Chemistry, B.S.

Saint Louis University's Bachelor of Science in Chemistry provides excellent preparation for students seeking employment in industry (chemical, pharmaceutical, agriculture, etc.) or the government (Department of Defense labs, regulatory agencies, law enforcement). It also provides a solid foundation for students who want to continue their studies in professional (medical, dental, veterinary, law, etc.) or graduate school.

SLU's Department of Chemistry places a great emphasis on undergraduate research. Chemistry majors have ample opportunity to pursue research projects under the close mentorship of a full-time faculty member. Students use a variety of specialized equipment and computers in their laboratories and in their research. 

Program Highlights 

• The chemistry program provides a rigorous curriculum, making graduates competitive for employment in STEM areas.
• Students in upper-level chemistry courses enjoy small classes and personalized attention.
• The chemistry program offers opportunities for students to strengthen their scientific communication skills through research activities that pair an undergraduate with a faculty researcher.
• SLU provides a unique mentoring program for freshmen through senior years to guide and support students in reaching their professional goals.

Curriculum Overview

• First Year: General Chemistry 1 and 2, Calculus I and II
• Second Year: Organic Chemistry 1 and 2, Analytical Chemistry 1, Engineering Physics I and II
• Third Year: Physical Chemistry 1 and 2, Biochemistry, physical chemistry lab, Organic Spectroscopy, Chemical Literature, undergraduate research
• Fourth Year: Analytical Chemistry 2 and 3, General Biochemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, inorganic chemistry lab, undergraduate research, and Mathematical Techniques in Chemistry

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

The benefits of SLU's chemistry program also include internship and career opportunities. Selected undergraduate students can apply to work with faculty in undergraduate laboratories as laboratory assistants. Lab assistants receive a stipend. Internships in the St. Louis area are also available.

Undergraduates who study chemistry at SLU can attend professional meetings and present their research results. SLU students have presented numerous talks and poster presentations at regional and national meetings of the American Chemical Society and other scientific conferences in recent years.

Careers

Career options in chemistry include:

• Education
• Chemical research and development in industry or government laboratories
• Pharmaceutical research and drug development
• Environmental research
• Management and administration in the chemical industry
• Chemical and pharmaceutical sales

Other graduates continue through law school, specializing in patent or environmental law. The public health sector is also a common area for chemists to work.

Admission Requirements

Begin Your Application

Saint Louis University also accepts the Common Application.

Freshman

All applications are thoroughly reviewed with the highest degree of individual care and consideration to all credentials that are submitted. Solid academic performance in college preparatory coursework is a primary concern in reviewing a freshman applicant’s file.

To be considered for admission to any Saint Louis University undergraduate program, applicants must be graduating from an accredited high school, have an acceptable HiSET exam score or take the General Education Development (GED) test. 

Transfer

Applicants must be a graduate of an accredited high school or have an acceptable score on the GED or HiSET.

Students who have attempted fewer than 24 semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit must follow the above freshmen admission requirements. Students who have completed 24 or more semester credits (or 30 quarter credits) of college credit must submit transcripts from all previously attended college(s).

In reviewing a transfer applicant’s file, the Office of Admission holistically examines the student’s academic performance in college-level coursework as an indicator of the student’s ability to meet the academic rigors of Saint Louis University. Where applicable, transfer students will be evaluated on any courses outlined in the continuation standards of their preferred major.

International Applicants

All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students along with the following:

• Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
• All academic records must include an English translation. An official course-by-course transcript evaluation may be required and accepted.

Tuition

Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:

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Information on Tuition and Fees

Miscellaneous Fees

Information on Summer Tuition

Scholarships and Financial Aid

There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:

• Scholarships: Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need.
• Financial Aid: Financial aid is provided through grants and loans, some of which require repayment.

Saint Louis University makes every effort to keep our education affordable. In fiscal year 2023, 99% of first-time freshmen and 92% of all students received financial aid and students received more than $459 million in aid University-wide.

For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, apply for admission by December 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 1.

For more information on scholarships and financial aid, visit the Office of Student Financial Services.

Accreditation

The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry has been continuously certified by the American Chemical Society since 1946.

1. Graduates will be able to demonstrate a foundational understanding of inorganic, physical and biochemistry and advanced knowledge in organic and analytical chemistry.
2. Graduates will be able to demonstrate proficiency in basic (general, physical, inorganic) and advanced (organic and analytical) laboratory techniques and conduct laboratory experiments safely.
3. Graduates will be able to collect, interpret and analyze quantitative data.
4. Graduates will be able to communicate scientific results effectively, especially through written reports and oral presentations.
5. Graduates will be able to design and conduct independent research.

 Chemistry students must complete a minimum total of 61 credits for the B.S. major.

