR 2193661 - 1226191
- 1226371
- 1122731
- 1122701
- 1122801
- 1122881
OR 1122901 - 1122911
- 2052161
- 2067661
- 2069311
Requirements for students entering Stanford in autumn 2021, autumn 2022, and later. For more senior students, consult the Bulletin matching the year of matriculation (i.e., starting at) Stanford.
Course List | ||
UNITS | ||
|---|---|---|
Genetics | 4 | |
Physiology | 4 | |
Cell Biology | 4 | |
Introduction to Chemical Engineering | 4 | |
Chemical Process Modeling, Dynamics, and Control | 3 | |
Introduction to Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics | 3 | |
Multi-Component and Multi-Phase Thermodynamics | 3 | |
Fluid Mechanics | 4 | |
Energy and Mass Transport | 4 | |
Microkinetics - Molecular Principles of Chemical Kinetics | 3 | |
Data Science and Machine Learning Approaches in Chemical and Materials Engineering | 3 | |
Programming Abstractions | 3-5 | |
Introduction to Materials Science, Nanotechnology Emphasis | 4 | |
Integral Calculus of Several Variables | 5 | |
Differential Equations with Linear Algebra, Fourier Methods, and Modern Applications | 5 | |
Functions of a Complex Variable | 3 | |
Applied Group Theory | 3 | |
Linear Algebra and Matrix Theory | 3 | |
Partial Differential Equations | 3 | |
Microstructure and Mechanical Properties | 4 | |
Advanced Mechanics | 4 | |
Statistical Methods in Engineering and the Physical Sciences | 5 | |
Theory of Probability | 4 | |
Additional Information
Chemistry Major Schedules
Below are possible schedules for students entering Stanford in autumn 2021 with advanced placement in Chemistry and Math and later wanting to complete the traditional pathway and the biological chemistry pathway, each followed by an accelerated schedule.
Schedule for Traditional Chemistry Pathway
FIRST YEAR | UNITS | ||
|---|---|---|---|
AUTUMN | WINTER | SPRING | |
Chemical Principles I (course) | 5 |
|
|
Calculus (course) | 3 |
|
|
Chemical Principles II (course) |
| 5 |
|
Calculus (course) |
| 3 |
|
Programming Methodology (course) |
| 5 |
|
Structure and Reactivity of Organic Molecules (course) |
|
| 5 |
Calculus (course) |
|
| 4 |
Year Total: | 8 | 13 | 9 |
| |||
SECOND YEAR | UNITS | ||
AUTUMN | WINTER | SPRING | |
Understanding the Natural and Unnatural World through Chemistry (course) | 5 | ||
Mechanics (course) | 4 |
| |
Classical Mechanics Laboratory (course) | 1 |
| |
Linear Algebra, Multivariable Calculus, and Modern Applications (course) | 5 | ||
Inorganic Chemistry I (course) | 4 | ||
Instrumental Analysis Principles and Practice (course) |
|
| 5 |
Foundations of Physical Chemistry (course) |
|
| 4 |
Year Total: | 10 | 9 | 9 |
| |||
THIRD YEAR | UNITS | ||
AUTUMN | WINTER | SPRING | |
Biochemistry I (course) | 4 |
|
|
Organic Polyfunctional Compounds (course) | 3 |
|
|
Organic Chemistry Laboratory (course) | 3 | ||
Synthesis Laboratory (course) |
| 3 |
|
Electricity and Magnetism (course) |
| 4 | |
Electricity and Magnetism Lab (course) |
| 1 | |
Year Total: | 10 | 8 | 0 |
| |||
FOURTH YEAR | UNITS | ||
AUTUMN | WINTER | SPRING | |
Physical Chemistry II (course) | 3 |
|
|
Electrochemical Measurements Lab (course) | 3 |
|
|
Physical Chemistry III (course) |
| 3 |
|
Spectroscopy Laboratory (course) |
| 3 |
|
Capstone: Biophysical Chemistry Seminar (course) |
|
| 3 |
Inorganic Chemistry II (course) | 3 | ||
Year Total: | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| |||
Total Units in Sequence: | 94 | ||
Accelerated Schedule for the Traditional Chemistry Pathway
FIRST YEAR | UNITS | ||
|---|---|---|---|
AUTUMN | WINTER | SPRING | |
Chemical Principles: From Molecules to Solids (course) | 5 |
|
|
Programming Methodology (course) | 5 |
|
|
Structure and Reactivity of Organic Molecules (course) |
| 5 |
|
Mechanics (course) |
| 4 |
|
Classical Mechanics Laboratory (course) |
| 1 |
|
Understanding the Natural and Unnatural World through Chemistry (course) |
|
| 5 |
Linear Algebra, Multivariable Calculus, and Modern Applications (course) | 5 | ||
Year Total: | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| |||
SECOND YEAR | UNITS | ||
AUTUMN | WINTER | SPRING | |
Biochemistry I (course) | 4 |
|
|
Organic Polyfunctional Compounds (course) | 3 |
|
|
Organic Chemistry Laboratory (course) | 3 |
|
|
Inorganic Chemistry I (course) |
| 4 |
|
Instrumental Analysis Principles and Practice (course) |
|
| 5 |
Foundations of Physical Chemistry (course) |
|
| 4 |
Electricity and Magnetism (course) | 4 | ||
Electricity and Magnetism Lab (course) | 1 | ||
Year Total: | 10 | 9 | 9 |
| |||
THIRD YEAR | UNITS | ||
AUTUMN | WINTER | SPRING | |
Physical Chemistry II (course) | 3 |
|
|
Electrochemical Measurements Lab (course) | 3 |
|
|
Synthesis Laboratory (course) | 3 | ||
Physical Chemistry III (course) |
| 3 |
|
Spectroscopy Laboratory (course) |
| 3 |
|
Inorganic Chemistry II (course) |
|
| 3 |
Capstone: Biophysical Chemistry Seminar (course) | 3 | ||
Year Total: | 6 | 9 | 6 |
| |||
Total Units in Sequence: | 79 | ||
Schedule for Biological Chemistry Pathway
First Year | Units | ||
|---|---|---|---|
AUTUMN | WINTER | SPRING | |
Chemical Principles I (course) | 5 |
|
|
