Bachelor of Science in Chemistry

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry provides rigorous, research-oriented preparation in chemistry, combining advanced coursework in chemistry, mathematics, and physics with extensive laboratory training and scientific instrumentation. It is particularly suited to students planning careers or research in the chemical sciences or intending to continue into graduate study, with coverage spanning analytical, inorganic, organic, physical, materials, and chemical biology.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Students establish a strong technical foundation through CHEM 202 – Accelerated Chemistry I, CHEM 203 – Accelerated Chemistry Lab I, CHEM 204 – Accelerated Chemistry II, and CHEM 205 – Accelerated Chemistry Lab II, alongside calculus and physics. This year develops fundamental chemical concepts while introducing students to laboratory practice and quantitative scientific thinking.

Second Year: The curriculum moves into molecular structure and synthesis through CHEM 236 – Fundamental Organic Chem I and CHEM 237 – Structure and Synthesis, while students continue advanced mathematics and physics with MATH 241 – Calculus III, MATH 285 – Intro Differential Equations, and PHYS 214 – Univ Physics: Quantum Physics. Students also begin advanced chemistry laboratory work, building the experimental skills needed for later research-oriented study.

Third Year: Students develop deeper theoretical and analytical expertise through CHEM 442 – Physical Chemistry I, CHEM 444 – Physical Chemistry II, and CHEM 312 – Inorganic Chemistry. Practical training becomes more specialized through CHEM 420 – Instrumental Characterization, CHEM 315 – Instrumental Chem Systems Lab, and CHEM 445 – Physical Principles Lab I, emphasizing chemical measurement, instrumentation, and experimental analysis.

Fourth Year: Students complete advanced chemistry and laboratory requirements while using Technical Electives to deepen their interests across chemistry, biochemistry, chemical and biomolecular engineering, life sciences, mathematics, computer science, or related physical sciences and engineering. Advanced laboratory options include CHEM 317 – Inorganic Chemistry Lab, CHEM 437 – Organic Chemistry Lab, CHEM 447 – Physical Principles Lab II, CHEM 483 – Solid State Structural Anlys, and BIOC 455 – Technqs Biochem & Biotech.

Focus Areas

Analytical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Materials Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Environmental Chemistry.

Learning Outcomes

Fundamental chemical principles, atomic and molecular structure, chemical dynamics, chemical and physical properties of substances, analytical chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, materials chemistry, inorganic chemistry, chemical biology, scientific data interpretation, scientific communication, experimental techniques, laboratory safety.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry is certified by the American Chemical Society (ACS), and students must include a Biochemistry course within the Advanced Chemistry or Technical Electives area to satisfy ACS specifications.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

The University of Illinois Department of Chemistry states that its undergraduate program is widely recognized by employers and graduate schools as one of the strongest in the U.S. The department also notes that its undergraduate chemistry program ranks among the largest in the USA by number of majors, including ACS-approved bachelor's degrees.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The B.S. in Chemistry at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign gives students extensive opportunities to apply chemistry through laboratory courses, undergraduate research, internships, and cooperative education. General chemistry students work directly with chemicals and solutions and use computer simulations after laboratory experiments, while advanced students can train in modern synthesis, spectroscopy, and analytical techniques in dedicated instructional and research facilities.

Students can build hands-on experience through:

