Chemistry & Biochemistry Curriculum
Students can choose only one of the following three degree options: Chemistry major, Chemistry minor, Biochemistry major (there is no Biochemistry minor). We strongly recommend that all primary Chemistry majors additionally attain certification by the American Chemical Society. As the most prestigious and most comprehensive option, it will provide flexible career options after graduation. Biochemistry majors can also choose to attain ACS certification.
NOTE: Degree requirements for incoming students may not reflect the actual degree requirements of current students.
Current students should consult their own academic advisement report in my.butler.edu to see their individual requirements and progress toward degree completion.
Introductory Courses
- CH105-06 General Chemistry 1 & 2, or CH107 Advanced General Chemistry
Allied Courses
- MA106-7 Calculus 1 & 2
- PH107-8 or PH201-2 Physics
Foundational Chemistry Courses
Five foundational courses from the following list:
- CH321 Analytical Chemistry
- CH331 Inorganic Chemistry
- CH351 Organic Chemistry
- CH361 or CH362 Biological Chemistry (cannot count both)
- CH371 Physical Chemistry
In-depth Chemistry Courses
Four in-depth courses from the following list:
- CH352 Organic Chemistry 2
- CH422 Analytical Chemistry 2
- CH425 Environmental Chemistry
- CH431 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
- CH451 Advanced Organic Chemistry
- CH462 Biochemistry 2
- CH472 Physical Chemistry 2
- CH4x9 Special Topics in Chemistry
Required Laboratory Experience
400 laboratory hours spread across four of the following five areas:
1. Analytical Chemistry
- CH321 (42/200 lab hours)
- CH424 (56/400 lab hours)
2. Biological Chemistry
- CH363 (42/400 lab hours)
- CH463 (56/400 lab hours)
3. Inorganic Chemistry
- CH433 (56/400 lab hours)
4. Organic Chemistry
- CH351 (42/400 lab hours)
- CH352 (42/400 lab hours)
- CH453 (56/400 lab hours)
5. Physical Chemistry
- CH473 (56/400 lab hours)
Other Laboratory Research (up to 180/400 lab hours):
(area depends on expertise of the supervising faculty member)
(any research experience from this category must be documented with a final report*)
- CH493 (42/400 lab hours for each semester enrolled)
- CH494 (84/400 lab hours for each semester enrolled)
- Non-credit Summer research**
* A student using CH493/4 research to meet the ACS certification requirements must prepare a well-written, comprehensive, and well-documented research report, including safety considerations when appropriate. Thorough and current references to peer-reviewed literature play a critical role in establishing the overall scholarship of the report. One report is required per research project (i.e. only one report is required for an ongoing project pursued over multiple semesters). A completed honors thesis can qualify as this report. No presentations (oral, poster), nor journal article co-authorships substitute for the student writing a comprehensive report. Non-thesis reports should be prepared as part of CH411 Independent Study credit under the faculty mentor.
**Students pursuing Summer Research under the direction of a Butler Chemistry and Biochemistry faculty member can fold that research into a CH411 report or honors thesis (CH499). Students pursuing Summer Research outside of the department must 1) have a faculty member of the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department with subdiscipline-specific expertise certify that the research should count in one of the five fundamental areas defined above, and 2) complete either a thesis advised by that faculty member, or complete the above report as part of CH411 under that faculty member.
