Chemistry Curriculum

This page contains information on the curriculum of the Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry and Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (general and biochemistry options).

Course descriptions

Follow the links below for descriptions of each course. The chemistry majors use courses from several different disciplines:

Important planning notes

  • You must earn a minimum of 180 credits to complete a degree from UW Bothell.
  • All courses required for this degree (not including general education courses) must be passed with a minimum grade of 2.0 or higher.
  • Chemistry Electives can be fulfilled by any 300-level or higher “BCHEM” course that is not already required for your degree option.
  • We strongly recommend taking Analytical Chemistry (BCHEM 316+317 and 426) in your Junior year, followed by Physical Chemistry (BCHEM 401, 402, 404) in your senior year, because:
    • We have found that students find more success when starting with Analytical Chemistry before moving on to Physical Chemistry.
    • These courses are very challenging. We strongly recommend that you do not take them courses at the same time, and instead spread them out over the course of two years.

General education requirements

All UW students must complete a common set of general education requirements. As a Chemistry major, you will have already completed the Natural Science (NSc) and Reasoning (R) requirements by taking chemistry, physics, and math classes, but make sure to plan for completion of the following:

  1. English Composition (C) – 5 credits
  2. Additional Writing (W) – 10 credits
  3. Diversity (DIV) – 5 credits (almost always also fulfills A&H or SSc; was only 3 credits prior to autumn 2023)
  4. Arts & Humanities (A&H) – 15 credits (cannot overlap with SSc)
  5. Social Sciences (SSc) – 15 credits (cannot overlap with A&H)

Entry prerequisites

Visit our Admissions page for information on prerequisite coursework.

B.A. in Chemistry

The Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry is intentionally flexible, and leaves space for you to take other courses you need for a minor, second major, or in preparation for graduate school or a career—or other courses you enjoy! These courses are marked as Additional Courses on the suggested plan below.

Suggested Junior Year

  • Autumn (12-17 credits)
    • BPHYS 121: Mechanics + Lab (5 credits)
    • BCHEM 316+317: Quantitative Analysis + Lab (7 credits); autumn only
    • Additional course if needed/desired
  • Winter (14 credits)
    • BPHYS 122: Electromagnetism and Oscillatory Motion + Lab (5 credits)
    • STMATH 207, 208, 224, or 341: Advanced Math Course (5 credits)
    • BCHEM 294: Chemistry Seminar (1 credit); winter only
    • BCHEM 312: Inorganic Chemistry I (3 credits); winter only
  • Spring (14 credits)
    • BPHYS 123: Waves + Lab (5 credits)
    • BCHEM 495: Investigative Chemistry (3 credits); spring only
    • STEM Elective: 300-level or higher science, technology, engineering, or mathematics course (5 credits); contact your advisor to ask about options.

Suggested Senior Year

  • Autumn (~12 credits)
    • BCHEM 401: Physical Chemistry I (4 credits); autumn only
    • Chemistry Elective: 300-level or higher BCHEM course (~3 credits of 7 needed)
    • Additional course
  • Winter (~13 credits)
    • BCHEM 402: Physical Chemistry II (4 credits); winter only
    • Chemistry Elective: 300-level or higher BCHEM course (~4 credits of 7 needed)
    • Additional course
  • Spring (~15 credits)
    • BCHEM 497: Apprenticeship in Chemistry Education (5 credits); offerings vary – contact your advisor to ask about options
    • Additional course
    • Additional course

B.S. in Chemistry (general option)

The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (general option) is focuses on Inorganic Chemistry and has more room to take elective courses.

Suggested Junior Year

  • Autumn (~12 credits)
    • BPHYS 121: Mechanics + Lab (5 credits)
    • BCHEM 316+317: Quantitative Environmental Analysis + Lab (7 credits); autumn only
  • Winter (~14 credits)
    • BPHYS 122: Electromagnetism and Oscillatory Motion + Lab (5 credits)
    • BCHEM 294: Chemistry Seminar (1 credit); winter only
    • BCHEM 426: Instrumental Analysis + Lab (5 credits); winter only
    • Chemistry Elective: 300-level or higher BCHEM course (~3 credits of 14 needed)
  • Spring (~12 credits)
    • BPHYS 123: Waves + Lab (5 credits)
    • BCHEM 495: Investigative Chemistry I (3 credits); spring only
    • Chemistry Elective: 300-level or higher BCHEM course (~4 credits of 14 needed)

Suggested Senior Year

  • Autumn (14 credits)
    • STMATH 207, 208, 224, or 341: Advanced Mathematics (5 credits)
    • BCHEM 401: Physical Chemistry I (4 credits); autumn only
    • BCHEM 364: Biochemistry I (5 credits); autumn and spring only
  • Winter (~12 credits)
    • BCHEM 312: Inorganic Chemistry I (3 credits); winter only
    • BCHEM 402: Physical Chemistry II (4 credits); winter only
    • Chemistry Elective: 300-level or higher BCHEM course (~5 credits of 14 needed)
  • Spring (~14 credits)
    • BCHEM 313: Inorganic Chemistry II (3 credits); spring only
    • BCHEM 404: Physical Chemistry Lab (4 credits); spring only
    • Upper-division STEM electives (5 credits)
    • Chemistry Elective: 300-level or higher BCHEM course (~2 credits of 14 needed)

B.S. in Chemistry (biochemistry option)

The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (biochemistry option) focuses on Biology and Biochemistry courses. It is more prescribed and has less room for taking electives.

This option requires a lot of time-consuming lab work, so try to take either the Physics or the Biology series (or both) before joining the major, if possible.

Suggested Junior Year

  • Autumn (12 credits)
    • B PHYS 121: Mechanics + Lab (5 credits)
    • BCHEM 316+317: Quantitative Environmental Analysis + Lab (7 credits); autumn only
  • Winter (15 credits)
    • B PHYS 122: Electromagnetism and Oscillatory Motion + Lab (5 credits)
    • BBIO 180: Introductory Biology I + Lab (5 credits)
    • BCHEM 426: Instrumental Analysis + Lab (5 credits)
  • Spring (13 credits)
    • B PHYS 123: Waves + Lab (5 credits)
    • BBIO 200: Introductory Biology II + Lab (5 credits)
    • BCHEM 495: Investigative Chemistry I (3 credits)

Suggested Senior Year

  • Autumn (~14 credits)
    • BCHEM 364: Biochemistry I (5 credits)
    • BCHEM 366: Biochemistry Lab (3 credits)
    • BCHEM 401: Physical Chemistry I (4 credits)
    • Upper-division Chemistry electives (~2 credits of 5 needed)
  • Winter (15 credits)
    • STMATH 207, 208, 224, or 341: Advanced Mathematics (5 credits)
    • BCHEM 294: Chemistry Seminar (1 credit)
    • BCHEM 365: Biochemistry II (5 credits)
    • BCHEM 402: Physical Chemistry II (4 credits)
  • Spring (~12 credits)
    • BCHEM 375: Molecular Biology (5 credits)
    • BCHEM 404: Physical Chemistry Lab (4 credits)
    • Upper-division Chemistry electives (~3 credits of 5 needed)

Petitions

Chemistry-related courses that are not included on the core or elective requirements lists are considered on a case-by-case basis. If you have a syllabus, letter from the instructor, or other detailed description for the class you want to use as an elective, you can submit a petition to request for the course to count.

Submit a chemistry major / minor petition