BSc in Chemistry
North Central College
Key Information
Campus location
Naperville, USA
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
4 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
USD 42,866 / per year
Application deadline
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Earliest start date
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Scholarships
Explore scholarship opportunities to help fund your studies
Introduction
Why pursue a chemistry degree at North Central College?
Our chemistry major provides undergraduates with exceptional academic opportunities, prepares students for employment or graduate school, and allows students to perform research under the guidance of the faculty. As early as your first year, you’ll have the chance to conduct original research using advanced scientific instruments right here on campus. That kind of hands-on lab experience is often reserved for graduate students at larger institutions. And, thanks to Naperville’s proximity to Chicago, you’ll have easy access to BP, Ecolabs, Baxter Healthcare, PerkinElmer, and other companies that value chemistry expertise. After completing our American Chemical Society-approved major, you will be prepared to pursue graduate studies with top-tier institutions.
You can also:
- Work with cutting-edge scientific equipment—right away.
- Take advantage of competitive science scholarships and grant opportunities.
- Join the Student Members of the American Chemical Society (SMACS) student group.
- Present your research findings at North Central’s own Rall Symposium and summer colloquium as well as local, regional, and national conferences.
Curriculum
Chemistry, ACS-Certified, BSc
Chemists study the structure and transformations of matter, detect and quantify chemical species, and create new substances. A degree in chemistry prepares a student for employment in a private or government laboratory; continuing studies in medical, pharmacy, dental, veterinary, or law school; secondary school teaching; a position in business; or graduate study and research in the sciences or engineering. The ACS-certified Chemistry B.S. degree is the curriculum approved by the American Chemical Society and allows students more depth where they work to master the theoretical and applied aspects of chemistry.
Major Requirements
Core Courses
- CHEM 121 - General Chemistry I
- CHEM 122 - General Chemistry II
- CHEM 251 - Organic Chemistry I
- CHEM 252 - Organic Chemistry II
- CHEM 301 - Descriptive Inorganic Chemistry
- CHEM 310 - Chemical Analysis
- CHEM 340 - Thermodynamics and Kinetics
- CHEM 345 - Quantum Chemistry and Spectroscopy
- CHEM 391 - Seminar I
- CHEM 392 - Seminar II
- CHEM 401 - Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
- CHEM 485 - Senior Research Capstone
- CHEM 493 - Seminar III
- BCHM 365 - Principles of Biochemistry
Characterization Courses
Two of the following:
- CHEM 311 - Separation Methods
- CHEM 312 - Spectrometry and Spectroscopy
- CHEM 313 - Materials and Surface Analysis
- CHEM 315 - Spectral Interpretation
Advanced Electives
Three credit hours from the following:
- CHEM 311 - Separation Methods (if not taken for the Characterization category)
- CHEM 312 - Spectrometry and Spectroscopy (if not taken for the Characterization category)
- CHEM 313 - Materials and Surface Analysis (if not taken for the Characterization category)
- CHEM 315 - Spectral Interpretation (if not taken for the Characterization category)
- CHEM 451 - Advanced Organic Chemistry
- CHEM 455 - Organometallic Chemistry
- CHEM 490 - Special Topics
- MECH 210 - Materials Science I
- PHYS 200 - Electronic Instrumentation for Scientists
- PHYS 310 - Data Acquisition with LabVIEW
- PHYS 320 - Physics of Solids
- PHYS 440 - Quantum Mechanics
Additional Requirements for the BSc Degree
- MATH 151 - Calculus I
- MATH 152 - Calculus II
Physics Sequence
One of the following sequences:
Non-Calculus
- PHYS 131 - Physics I (Non-Calculus)
- PHYS 132 - Physics II (Non-Calculus)
Calculus-Based
- PHYS 161 - Physics I: Mechanics and Heat
- PHYS 162 - Physics II: Electromagnetism, Waves, and Optics
Chemistry, BSc
Chemists study the structure and transformations of matter, detect and quantify chemical species, and create new substances. A degree in chemistry prepares a student for employment in a private or government laboratory; continuing studies in medical, pharmacy, dental, veterinary, or law school; secondary school teaching; a position in business; or graduate study and research in the sciences or engineering. The Chemistry B.S. degree allows students more breadth to their college degree where they can pair their chemistry studies with an emphasis in a discipline outside of chemistry.
Career Opportunities
A North Central education integrates career preparation with rich academic study. Our faculty encourages you to refine and apply your knowledge in an interconnected world. Here you'll learn to think independently and work globally to solve problems and lead.
Recent graduates in chemistry are employed by:
- Particle Technology Labs
- Blistex, Inc.
- Fehr Solutions
- CH2M HILL
- Water Quality Association
- Bisco Electronics
- Wheaton Wastewater Treatment
- Universal Oil Products (UOP)
- Perkin Elmer
- Flavors of North America
- Micromeritics Instrumentation Corp.
- BP Amoco
- Volt Information Sciences
- Los Alamos National Lab
- Downers Grove Wastewater Treatment
- Excelon
- Underwriter Laboratories
- AIT Laboratories as a forensic chemist
- Inland Western Management
- Illinois Crime Laboratory
- Naperville North High School
- Richards High School
- Downers Grove South High School
- Maine East High School
- East Aurora High School