The following Empower and Engage General Education requirements may be met as follows:
Science: CHM-103, CHM-104 and CHM-106
Students interested in the Chemistry Major, including those who would like to transfer from another institution, should contact a department representative prior to arrival on campus. Students should declare the Major and indicate choice of Program by the beginning of their second semester of study.
For students interested in a career in pharmacy, Notre Dame's School of Pharmacy offers the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) program and a 3-4 (B.A./Pharm.D.) program for Chemistry majors. A 3-2 dual degree program in engineering is also available. Chemistry majors may pursue the B.A. or B.A./M.A.T. program in secondary education as well.
Chemistry Majors and Minors must complete all courses required for the Major/Minor with a minimum grade of C.
Required Courses for a Major in Chemistry
One course chosen from:
Special advanced courses offered at cooperating colleges/universities may be allowed with permission of department advisor and chair. No more than two 300- and/or 400-level chemistry courses (with a minimum grade of C) from a cooperating institution may be used to fulfill requirements for the major.
One course chosen from:
Another advanced math/physics or computer course may be substituted with permission of the Chair.
Pre-Medical, Pre-Dental and Pre-Veterinary Programs
Students complete all chemistry courses listed under the Chemistry Major. Students may substitute one advanced science course (approved by the faculty advisor and program coordinator) for CHM-302, CHM-305 or one of the four credit option courses.
Additional Requirements:
Three 4-credit courses from the following list:
Students following this program of study should consider the Minor in Biology.
Students should consult the American Medical Association Bulletin, the admission requirements of American dental schools, and individual medical, dental and veterinary school bulletins or admission officers for more specific requirements. Students also should contact the Pre-Professional Program Advisor early in their course of studies.
Secondary Education Certification: Approved Program in Chemistry
Students who wish to prepare for teaching in secondary schools complete the courses listed under the Chemistry Major along with BIO-111 Fundamentals of Biology and PHY-155 Introduction to Astronomy. In their senior year, pre-service teachers are encouraged to complete CHM-407 Chemical Research I as one of the option courses. One other course substitution may be made when appropriate. In addition, students complete professional education courses offered by the School of Education for the B.A. or B.A./M.A.T. Program.
Dual Degree Program in Chemistry and Engineering
Qualified students with an interest in one of the engineering disciplines, especially chemical engineering or materials science, may obtain a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Chemistry from Notre Dame and a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from one of our partner schools. Students complete their first three years of study at Notre Dame taking general and advanced courses toward the Chemistry degree. See the Engineering section for specific program information.
Liberal Arts
The student follows the Program of Study outlined in the Liberal Arts section of the catalog.
B.A. Chemistry: Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) Options
Students may wish to complete a degree in Chemistry prior to entering a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) program. This option allows the student to present a strong application and provides a second degree. Many applicants to Pharm.D. programs already hold an undergraduate degree. Students may improve their prospects for admission by using this option and it provides additional career paths. To do so, students complete required courses for the Chemistry Major as indicated (including Calculus II and Physics II). Students prepare for applying to a School of Pharmacy by completing necessary additional prerequisites in sciences (e.g. biology courses) and other specific courses in the liberal arts. Students take these courses based on the admission requirements of the Pharmacy School to which they will apply.
Students wishing to apply to the Notre Dame of Maryland University School of Pharmacy must complete additional courses as indicated in the Pharmacy Studies section. The student consults with their academic advisor or the Pre-pharmacy Coordinator no later than junior year to assess academic readiness to take the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) exam. The student should then follow the appropriate School of Pharmacy application procedure.
Accelerated B.A./Pharm.D. Program (3 + 4)
The Department of Chemistry offers traditional undergraduate students an opportunity to earn a bachelor's degree on an accelerated basis in combination with their pursuit of the Doctor of Pharmacy degree at the School of Pharmacy. Consult the Pharmacy Studies section of the Catalog for more information.
Four-Year Plan
Below is a sample Program of Study for the Chemistry Major.
Students should select courses with the assistance of a faculty advisor.
See Course Descriptions for a list of required courses and description of course and program options.