Major map compass icon
2021-2022

Chemistry with a concentration in chemical science, Bachelor of Science (accelerated masters degree option)

VCU

Community college:
Associate of Science: Science (Reynolds Community College (program specific pathway))
Reynolds Community College
Reynolds Community College
Program description

The curriculum in chemistry prepares students for graduate study in chemistry and related fields and for admission to schools of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and veterinary medicine. It prepares students to teach in secondary schools or to work in chemical and industrial laboratories and in related fields of business and industry.


With the proper selection of electives, the degree satisfies admission requirements to most professional school such as schools of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and veterinary medicine.


The biochemistry concentration focuses on the biological aspects of chemistry, including molecular genetics and molecular biotechnology.


The chemical modeling concentration emphasizes areas of overlap between chemistry and the mathematical sciences and computer science. Students in this concentration will focus on learning the chemistry and computer technology for modeling the structure, properties and reactivity of molecules.


The chemical science concentration is tailored for the pre-professional study of the health sciences and other interdisciplinary areas where an emphasis on chemistry is sought. This concentration for the bachelor's degree in chemistry permits students to select more courses from other disciplines. With fewer requirements in mathematics, physics and chemistry, this concentration is one option for students planning to study medicine or dentistry.


The professional chemist concentration requires a greater number of chemistry courses, and is designed for students whose future studies or career plans involve chemistry as a central theme. With the proper combination of courses, this degree can be certified as meeting the requirements of the American Chemical Society.


The capstone requirement includes upper level lecture and upper level laboratory courses to include a research component.

Career opportunities
The employment pathways for chemical professionals can be divided into five main sectors: industry, academia, government, non-profit, and entrepreneurship.  Within each of these sectors, areas of career opportunity include research and development, quality control/regulatory, environment and health, law and policy, manufacturing,  education, military and law enforcement, and technical communication. Common skills include science, critical thinking, reading, active listening, mathematics, and both deductive and inductive reasoning. Technical skills are highly preferred in areas such as analytical/scientific software, computer aided design (CAD), databases/query software, graphics, and Office suite. With the proper selection of electives, the degree satisfies admission requirements to most schools of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and veterinary medicine.
Bachelor-level job titles
  • Business Intelligence Analysts
  • Chemical Technician
  • Environmental Science and Protection Technicians
  • Food Technologist
  • Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists
  • Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
  • Operations Research Analysts
  • Quality Control Analysts
  • Regulatory Affairs Specialists
  • Secondary School Teachers
  • Survey Researchers
  • Technical Writers
Graduate and professional level job titles
  • Chemist
  • College Professor
  • Material Scientist
  • Research Director
Contact information

 

VCU Transfer Center

Telephone: (804) 827-1349

Email: transferinfo@vcu.edu

Transfer Advising Request

VCCS Transfer Planning Checklist


Office of Admissions

Telephone: (804) 828-1222 or (800) 841-3638

Email: ugrad@vcu.edu
Apply Here.

Guaranteed transfer admission requirements

Completion of associate degree
Minimum GPA of 2.5
All courses must be completed with a grade of "C" or better

Highest level of math required
  • MATH 201 or higher
Science required
  • 5+ additional science courses
Foreign language requirements
  • Yes
Additional tuition/fees
  • Yes
GPA requirements (to progress/graduate in the major)
  • 2.0+ cumulative GPA

Transfer major map
Visit majormaps.vcu.edu for the online version with links.
Sponsored by the Office of the Provost
Major map compass icon
2021-2022

Chemistry with a concentration in chemical science, Bachelor of Science (accelerated masters degree option)

Reynolds Community College (program specific pathway) (Associate of Science: Science)

MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
Explore Year 1
  • Attend Reynolds orientation (SOAR).
  • Use Navigate to schedule an appointment with your academic advisor each semester.
  • Cultivate relationships with your professors.
  • Meet with VCU STEM Transitions Transfer Coordinator to discuss options and create a plan for a successful transition to VCU.
  • Be prepared for academic challenges in your classes and use tutoring resources to get ahead.
  • Register for SDV 101 Orientation to STEM Disciplines.
  • Attend cultural events at community college and/or VCU and celebrate diversity.
  • Attend VCU’s annual Intercultural Festival or another community intercultural event.
  • Browse careers related to chemistry through the Virginia Wizard.
  • Explore the community college’s iGrad’s Job Genius Search Engine to look into building a career and financial future.
  • Build a LinkedIn profile.
  • Create, upload and update your resume to the College Central Network.
  • Take a career assessment through the Virginia Wizard.
  • Practice independent living skills (such as money management, self-care, time management, and personal responsibility).
  • Assess your preparation for a career by completing a Gap Analysis.
  • Familiarize yourself with the Career Services offered at Community College and VCU and explore Career Pathways on VCU Career Services’ Website.
Experience Year 2
  • Learn about short-term, semester and year-long study abroad options.
  • Continue learning a foreign language, or make a plan for undertaking that study at VCU.
  • Attend VCU cultural events, including the monthly Global Café, VCU Diversity Scholars in Research week, or Chemistry-related events.
  • Become familiar with OMSA at VCU.
  • Attend Career & Internship Fairs at community college or VCU to explore your interests.
  • Plan to complete at least two internships (job experiences) before your senior year of college.
  • Create a draft resume and bring it to career services advisor or workshop for review.
  • Find out about VCU REAL and learn about REAL graduation requirement.
  • Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
  • Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people. Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network.
  • Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.
  • Use the cost calculator to estimate your tuition/fees as an upperclassman at VCU.
  • Take advantage of free Financial Aid counseling.
  • Explore the types of aid available at VCU.

Explore
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
  • Attend Reynolds orientation (SOAR).
  • Use Navigate to schedule an appointment with your academic advisor each semester.
  • Cultivate relationships with your professors.
  • Meet with VCU STEM Transitions Transfer Coordinator to discuss options and create a plan for a successful transition to VCU.
  • Be prepared for academic challenges in your classes and use tutoring resources to get ahead.
  • Register for SDV 101 Orientation to STEM Disciplines.
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Attend cultural events at community college and/or VCU and celebrate diversity.
  • Attend VCU’s annual Intercultural Festival or another community intercultural event.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Browse careers related to chemistry through the Virginia Wizard.
  • Explore the community college’s iGrad’s Job Genius Search Engine to look into building a career and financial future.
  • Build a LinkedIn profile.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Create, upload and update your resume to the College Central Network.
  • Take a career assessment through the Virginia Wizard.
  • Practice independent living skills (such as money management, self-care, time management, and personal responsibility).
  • Assess your preparation for a career by completing a Gap Analysis.
  • Familiarize yourself with the Career Services offered at Community College and VCU and explore Career Pathways on VCU Career Services’ Website.

Experience
MAXIMIZE COURSE AND DEGREE PLANNING
GET CONNECTED WITH YOUR COMMUNITY
DEVELOP CULTURAL AGILITY
  • Learn about short-term, semester and year-long study abroad options.
  • Continue learning a foreign language, or make a plan for undertaking that study at VCU.
  • Attend VCU cultural events, including the monthly Global Café, VCU Diversity Scholars in Research week, or Chemistry-related events.
  • Become familiar with OMSA at VCU.
EXPLORE CAREERS AND DEVELOP ESSENTIAL SKILLS
  • Attend Career & Internship Fairs at community college or VCU to explore your interests.
  • Plan to complete at least two internships (job experiences) before your senior year of college.
  • Create a draft resume and bring it to career services advisor or workshop for review.
  • Find out about VCU REAL and learn about REAL graduation requirement.
PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER COLLEGE
  • Conduct informational interviews or shadow someone in a field of career interest.
  • Using LinkedIn, connect to at least 10 people. Check out the VCU alumni page in My Network.
  • Consider who you would like to have serve as professional and academic references for future letters of recommendation.
  • Use the cost calculator to estimate your tuition/fees as an upperclassman at VCU.
  • Take advantage of free Financial Aid counseling.
  • Explore the types of aid available at VCU.

