Chemistry Programs
Chemistry Major
Chemistry is the science dealing with the composition and structure of substances and the transformations of these substances into new substances. The chemist attempts to identify naturally occurring compounds and also prepares and analyzes new materials which may form the basis of products useful to mankind.
Xavier's chemistry majors, upon graduation, are equipped with knowledge of basic chemical principles and experience in careful observation, controlled experimentation and thoughtful analysis of scientific data. The department is very cognizant of the need to provide its students with the training necessary for advanced study in chemistry, for a career in chemical industry, or for one of the professional fields.
The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in chemistry degree enables students to enter into a master's or doctoral program or immediate industrial employment requiring an extensive background in chemistry. This program is approved by the American Chemical Society, enabling students to graduate as certified chemistry majors.
To complete the B.S. degree in chemistry, 47 semester hours of analytical, physical, organic and inorganic chemistry, including an original investigation of a chemical problem beginning the junior year, are required. Students have many opportunities to present the results of their research to the department, to the university and at professional meetings. The program also includes 12 semester hours in mathematics and eight semester hours in physics.
The graduate who has completed the B.S. in chemistry will possess the necessary background for medical or dental school if the one-year course in General Biology has also been taken.
A liberal arts core curriculum consisting of courses in foreign language, history, fine arts, literature, philosophy, social science and theology is also required to strengthen and broaden the background of all Xavier students.
A minor in chemistry is earned by completing 19 credit hours of required chemistry courses. Students should contact the program director concerning specific requirements for the minor.
Freshman Year
| First Semester | Semester Hours | Second Semester | Semester Hours |
| CHEMISTRY 160 General Chemistry I |
3 | CHEMISTRY 162 General Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEMISTRY 161 General Chemistry I Lab |
1 | CHEMISTRY 163 General Chemistry II Lab |
1 |
| MATH 170 Calculus I |
4 | MATH 171 Calculus II |
4 |
| FOREIGN LANGUAGE Elective |
3 | FOREIGN LANGUAGE Elective |
3 |
| ENGLISH 101 or 115 English Composition or Rhetoric |
3 | PHILOSOPHY 100 Ethics as Intro. to Philosophy |
3 |
| Total | 14 | Total | 14 |
Sophomore Year
| First Semester | Semester Hours | Second Semester | Semester Hours |
| CHEMISTRY 240 Organic Chemistry I |
3 | CHEMISTRY 242 Organic Chemistry II |
3 |
| CHEMISTRY 241 Organic Chemistry I Lab |
1 | CHEMISTRY 243 Organic Chemistry II Lab |
1 |
| MATH 220 Calculus III |
4 | PHYSICS 172 University Physics II |
3 |
| PHYSICS 170 University Physics I |
3 | PHYSICS 163 Introductory Physics Lab II |
1 |
| PHYSICS 161 Introductory Physics Lab I |
1 | PHILOSOPHY 290 Theory of Knowledge |
3 |
| THEOLOGY 111 Theological Foundations |
3 | CHEMISTRY 226 Quantitative Analysis |
3 |
| CULTURAL DIVERSITY Elective |
1 | CHEMISTRY 227 Quantitative Analysis Lab |
1 |
| Total | 16 | Total | 15 |
Junior Year
| First Semester | Semester Hours | Second Semester | Semester Hours |
| CHEMISTRY 320 Physical Chemistry I |
3 | CHEMISTRY 322 Physical Chemistry II |
2 |
| ENGLISH Literature elective |
3 | CHEMISTRY 341 Instrumental Analysis Lab |
2 |
| CHEMISTRY 340 Instrumental Analysis |
3 | CHEMISTRY 325 Physical Chemistry Lab |
2 |
| THEOLOGY Scrip/Hist or Christ Sys Elective |
3 | PHILOSOPHY Elective |
3 |
| CHEMISTRY 300 Chemical Literature |
1 | CHEMISTRY 400 Chemical Research / Seminar |
1 |
| HISTORY I | 3 | HISTORY II | 3 |
| ENGLISH 205 Literature and the Moral Imagination |
3 | ||
| Total | 16 | Total | 16 |
Senior Year
| First Semester | Semester Hours | Second Semester | Semester Hours |
| CHEMISTRY 411 Organic Synthesis/ Analysis |
3 | CHEMISTRY 400 Chemical Research/Seminar |
1 |
| CHEMISTRY 420 Inorganic Chemistry |
3 | CHEMISTRY 421 Inorganic Chemistry Lab |
1 |
| CHEMISTRY 440 Biochemistry |
3 | THEOLOGY Ethics or Rel/Cult Elective |
4 |
| CHEMISTRY 400 Chemical Research/Seminar |
1 | SOCIAL SCIENCE Elective | 3 |
| E/R&S FOCUS Elective |
3 | FINE ARTS Elective |
3 |
| SOCIAL SCIENCE Elective |
3 | GENERAL Elective |
1 |
| Total | 16 | Total | 12 |