Undergraduate Programs
B.S. Degree in Chemistry 
The B.S. Degree in Chemistry is recommended for students who are planning professional careers in chemistry or chemistry related fields or who are intending to pursue postgraduate studies in chemistry after graduation. The B.S. degree is certified by the American Chemical Society as meeting the necessary criteria for a professional baccalaureate degree in chemistry. Major requirements include a minimum of 52 semester hours of chemistry, 14 hours of mathematics, and 8 to 12 hours of physics.
The B.S. Degree/Biochemistry Option is also approved by the American Chemical Society and represents a program of focus in the Chemistry B.S. degree. Students planning professional careers in biochemistry, biological chemistry, molecular biology, biotechnology, or other biomedically related field with a chemistry emphasis should choose this program instead of the traditional B.S. in Chemistry. It also meets the requirements for entrance to medical and other professional schools Requirements include 52 hours of chemistry, 14 hours of mathematics, 8 to 12 hours of physics, and 3 hours of biology.
B.S. Degree in Chemistry with Education Concentration
A person interested in teaching High School Chemistry should choose this major. This degree is approved by the American Chemical Society and leads to state licensure to teach in Virginia upon completion of the degree.
B.A. Degree in Chemistry
The B.A. Degree in Chemistry is intended to fulfill the needs of students who wish a broader liberal arts education. It is recommended for students who are preparing to enter medical or dental schools or who may wish to enter other scientific and non-scientific fields related to chemistry, such as environmental science, pharmacy, business, or law. Major requirements include 37 hours of chemistry, 11 hours of mathematics, and 8 to 12 hours of physics. Both degree programs satisfy the requirements for state certification in chemistry for secondary school teachers.
The B.A. Degree/Biochemistry Option is intended for the student who is interested in studying chemistry at its interface with the biological sciences. Students interested in attending medical school can obtain an exceptionally good science background through this option. Requirements include 37 hours of chemistry, 11 hours of mathematics and statistics, 8 hours of physics, and 8 hours of biology.
B.S./Accelerated M.S. Degree in Chemistry
The five-year B.S./Accelerated M.S. degree program leads to a research-based M.S. degree following satisfactory completion of 144 credits. It allows academically strong undergraduates with a commitment to research to obtain a B.S. and a M.S. degree within five academic years plus the summer of the last year.
Minor in Chemistry
A Minor in Chemistry requires 16 credits of chemistry at the 300 level or above with a minimum GPA of 2.00.
Certificate in Environmental Chemistry
The department offers an undergraduate certificate program in environmental chemistry. The program consists of 35 credits of course work dealing directly with environmental studies.
To receive the certificate, students must hold a baccalaureate degree in any major or be earning one from Mason at the time they receive the certificate. Substitutions from the following list of required courses are allowed, but require permission from the environmental chemistry certificate director: BIOL 377; CHEM 313, 314, 315, 318, 321, 331 or 333, 505, 554; EVPP 301, 454; STAT 344. To optimize employment and graduate school opportunities, students are encouraged to take additional courses in natural science, computer science, and environmental law.
Premedical, Predental, and Preveterinary Students
Students planning medical, dental, or veterinary careers may meet the requirements of these professional schools by majoring in chemistry. Students should consult with the premedical advisor for chemistry.
Special Programs
Opportunities are available within the department for undergraduate participation in original research in conjunction with the chemistry faculty. This may be achieved through CHEM 451 and 452 (Special Projects in Chemistry) or though involvement with faculty members on externally funded research grants. GMU Chemistry Majors also take advantage of the unique scientific resources available in the region through student internships at government laboratories such as the Naval Research Laboratory, the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Institutes of Health.
denotes ACS Accredited program
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