Chemistry is the study of the principles that govern matter and the chemical transformations of matter. Students learn basic theories and gain practical experience in inorganic, organic, analytical and physical chemistry. Supporting courses provide a foundation in calculus and physics while coordinated lab work reinforces the concepts and ideas presented in lectures. Students learn to use state-of-the-art instruments and work with faculty on original research projects.
Program Overview
Synthesize new molecules and discover life-saving antibiotic compounds.
In the program, you’ll learn foundational theories in inorganic, organic, analytical and physical chemistry and gain practical experience in state-of-the-art labs using sophisticated technological systems. To customize your education, you’ll have the opportunity to take specialized courses in calculus and physics and apply your knowledge in coordinated lab work.
If you want to start building your resume, you can work as a lab assistant and help conduct original research projects. Through these unique opportunities, you’ll gain the dynamic knowledge you need to pursue a successful career in pharmaceuticals, forensic science and medicine.
Hands-on labs
Students participate in lab experiments that emphasize techniques, instrumentation, and solution chemistry.
Program Requirements
At Western, course rotations are crafted to encompass a variety of subject fields for a comprehensive education and versatile degree. For required courses and degree plans, visit the official University Catalog. Below is a general overview of courses at Western Colorado University related to this area of study.
Program Requirements
A minimum of 60 credits is required including the 26-credit Chemistry Nucleus:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Chemistry Nucleus | ||
| CHEM 111 | General Chemistry I (GT-SC2) | 3 |
| CHEM 112 | General Chemistry Laboratory I (GT-SC1) | 1 |
| CHEM 113 | General Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 114 | General Chemistry Laboratory II | 1 |
| CHEM 302 | Chemical Information Literacy and Communication | 3 |
| CHEM 306 | Analytical Chemistry (with laboratory) | 4 |
| CHEM 331 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 332 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 334 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 1 |
| CHEM 335 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory II | 1 |
| CHEM 451 | Physical Chemistry I | 3 |
| Total Credits | 26 | |
And the following:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM 406 | Instrumental Analysis (with laboratory) | 4 |
| CHEM 452 | Physical Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 454 | Physical Chemistry Laboratory | 2 |
| CHEM 461 | Advanced Inorganic Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 494 | Research Problem in Chemistry | 2-4 |
| Required supporting courses | ||
| MATH 151 | Calculus I (GT-MA1) | 4 |
| MATH 251 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MATH 252 | Calculus III | 4 |
| PHYS 190 & PHYS 185 | General Physics I (GT-SC2) and Laboratory Physics I (GT-SC1) | 4 |
| PHYS 191 & PHYS 186 | General Physics II (GT-SC2) and Laboratory Physics II (GT-SC1) | 4 |
| Total Credits | 34-36 | |
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| CHEM 111 | General Chemistry I (GT-SC2) | 3 |
| CHEM 112 | General Chemistry Laboratory I (GT-SC1) | 1 |
| ENG 102 | Writing and Rhetoric I (GT-CO1) | 3 |
| HWTR 100 | First Year Seminar | 1 |
| MATH 140 | College Algebra (GT-MA1) | 3 |
| Social Science GE | 3 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| Arts & Humanities GE | 3 | |
| CHEM 113 | General Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 114 | General Chemistry Laboratory II | 1 |
| MATH 141 | Precalculus (GT-MA1) | 4 |
| Social Science GE | 3 | |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| Arts & Humanities GE | 3 | |
| ENG 103 | Writing and Rhetoric II (GT-CO2) | 3 |
| CHEM 331 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 334 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 1 |
| MATH 151 | Calculus I (GT-MA1) | 4 |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| Arts & Humanities GE | 3 | |
| CHEM 302 | Chemical Information Literacy and Communication | 3 |
| CHEM 332 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 335 | Organic Chemistry Laboratory II | 1 |
| MATH 251 | Calculus II | 4 |
| Gen Ed | Social Sciences | 3 |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Year Three | ||
| Fall | ||
| CHEM 306 | Analytical Chemistry (with laboratory) | 4 |
| CHEM 461 | Advanced Inorganic Chemistry | 3 |
| PHYS 190 | General Physics I (GT-SC2) | 3 |
| PHYS 185 | Laboratory Physics I (GT-SC1) | 1 |
| Elective | Elective | 6 |
| Credits | 17 | |
| Spring | ||
| CHEM 406 | Instrumental Analysis (with laboratory) | 4 |
| MATH 252 | Calculus III | 4 |
| PHYS 191 | General Physics II (GT-SC2) | 3 |