¹

Engineering Physics I and II with lab are recommended for majors unless they are pre-medical. Physics I and II with lab (PHYS 1310 College Physics I (3 cr), PHYS 1320 College Physics I Laboratory (1 cr), PHYS 1330 Physics II (3 cr), and PHYS 1340 Physics II Laboratory (1 cr)) also fulfill the physics requirement and are recommended for pre-medical students

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Any additional CHEM 3000 or higher level course (CHEM 4610 and 4620 cannot be used to satisfy this requirement unless students substitute CHEM 4610 for CHEM 3600.  If so, CHEM 4620 can satisfy this requirement.), MATH 2530 Calculus III (4 cr), STAT 1300 Elementary Statistics with Computers (3 cr), STAT 3850 Foundation of Statistics (3 cr), PHIL 4150 Philosophy of Science (3 cr), PHIL 4160 Philosophy and Physics (3 cr), ECE 2101 Electrical Circuits I (3 cr), CSCI 1020 Introduction to Computer Science: Bioinformatics (3 cr), CSCI 1060 Introduction to Computer Science: Scientific Programming (3 cr), PHYS 2610 Modern Physics (3 cr), PHYS 3310 Optics (3 cr), PHYS 4010 Nanoscience Frontiers (3 cr), CVNG 4250 Water Treatment Processes (3 cr), EAS 2480 Foundations of Environmental Science (3 cr), FRSC 2600 Survey of Forensic Science (3 cr), FRSC 3620 Forensic Chemistry (2 cr), FRSC 3621 Forensic Chemistry Laboratory (1 cr), FRSC 3630 Forensic Biology (2 cr), FRSC 3631 Forensic Biology Laboratory (1 cr), FRSC 3640 Fingerprints (3 cr), CSO 1600 Cannabis Extraction & Product Production (3 cr), CSO 2000 Pharmacological Properties of Cannabis (3 cr), PPY 1450 Drugs We Use and Abuse (3 cr), or any other course that prepares a student for their future science- or health-related career that is approved by the Undergraduate Program Coordinator

For any of the B.S. programs, a combination of MATH 2530 Calculus III (4 cr) and MATH 3110 Linear Algebra for Engineers (3 cr) can be used as a substitute for CHEM 4300 Mathematical Techniques in Chemistry (3 cr).

Non-Course Requirements

All School of Science and Engineering B.A. and B.S. students must complete an exit interview/survey near the end of their bachelor's program. 

Continuation Standards

The following standards apply to all new freshmen and transfer students:

• Students must earn a "C-" or better in General Chemistry I (CHEM 1110 General Chemistry 1 (3 cr)/CHEM 1130 General Chemistry 1 for Majors (3 cr) and a "C-" or better in General Chemistry II (CHEM 1120 General Chemistry 2 (3 cr), CHEM 1140 General Chemistry 2 for Majors (0,3 cr), or the equivalent in transfer.
• Students must earn a "C-" or better in CHEM 2200 Analytical Chemistry 1 (3 cr).

Students who do not earn a "C-" in any of the identified courses must retake the course at SLU in the following semester. If a "C-" is not earned on the second attempt the student will be dismissed from the major. A student who withdraws from one of these courses on the first attempt thus has one more attempt to earn a "C-."

Students must maintain a 2.0 GPA in their major (CHEM) and required related courses (BIOL, PHYS, MATH, etc.) If a student falls below a 2.0 major GPA the student must meet with the undergraduate program director to review their academic performance. If the student cannot raise their major GPA to 2.0 in two semesters, the student will be dismissed from the major.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Program Notes

Engineering physics (PHYS 1610 University Physics I (3 cr)-PHYS 1640 University Physics II Laboratory (1 cr) is recommended. However, physics (PHYS 1310 College Physics I (3 cr)-PHYS 1340 College Physics II Laboratory (1 cr) also fulfills the physics requirement.

The required elective can be satisfied by any additional CHEM 3000 or higher level course (CHEM 4610 and 4620 cannot be used to satisfy this requirement unless students substitute CHEM 4610 for CHEM 3600. If so, CHEM 4620 can satisfy this requirement.), MATH 2530 Calculus III (4 cr), STAT 1300 Elementary Statistics with Computers (3 cr), STAT 3850 Foundation of Statistics (3 cr), PHIL 4150 Philosophy of Science (3 cr), PHIL 4160 Philosophy and Physics (3 cr), ECE 2101 Electrical Circuits I (3 cr), CSCI 1020 Introduction to Computer Science: Bioinformatics (3 cr), PHYS 2610 Modern Physics (3 cr), PHYS 3310 Optics (3 cr), CVNG 4250 Water Treatment Processes (3 cr), EAS 2480 Foundations of Environmental Science (3 cr), FRSC 2600 Survey of Forensic Science (3 cr), FRSC 3620 Forensic Chemistry (2 cr), FRSC 3621 Forensic Chemistry Laboratory (1 cr), FRSC 3630 Forensic Biology (2 cr), FRSC 3631 Forensic Biology Laboratory (1 cr), FRSC 3640 Fingerprints (3 cr), CSO 1600 Cannabis Extraction & Product Production (3 cr), CSO 2000 Pharmacological Properties of Cannabis (3 cr), PPY 1450 Drugs We Use and Abuse (3 cr), or any other course that prepares a student for their future science- or health-related career that is approved by the undergraduate program coordinator.

2+SLU programs provide a guided pathway for students transferring from a partner institution. 

Chemistry, B.S. (STLCC 2+SLU)