Required Introductory Chemistry Courses
- CH105-6 General Chemistry 1 & 2, or CH107 Advanced General Chemistry
- CH351-2 Organic Chemistry 1 & 2
Required Allied Courses
- MA106 Calculus 1
- PH107-8 Elementary Physics, or PH201-2 Analytical Physics
Three 300-Level Chemistry Courses
Three 300-level courses from the following list:
- CH321 Analytical Chemistry
- CH331 Inorganic Chemistry
- CH361 or CH362 Biological Chemistry (cannot count both)
- CH371 Physical Chemistry
One 400-Level Lecture Course
One 400-level lecture course from the following list:
- CH422 Analytical Chemistry 2
- CH425 Environmental Chemistry
- CH431 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
- CH451 Advanced Organic Chemistry
- CH462 Biochemistry 2
- CH472 Physical Chemistry 2
- CH4x9 Special Topics in Chemistry
One 400-Level Laboratory Course
One 400-level laboratory course from the following list:
- CH424 Instrumental Analysis Laboratory
- CH433 Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory
- CH453 Advanced Organic Chemistry Laboratory
- CH463 Biochemistry Laboratory 2
- CH473 Physical Chemistry Laboratory
One 400-Level Three Hour Topics Course
One 400-level three hour topic course from the following list:
- CH408 Chemistry in Our Lives
- CH418 Chemistry and Global Issues
Required Allied Courses
(16-18 cr from this group)
- MA106-7 Calculus 1 & 2 (8 cr)
- PH107 or PH201 Physics 1 (4/5 cr)
- PH108 pr PH202 Physics 2 (4/5 cr)
Required CH Courses
- CH190 Modern Issues in Chemistry (1 cr)
- CH105-6 or CH107 General Chemistry (5/8 cr)
- CH321 Analytical Chemistry (3 cr)
- CH331 Inorganic Chemistry (3 cr)
- CH351-2 Organic Chemistry 1 & 2 (8 cr)
- CH361 Biochemistry 1 (3 cr)
- CH371 Physical Chemistry (3 cr)
One 400-Level CH Lecture Course
One 400-level lecture course from the following list:
(3-5 cr from this group)
- CH422 Analytical Chemistry 2 (3 cr)
- CH431 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (3 cr)
- CH451 Advanced Organic Chemistry (3 cr)
- CH462/CH464 Biochemistry 2 (5 cr)
- CH472 Physical Chemistry 2 (3 cr)
- CH4x9 Special Topics in Chemistry (3 cr)
- CH425 Environmental Chemistry (3 cr)
One 400-Level Laboratory Course
One 400-level laboratory course from the following list:
(3 cr from this group)
- CH424 Instrumental Analysis Laboratory (3 cr)
- CH433 Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory (3 cr)
- CH453 Advanced Organic Chemistry Laboratory (3 cr)
- CH463 Biochemistry Laboratory 2 (3 cr)
- CH473 Physical Chemistry Laboratory (3 cr)
One 400-Level Three Hour Topics Course
One 400-level three hour topic course from the following list:
(3 cr from this group)
- CH408 Chemistry in Our Lives (3 cr)
- CH418 Chemistry and Global Issues (3 cr)
Chemistry with Distinction is awarded to any nominee who has a GPA of at least 3.6 in the Chemistry major. All of the following courses taken at Butler on an ABC grade basis will be used for this GPA calculation. Transfer credit in these classes will not be used in this GPA calculation:
Non-CH requisites
- MA106 Calculus 1
- PH107 Elementary Physics I
- PH108 Elementary Physics II
- PH201 Analytical Physics I
- PH202 Analytical Physics II
General Chemistry
- CH105 General Chemistry I
- CH106 General Chemistry II
- CH107 Advanced General Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
- CH351 Organic Chemistry I
- CH352 Organic Chemistry II
- CH451 Advanced Organic Chemistry
- CH453 Advanced Organic Chemistry Laboratory
- CH459 Special Topics in Organic Chemistry
Societal Chemistry
- CH408 Chemistry in our Lives
- CH418 Chemical Issues in the Global Modern World
Analytical/Environmental Chemistry
- CH321 Analytical Chemistry I
- CH422 Analytical Chemistry II
- CH424 Instrumental Analysis Laboratory
- CH425 Environmental Chemistry
- CH429 Special Topics in Analytical Chemistry
Inorganic Chemistry
- CH331 Inorganic Chemistry
- CH431 Inorganic Chemistry II
- CH433 Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory
- CH439 Special Topics in Inorganic Chemistry
Physical Chemistry
- CH371 Physical Chemistry I
- CH472 Physical Chemistry II
- CH473 Physical Chemistry Laboratory
- CH479 Special Topics in Physical Chemistry
Biochemistry
- CH361 Introduction to Biochemistry
- CH362 Biochemistry I
- CH363 Biochemistry Laboratory I
- CH462 Biochemistry II
- CH463 Biochemistry Laboratory II
- CH469 Special Topics in Biochemistry
Chemistry with High Distinction
Chemistry with High Distinction is awarded to a nominee who has a GPA of at least 3.7 in the Chemistry major and additionally has completed a thesis with a topic approved by a Chemistry and Biochemistry faculty member and also the LAS College Honors Board. The coursework used for determining the Chemistry GPA are exactly the same as those for earning Chemistry with Distinction.
Chemistry with Highest Distinction
Chemistry with Highest Distinction is awarded to a nominee who has a GPA of at least 3.8 in the Chemistry major and additionally has completed a thesis with a topic approved by a Chemistry and Biochemistry faculty member and also the LAS College Honors Board. The coursework used for determining the Chemistry GPA are exactly the same as those for earning Chemistry with Distinction.
