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Undergraduate Degree Programs
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Undergraduate Degree Programs

Source: https://chem.yale.edu/academics/undergraduate-chemistry-at-yale/undergraduate-degree-programs Parent: https://chem.yale.edu/posts/2026-01-26-from-dark-days-of-hiv-aids-advances-in-aza-sulfur-chemistry-enable-breakthrough

Show all breadcrumbs Undergraduate Studies

Undergraduate Degree Programs

Introduction

The Chemistry Major is designed for those who intend to pursue graduate study in chemistry, biochemistry, or a health-related discipline and those who wish to immediately enter a career in which broad scientific training is beneficial, like technology policy, business management, and law. Students may choose from four degree programs. Included here is information on degree programs and requirements.

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Chemistry Major Degree Options

Bachelor of Arts

The Bachelor of Arts degree is intended for students who want solid training in the chemical sciences and intend to study other subjects in which chemical training would be an asset, such as technology policy, economics, the environment, or medicine.

In addition to prerequisite courses and common degree requirements, the B.A. degree requires four additional course credits of advanced chemistry lecture or laboratory courses. At least one of the advanced courses must be a lecture course in the Chemistry Department, and at least one must be a chemistry laboratory course. CHEM 3330 may count toward the advanced-course requirement, although not as the only lecture course.

Bachelor of Science

The B.S. degree is intended to prepare students for graduate study while permitting extensive exploration of other disciplines.

In addition to the prerequisites and common degree requirements, the B.S. degree requires completion of a second term of physical chemistry (CHEM 3330), one term of physical chemistry laboratory (CHEM 3300L), and four additional course credits of advanced chemistry lecture or laboratory courses. At least one of the advanced courses must be a lecture course in the Chemistry Department, and at least one must be a Chemistry laboratory course.\

Bachelor of Science, Intensive Major

The B.S. degree with an intensive major provides more focused preparation for a career in chemical research, and requires greater breadth in laboratory courses and electives.

In addition to the prerequisites and common degree requirements, the B.S. degree with an intensive major requires completion of a second term of introductory physics numbered 1710 or higher, a second term of physical chemistry (CHEM 3330), one term of physical chemistry laboratory (CHEM 3300L), and five additional course credits of advanced chemistry lecture or laboratory courses. At least two of the advanced courses must be lecture courses in the Chemistry Department, and at least one must be a Chemistry laboratory course.

Combined Bachelor of Science/Master of Science

The combined B.S./M.S. is designed for students whose advanced preparation qualifies them for graduate-level work in their third and fourth years of college.

Exceptionally well-prepared students may complete a course of study leading to the simultaneous award of the B.S. and M.S. degrees after eight terms of enrollment. Formal application for admission to this program must be made no later than the last day of classes in the fifth term of enrollment. To be considered for admission, by the end of their fifth term, applicants must have achieved at least two-thirds A or A– grades in all of their course credits and all of the course credits directly relating to the major, including prerequisites. Two terms of CHEM 4900 must be taken in the fifth and sixth terms with grades of A or A– to continue in the program.

The B.S./M.S. degree program requires completion of the intensive major requirements. The introductory physics requirement must be fulfilled with PHYS 2000, 2010 or 2600, 2610; a term course in physics numbered 4000 or higher and approved by the director of undergraduate studies may be substituted for the introductory sequence. In addition, eight graduate courses in chemistry, four of which count toward the B.S., are required. Four terms of research are required, including two terms of research taken in CHEM 9900. Students in the program must earn A grades in at least two of their graduate-level term courses (or one yearlong course) and have a B average in other graduate-level courses. B.S./M.S. candidates also are expected to continue their independent research in a summer internship between their junior and senior years.

Chemistry Major Roadmaps

Bachelor of Arts

Prerequisites for entering the major

Requirements - 10 credits

Senior Requirements

Substitutions

Bachelor of Science

Prerequisites for entering the major

Requirements - 13 credits

Senior Requirements

Substitutions

Bachelor of Science, Intensive Major

Prerequisites for entering the major

Requirements - 15 credits

Senior Requirements

Substitutions

Combined Bachelor of Science/Master of Science

Prerequisites for entering the major

Requirements - Intensive + 4 credits from graduate courses

Senior Requirements

No substitutions are allowed.

Visual of Degree Roadmap

The requirements for the different degree programs explained above are also summarized in the Chemistry Degree Roadmaps Table.

Helpful for double majors: See Registrar’s major roadmaps for all degrees.

Prerequisite Courses

Common to All Chemistry Degree Programs

Two terms of general chemistry and laboratory, single-variable calculus at the level of MATH 1150, and one term of introductory physics numbered 1700 or higher, are prerequisites to all four degree programs. The MATH requirement may be fulfilled by taking the placement exam offered by the mathematics department and providing documentation of placement into a course beyond MATH 1150 or by providing evidence of transfer credit for an equivalent course completed (for letter grade) at another institution. Both of the latter options must be approved by the DUS.

Students also are encouraged to complete a course in multivariable calculus (MATH 1200 or ENAS 1510).

Course Requirements

Common to All Chemistry Degree Programs

All degrees require two terms of organic chemistry (CHEM 1740 or 2200, and CHEM 1750, 2210, or 2300) with laboratory (CHEM 2220L and 2230L), one term of physical chemistry (CHEM 3320 or 3280), and one term of inorganic chemistry (CHEM 2520).

No chemistry courses taken Credit/D/Fail may be counted toward the major (including substitutions for advanced courses).\

Planning Form

Complete a course of study form to plan your Chemistry major.

Form for Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Science, Intensive Major degrees Form for Combined Bachelor of Science/Master of Science degree