Calculus (course) | 3 |
|
|
Chemical Principles II (course) |
| 5 |
|
Calculus (course) |
| 3 |
|
Programming Methodology (course) |
| 5 |
|
Structure and Reactivity of Organic Molecules (course) |
|
| 5 |
Calculus (course) |
|
| 4 |
Year Total: | 8 | 13 | 9 |
| |||
Second Year | Units | ||
AUTUMN | WINTER | SPRING | |
Understanding the Natural and Unnatural World through Chemistry (course) | 5 |
|
|
Linear Algebra, Multivariable Calculus, and Modern Applications (course) | 5 |
|
|
Inorganic Chemistry I (course) |
| 4 |
|
Mechanics (course) |
| 4 |
|
Classical Mechanics Laboratory (course) |
| 1 |
|
Instrumental Analysis Principles and Practice (course) |
|
| 5 |
Foundations of Physical Chemistry (course) |
|
| 4 |
Year Total: | 10 | 9 | 9 |
| |||
Third Year | Units | ||
AUTUMN | WINTER | SPRING | |
Biochemistry I (course) | 4 |
|
|
Organic Polyfunctional Compounds (course) | 3 |
|
|
Organic Chemistry Laboratory (course) | 3 |
|
|
Synthesis Laboratory (course) |
| 3 |
|
Cell Biology (course) |
| 4 | |
Biological Chemistry Laboratory (course) |
|
| 3 |
Electricity and Magnetism (course) |
| 4 | |
Electricity and Magnetism Lab (course) |
| 1 | |
Year Total: | 10 | 8 | 7 |
| |||
Fourth Year | Units | ||
AUTUMN | WINTER | SPRING | |
Physical Chemistry II (course) | 3 |
|
|
Spectroscopy Laboratory (course) |
| 3 |
|
Biochemistry II (course) | 3 | ||
Biophysical Chemistry (course) |
|
| 3 |
Year Total: | 3 | 6 | 3 |
| |||
Total Units in Sequence: | 95 | ||
Accelerated Schedule for the Biological Chemistry Pathway
FIRST YEAR | UNITS | ||
|---|---|---|---|
AUTUMN | WINTER | SPRING | |
Chemical Principles: From Molecules to Solids (course) | 5 |
|
|
Programming Methodology (course) | 5 |
|
|
Structure and Reactivity of Organic Molecules (course) |
| 5 |
|
Linear Algebra, Multivariable Calculus, and Modern Applications (course) | 5 | ||
Mechanics (course) |
| 4 | |
Classical Mechanics Laboratory (course) |
| 1 | |
Understanding the Natural and Unnatural World through Chemistry (course) |
|
| 5 |
Year Total: | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| |||
SECOND YEAR | UNITS | ||
AUTUMN | WINTER | SPRING | |
Organic Polyfunctional Compounds (course) | 3 |
|
|
Organic Chemistry Laboratory (course) | 3 |
|
|
Inorganic Chemistry I (course) |
| 4 |
|
Physiology (course) |
| 4 | |
Electricity and Magnetism (course) | 4 | ||
Electricity and Magnetism Lab (course) | 1 | ||
Instrumental Analysis Principles and Practice (course) |
|
| 5 |
Foundations of Physical Chemistry (course) |
|
| 4 |
Year Total: | 6 | 9 | 13 |
| |||
THIRD YEAR | UNITS | ||
AUTUMN | WINTER | SPRING | |
Physical Chemistry II (course) | 3 |
|
|
Biochemistry I (course) | 4 |
|
|
Synthesis Laboratory (course) | 3 | ||
Spectroscopy Laboratory (course) |
| 3 |
|
Biochemistry II (course) |
| 3 |
|
Biological Chemistry Laboratory (course) |
|
| 3 |
Biophysical Chemistry (course) |
|
| 3 |
Year Total: | 7 | 9 | 6 |
| |||
Total Units in Sequence: | 80 | ||
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Admission to the honors program requires a grade point average (GPA) of 3.3 in science courses and an overall GPA of 3.0 in all university courses. Beyond the standard BS course requirements for each track, nine research credit units and nine coursework units need to be completed during the junior and senior academic years. A thesis, approved by the honors advisor, must be completed during the senior year. The thesis must be submitted to the research advisor at least one week before the end of regular spring quarter classes and completed by May 15 to be considered for the Firestone award. Using a single course for multiple honors, major, minor, or coterminal requirements is not allowed. Students who wish to be admitted to the honors program should register with the Student Services Manager in spring quarter of their junior year.
- 1122851
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- 2052161
- 2067661
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- 1123011
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The nine units of coursework for honors must be completed from courses approved by the Undergraduate Studies Committee and taken for a letter grade. At least six of these units need to be taken from the following CHEM courses:
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course Advanced Undergraduate Research research units toward honors may be completed after being accepted into the program, in any laboratory within Chemistry, or with courtesy faculty in Chemistry. Other chemical research can be approved through a formal petition of the Undergraduate Studies Committee. At least three units must be completed during the senior year. Participation in a summer research program in an academic setting between junior and senior years may be used instead of 3 units of course Advanced Undergraduate Research. For each quarter, a progress report reflecting the units undertaken is required. This report must be signed by the honors advisor and filed in the department student services office before the last day of finals in the quarter during which the research is performed.