Recommended courses
Major map compass icon
2021-2022

Chemistry with a concentration in chemical science, Bachelor of Science (accelerated masters degree option)

Reynolds Community College (program specific pathway) (Associate of Science: Science)

Reynolds Community College (program specific pathway) courses
Course Title Equivalent course Credits Requirements
SDV 101 Orientation to STEM Disciplines UNIV 101 1 Elective
MTH 167 Precalculus with Trigonometry (or MTH 161-162 Precalculus I-II) MATH 151 5 General education
ENG 111 College Composition I Note: students with credit for AP English Language and Composition will only receive credit for UNIV 111 at VCU and should take ENG 112 to fulfill the VCU composition requirement. UNIV 111-112 3 General education
Laboratory Science I CHM 111 General Chemistry I CHEM/Z 101 4 Major (Ancillary)
HIS U.S. or Western Civilization History (select 1): HIS 101, 102, 121, 122 HIST 3 General education
CSC 155 Computer Concepts and Applications INFO 160, 161, 162 3 Elective
ENG 112 College Composition  II UNIV 200 3 General education
MTH 263 Calculus I MATH 200 4 Major
Laboratory Science II CHM 112 General Chemistry II CHEM/Z 102 4 Major
HLT/PED Personal Wellness Elective VCU equivalent 1 Elective
HIS U.S. or Western Civilization History (select 1): HIS 101, 102, 121, 122 HIST 3 General education
Laboratory Science III BIO 101 General Biology I BIOL/Z 151 4 General education
Laboratory Science elective CHM 241 + CHM 245 Organic Chemistry and Laboratory CHEM/Z 301 5 Major
Social/Behavioral Science Select 1: PLS 211, PSY 200, SOC 200, 210 VCU equivalent 3 General education
Humanities/Fine Arts Elective Select any approved humanities/fine arts elective VCU equivalent 3 General education
Laboratory Science IV BIO 102 General Biology II BIOL/Z 152 4 General education
Laboratory Science elective CHM 242 + CHM 246 Organic Chemistry II and laboratory CHEM/Z 302 5 Major
Humanities Humanities elective VCU equivalent 3 General education
Transfer Elective MTH 245 Statistics I STAT 210 3 Major (Ancillary)
Reynolds credits transferred to VCU 64
VCU courses
Course Title Credits Requirements
Foreign language through the 102 level.   (This requirement can be fulfilled by means of completion of the 102-level of a language or waived if the student completed up through the third level of a foreign language in high school.  Additionally, language waiver and placement testing options are available for native or heritage speakers of a non-english language.) 0 to 8 General education (not waived with associate degree)
CHEM 309 + CHEZ 309 Quantitative Analysis and Laboratory 5 Major
CHEM 313 or CHEM 314 Physical Chemistry I or Physical Chemistry with Math Modules 3 to 4 Major
CHEZ 313 Physical Chemistry I Laboratory 2 Major
CHEM 315 Physical Chemistry II 3 Major
CHEM 320 Inorganic Chemistry I 3 Major
CHEM 398 Professional Practices and Perspectives Seminar 1 Major
CHEM 499 Capstone 0 Major
Select at least one two-credit 400-level CHEZ course or two credits of CHEM 392 or CHEM 492 and at least one three-credit 400- or 500-level CHEM course from the electives listed below. See VCU advisor for course options. 5 Major
MATH 201 Calculus with Analytic Geometry II 4 Major (Ancillary)
PHYS 201 or PHYS 207 General Physics I or University Physics I 4 to 5 Major (Ancillary)
PHYS 202 or PHYS 208 General Physics II or University Physics II 4 to 5 Major (Ancillary)
Upper-level electives (300- or 400-level) Note: Students must complete a minimum of 45 upper-level credits (300- or 400-level courses) to graduate from VCU. 12 to 13 Elective
Open electives 0 to 9 Elective
Credits completed at VCU 56
Bachelor's degree total 120