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Program checklist · B.S.

Chemistry B.S.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute · Troy, NY

A checklist is the list of requirements to complete this program and receive the award, as the college publishes it in its catalog. It is the same for everyone. It does not say what you have completed; that comes from applying your own record.

Program
Award
B.S.
Credential class
ceterms:BachelorDegree
Catalog edition
Rensselaer Catalog 2026-2027
Checklist type
degree-program
Description
Return to: Programs The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry at RPI provides a strong foundation in modern chemical science through coursework, hands-on laboratory experience, and opportunities for undergraduate research. The curriculum meets the standards of the American Chemical Society’s Committee on Professional Training and prepares students for careers in research, industry, education, healthcare, law, management, and related fields. Students benefit from small-class instruction, state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, and numerous opportunities to engage in undergraduate research. The program also accommodates transfer students through individualized evaluation of prior coursework and flexible laboratory placement. Students may tailor the degree through five tracks : Chemistry, Chemistry Honors, Pre-Med / Chemical Biology, Environmental Chemistry, and Industrial Chemistry. These tracks allow students to align their chemistry education with interests in graduate study, professional school, industrial practice, environmental science, biotechnology, materials, and research-focused careers. Chemistry - Provides broad training across the chemical sciences, preparing students for master’s-level study or entry-level positions in industry, government, or technical fields. Chemistry Honors - An enriched version of the Chemistry track, designed for students seeking advanced research preparation for Ph.D. programs or research-focused industrial careers. Pre-Med / Chemical Biology - Integrates chemistry with the molecular life sciences, preparing students for careers in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare, as well as for medical or professional school. Environmental Chemistry - Focuses on the chemical principles underlying environmental systems, equipping students for careers in environmental science, sustainability, regulatory agencies, or graduate study in environmental and earth sciences. Industrial Chemistry - Emphasizes applied chemistry and core chemical engineering concepts, preparing graduates for careers in manufacturing, process development, materials, or further study in chemical engineering. Regardless of track, a total of 128 credit hours is required for graduation. Each track includes the common Chemistry core, HASS Core and Integrative Pathway, Math/Science core, Communication and Data Intensive Courses, track-specific requirements, approved track electives, and 12 free elective credits selected in consultation with an academic advisor. The Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology website has more detailed information on course sequencing for each track. All named courses are required. Students may elect when MATH 2400 and the Biology courses are taken. Other courses can be taken out of sequence as long as prerequisites are met.
Identifiers
IPEDS UNITID
194824
CourseShelf checklist
CK_194824_5df4f851
CollegeTransfer.Net
Institution Transfer Profile
Source
CourseShelf publish 61

Requirements to complete

Every course or condition the catalog lists, in the catalog's order.

The RPI Experience

0 items

    First Year

    0 items

      Fall

      5 items
      1. Chemistry Track or HASS Core Elective
        Not resolved to a course
        4
      2. CHEM 1120
        Chemistry I Honors
        Not resolved to a course
        4
      3. CHEM 1900
        Chemistry for Life
        Not resolved to a course
        1
      4. MATH 1010
        Calculus I
        Not resolved to a course
        4
      5. PHYS 1100
        Physics I (M)
        Not resolved to a course
        or: PHYS 1110 - Physics I (S)
        4

      Spring

      4 items
      1. Chemistry Track or HASS Core Elective
        Not resolved to a course
        4
      2. CHEM 1220
        Chemistry II Honors
        Not resolved to a course
        4
      3. MATH 1020
        Calculus II
        Not resolved to a course
        4
      4. PHYS 1200
        Physics II
        Not resolved to a course
        4

      Second Year

      0 items

        Fall

        5 items
        1. Chemistry Track or HASS Core Elective
          Not resolved to a course
          4
        2. CHEM 2110
          Equilibrium Chemistry and Quantitative Analysis
          Not resolved to a course
          3
        3. CHEM 2120
          Experimental Chemistry I: Analytical Techniques
          Not resolved to a course
          2
        4. CHEM 2250
          Organic Chemistry I
          Not resolved to a course
          3
        5. MATH 2400
          Introduction to Differential Equations
          Not resolved to a course
          4