| PHYS 186 | Laboratory Physics II (GT-SC1) | 1 |
| Elective | Elective | 3 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Year Four | ||
| Fall | ||
| CHEM 451 | Physical Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 461 | Advanced Inorganic Chemistry | 3 |
| Elective | Elective | 9 |
| Credits | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| CHEM 452 | Physical Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 454 | Physical Chemistry Laboratory | 2 |
| CHEM 494 | Research Problem in Chemistry | 2 |
| Elective | Elective | 7 |
| Credits | 14 | |
| Total Credits | 120 | |
| Fall (odd years) | Spring (even years) |
| CHEM 100 Contemporary Chemistry CHEM 101 Intro to Inorganic Chemistry CHEM 111 General Chemistry I CHEM 112 General Chemistry Lab I CHEM 231 Intro to Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry CHEM 234 Intro to Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry Lab CHEM 306 Analytical Chemistry w/Lab CHEM 331 Organic Chemistry I CHEM 334 Organic Chemistry Lab I CHEM 451 Physical Chemistry I CHEM 471 Biochemistry I CHEM 474 Biochemistry Lab | CHEM 100 Contemporary Chemistry CHEM 101 Intro to Inorganic Chemistry CHEM 113 General Chemistry II CHEM 114 General Chemistry Lab II CHEM 231 Intro to Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry CHEM 234 Intro to Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry Lab CHEM 302 Chemical Information Literacy and Communication CHEM 332 Organic Chemistry II CHEM 335 Organic Chemistry Lab II CHEM 452 Physical Chemistry II CHEM 454 Physical Chemistry Lab II CHEM 472 Biochemistry II |
| Fall (even years) | Spring (odd years) |
| CHEM 100 Contemporary Chemistry CHEM 101 Intro to Inorganic Chemistry CHEM 111 General Chemistry I CHEM 112 General Chemistry Lab I CHEM 306 Analytical Chemistry w/Lab CHEM 331 Organic Chemistry I CHEM 334 Organic Chemistry Lab I CHEM 451 Physical Chemistry I CHEM 461 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry CHEM 471 Biochemistry I | CHEM 100 Contemporary Chemistry CHEM 101 Intro to Inorganic Chemistry CHEM 113 General Chemistry II CHEM 114 General Chemistry Lab II CHEM 231 Intro to Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry CHEM 234 Intro to Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry Lab CHEM 302 Chemical Information Literacy and Communication CHEM 332 Organic Chemistry II CHEM 335 Organic Chemistry Lab II CHEM 406 Instrumental Analysis CHEM 472 Biochemistry II w/Lab |
Spotlight
Ryan Barnhouse
Student
“Being an orientation leader and having that leadership position helped me branch out to try these other things. It gave me the confidence to express myself as a leader and learn what kind of leader I am. And then be able to use that leadership in other aspects.”
Jeshurun Small
Alumni
“I found that since the program is smaller, it allows for better interaction between the students and faculty.”
Ryan Belson
Alumni
“Western is the reason I got into graduate school; it helped build my confidence and knowledge in my field.”
Eric Loewen
Alumni
“It’s a wonderful thing about Western,” Eric Loewen says, “you learn early on that relationships make the difference.”
Dr. Sean Markey
Alumni
"From truck driver to neurosurgeon—thanks to Western and its nurturing professors."
Careers
Take the first steps toward your academic and personal growth.
Fostering your intellectual development is the primary focus of every academic program at Western. Our professors and Office of Career Services will help you identify your strengths, hone your skills, define your goals, and prepare for a fulfilling and enriched life after graduation. Wondering how you can apply your program of choice to your intellectual and personal journey? Check out our “What Can I Do With This Major?” tool to explore the diverse opportunities and pathways within any degree program.
Scholarships
Western’s Scholarship Application portal allows you to search for, apply to and manage your scholarship opportunities. This platform houses over 300+ departmental and privately funded scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students. Through the scholarship portal, students may identify scholarship opportunities based on academic program, campus involvement, academic standing, specific keywords and more. Students may click below to begin learning about what scholarship opportunities are available to them.
Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.
Find your ScholarshipsWestern’s Scholarship Application portal allows you to search for, apply to and manage your scholarship opportunities. This platform houses over 300+ departmental and privately funded scholarship opportunities available to both new and returning students. Through the scholarship portal, students may identify scholarship opportunities based on academic program, campus involvement, academic standing, specific keywords and more. Students may click below to begin learning about what scholarship opportunities are available to them.
