Registration Guide: Chemistry

If you have a strong foundation in both chemistry and mathematics, your first course should be CAS CH 109 General and Quantitative Analytical Chemistry 1(offered fall semesters only). This is an advanced course designed for all Chemistry majors, and students must possess a good working knowledge of algebra and trigonometry as well as high school chemistry prior to taking this course. CH 109 will also prepare you to take CAS CH 110 in the spring semester.

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If you do not have a strong foundation in both chemistry and mathematics, your first course should be CAS CH 101 General Chemistry 1. This is an introductory course designed for all science majors and students must have completed two years of high school algebra prior to taking this course.

• Please note: Chemistry majors who complete the CH 101/102 sequence instead of CH 109/110 are also required to complete CAS CH 201 Quantitative Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (offered spring & summer semesters only).

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If you are starting in the spring semester, please work with your academic advisor to find the best chemistry course for you.

• If you already have credit for CAS CH 101 with a lab & CH102 with a lab (through dual enrollment), then you will likely be advised to take CAS CH 201 Quantitative Analytical Chemistry Laboratory.
• If you already have credit for CAS CH 101 with a lab (through dual enrollment), then you will likely be advised to take CAS CH 102 General Chemistry 2.
• It is highly recommended that students with AP/IB/other forms of advanced credit forfeit their advanced credit to enroll in CAS CH 101 General Chemistry 1. The AP/IB Chemistry curriculum does not cover the learning outcomes expected from Chemistry majors.
  • AP Chemistry provides credit for CH131 which may not be used towards your degree requirements.

If you have any further questions about which chemistry level to register for, please review the General Chemistry Advising page.

Chemistry majors are required to complete three levels of calculus: CAS MA 123 Calculus 1, CAS MA 124 Calculus 2, and CAS CH 225 Mathematical Methods for Chemistry:

• If you have no external credit for calculus, take CAS MA 123 Calculus 1(offered either semester).
• If you have advanced credit (such as AP or IB scores) that fulfills CAS MA 123, take the next course in the sequence, CAS MA 124 Calculus 2 (offered either semester).
• If you have already fulfilled both CAS MA 123 and CAS MA 124, you should take the final course in the sequence, CAS CH 225 Mathematical Methods for Chemistry (offered fall semester, prerequisites includes MA 124 & CAS CH 101/109/instructor consent).
  • If you are starting in the fall semester and have AP/IB/advanced credit for the prerequisite courses, email the instructor for CH 225 to request consent to join the course.
  • If you are starting in the fall semester and you do not have AP/IB/advanced credit for the prerequisite courses, you are encouraged to take a course of interest as your second course.
  • If you are starting in the spring semester, you will not be able to take CH225. Instead register for a course of interest as your second course.

Please note: if you have potential advanced credit in calculus, but don’t have the scores back yet, register with cautious optimism. If you feel confident you did well on the exams, register as if you will receive the corresponding credit. Once you know your scores, you can revise your schedule, if need be.

CAS Language Course: CAS students must exhibit proficiency through the fourth-semester level of a language other than English. If you have not already done so, please review the full language policy here.

If you plan to fulfill this language requirement through coursework at BU, then your next course should be a language course:

• If you’re new to the language, you’ll start with the first-semester level (usually coded as 111 – for example, Spanish 1 is CAS LS 111, Arabic 1 is CAS LY 111, etc.). 
• If you have previously studied the language, you will need to take a placement test to determine what level to start with (for instance, CAS LS 112 Spanish 2, CAS LY 211 Arabic 3, CAS LK 212 Korean 4, etc.). Please review the CAS Language Requirement page for detailed information about placement tests and appropriate levels.

If you’ll fulfill the language requirement through advanced credit (such as AP/IB scores) or through native proficiency of another language, you have fulfilled your language requirement and can instead take a course of interest (as seen below).