For students matriculating into Butler University prior to fall 2021, completion of the Chemistry minor requires the following courses:
Strictly Required Chemistry Courses
- CH105-6 General Chemistry 1 & 2, OR CH107 Advanced General Chemistry
- CH351 Organic Chemistry 1
- CH352 Organic Chemistry 2
One of the Following Elective Chemistry Courses
- CH321 Analytical Chemistry I
- CH331 Inorganic Chemistry I (was CH332 before fall 2020)
- CH361 Introduction to Biochemistry
- CH362 Biochemistry I (was CH361 before fall 2020)
- CH371 Physical Chemistry I (was CH471 before fall 2020)
- CH408 Chemistry in our Lives
- CH418 Chemical Issues in the Modern Global World
- CH472 Physical Chemistry II
For students matriculating into Butler University in or after fall 2021, completion of the Chemistry minor requires the following courses:
Strictly Required Chemistry Courses
- CH105-06 General Chemistry 1 & 2, OR CH107 Advanced General Chemistry
- CH351 Organic Chemistry 1
Three of the Following Elective Chemistry Courses
- CH352 Organic Chemistry 2
- CH361 Introduction to Biochemistry OR CH362 Biochemistry 1 (cannot count both)
- CH321 Analytical Chemistry 1
- CH422 Analytical Chemistry 2
- CH429 Special Topics in Analytical Chemistry
- CH425 Environmental Chemistry
- CH331 Inorganic Chemistry
- CH431 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
- CH371 Physical Chemistry 1
- CH472 Physical Chemistry 2
- CH408 Chemistry in our Lives OR CH418 Chemical Issues in the Modern Global World
Required Chemistry Courses
- CH105-6 General Chemistry 1 & 2, or CH107 Advanced General Chemistry
- CH351-2 Organic Chemistry 1 & 2
- CH321 Analytical Chemistry
- CH360 Modern Issues in Biochemistry
- CH362 Biochemistry 1
- CH462 Biochemistry 2
- CH363 Biochemistry Laboratory 1
- CH464 Experiental Learning in Macromolecular Structure
Required Allied Courses
- MA106 Calculus 1
- BI210 Genetics
- BI220 Cell Biology
- PH107-8 Elementary Physics, or PH201-2 Physics 1 & 2
Electives (at least 6 credit hours, CH or BI)
Approved CH Electives
- CH331 Inorganic Chemistry (3 cr)
- CH371 Physical Chemistry (3 cr) (MA107 prerequisite)
- CH408 (3 cr) or CH418 (3 cr) (cannot count both)
- CH422 Analytical Chemistry II (3 cr)
- CH431 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (3 cr, SAC)
- CH451 Advanced Organic Chemistry (3 cr)
- CH472 Physical Chemistry II (3 cr)
- CH4X9 Special Topics in Chemistry (3 cr, CH429 is SAC)
- CH425 Environmental Chemistry (3 cr, SAC)
- CH424 Instrumental Analysis Laboratory (3 cr, WAC)
- CH433 Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory (3 cr)
- CH453 Advanced Organic Chemistry Laboratory (3 cr)
- CH463 Biochemistry Laboratory 2 (3 cr, WAC)
- CH473 Physical Chemistry Laboratory (3 cr, WAC)
Approved BI Electives
BI courses with BI220 prerequisite:
- BI323 Principles of Immunology (2 cr)
- BI325 Principles of Pathogenic Microbiology (3 cr)
BI courses with BI230 prerequisite:
- BI411 Principles of Physiology (4 cr)
- BI432 Plant Physiology (4 cr)
- BI433 Advanced Cell Biology (4 cr)
- BI434 Transmission Genetics (4 cr)
- BI435 Molecular Genetics (4 cr)
- BI436 Genomics, Bioinformatics and Gene Evolution (4 cr)
- BI438 Microbiology (4 cr)
- BI440 Molecular Virology (4 cr)
- BI460 Cell and Molecular Biology (4 cr)
Required Chemistry Courses
- CH105-6 General Chemistry 1 & 2 (8 cr), or CH107 Advanced General Chemistry (5 cr)
- CH160 Modern Issues in Biochemistry (1 cr)
- CH351-2 Organic Chemistry 1 & 2 (8 cr)
- CH321 Analytical Chemistry 1 (4 cr)
- CH361 Introduction to Biochemistry (3 cr)
- CH362 Biochemistry 1 (3 cr)
- CH462 Biochemistry 2 (3 cr)
- CH464 Experiental Learning in Macromolecular Structure (2 cr)
- CH363 Biochemistry Laboratory 1 (2 cr)
- One 400-level CH laboratory course from among the following: CH424, CH433, CH453, CH463, CH473 (3 cr)
Required Allied Courses
- MA106 Calculus 1 (4 cr)
- BI210 Genetics (4 cr)
- BI220 Cell Biology (4 cr)
Electives
(must complete at least 3 credit hours CH, and another 3 credit hours of CH or BI)
Approved CH Electives
