Chemistry

College of Arts and Sciences

Chemistry deals principally with the properties of molecules, the chemical reactions that occur between them and the natural laws that describe molecular interactions. Chemistry is a central science, having strong interactions with biology, medicine, earth and environmental sciences, physics and mathematics. B.A. and B.S. decree programs in chemistry prepare students for graduate school, health professions, careers in the chemical industry, teaching at a high school level and a host of other career options.

* A small percentage of students are admitted to this major directly as freshmen. The majority will be admitted through the standard admission process after enrolling at the UW.

Major category: Capacity-constrained

Minor available

Curricular options: B.A., B.S., B.S. ACS certified

Topic: Health, Natural sciences, Engineering-option

website   Degree requirements

Applicant type

Freshman

Freshmen can apply to the UW to begin autumn quarter or winter quarter (U.S. applicants only)

Read more about applying to the UW as a freshman, including details for programs that provide high school students with college credit (like Running Start).


Transfer

Quarters of general admission to UW: autumn / winter (U.S. applicants only) / spring

Preparation for the major is a factor in transfer admission.

  • Use the information below to help you prepare for this degree
  • Visit MyPlan to run a degree audit.
  • Use the UW Equivalency Guide to find out how courses taken at a Washington state community or technical college will transfer to the UW.
  • UW college and school graduation requirements

Department admission information

  • Departmental application deadline: April 5th; October 5th
  • Please contact the department for details about the application process.

Transfer students must submit two applications: one to undergraduate admissions and one to the Chemistry major. For more information, visit the department’s website.

Read more about applying to the UW as a transfer student.

Courses required for the major:

Regular Admission

One of the following CHEM series:

  • CHEM 142 NSc RSN – General Chemistry
  • CHEM 152 NSc RSN – General Chemistry
  • CHEM 162 NSc RSN – General Chemistry

OR

  • CHEM 145 NSc RSN – Advanced General Chemistry
  • CHEM 155 NSc RSN – Advanced General Chemistry
  • CHEM 165 NSc RSN – Advanced General Chemistry

OR

  • CHEM 143 NSc RSN – Accelerated General Chemistry
  • CHEM 153 NSc RSN – Accelerated General Chemistry

One of the following CHEM series:

  • CHEM 237 NSc – Organic Chemistry
  • CHEM 238 NSc – Organic Chemistry

OR

  • CHEM 335 NSc – Honors Organic Chemistry
  • CHEM 336 NSc – Honors Organic Chemistry

One of the following MATH series:

  • MATH 124 NSc RSN – Calculus Analytic Geometry I
  • MATH 125 NSc – Calculus Analytic Geometry II

OR

  • MATH 134 NSc RSN – Accelerated [Honors] Calculus
  • MATH 135 NSc – Accelerated [Honors] Calculus

One of the following PHYS series:

  • PHYS 114 NSc RSN – General Physics
  • PHYS 115 NSc – General Physics

OR

  • PHYS 121 NSc RSN – Mechanics (recommended)
  • PHYS 122 NSc – Electromagnetism (recommended)

Direct Transfer Admission

Open to transfer students who submit a departmental application for the same quarter they submit an application to the University.

  • CHEM 142 NSc RSN – General Chemistry
  • CHEM 152 NSc RSN – General Chemistry
  • CHEM 162 NSc RSN – General Chemistry
  • MATH 124 NSc RSN – Calculus Analytic Geometry I
  • MATH 125 NSc – Calculus Analytic Geometry II

One of the following PHYS series:

  • PHYS 114 NSc RSN – General Physics
  • PHYS 115 NSc – General Physics

OR

  • PHYS 121 NSc RSN – Mechanics (recommended)
  • PHYS 122 NSc – Electromagnetism (recommended)

Entering transfer information:

Total undergraduates: 247
Total from Washington community colleges: 24

Entering transfer GPA (from WA community colleges):

3.75 – 4.00: 9
3.50 – 3.74: 8
3.25 – 3.49: 0
3.00 – 3.24: 3
2.75 – 2.99: 4
2.50 – 2.74: 0
2.49 and below: 0


Career outcomes