The information on this page pertains to program requirements for students who matriculated in the 2023-2024 academic year. View requirements for previous catalog years here.
The chemistry major provides a solid foundation of scientific knowledge and experimental skills in a setting that emphasizes current developments in chemistry and experience with modern instruments and laboratory techniques. A chemistry degree prepares students for graduate school in chemistry and related fields such as biochemistry, molecular biology, medicinal chemistry, and pharmaceutical, forensic and environmental science. The major also prepares students for careers in governmental laboratories and industry. Many of Drake's chemistry alumni have earned graduate degrees in chemistry, physics or medicine while many others have taken rewarding jobs in industry, government and academic institutions.
The Chemistry department believes that undergraduate research plays a major role in developing critical thinking, practical expertise and independence and helps create a sense of community among faculty and students. Participation in a research project is a requirement for a chemistry degree. The chemistry faculty has research expertise in analytical chemistry, biochemistry, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry and physical chemistry.
The Bachelor of Arts program is designed for students who need undergraduate training in chemistry in preparation for professional careers other than chemistry. The Bachelor of Science program is also open to those students.
| Course | Credits |
| CHEM 001 - General Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 002 - General Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 003 - General Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 004 - General Chemistry II Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 008- Chemistry Connections I | 1 |
| CHEM 009- Chemistry Connections II | 1 |
| CHEM 010 – Chemistry Connections III | 1 |
| CHEM 011 – Chemistry Connections IV | 1 |
| CHEM 061 – Inorganic Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 081 - Analytical Methods | 4 |
| CHEM 097 - Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 098 - Organic Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 108 - Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 110 - Organic Chemistry II Lab | 1 |
| Requirements I - Select one course from the following: | |
| CHEM 161 - Biophysical Chemistry | 4 |
| CHEM 165 - Thermodynamics and Kinetics | 4 |
| CHEM 182 - Instrumental Methods of Analysis | 4 |
| Requirements II - (Note: for students who double-major in chemistry and another discipline, the advanced class must be selected from outside the students' second major's requirements. For example, for students who double-major in physics and chemistry, the advanced class should not be a physics major requirement, although it can be a physics major elective.) Select 4 credits from the following: | |
| CHEM 130 - Biochemistry I: Fundamentals | 3 |
| CHEM 131 - Biochemistry I: Fundamentals Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 155 - Organic Reactions and Applications | 4 |
| CHEM 161 - Biophysical Chemistry | 4 |
| CHEM 165 - Thermodynamics and Kinetics | 4 |
| CHEM 180 - Explorations in Inorganic Chem | 4 |
| CHEM 182 - Instrumental Methods of Analysis | 4 |
| CHEM 190 - Integrated Chemistry Topics | 4 |
| Other advanced courses with a strong chemical component as approved by the chemistry department | |
| CHEM 197 - Senior Seminar I | 1 |
| CHEM 198 - Senior Seminar II | 1 |
| PHY 011 - General Physics (with lab) | 4 |
| MATH 050 – Calculus I | 3 |
| Total | 44 |
Supplementary courses: B.A. chemistry majors must take one semester of physics and MATH 50 - Calculus, unless you choose CHEM 166, for which Calculus up to and including MATH 100 is recommended.
CHEM 196/197 no longer offered at Drake, but still required for the major. Consultation with advisor required to complete major.
Students preparing for graduate study or a professional career in chemistry should pursue the ACS-approved Bachelor of Science program.
| Course | Credits |
| CHEM 001 - General Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 002 - General Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 003 - General Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 004 - General Chemistry II Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 008- Chemistry Connections I | 1 |
| CHEM 009- Chemistry Connections II | 1 |
| CHEM 010 – Chemistry Connections III | 1 |
| CHEM 011 – Chemistry Connections IV | 1 |
| CHEM 061 - Inorganic Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 081 - Analytical Methods | 4 |
| CHEM 097 - Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 098 - Organic Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 108 - Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 110 - Organic Chemistry II Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 130 - Biochemistry I: Fundamentals | 3 |
| CHEM 131 - Biochemistry I: Fundamentals Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 148 - Undergraduate Research | 1-3 |
| CHEM 165 - Thermodynamics and Kinetics | 4 |
| Chemistry electives - Select at least 12 credits from the following: | |
| CHEM 132 - Biochemistry II: Metabolism | 3 |
| CHEM 133 - Biochemistry II: Metabolism Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 155 - Organic Reactions & Applications | 4 |
| CHEM 166 - Quantum-Mechanical Explorations | 4 |
| CHEM 170 - Explorations in Computational Chem | 3-4 |
| CHEM 180 - Explorations in Inorganic Chem | 4 |
| CHEM 182 - Instrumental Methods of Analysis | 4 |
| CHEM 190 - Integrated Chemistry Topics | 1-4 |
| Other advanced courses with a strong chemical component as approved by the chemistry department | |
| CHEM 195 - Junior Seminar | 1 |
| CHEM 196 - Junior Seminar II | 1 |
| CHEM 197 - Senior Seminar I | 1 |
| CHEM 198 - Senior Seminar | 1 |
| MATH 050 - Calculus I | 3 |
| MATH 070 - Calculus II | 3 |
| PHY 011 - General Physics I (with lab) | 4 |
| PHY 012 - General Physics II (with lab) | 4 |
| Total | 66 |
Supplementary Courses: B.S. chemistry majors must take MATH 050 - Calculus I, MATH 070 - Calculus II, and one year of physics. MATH 100 - Calculus III is recommended for students taking CHEM 166.
CHEM 196/197 no longer offered at Drake, but still required for the major. Consultation with advisor required to complete major.
The chemistry minor provides a broad and general exposure to the traditional areas of the chemical science.
A minor in chemistry may be earned by completing 24 credit hours in the following sequence of chemistry courses and 7 credit hours in supplementary courses (physics and calculus) for a total of 31 credits.:
| Course | Credits |
| CHEM 001 and 003 - General Chemistry I (with lab) | 4 |
| CHEM 002 and 004 - General Chemistry II (with lab) | 4 |
| CHEM 081 - Analytical Methods | 4 |
| CHEM 097 and 098 - Organic Chemistry I (with lab) | 4 |
| CHEM 108 and 110 - Organic Chemistry II (with lab) | 4 |
| Select one course from the following: | |
| CHEM 130 and 131 - Biochemistry I: Fundamentals (with lab) | 4 |
| CHEM 155 - Organic Reactions & Applications | 4 |
| CHEM 161 - Biophysical Chemistry | 4 |
| CHEM 165 - Thermodynamics and Kinetics | 4 |
| MATH 050 – Calculus I | 3 |
| PHY 011 – General Physics I (with lab) | 4 |
| Total | 31 |
Supplementary courses: Students who wish to minor in chemistry must take one semester of physics and MATH 050 - Calculus I.
The information in this catalog does not constitute a contract between the university and the student. The university reserves the right to make changes in curricula, admission policies and processes, tuition and financial aid, academic standards and guidelines, student services and any other regulations or policies set forth in this catalog without giving prior notice.