Please check individual scholarship opportunity start dates and deadlines as there are exceptions.
Find your ScholarshipsAlumni Association Future Alumni Scholarship
The Alumni Association Scholarship is a one-time scholarship of $1,000 and is applicable for the student’s junior or senior year at Western.
Any child or grandchild of an alumni is eligible to receive the Future Alumni Scholarship.
- This is a one-time non-renewable scholarship of $1,000.
- Only one Future Alumni Scholarship will be awarded per academic year.
- GPA must be 3.2 or above (college).
Due date has been extended to April 30 for 2024. An Alumni selection committee, appointed by the Alumni Advisory Council, will review applicants and select awardee by June 1.
Alumni Legacy Scholarship
The Alumni Legacy Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western (incoming freshman or new transfer students are eligible).
Do you have a son or daughter looking at college? Have they considered attending Western? As an alumni, your son, daughter and/or grandchildren are eligible for certain benefits distributed through this scholarship, as follows:
- This is a one-time scholarship of $1,000.
- Nominee must be an incoming first-year student or new transfer.
- The cost of orientation is reduced by half (a $45 value).
- GPA must be 2.5 or above (high school or college of transfer).
The applicant must fill out the application form found below. Application forms are accepted year-round. If the applicant meets the GPA guidelines, the scholarship will be awarded.
Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship
The Mountaineer Alumni Recommendation Scholarship is a one-time non-renewable scholarship and is only applicable for the student’s first year at Western. This scholarship is not available to midyear transfers or students beginning in the spring semester.
Are you an alumni or employee of Western and know a prospective (or incoming) student who would be a great fit at Western? A recommendation from alumni and employees can support any new student and provide them a $500 scholarship their first year. (Western employees may not recommend a spouse or dependent receiving tuition benefits).
- Any Western alumni/employee may nominate only one student per academic year to receive the $500 scholarship (distributed $250 per semester).
- The scholarship is good for the first year only and is non-renewable.
- The recommended student must be a full-time undergraduate student, attending Western for the first time.
The applicant must fill out the application form found here. The nominating alumni/employee must fill out the application form and submit the required documents by June 1. The recommended student must meet university admissions acceptance standards and complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The Presidential Promise is guaranteed to students who have received a scholarship through the Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) and/or GearUp—and are eligible for a Pell Grant.
For students who meet these criteria, Western will cover the cost of tuition and fees through the combination of federal, state and institutional aid. For more information on the Presidential Promise, visit our scholarships page.
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) or Central Plains (CP) tuition represents a substantial savings relative to normal, out-of-state tuition. Students eligible for the WUE or CP program will be charged 150% of Western’s total in-state tuition. For 2018-19, total in-state tuition was $8,934. WUE/CP tuition was $13,401. The WUE/CP discount is valued at $4,695.
For more information about the WUE and CP geography-based programs, visit Western’s Tuition Discount Programs Page.
Immediately upon acceptance at Western, every student is considered for a merit scholarship worth between $2,500-$4,500 per year for in-state students and $8,000-$10,000 for out-of-state students. The amount is based on the student’s GPA and ACT/SAT scores. Visit our Net Price Calculator at western.edu/cost to determine whether you qualify for a merit scholarship.
For more information about merit scholarships at Western, visit our scholarships page.
Note: Students enrolled in a Western-CU Boulder Partnership Program (i.e. major) do not qualify for Western Merit Scholarship programs. See the Rady Merit Scholarship section above for scholarship opportunities.
Get Involved
Apply your education to the real-world.
Take your education outside of the classroom—build your professional network, gain practical experience and jump-start your career.
- Chemistry Club: Members share their love of chemistry with the community in an annual demonstration that draws hundreds.
- Healthcare Advisory Board: Dedicated to connecting students to meaningful shadowing and mentoring opportunities with representatives from ten different healthcare positions.
- Lab Assistantships: Students often work as lab assistants after their first year.
- Thornton Biology Research Program: Helps undergraduates do high-quality, original research in biology and related fields—including chemistry.
Chemistry solutions
Senior Patricia Wheeler Larsen works in the Chemistry Lab with Dr. Anne Ryter.
News & Research
Additional Resources
Department Information
Natural & Environmental Sciences (NES) Department
Department Chairperson
Anne W. Ryter, Ph.D.Professor of Chemistry; Chair of Natural & Environmental Sciences Dept.
Administrative Assistant
Lori ClementNES Administrative Assistant
Campus Location
Western Colorado University
Hurst Hall 128
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231