- CH331 Inorganic Chemistry (3 cr)
- CH371 Physical Chemistry (3 cr) (MA107 prerequisite)
- CH408 (3 cr) or CH418 (3 cr) (cannot count both)
- CH422 Analytical Chemistry II (3 cr)
- CH431 Inorganic Chemistry 2 (3 cr)
- CH451 Advanced Organic Chemistry (3 cr)
- CH472 Physical Chemistry II (3 cr)
- CH4X9 any Special Topics in Chemistry course (3 cr)
- CH425 Environmental Chemistry (3 cr)
Approved BI Electives
BI courses with BI220 prerequisite:
- BI323 Principles of Immunology (2 cr)
- BI325 Principles of Pathogenic Microbiology (3 cr)
BI courses with BI230 prerequisite:
- BI411 Principles of Physiology (4 cr)
- BI432 Plant Physiology (4 cr)
- BI433 Advanced Cell Biology (4 cr)
- BI434 Transmission Genetics (4 cr)
- BI435 Molecular Genetics (4 cr)
- BI436 Genomics, Bioinformatics and Gene Evolution (4 cr)
- BI438 Microbiology (4 cr)
- BI440 Molecular Virology (4 cr)
- NS460 (3 cr) or BI460 Cell and Molecular Biology (4 cr) (cannot count both)
Biochemistry with Distinction
Biochemistry with Distinction is awarded to any nominee who has a GPA of at least 3.6 in the Biochemistry major. All of the following courses taken at Butler on an ABC grade basis will be used for this GPA calculation. Transfer credit in these classes will not be used in this GPA calculation.
Non-CH Requisites
- MA106 Calculus I
- PH107 Elementary Physics I
- PH108 Elementary Physics II
- BI210 Genetics – Fundamentals
- BI220 Cellular and Molecular Biology – Fundamentals
Biology Electives
- BI323 Principles of Immunology
- BI325 Principles of Pathogenic Microbiology
- BI411 Principles of Physiology
- BI432 Plant Physiology
- BI433 Advanced Cell Biology
- BI434 Transmission Genetics
- BI435 Molecular Genetics
- BI436 Genomics, Bioinformatics and Gene Evolution
- BI438 Microbiology
- BI440 Molecular Virology
- BI460 Cell and Molecular Neurobiology
General Chemistry
- CH105 General Chemistry 1
- CH106 General Chemistry 2
- CH107 Advanced General Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
- CH351 Organic Chemistry 1
- CH352 Organic Chemistry 2
- CH451 Advanced Organic Chemistry
- CH453 Advanced Organic Chemistry Laboratory
- CH459 Special Topics in Organic Chemistry
Analytical/Environmental Chemistry
- CH321 Analytical Chemistry 1
- CH422 Analytical Chemistry 2
- CH425 Environmental Chemistry
- CH429 Special Topics in Analytical Chemistry
Inorganic Chemistry
- CH331 Inorganic Chemistry
- CH431 Inorganic Chemistry 2
- CH433 Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory
- CH439 Special Topics in Inorganic Chemistry
Physical Chemistry
- CH371 Physical Chemistry 1
- CH472 Physical Chemistry 2
- CH473 Physical Chemistry Laboratory
- CH479 Special Topics in Physical Chemistry
Societal Chemistry
- CH408 Chemistry in our Lives
- CH418 Chemical Issues in the Global Modern World
Biochemistry
- CH360 Modern Issues in Biochemistry
- CH361 Introduction to Biochemistry
- CH362 Biochemistry 1
- CH363 Biochemistry Laboratory 1
- CH462 Biochemistry 2
- CH463 Biochemistry Laboratory 1
- CH469 Special Topics in Biochemistry
Biochemistry with High Distinction
Biochemistry with High Distinction is awarded to a nominee who has a GPA of at least 3.7 in the Biochemistry major and additionally has completed a thesis with a topic approved by a Chemistry and Biochemistry faculty member and also the LAS College Honors Board. The coursework used for determining the Biochemistry GPA are exactly the same as those for earning Biochemistry with Distinction.
Biochemistry with Highest Distinction
Biochemistry with Highest Distinction is awarded to a nominee who has a GPA of at least 3.8 in the Biochemistry major and additionally has completed a thesis with a topic approved by a Chemistry and Biochemistry faculty member and also the LAS College Honors Board. The coursework used for determining the Biochemistry GPA are exactly the same as those for earning Biochemistry with Distinction.
For more information, visit Pre-Health Advising, or contact your academic advisor.
For more information, visit Undergraduate/Middle/Secondary Education.