BS Interdisciplinary Chemical Sciences

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Michigan Ann Arbor

Program Overview

The BS Interdisciplinary Chemical Sciences combines a strong core of chemistry with substantial flexibility to build an academic focus in complementary fields, making it particularly suitable for students interested in health and life sciences, chemical physics, environmental or public policy, philosophy of science, or other interdisciplinary areas. Students develop their chemistry foundation through courses such as Structure and Reactivity I, Chemical Principles, Introduction to Chemical Analysis, and advanced chemistry electives, while working with an advisor to design a 15-credit cognate/theme focus.

Curriculum Structure

First Year: Students begin with the mathematical and physical-science foundations required for the major, including MATH 115 Calculus I, MATH 116 Calculus II, and an approved introductory physics sequence. They also begin the chemistry core with CHEM 210 Structure and Reactivity I, CHEM 211 Investigations in Chemistry, and CHEM 260 Chemical Principles, establishing the foundation for subsequent analytical, inorganic, and advanced chemistry study.

Second Year: Students deepen their practical and theoretical chemistry knowledge through CHEM 241 Introduction to Chemical Analysis and CHEM 242 Introduction to Chemical Analysis Laboratory, or the alternative CHEM 245 Biomedical Analytical Chemistry sequence. Students also begin developing their interdisciplinary direction through cognate courses at the 200 level or above, selected with approval from a Chemistry Department advisor.

Third Year: Students progress into advanced chemistry with CHEM 302 Inorganic Chemistry: Principles of Structure, Reactivity, and Function or CHEM 303 Introductory Bioinorganic Chemistry: The Role of Metals in Life, alongside upper-level CHEM electives. The curriculum requires at least three 300-level-or-above chemistry courses among the electives and at least one 400-level lecture course, while the student's cognate/theme focus becomes increasingly specialized.

Fourth Year: Students complete additional advanced CHEM electives and their approved Theme Focus/Cognates, which must total 15 credits with at least two courses at the 300 level or above. Students interested in research and Honors can undertake CHEM 399 undergraduate research and complete CHEM 499 as part of the Honors thesis pathway.

Focus Areas

Health and Life Sciences, Philosophy, Chemical Physics, Science and Public Policy, Environmental/Societal Applications, Interdisciplinary Chemical Sciences; students may also develop another coherent cognate plan with prior approval from a Chemistry Department advisor.

Learning Outcomes

Chemical structure and reactivity, chemical principles, analytical chemistry, inorganic chemistry, laboratory investigation, advanced chemistry, interdisciplinary scientific knowledge, quantitative reasoning, research skills, scientific problem-solving.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

Not stated on the official University of Michigan Interdisciplinary Chemical Sciences program page as a separate professional accreditation. The official program documentation instead specifies the required chemistry and cognate coursework and describes preparation for graduate study, professional schools, and direct employment.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

University of Michigan–Ann Arbor — #45 globally; this is a university-level ranking rather than a specific ranking of the BS Interdisciplinary Chemical Sciences program. U-M's official facts and figures also report #2 among U.S. public universities in the QS World University Rankings 2025.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The B.S. in Interdisciplinary Chemical Sciences (ICS) at the University of Michigan gives students practical experience by combining a core chemistry curriculum with a personally designed thematic focus in complementary fields. Students can undertake undergraduate research through the Chemistry Department, including research-credit courses and the Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP), while the program’s flexible structure allows students to connect chemistry with areas such as Health and Life Sciences, Chemical Physics, philosophy, or science and public policy.

Students can build practical and research experience through:

Investigative chemistry laboratory work: CHEM 211 – Investigations in Chemistry forms part of the ICS core, giving students an early hands-on component alongside CHEM 210 – Structure and Reactivity I and CHEM 260 – Chemical Principles.
Analytical laboratory experience: Students can complete CHEM 241/242 – Introduction to Chemical Analysis and Introduction to Chemical Analysis Laboratory, or the CHEM 245/246/247 – Biomedical Analytical Chemistry / Biomedical Analytical Chemistry Laboratory sequence, depending on their selected chemistry pathway.
Undergraduate research: ICS students are eligible for CHEM research-credit opportunities in laboratories within or outside the Chemistry Department, allowing them to work directly in research environments and learn experimental techniques and protocols.
Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP): Freshman, sophomore, and junior ICS students working in a Chemistry Department laboratory can participate in SURP, which requires a minimum 10-week full-time research commitment equivalent to 40 hours per week and provides the opportunity to work with Chemistry research faculty.
Advanced research and thesis: Students pursuing Honors in Interdisciplinary Chemical Sciences complete at least 4 credits of CHEM 398/399 undergraduate research across two terms and an Honors thesis through CHEM 498 or CHEM 499, giving students a structured pathway into independent research.
Interdisciplinary project design: Students work with a Chemistry Department advisor to create their own cognate plan, selecting at least 15 credits of 200-level-or-above coursework, including at least two courses at the 300 level or above. This lets students build an interdisciplinary academic pathway rather than following a single fixed specialization.
Research infrastructure: The University of Michigan provides access to major interdisciplinary research environments, including the A. Alfred Taubman Biomedical Science Research Building, which contains 240 biomedical research laboratories, supporting research across chemistry, biology, medicine, and related sciences.
Specialized research environment: The university's North Campus Research Complex (NCRC) provides a high-tech research environment containing laboratories, centers, and institutes, offering an important interdisciplinary setting for students pursuing chemistry-related research.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Interdisciplinary Chemical Sciences (ICS) is designed for students who want to combine a strong chemistry foundation with another field, making it relevant to graduate study in interdisciplinary sciences, health professions, law, business, or direct entry into the job market. U-M’s Chemistry Department identifies opportunities across the chemical industry, pharmaceuticals, materials, energy, government laboratories, science communication, and technical consulting, while LSA reports that 96% of LSA graduates are employed or continue to graduate/professional school.

Typical career roles: Chemistry Research Assistant, Laboratory Analyst, Technical Consultant, Science/Technical Communicator.

Career development and progression are supported through:

Career coaching: The LSA Opportunity Hub provides one-to-one career coaching covering career exploration, résumé and cover-letter preparation, interview preparation, internship/job searches, graduate and professional school planning, and connecting with LSA alumni.
Jobs and internships: Handshake gives U-M Ann Arbor degree students access to jobs, internships, career events, employer recruiting opportunities, and graduate/professional-school resources; it remains available to recent graduates for up to two years after graduation.
Internship and professional opportunities: The LSA Opportunity Hub provides internship funding, career events, mentoring, professional networking, and LSA Engage, which lists internships, jobs, events, workshops, and career-coaching appointments.
Employment outcomes: U-M LSA reports that 96% of LSA graduates are employed or attend graduate/professional school, while 77% of LSA students had an internship that helped them gain additional experience and skills. These are LSA-wide figures, not ICS-specific figures.
Salary figures: Not stated for the Interdisciplinary Chemical Sciences B.S. specifically in the official U-M sources reviewed, so a program-specific salary figure should not be assumed.
University–industry connections: U-M Chemistry has established industry-facing activities through CALC|UM (Chemistry Aligned with Life & Career), including industry visits such as Dow, and the department has documented collaborations and events involving Dow Chemical Company and PPG. The department also describes career pathways into pharmaceutical, materials, energy, government, consulting, and related sectors.
Long-term accreditation value: Not stated for the Interdisciplinary Chemical Sciences B.S. as an ACS-certified degree in the current official program information reviewed. Therefore, ACS certification should not be attributed to this specific ICS degree without an official confirmation.
Graduation outcomes: The ICS curriculum is explicitly intended to support graduate study in science or interdisciplinary fields, medical school, law school, business school, and direct entry into employment. U-M also notes that graduate-level education is generally necessary for students intending to pursue college/university teaching or industrial research careers.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.S. in Interdisciplinary Chemical Sciences, students can continue into graduate programs in chemistry or interdisciplinary sciences, as well as professional programs such as medicine, law, or business. The program is particularly suited to students who want to combine chemistry with another discipline before pursuing an advanced qualification, while U-M provides dedicated graduate-school, pre-health, and pre-law advising resources through LSA.