General Chemistry Laboratories: CHEM 103, CHEM 105, CHEM 203, and CHEM 205 involve hands-on experiments with physical chemicals and liquid solutions, followed by computer-based simulations for further exploration of chemical processes.
Advanced Organic and Inorganic Laboratories: The newly renovated 6,000-square-foot Noyes Laboratory instructional space includes dedicated advanced organic synthesis and inorganic synthesis laboratories. Students work with modern techniques including glove-box methods, asymmetric catalysis, organometallic cross-coupling reactions, and spectroscopic characterization.
Undergraduate Research: Chemistry majors can join faculty research groups and work on original chemistry problems through research credit such as CHEM 197, 297, 397, 497, or 499. The department notes that most faculty research opportunities require a minimum two-semester commitment.
Research Instrumentation: Students working in the department can benefit from facilities supporting mass spectrometry, NMR, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, thermal analysis, and high-pressure/hydrogenation experiments.
Chemistry Internship: CHEM 295 – Chemistry Internship provides full-time practice of chemical science in an off-campus industrial setting or research laboratory environment; the course requires a summary report and can be repeated.
Cooperative Education: CHEM 293 – Cooperative Education Practice provides off-campus chemistry or chemical-engineering experience in industrial or governmental facilities, with students registering for the course during each off-campus term.
Industry experience: The department specifically highlights opportunities for chemistry majors to undertake internships and co-ops with Fortune 500 and other companies, supported by the School of Chemical Sciences Career Services Office.
Chemistry software: The Chemistry Learning Center provides computers equipped with ChemDoodle and Microsoft Excel for chemistry coursework. Students also have access to Mnova NMR Data Analysis Software, while ChemDoodle is licensed by the Department of Chemistry for Illinois students.
Chemistry Learning Center: The Chemistry Learning Center (CLC) provides undergraduate chemistry students with teaching-assistant support, course-specific online resources, tutorials, study space, textbooks, computers, and chemistry coursework assistance.
Chemistry Library: The Chemistry Library in Noyes Laboratory provides access to chemistry journals and e-books from publishers including the American Chemical Society, Wiley, Elsevier, Springer, and Royal Society of Chemistry, as well as research databases such as SciFinder Scholar, Scopus, Reaxys, and Web of Science.
Interdisciplinary research institutes: Chemistry students can encounter research conducted through facilities including the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, Materials Research Laboratory, Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory, National Center for Supercomputing Applications, and Roy J. Carver Biotechnology Center.
Undergraduate research participation: In the department's 2024 highlights, more than 75 undergraduate chemistry majors reported participating in research during 2023–24, with students working not only in chemistry but also in fields such as materials science, bioengineering, biochemistry, genetics, geology, environmental science, and other disciplines.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Chemistry at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign prepares students for careers across pharmaceuticals, chemicals, energy, food and agriscience, consumer products, technology, and consulting, while also providing preparation for graduate and professional schools. The Department of Chemistry specifically highlights opportunities to develop technical, research, analytical, and professional skills through research, internships, co-ops, and career services.

Typical career roles: Chemist, Pharmaceutical Researcher, Materials Scientist, Chemical Researcher.

Career development and progression are supported through:

School of Chemical Sciences Career Services: Students receive career support for opportunities across pharmaceuticals, energy, food/agriscience, consumer products, chemicals, technology, and consulting. The office also supports résumé preparation, mock interviews, case competitions, career-planning events, and preparation for graduate and professional school.
Employer connections: More than 92 Fortune 100 companies, including Dow, 3M, AbbVie, McKinsey, and DuPont, recruit Illinois chemistry graduates according to the Department of Chemistry.
Internships and co-ops: Chemistry students can complete internships during the summer or academic year, while longer cooperative experiences allow students to work for the same company across multiple terms. The department specifically directs students to I-Link and SCS Career Services for internship opportunities.
Undergraduate research: Students can work directly with Chemistry faculty on original research and receive credit through CHEM 197, 297, 397, 497, or CHEM 499. The department reports that more than 75 chemistry undergraduates participated in research in 2023–24, with 78% of those students conducting research for two semesters or more.
Employment and salary: An official Department of Chemistry profile reported an average full-time salary of $57,300 for B.S. graduates in its 2020–21 outcomes data. The department's current career information lists an average bachelor's-level chemistry starting salary of $57,947; these figures should be treated as historical/department-reported figures rather than a guaranteed current salary.
Graduation outcomes: In the department's reported 2019–20 Illini Success data, 93% of graduates from the Department of Chemistry or Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering secured their first destination: 47% were employed and 46% continued their education, while 7% were still seeking their next destination.
Professional accreditation: Illinois offers ACS-approved bachelor's degrees in chemistry. Students completing the Specialized Curriculum in Chemistry can meet ACS certification specifications, while the Environmental Chemistry concentration can lead to ACS certification in environmental chemistry when its requirements are completed.
Research and industry ecosystem: Chemistry students can connect their studies with research spanning analytical chemistry, chemical biology, inorganic chemistry, materials chemistry, organic chemistry, and physical chemistry, as well as interdisciplinary research across areas such as materials science, chemical and biomolecular engineering, bioengineering, veterinary medicine, and environmental science.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into M.S. or Ph.D. programs in chemistry and related scientific disciplines, as well as professional programs such as pharmacy, medicine, and law. Illinois Chemistry specifically prepares students for top-ranked chemistry graduate programs and professional schools, with undergraduate research providing experience that is valuable for advanced academic and professional study.