        Spring

        7 items
        1. ADMN 1030
          Career Exploration
          Not resolved to a course
          0
        2. CHEM 2260
          Organic Chemistry II
          Not resolved to a course
          3
        3. CHEM 2290
          Experimental Chemistry II: Organic Synthesis and Characterization
          Not resolved to a course
          3
        4. CHEM 2030
          Inorganic Chemistry I
          Not resolved to a course
          3
        5. BIOL 1010
          Introduction to Biology
          Not resolved to a course
          3
        6. and
          Not resolved to a course
        7. BIOL 1015
          Introduction to Biology Laboratory
          Not resolved to a course
          or: BIOL 1016 - Introduction to Biology Computational Laboratory
          1

        Third Year

        0 items

          Summer

          1 item
          1. ILEA 4400
            The Discovery
            Not resolved to a course
            0

          Fall

          5 items
          1. Chemistry Track or HASS Core Elective
            Not resolved to a course
            10
          2. CHEM 4410
            Macroscopic Physical Chemistry
            Not resolved to a course
            3
          3. CHEM 4760
            Molecular Biochemistry I
            Not resolved to a course
            4
          4. Track specific laboratory:
            Not resolved to a course
          5. CHEM 4020
            Experimental Chemistry III: Inorganic and Physical Methods
            Not resolved to a course
            or: CHEM 4030 - Experimental Chemistry III Abridged: Physical Methods
            3

          Spring

          5 items
          1. Elective
            Not resolved to a course
            4
          2. CHEM 4110
            Instrumental Methods of Analysis
            Not resolved to a course
            3
          3. CHEM 4120
            Experimental Chemistry IV: Physical and Instrumental Methods
            Not resolved to a course
            3
          4. CHEM 4420
            Microscopic Physical Chemistry
            Not resolved to a course
            3
          5. CHEM 4900
            Professional Development Seminar
            Not resolved to a course
            1

          Fourth Year

          0 items

            Fall

            2 items
            1. Chemistry Track or HASS Core Elective
              Not resolved to a course
              10
            2. Electives
              Not resolved to a course
              6

            Spring

            2 items
            1. Electives
              Not resolved to a course
              14
            2. Chemistry Culminating Experience Course
              Not resolved to a course
              1

            Track Specific Course Requirements

            0 items

              Chemistry Track

              2 items
              1. CHEM 4030
                Experimental Chemistry III Abridged: Physical Methods
                Not resolved to a course
                2
              2. CHEM 4980
                Senior Capstone
                Not resolved to a course
                1

              Choose three of the following Chemistry Track Electives (minimum 9 credit hours total)

              Choose 3 of the following · Choose three of the following Chemistry Track Electives (minimum 9 credit hours total) · 16 items
              1. CHEM 4810
                Chemistry of the Environment
                Not resolved to a course
                4
              2. CHEM 4820
                Food Chemistry and Technology
                Not resolved to a course
                2
              3. CHEM 4960
                Selected Topics in Chemistry
                Not resolved to a course
                1
              4. CHEM 4970
                Advanced Research Project
                Not resolved to a course
                1-3
              5. CHEM 4610
                Natural Polymers and Materials
                Not resolved to a course
                3
              6. CHEM 4620
                Introduction to Polymer Chemistry
                Not resolved to a course
                3
              7. CHEM 4630
                Technical and Leadership skills for Academia/Industry
                Not resolved to a course
                3
              8. CHEM 4690
                Aqueous Geochemistry
                Not resolved to a course
                4
              9. CHEM 4720
                Proteomics and Structural Bioinformatics
                Not resolved to a course
                4
              10. CHEM 4750
                Biocatalysis: Fundamentals and Applications
                Not resolved to a course
                3
              11. CHEM 4770
                Molecular Biochemistry II
                Not resolved to a course
                4
              12. CHEM 4200
                Industrial Chemistry
                Not resolved to a course
                3
              13. CHEM 4300
                Medicinal Chemistry
                Not resolved to a course
                3
              14. CHEM 4330
                Drug Discovery
                Not resolved to a course
                3
              15. CHEM 4010
                Inorganic Chemistry II
                Not resolved to a course
                3
              16. CHEM 4130
                Mass Spectrometry
                Not resolved to a course
                3

