The environmental chemistry option is structured to provide a quality foundation for working in government, industrial or university labs studying the behavior of chemicals in the environment. Students can earn a chemistry degree in four years while targeting their career. This option includes eleven courses in biology, microbiology, toxicology, environmental chemistry and health, soil science and hydrology.
This page serves as a general suggestion for students looking to complete their environmental chemistry option degree within four years. We always recommend working with your adviser to find the best academic plan for you.
Biology (12): BI 221a, 222, 223
General Chemistry (15): CH 231 (or 231H) & 271, 232 (or 232H) & 272, 233 (or 233H) & 273
Careers in Chemistry (1)b: CH 220b
Elementary Functions (4)c: MTH 112c
Calculus (8): MTH 251, 252
Writing I (Bacc Core) (3): WR 121 (or 121H)
Speech (Bacc Core) (3): COMM 111 (or 111H) or COMM 114 (or 114H) or COMM 211 or COMM 218
Fitness (Bacc Core) (3): HHS 231 and PAC or HHS Lab
Organic Chemistry (9): CH 334, 335, 336
Experimental Chemistry I (6): CH 361, 362
Vector Calculus I (4): MTH 254
General Physics (15): PH 201, 202 and 203 or 211 & 221, 212 & 222, and 213 & 223
Cell and Molecular Biology (4)a: BB 314
Writing II (Bacc Core) (3): Options
Perspectives (Bacc Core) (3): Options
General Electives (1)
Experimental Chemistry II (6): CH 461 and CH 462 (WIC) or CH 463 (WIC) or CH 464 (WIC)
Physical Chemistry (9): CH 440, 441, 442
Analytical Chemistry (6): CH 421, 422
General Microbiology and Laboratory (5): MB 302, 303
Statistics (3): ST 201 or 314
Chemical Behavior in the Environment (3): TOX 430
Environmental Toxicology (3): TOX 455
Perspective or DPD (Bacc Core) (6): Options
Synthesis (Bacc Core) (3): Options
General Electives (1)
a MTH 112 is a prerequisite for MTH 251, a required course for all chemistry majors. MTH 112 is not a required course for the chemistry degree.
b From elective list (term varies). Requires three electives from the list:
c As of fall 2020, BI 22X replaces BI 21X. A minimum of C- in BI 22X is an enforced prerequisite for BB 314. BI 22X must be taken in order. If you completed the previous BI 21X series before fall 2020, this series still meets the requirements here.
d Chemistry majors are strongly encouraged to take the chemistry major's orientation course, "Careers in Chemistry," fall term. This is 1 credit (P/N).
This order of courses is suggested. For the track-two core courses (CH, MTH, PH), the order is critical because of prerequisites and the fact that most CH courses are taught only one term per year. The TOX option courses are also only taught once a year. The option courses (BI, MB, ST, etc.) can be taken at different times than indicated, but one must be concerned with the prerequisites for these courses and some of these courses are taught only one term per year.
Baccalaureate Core courses are not shown on the chart above.
1. CH 411 and CH 412 are a sequence so that CH 411 is the specified inorganic chemistry course.
2. CH 463 is the recommended WIC course but CH 462 is the recommended alternative course or an extra lab course.
3. The three elective courses for the environmental chemistry option are to be approved by the student's academic adviser by the end of the winter quarter of the junior year.
4. As of fall 2020, BI 22X replaces BI 21X. A minimum of C- in BI 22X is an enforced prereq for BB 314. BI 22X must be taken in order. If you completed the previous BI 21X series before fall 2020, this series still meets the requirements here.
Also see policies for other information including external research.
