Chemistry
What this major studies in college, the health tracks it can lead to, and careers open with a bachelor’s degree. Every fact below names its source.
Last checked:
What it is
Chemistry is the scientific study of the composition and properties of matter, and the B.S. lets students concentrate in one or more areas of chemistry. [1]
Degrees in chemistry involve training in analytical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry, and programs approved by the American Chemical Society (ACS) offer a broad-based and rigorous chemistry education. [2]
Typical college courses
The University of Washington Department of Chemistry's ACS-certified B.S. includes a general chemistry sequence, an organic chemistry sequence, inorganic, analytical and physical chemistry, and a biochemistry course. [2]
The core requires Modern Analytical Methods for Separation and Characterization with its lab, and Introduction to Inorganic Chemistry. [1]
The chemistry B.S. also requires Principles of Biology, Calculus of Functions of One Variable II, Calculus of Functions of Several Variables, a first course in differential equations, and calculus-based physics I and II. [1]
The rows below show one named program as an example: the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, B.S. in chemistry, 2026–2027 catalog. Course descriptions are in our own words. Course names and numbers differ at every college; confirm each college’s own list.
| Course | Status | What it covers (example: UNC-Chapel Hill catalog) | Comes after |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Descriptive Chemistry I and II, with labs | Required in this example programThe chemistry B.S. core includes General Descriptive Chemistry II and its lab, which come after General Descriptive Chemistry I. [1] [3] | The first course (CHEM 101) covers atoms and molecules, the forces between molecules, stoichiometry and gases, and the second (CHEM 102) covers solutions, energy changes and thermodynamics, reaction rates, equilibrium including acids and bases, and electrochemistry. [3] | CHEM 101 comes after MATH 110, and CHEM 102 comes after CHEM 101 and its lab, with a C- or better in CHEM 101. [3] |
Get ready with these topics: Atoms and electron arrangement · Periodic table patterns · Ionic and covalent bonding · The mole and molar mass · Stoichiometry and conservation of mass · Acids and bases · Quantities, units and rates · Literal equations and formulas | |||
| Introduction to Organic Chemistry I and II, with lab | Required in this example programThe core requires Introduction to Organic Chemistry I and II and the organic chemistry lab. [1] | Introduction to Organic Chemistry I (CHEM 261) studies how the structure of a molecule is found and how structure relates to reactivity, using molecules that matter in biology as examples, and Introduction to Organic Chemistry II (CHEM 262) continues it, with emphasis on the chemical properties of those molecules. [3] | CHEM 261 comes after CHEM 102 with a C- or better, and CHEM 262 comes after CHEM 261 with a C- or better. [3] |
Get ready with these topics: Ionic and covalent bonding · Lewis structures and molecular shape · Forces between particles and bulk properties · Organic chemistry basics · Acids and bases · Reaction rates and collision theory | |||
| Modern Analytical Methods for Separation and Characterization, with lab | Required in this example program[1] | Modern Analytical Methods for Separation and Characterization (CHEM 241) covers separating mixtures, chromatography, spectrophotometry, acid-base equilibria and titrations, and the basics of electrochemistry. [3] | It comes after General Descriptive Chemistry II (CHEM 102), with a C- or better. [3] |
Get ready with these topics: Matter, measurement and significant figures · Solutions and concentration · Chemical equilibrium and Le Chatelier's principle · Acids and bases · pH and neutralization · Electrochemistry and batteries | |||
| Introduction to Inorganic Chemistry | Required in this example program[1] | Introduction to Inorganic Chemistry (CHEM 251) covers periodic trends, atomic and molecular orbital theory, bonding in solids, the chemistry of nonmetals, and transition metal complexes and their uses. [3] | It comes after General Descriptive Chemistry II (CHEM 102), with a C- or better. [3] |
Get ready with these topics: Atoms and electron arrangement · Periodic table patterns · Ionic and covalent bonding · Lewis structures and molecular shape · Metallic bonding and network solids | |||
| Physical Chemistry I and II, with lab | Required in this example programThe core requires Physical Chemistry I and II and one physical chemistry lab. [1] | Physical Chemistry I (CHEM 481) covers thermodynamics, kinetic theory and chemical kinetics, and Physical Chemistry II (CHEM 482) introduces quantum mechanics, atomic and molecular structure, spectroscopy and statistical mechanics. [3] | CHEM 481 comes after CHEM 102 and PHYS 118, with MATH 383 and PHYS 119 before or at the same time, and CHEM 482 comes after CHEM 481. [3] |
Get ready with these topics: Energy in chemical reactions · Calorimetry and specific heat · Entropy, free energy and why reactions happen · Reaction rates and collision theory · Light as a wave and as a particle · The derivative as a limit · The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus | |||
| Calculus II, several-variable calculus and differential equations | Required in this example program[1] | Calculus of Functions of One Variable II (MATH 232) covers techniques and uses of integration, improper integrals, sequences and series, Taylor’s formula and simple differential equations. [4] | MATH 232 comes after MATH 231 with a C- or better, or placement by the department. [4] |
Get ready with these topics: Functions: domain, range and composition · Exponential and logarithmic models · Identities and trig equations · Limits from graphs and tables · Limits algebraically and continuity · The tangent line problem | |||
| Calculus-based physics I and II | Required in this example program[1] | PHYS 118 covers the mechanics of particles and rigid bodies, Newton’s laws, energy and conservation laws, and relativity, and PHYS 119 covers electricity and magnetism, electromagnetic waves, the particle-wave duality and quantum mechanics. [5] | PHYS 118 comes after MATH 231 with MATH 232 before or at the same time, and PHYS 119 comes after PHYS 118 with MATH 233 or MATH 235 before or at the same time. [5] |
Get ready with these topics: Physics skills: units, vectors and graphs · Describing motion: position, velocity and acceleration · Newton's second law: net force, mass and acceleration · Conservation of energy: modeling energy in a system · Electric current, voltage and resistance · Waves: frequency, wavelength and speed · Radians and the unit circle | |||
Typical high school preparation
We did not find an official source that gives high school course advice for this major, so none is listed. For the high school courses colleges ask for in general, see the College Preparation page.