              Chemistry Honors Track

              6 items
              1. CHEM 4010
                Inorganic Chemistry II
                Not resolved to a course
                3
              2. CHEM 4020
                Experimental Chemistry III: Inorganic and Physical Methods
                Not resolved to a course
                3
              3. CHEM 4620
                Introduction to Polymer Chemistry
                Not resolved to a course
                3
              4. CHEM 2950
                Undergraduate Research
                Not resolved to a course
                or: CHEM 4970 - Advanced Research Project
                1
              5. CHEM 4950
                Culminating Research Experience
                Not resolved to a course
                or: CHEM 4990 - Senior Thesis
                1
              6. All Honors Track students must complete a minimum of 3 credits of approved undergraduate research, normally through CHEM 2930 , CHEM 2940 , CHEM 2950 , and/or CHEM 4970 , prior to enrollment in CHEM 4950 . With departmental approval, an appropriate undergraduate research experience such as Summer Program for Advanced Research in Chemistry (SPARC), Summer Undergraduate Research Award (SURA), or research-focused internship may satisfy the research preparation requirement. Recommended timing for these research credits is provided in the sample schedules on the Department website; however, students may complete them at any point during the program. Students who have shown exceptional progress in undergraduate research are encouraged to complete a Senior Thesis (CHEM 4990 ). This course would satisfy the CHEM 4950 Culminating Research Experience requirement.
                Not resolved to a course

              Pre-Med / Chemical Biology Track

              7 items
              1. BIOL 2120
                Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology
                Not resolved to a course
                3
              2. and
                Not resolved to a course
              3. BIOL 2125
                Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory
                Not resolved to a course
                1
              4. BIOL 2500
                Genetics and Evolution
                Not resolved to a course
                4
              5. CHEM 4030
                Experimental Chemistry III Abridged: Physical Methods
                Not resolved to a course
                2
              6. CHEM 4300
                Medicinal Chemistry
                Not resolved to a course
                3
              7. CHEM 4980
                Senior Capstone
                Not resolved to a course
                1

              Choose one of the following Chemistry Electives

              Choose 1 of the following · Choose one of the following Chemistry Electives · 12 items
              1. CHEM 4010
                Inorganic Chemistry II
                Not resolved to a course
                3
              2. CHEM 4130
                Mass Spectrometry
                Not resolved to a course
                3
              3. CHEM 4200
                Industrial Chemistry
                Not resolved to a course
                3
              4. CHEM 4330
                Drug Discovery
                Not resolved to a course
                3
              5. CHEM 4610
                Natural Polymers and Materials
                Not resolved to a course
                3
              6. CHEM 4620
                Introduction to Polymer Chemistry
                Not resolved to a course
                3
              7. CHEM 4630
                Technical and Leadership skills for Academia/Industry
                Not resolved to a course
                3
              8. CHEM 4720
                Proteomics and Structural Bioinformatics
                Not resolved to a course
                4
              9. CHEM 4750
                Biocatalysis: Fundamentals and Applications
                Not resolved to a course
                3
              10. CHEM 4770
                Molecular Biochemistry II
                Not resolved to a course
                4
              11. CHEM 4810
                Chemistry of the Environment
                Not resolved to a course
                4
              12. CHEM 4960
                Selected Topics in Chemistry
                Not resolved to a course
                1

              Choose one of the following Biology/Biochemistry Electives

              Choose 1 of the following · Choose one of the following Biology/Biochemistry Electives · 7 items
              1. BCBP 4800
                Methods in Biophysics
                Not resolved to a course
                4
              2. BIOL 4100
                From Neuron to Behavior
                Not resolved to a course
                4
              3. BIOL 4200
                Biostatistics
                Not resolved to a course
                4
              4. BIOL 4250
                Developmental Biology
                Not resolved to a course
                4
              5. BIOL 4270
                Human Physiology
                Not resolved to a course
                4
              6. BIOL 4310
                Microbiology
                Not resolved to a course
                4
              7. BIOL 4620
                Molecular Biology
                Not resolved to a course
                4