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Pre-Health Course (if you are considering medical/dental/pharmacy school): Students who complete a Chemistry major should take the following courses in order to satisfy the requirements for application to the aforementioned graduate programs:

• Additional Courses: CAS PS 101 General Psychology, CAS SO 100 Principles of Sociology, and CAS MA 113, 115, or 213 Statistics 1
• Biology Courses: CAS BI 108 General Biology 2 (spring semester only), CAS BI203 Cell Biology or BI213 Intensive Cell Biology (fall semester only), and CAS BI 315 Systems Physiology
• Biochemistry Courses: CAS BB421 Biochemistry 1 (major requirement, fall semester only) & CAS BB422 Biochemistry 2 (major elective, spring semester only)

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Course of Interest: Select a course that interests you – perhaps based on subjects you’ve enjoyed in the past or a new subject you’re excited to try for the first time! If you’re not sure where to start, you can review our Registration Instructions for tips on browsing by topic or Hub requirement.

Your fourth course should be a writing course:

• If you did not apply to BU with a TOEFL/IELTS score, you can take either:
  • CAS WR 120 First-Year Writing Seminar. Each section of WR 120 focuses on a specific topic/theme, so you should register for a section that pairs with your interests.
  • CAS CC 101 Core Humanities 1: The Ancient World: (offered Fall only): An interdisciplinary study of the origins of civilization, from Mesopotamia and the Hebrew Bible to the development of Greek civilization through Homer, Greek tragedy, and the philosophy of Plato. You should enroll in CAS CC 101 if you are considering the Core Curriculum. This course fulfills a single requirement in each of the following Hub areas: Aesthetic Exploration, First-Year Writing Seminar, Creativity/Innovation.

• If you applied to BU with a TOEFL/IELTS score, you should take the Multilingual Writer Placement (instructions will be sent via email) before you register for a writing course. The writing placement is a suggestion, but it will help you make an informed decision about the most appropriate level for you. Depending on what level WR course you register for, you will fulfill the following Hub requirements:
  • CAS WR 111 Academic Writing for ESL Students 1 – fulfills The Individual in Community Hub
  • CAS WR 112 Academic Writing for ESL Students 2 – Global Citizenship & Intercultural Literacy Hub
  • CAS WR 120 First-Year Writing Seminar – fulfills First-Year Writing Seminar Hub (If you place into WR 120, you are welcome to take CC 101 Core Humanities 1 instead to fulfill your FYW Hub.)

CAS CH 195: Freshman Seminar in the Chemical Sciences (offered fall only, 2 units) – Optional

Seminar for first semester freshmen interested in the molecular sciences. Explores the role of the chemical sciences in society, becoming familiar with a research-oriented approach to problem solving. Students will get the opportunity to meet faculty, learn about research opportunities, and build connections with fellow Chemistry majors. Workshops train students with the tools used to attain research and information literacy.

• If taken at BU, CAS CH 195 fulfills a single requirement in the following BU Hub area: Research and Information Literacy

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First-Year Seminar: FY 101 (1 unit) – Optional

FY101 is a one-unit, low stress, non-academic class that serves as a semester-long introduction to BU and college life. FY101 helps you get a head start on making connections at BU. Each section is taught by a student peer mentor and a staff instructor.

• FY101 classes are small and are for new students only, so they provide a great way to get to know other first-years!
• Your peer mentor and instructor will provide resources to create a more successful and meaningful college experience and help you get ahead in your first semester here.
• FY101 includes free, optional trips around Boston.
• There are specialty sections based on major and identity (e.g., Natural Sciences, First Generation, etc) so be sure to choose the one that’s right for you!

If you are interested in the Core Curriculum, we recommend registering for CAS CC 101 for your writing course (see above in Course #4). There are additional natural science Core courses offered; however, we do not typically recommend these for natural science majors who are already taking a lab course this semester. If you have questions about completing additional Core courses beyond CAS CC 101, please talk about this with your academic advisor!

Find out more about the Core Curriculum, the Hub, and registration here.