Program: Chemistry/Chemical Engineering, BS/BSE - Widener University

Apr 02, 2025

2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog

Curriculum Sequence
Pre-Occupational Therapy Pathway
Pre-Physical Therapy Pathway

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.

First Year

Fall (19.5 Credits)

ENGR 111 - Engineering Techniques 2 Credit(s)
MATH 141 - Calculus I 4 Credit(s)
CHEM 145 - General Chemistry I 3 Credit(s)
CHEM 147 - General Chemistry Lab I 1 Credit(s)
ENGL 101 - Reading, Thinking and Writing 3 Credit(s)
Humanities Elective 3 Credit(s) **
Social Science Elective 3 Credit(s) **
Physical Education Elective 0.5 Credit(s)

Spring (17.5 Credits)

ENGR 115 - Introduction to Computer Programming Using MATLAB 2 Credit(s) ***
MATH 142 - Calculus II 4 Credit(s)
CHEM 146 - General Chemistry II 3 Credit(s)
CHEM 148 - General Chemistry Lab II 1 Credit(s)
PHYS 161 - Physics I 3 Credit(s)
PHYS 163 - Physics I Laboratory 1 Credit(s)
Social Science Elective 3 Credit(s) **
Physical Education Elective 0.5 Credit(s)

Sophomore

Fall (16 Credits)

MATH 241 - Multivariable Calculus 4 Credit(s)
CHE 222 - Chemical Engineering Principles 3 Credit(s)
CHEM 255 - Organic Chemistry I 4 Credit(s)
CHEM 257 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory I 1 Credit(s)
PHYS 162 - Physics II 3 Credit(s)
PHYS 164 - Physics II Laboratory 1 Credit(s)

Spring (18 Credits)

MATH 242 - Elementary Differential Equations 3 Credit(s)
CHEM 256 - Organic Chemistry II 4 Credit(s)
CHEM 258 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory II 1 Credit(s)
CHEM 375 - Inorganic Chemistry 3 Credit(s)
CHEM 390 - Chemical Literature 1 Credit(s)
ENGR 325 - Thermodynamics 3 Credit(s)
Humanities Elective 3 Credit(s) **

Junior

Fall (17-18 Credits)

CHE 329 - Chemicals and Materials Transport Phenomena 4 Credit(s)
CHE 330 - Chemical and Materials Engineering Thermodynamics 3 Credit(s)
CHEM 365 - Analytical Chemistry 3 Credit(s)
CHEM 367 - Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (W) 1 Credit(s)
CHEM 385 - Physical Chemistry I 4 Credit(s)
Technical Elective 2-3 Credit(s)

Spring (17 Credits)

CHE 314 - Introduction to Process Control 3 Credit(s)
CHE 327 - Chemical Engineering Laboratory I (W) 1 Credit(s)
CHE 332 - Mass Transfer Operations 4 Credit(s)
CHEM 366 - Instrumental Analysis 3 Credit(s)
CHEM 368 - Instrumental Analysis Laboratory (W) 1 Credit(s)
CHEM 386 - Physical Chemistry II 4 Credit(s)
CHEM 389 - Physical Chemistry Laboratory II 1 Credit(s)

Senior

Fall (16 Credits)

ENGR 401 - Senior Project I 2 Credit(s)
CHE 425 - Process Design I 3 Credit(s)
CHE 429 - Chemical Reaction Engineering 3 Credit(s)
CHE 427 - Chemical Engineering Laboratory II 1 Credit(s)
CHEM 498 - Undergraduate Research Experience 1-4 Credit(s) (1)
Humanities/Social Science Elective 3 Credit(s) **
ASC 400 - Values Seminar 3 Credit(s)

Spring (18-19 Credits)

ENGR 402 - Senior Project II 2 Credit(s)
CHE 428 - Process Design II (W) 3 Credit(s)
CHEM 498 - Undergraduate Research Experience 1-4 Credit(s) (1)
Advanced Chemistry Elective 3-4 Credit(s) **
Humanities Elective 3 Credit(s) **
Social Science Elective 3 Credit(s) **
Technical Elective 3 Credit(s)

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):

BIOL 121 - Anatomy and Physiology I 4 Credit(s)
BIOL 123
BIOL 122 - Anatomy and Physiology II 4 Credit(s)
BIOL 124
PSY 105 - Introduction to Psychology 3 Credit(s)
PSY 211 - Infants, Children and Adolescents 3 Credit(s)
PSY 212 - Adulthood and Aging 3 Credit(s)
PSY 225 - Abnormal Psychology 3 Credit(s)
SOC or ANTH elective (1 course)

Please Note:

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.

BIOL 121 - Anatomy and Physiology I 4 Credit(s)
BIOL 123
BIOL 122 - Anatomy and Physiology II 4 Credit(s)
BIOL 124
BIOL 230 - Biology of Cells and Genes 4 Credit(s)
PHYS 161 - Physics I 3 Credit(s)
PHYS 163 - Physics I Laboratory 1 Credit(s)
PHYS 162 - Physics II 3 Credit(s)
PHYS 164 - Physics II Laboratory 1 Credit(s)
PSY 105 - Introduction to Psychology 3 Credit(s)
PSY 385 - Statistical Methods with Laboratory for Psychology 4 Credit(s)
One other PSY elective
SOC or ANTH elective