Pre-Health Foundations: coming soon
Health tracks this can lead to
Each card opens that track’s page. A reason is shown only where a cited source gives one. Every program sets its own prerequisites, so confirm them with each school.
Pre-Pharmacy (PharmD)
Biology was the most common major among accepted PharmCAS applicants last year, followed by chemistry. [6]
Pre-Dental (DDS / DMD)
The majority of dental students majored in biology and chemistry, although a specific major is not required. [7]
Pre-Med (MD / DO)
Nonscience majors applying to medical school should, at the very least, complete a year of biology, general chemistry, organic chemistry and biochemistry. [8]
Pre-Veterinary (DVM)
Pre-Optometry (OD)
Pre-PA (Physician Assistant)
Where this degree can lead with a bachelor’s
National figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Pay varies by state, setting and experience. This is not a promise of pay or a job.
Examples from the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Other careers may need more study after the bachelor’s degree.
Chemists
Chemists and materials scientists research and analyze the chemical properties of substances to develop new materials, products or knowledge. [9]
The median annual wage for chemists was $91,240 in May 2025. [9]
Overall employment of chemists and materials scientists is projected to grow 7 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. [9]
Chemists and materials scientists typically need a bachelor's degree in chemistry or a related physical science field. [9]
Forensic science technicians
Forensic science technicians aid criminal investigations by collecting and analyzing evidence. [10]
The median annual wage for forensic science technicians was $72,060 in May 2025. [10]
Employment of forensic science technicians is projected to grow 13 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. [10]
Forensic science technicians typically need at least a bachelor's degree, and fields of study may include physical science, biology or forensic science. [10]
Questions people search
Chosen from our search-question research. Every answer is cited.
What can you do with a chemistry degree?
Chemists and materials scientists typically need a bachelor's degree in chemistry or a related physical science field. [9]
Forensic science technicians typically need at least a bachelor's degree, and fields of study may include physical science, biology or forensic science. [10]
Biology was the most common major among accepted PharmCAS applicants last year, followed by chemistry. [6]
Chemistry vs biochemistry major: what is the difference?
Chemistry is the scientific study of the composition and properties of matter, and the B.S. lets students concentrate in one or more areas of chemistry. [1]
UNC-Chapel Hill's chemistry B.S. biochemistry track provides students with the opportunity to specialize in biochemistry and chemical biology. [11]
Your next step
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Sources
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Chemistry Major, B.S.. https://catalog.unc.edu/undergraduate/programs-study/chemistry-major-bs/. 2026–2027 Academic Catalog. Checked .
- University of Washington, Department of Chemistry. BS in Chemistry - ACS Certified. https://chem.washington.edu/bs-chemistry-acs-certified. no edition stated (footer © 2026; the linked checklist file is named acs2018). Checked .
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Chemistry (CHEM) courses. https://catalog.unc.edu/courses/chem/. current Academic Catalog (the BIOL course page and the program pages show 2026–2027). Checked .
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Mathematics (MATH) courses. https://catalog.unc.edu/courses/math/. current Academic Catalog (the BIOL course page and the program pages show 2026–2027). Checked .
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Physics (PHYS) courses. https://catalog.unc.edu/courses/phys/. current Academic Catalog (the BIOL course page and the program pages show 2026–2027). Checked .
- PharmCAS, American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP). Pre-Pharmacy Prep. https://www.pharmcas.org/helpful-resources/pre-pharmacy-prep. no edition stated (footer © 2026 PharmCAS). Checked .
- American Dental Education Association (ADEA), GoDental. College Major. https://www.adea.org/godental/Apply/tips-for-preparing-to-enter-dental-school/preparing-for-dental-school/college-major. no edition stated (footer © 2026). Checked .
- Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC). Applying to Medical School as a Nonscience Major. https://students-residents.aamc.org/getting-organized/applying-medical-school-nonscience-major. no edition stated (page footer © 2026). Checked .
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Chemists and Materials Scientists. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/chemists-and-materials-scientists.htm. OOH page last modified August 27, 2026 (pay data May 2025; projections 2025–35). Checked .
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Forensic Science Technicians. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/forensic-science-technicians.htm. OOH page last modified October 29, 2026 (pay data May 2025; projections 2025–35). Checked .
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Chemistry Major, B.S., Biochemistry Track. https://catalog.unc.edu/undergraduate/programs-study/chemistry-major-bs-biochemistry-track/. 2026–2027 Academic Catalog. Checked .
Format: Publisher. Page title. URL. Edition or catalog year. Checked date.