College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Department of Chemistry

Chemistry Degree Curriculum Requirements

Information Sheets

The department has created a series of information sheets that provide details on specific topics related to the chemistry major. Click on the appropriate link you are interested in:

Chemistry Curriculum Guide (PDF 138kb)
Chemistry Information Sheet (PDF 55kb)
A Chemistry / MBA program (PDF 67kb)
Chemistry and Pre-Health Studies (PDF 74kb)
Chemistry and Secondary Education (PDF 95kb)
A sample schedule for a chemistry major (PDF 226kb)
Internship information

Our Mission

The mission of the Department of Chemistry at Butler University is to provide a program in chemistry that offers opportunities for a quality and comprehensive learning experience for students.

The Chemistry Major

The Department of Chemistry at Butler University is proud to offer a degree certified by the American Chemical Society (ACS). Certification ensures a solid foundation in science through critical thought and broad exposure to the various facets of chemistry. For a Chemistry Major that is certified by the American Chemical Society, a student must complete the following course offerings:

  • General Chemistry - CH105 & CH106 or CH107
  • Organic Chemistry - CH351 & CH352
  • Analytical Chemistry - CH321, CH422, and CH424
  • Inorganic Chemistry - CH332, CH431, and CH432
  • Physical Chemistry - CH471, CH472, and either CH473 or CH474
  • Biochemistry - CH461
  • Chemistry Literature - CH491
  • Chemistry Seminar - CH492
  • Calculus - MA106 and MA107
  • Physics - PH107-8 or PH201-2

Furthermore, a student with a major certified by the ACS must complete at least 6 hours of advanced chemistry electives and a total of 500 laboratory contact hours which will require additional laboratory courses. Undergraduate research is strongly encouraged, especially for those students aiming for graduate studies in chemistry.

The department also offers a broad-based Honors Curriculum. While complete requirements can be found in the Bulletin, the course requirements are:

  • General Chemistry - CH105 & CH106 or CH107
  • Organic Chemistry - CH351 & CH352
  • Analytical Chemistry - CH321
  • Inorganic Chemistry - CH332
  • Physical Chemistry - CH471, CH472
  • Biochemistry - CH461
  • Calculus - MA106 and MA107
  • Physics - PH107-8 or PH201-2

Students who wish to double major with some other discipline can earn a Chemistry Major by completing a minimum of 32 hours of chemistry:

  • General Chemistry - CH105 & CH106 or CH107
  • Organic Chemistry - CH351 & CH352
  • At least three courses from this list (two of the four chemistry divisions are required)
    • Analytical - CH321, CH422
    • Inorganic - CH332, CH431
    • Biochemistry - CH461, CH462
    • Physical - CH471, CH472
  • Calculus - MA106
  • Physics - PH107-8 or PH201-2

The Chemistry Minor

The chemistry department offers a minor in chemistry with is comprised of General Chemistry (CH105-6 or CH107), Organic Chemistry (CH351-2), and one of the following advanced chemistry courses:

  • Analytical - CH321
  • Inorganic - CH332
  • Biochemistry - CH461
  • Physical - CH471, CH472

Departmental Honors Courses

The chemistry department offers Chemistry Seminar (CH492) and Undergraduate Research (CH493) which fulfill the requirements for university honors.

Chemistry Internships

Our department has numerous connections with area businesses and offers several internship programs for students who wish to explore outside of the classroom. In addition, many national and international programs are offered through the University. The chemistry department will give a maximum of 9 hours of elective credit for internships.

Writing Intensive and Computer Classes

Our department offers a number of courses that fulfill the University requirement for computer literacy and intensive writing:

  1. Computer literacy courses can be taken at any point during the student's time at Butler University. The departmental offerings are:
    • Analytical - CH321
    • Physical - CH473 or CH474
  2. Intensive Writing courses are to be taken during the junior or senior year. The chemistry courses that fulfill this requirement are:
    • Analytical - CH424
    • Physical - CH473 or CH474
    • Biochemistry - CH463 or CH464