              Industrial Chemistry Track

              6 items
              1. CHEM 4030
                Experimental Chemistry III Abridged: Physical Methods
                Not resolved to a course
                2
              2. CHEM 4200
                Industrial Chemistry
                Not resolved to a course
                3
              3. CHEM 4620
                Introduction to Polymer Chemistry
                Not resolved to a course
                3
              4. CHEM 4980
                Senior Capstone
                Not resolved to a course
                1
              5. CHME 2010
                Material, Energy, and Entropy Balances
                Not resolved to a course
                3
              6. CHME 4010
                Transport Phenomena I
                Not resolved to a course
                4

              Choose two of the following Industrial Chemistry Track Electives

              Choose 2 of the following · Choose two of the following Industrial Chemistry Track Electives · 5 items
              1. CHEM 4630
                Technical and Leadership skills for Academia/Industry
                Not resolved to a course
                3
              2. CHME 2050
                Introduction to Computational Chemical Engineering
                Not resolved to a course
                3
              3. CHME 4030
                Chemical Process Dynamics and Control
                Not resolved to a course
                4
              4. CHME 4040
                Chemical Engineering Separations
                Not resolved to a course
                3
              5. CHME 4500
                Chemical Reactor Design
                Not resolved to a course
                3

              Environmental Chemistry Track

              6 items
              1. CHEM 4030
                Experimental Chemistry III Abridged: Physical Methods
                Not resolved to a course
                2
              2. CHEM 4810
                Chemistry of the Environment
                Not resolved to a course
                4
              3. CHEM 4980
                Senior Capstone
                Not resolved to a course
                1
              4. ERTH 1125
                Introduction to Environmental Science
                Not resolved to a course
                4
              5. ERTH 4690
                Aqueous Geochemistry
                Not resolved to a course
                4
              6. ENVE 2110
                Introduction to Environmental Engineering
                Not resolved to a course
                4

              Choose one of the following Environmental Chemistry Track Elective

              Choose 1 of the following · Choose one of the following Environmental Chemistry Track Elective · 10 items
              1. ENVE 4320
                Environmental Chemodynamics
                Not resolved to a course
                4
              2. ENVE 4330
                Introduction to Air Quality
                Not resolved to a course
                3
              3. ENVE 4340
                Physicochemical Processes in Environmental Engineering
                Not resolved to a course
                4
              4. ENVE 4560
                Isotope Geochemistry
                Not resolved to a course
                4
              5. ENVE 4710
                Groundwater Hydrology
                Not resolved to a course
                4
              6. ERTH 2330
                Earth Materials
                Not resolved to a course
                4
              7. ERTH 4190
                Environmental Measurements
                Not resolved to a course
                4
              8. ERTH 4500
                Earth’s Climate: Past, Present, and Future
                Not resolved to a course
                4
              9. ERTH 4540
                Organic Geochemistry
                Not resolved to a course
                4
              10. IENV 4700
                One Mile of the Hudson River
                Not resolved to a course
                4

              Footnotes

              5 items
              1. CHEM 1100
                or CHEM 1110 may be substituted for CHEM 1120 by students transferring into Chemistry.
                Not resolved to a course
              2. ENGR 1600
                may be substituted for CHEM 1220 by students transferring into Chemistry.
                Not resolved to a course
              3. Either BIOL 1010 and BIOL 1015 or BIOL 1016 , or BIOL 2120 and BIOL 2125 (recommended) are required courses in the Chemistry program.
                Not resolved to a course
              4. These courses should be completed by the end of the second year / fourth semester. ADMN 1030 (or equivalent) is recommended as a prerequisite to ILEA 4400 (or equivalent). While both courses may be taken in any semester, the suggested sequence should be followed when possible.
                Not resolved to a course
              5. CHEM 4950
                may be substituted for CHEM 4980 . A minimum of 3 elective credits combined should be used for undergraduate research (CHEM 2930 , CHEM 2940 , CHEM 2950 , and/or CHEM 4970 ) as prerequisites for CHEM 4950 . These research credits may replace some free elective credits
                Not resolved to a course
              Source. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, catalog Rensselaer Catalog 2026-2027 — https://catalog.rpi.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=34&poid=10265&returnto=938. Captured page pages/0059.html.gz. Assembled from the institution's published catalog as captured; every record names its captured page and source URL. Assembled, not asserted.