Mar 28, 2024  
2022 - 2023 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2022 - 2023 Undergraduate Catalog [FINAL EDITION]

Chemistry/Chemical Engineering, BS/BSE


 

A degree in chemistry can lead to a variety of professional opportunities. Many of our graduates choose careers in chemistry; others pursue careers in biochemistry, material science, medicine, dentistry, education, pharmacology, toxicology, and patent law.

Chemistry majors can choose from two options that lead to a bachelor of science in chemistry. The first option is designed to meet the needs of students who want a strong foundation in chemistry, but who do not necessarily wish to pursue a traditional career in chemistry. This program offers more flexibility in its curriculum by including more free electives and fewer required mathematics and chemistry courses. This flexibility allows students to tailor the degree to their particular interdisciplinary interests.

As a second option, students who want more extensive coursework in chemistry and mathematics may choose to earn a bachelor of science with American Chemical Society (ACS) certification. The ACS has approved the chemistry program at Widener since 1968. Students are encouraged to declare their track—ACS certified or not—early in their program and no later than the end of their sophomore year.

Special Academic Policies for the Major and Minor

  • All chemistry courses must be completed with a C- grade or better.
  • Chemistry courses may be attempted no more than two times. Enrollment and subsequent withdrawal from a course is considered one attempt.
  • To be approved for graduation, a chemistry major must have a GPA of 2.0 or higher in all science courses.  

Curriculum Sequence


Students interested in a chemistry/chemical engineering dual degree should contact the chairs of both departments and the deans’ offices for details about the curriculum. Students wishing to pursue a dual degree must get written permission from both departments. Dual degree students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above.

Freshman


Fall (19.5 Credits)


Spring (17.5 Credits)


Sophomore


Junior


Senior


Spring (18-19 Credits)


Total Credits: 139-141


**Details on the choices of electives in the dual degree program are available from the faculty advisor. The single advanced chemistry elective may be selected from: BCH 451 /BCH 453  (3+1); CHEM 461 /CHEM 463  (1+2); CHEM 475  (3); or CHEM 488  (3).

***Students may take ENGR 112 Computer Programming and Engineering Problem Solving , ENGR 113 Computer-Aided Engineering Design , or ENGR 114 Engineering Graphics and Computer-Aided Design  in lieu of ENGR 115 .

Students must take at least two technical electives offered by any department in the School of Engineering. Students considering an initial career in the chemical process or petroleum industries should select technical electives from ENGR 312 , ENGR 315 , ME 215 , ME 352 , CHEM 300- or 400-level courses, and, if qualified, graduate engineering courses. Students considering an initial career in the biochemical or pharmaceutical industries should select from CHE 430 ; CHE 460 /BME 460 ; BCH 451  and BCH 452 ; BIOL 261  and BIOL 262 ; CHEM 300- or 400-level courses; and, if qualified, graduate engineering courses. Students considering other initial career orientations may take technical electives at the 200-level or above, including those previously listed, as well as any other courses offered by any department in the School of Engineering. Students should check with their academic advisor before choosing technical electives.

The program of study that appears here applies to students who were admitted for the summer session of this catalog year and later.  Students admitted prior to that term should select the appropriate catalog year of their admission.  Choose previous catalogs from the Home, Graduate, or Undergraduate Catalog Page at http://Catalog.widener.edu.

Pre-Occupational Therapy Pathway


Chemistry majors who wish to apply for admission to Widener’s graduate occupational therapy program should take the following courses (note the most recent courses are factored into the prerequisite requirements):

Please Note:


The program of study that appears here applies to students who were admitted for the summer session of this catalog year and later.  Students admitted prior to that term should select the appropriate catalog year of their admission.  Choose previous catalogs from the Home, Graduate, or Undergraduate Catalog Page at http://Catalog.widener.edu.

Pre-Physical Therapy Pathway


Chemistry majors who wish to apply for admission to Widener’s graduate physical therapy program should take the following courses (note the most recent courses are factored into the prerequisite requirements):

The last two chemistry courses taken prior to admission count as fulfilling the chemistry course requirement for admission to physical therapy program.

Please Note:


The program of study that appears here applies to students who were admitted for the summer session of this catalog year and later.  Students admitted prior to that term should select the appropriate catalog year of their admission.  Choose previous catalogs from the Home, Graduate, or Undergraduate Catalog Page at http://Catalog.widener.edu.