Major and Minor
Explore and Discover. The undergraduate major grounds students in the fundamentals of modern chemistry and provides exposure to cutting-edge research and contemporary instrumentation in the field. The foundational coursework introduces the disciplines of organic, analytical, inorganic, biological, and physical chemistry, supported by a variety of practical experimental experiences in the laboratory. After successfully completing the foundational coursework, students delve deeper into a concentration of their choice and are strongly encouraged to participate in original research.
Major | Minor | Teacher Licensure | Declaring a Major/Minor
Major in Chemistry
The department offers both a B.A. and B.S. degree in chemistry. The B.S. degree is intended for students with primary interest in chemistry that may be interested in pursuing graduate school in the field. The B.A. degree is intended for students majoring in a chemistry-related field who elect to pursue a second major in chemistry. The primary difference between the two degrees is that the B.A. allows 6 credit hours of advanced coursework in chemistry to be replaced with 6 credit hours of advanced, chemistry-related coursework taken outside of the department. The B.A. is thus designed to facilitate a second major in chemistry for students pursuing a major in chemical engineering, communication of science and technology, Earth and environmental science, mathematics, secondary education with a science focus, and others.
If you declared chemistry as your major prior to Fall 2025, refer to these requirements instead.
Degree Requirements for All Majors (declared Fall 2025 or after)
The B.S. and B.A. degree paths require the same foundational courses, allowing students the flexibility to change paths up until their senior year. The core chemistry program is organized into four parts:
- A general chemistry course sequence to serve as an entry point into the major, as well as non-chemistry coursework in math, physics, and biology.
- Foundation courses in the five major disciplines of chemistry: analytical, biochemistry, inorganic, organic, and physical.
- Completing laboratories associated with foundation courses and an advanced laboratory experience, whether through the capstone lab or through an honors research project.
- Completing advanced, in-depth chemistry electives. These in-depth courses build upon the content of foundation courses or integrate concepts from these foundational disciplines. B.S. majors must take all electives within the chemistry department, while B.A. majors may substitute up to 6 credit hours of approved, chemistry-related coursework from their primary major.
Prerequisite Courses for a Major in Chemistry
Prerequisite courses require 27 credit hours, with AP credit possibly satisfying some of these requirements. Note that these credit hours do not count toward the major.
Required Chemistry Courses for All Majors
Required courses for both the B.S. and the B.A. degree paths encompass 40 credit hours.
| B.S. | B.A. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Topics | Course Numbers | Hours | Course Numbers | Hours |
| Organic Chemistry I/II plus lab | CHEM 2221 + CHEM 2221L and CHEM 2222 + 2222L or CHEM 2211 + 2221L and CHEM 2212 + 2222L | 8 | CHEM 2221 + 2221L and CHEM 2222 + 2222L or CHEM 2211 + 2211L and CHEM 2212 + 2222L | 8 |
| Analytical Chemistry plus lab | CHEM 2100 + 2100L | 4 | CHEM 2100 + 2100L | 4 |
| Physical Chemistry plus lab | CHEM 3300 and CHEM 3310 and CHEM 3315 | 7 | CHEM 3300 and CHEM 3315 or CHEM 3310 and CHEM 3315 | 4 |
| Biochemistry | BSCI 2520 | 3 | BSCI 2520 | 3 |
| Inorganic Chemistry | CHEM 3010 | 3 | CHEM 3010 | 3 |
| Advanced laboratory work | CHEM 4965-4966 or CHEM 3980, 4980, 4999* | 6 | CHEM 4965-4966 or CHEM 3980, 4980, 4999* | 6 |
| In-depth electives | Three courses within the chemistry department | 9 | Four courses, at least two within the chemistry department | 12 |
*See the Honors Program for more information on additional requirements for Honors research.
In-Depth Chemistry Courses
In-depth chemistry electives are designed to build upon foundational coursework and integrate concepts in order to explore advanced topics in chemistry, such as chemical biology, materials science, drug design, or instrumentation and spectroscopy. Students should consult with their major adviser to determine which courses best fit their individualized interests and career goals. Eligible chemistry electives and other recommended courses can be found in the chemistry major handbook on the chemistry department homepage. Qualified seniors interested in graduate (5000-level) courses must obtain approval from the course instructor, their adviser, and the director of graduate studies in chemistry. Further details can be found in the specific College of Arts and Science academic policy.
Students pursuing the B.S. degree path must take at least 6 credit hours of advanced, in-depth coursework at the 4000-level or higher. 3 credit hours may be at the 3000-level, including CHEM 3860: Introductory Chemistry Research.
Students pursuing the B.A. degree path must take at least 6 credit hours of in-depth coursework at the 3000-level or higher within the chemistry department (excluding CHEM 3860). Up to 6 credit hours of chemistry-related coursework, at the 3000-level or higher and as appropriate for a double major, may be taken outside of the chemistry department and may include up to 3 credit hours of CHEM 3860. Appropriate chemistry-related electives include: CHBE 3200, CHBE 3250, CSET 3200W, CSET 3240W, CSET 3410, SCED 3320, SCED 3400, EES 3280, ENVE 4600, MATH 3120, MATH 3620, MHS 3120, NSC 3245, PSY 3630.
The Minor in Chemistry
The minor in chemistry requires 18 hours of coursework, including 4 credit hours from CHEM 1602 and 1602L or AP credit, and 14 credit hours selected from any of the courses acceptable for the major in chemistry. Fifteen of the 18 credit hours must be uniquely counted towards the chemistry minor. At least half of the credit must have been obtained from coursework taken at Vanderbilt University.
Note: Per university policy, students may not add a minor(s) after the last day of classes in the second semester of their senior year.
To have a minor adviser assigned, please contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies.
Teacher Licensure
Candidates for teacher licensure in chemistry at the secondary level should contact Peabody College for more information. Within the chemistry major, one semester of the Capstone Laboratory (CHEM 4965-4966) sequence will be considered fulfilled by completing the Peabody student teaching requirements. For those interested in completing honors in chemistry, as well as licensure in teaching, you would begin honors research during the fall of your junior year and defend your thesis in the fall of your senior year.
Declaring a Major or Minor
Obtaining an Academic Adviser
First-year students are assigned a pre-major adviser through the Office of Academic Services. Once you declare a major, you then obtain an adviser through the relevant department (typically at the start of their third semester at Vanderbilt). If you are a first-year student, and you intend to major in chemistry, please contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies for additional information.
For those interested in majoring in chemistry or double majoring, consult with the Director of Undergraduate Studies as early as possible to begin planning your courses. If you are requesting a double major or minor, you will need additional signatures from multiple departments. Note that it is not possible to double major in biochemistry or chemical biology due to the number of overlapping required courses. In addition, some double majors require significant communication between departments, so it is recommended you plan this as early as possible.
Director of Undergraduate Studies:
Dr. Katie Clements
Office: Stevenson Center 7835
Email: CHEMDUS@vanderbilt.edu
All advisers will be assigned by the Director of Undergraduate Studies. For more information, please email the DUS.
Students will need to submit a request to the University Registrar to add the major. Once approved, notice will be sent to you and your adviser. If you have any requests, it is best to contact the DUS prior to submitting the form.
Per university policy, students may not add a major(s) past the fifth day of the first semester of their senior year and may not add a minor(s) after the last day of classes in the second semester of their senior year.