Registration Guide: Science Education (Specialization in 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 Chemistry majors or students interested in a rigorous introduction to Chemistry. 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: Students 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.

Calculus course: Science Education majors with a concentration in Chemistry are expected to complete two calculus courses: CAS MA 123 Calculus 1 and CAS MA 124 Calculus 2. Your second course should therefore be a calculus course:

• If you have no AP, IB, or other advance credit for calculus, you should register for CAS MA 123 Calculus 1 (offered either semester).
• If you have advanced credit for MA 123, register for CAS MA 124 Calculus 2 (offered either semester).
• If you have advanced credit for both CAS MA 123 and CAS MA 124, you are done with your calculus requirement and should instead take a physics course or a course of interest (explained in detail below).

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Physics course: If you have already fulfilled both CAS MA 123 and CAS MA 124, you can move on to your physics requirement by selecting one of the following courses:

• CAS PY 211 General Physics (offered either semester) – In order to take PY 211, you must already have credit for CAS MA 123 Calculus 1, and you must take CAS MA 124 Calculus 2 before or in the same semester as PY 211.
• CAS PY 251 Principles of Physics (offered fall only)– In order to take PY 251, students are expected to have a strong foundation in physics and mathematics. This course provides a rigorous introduction to Physics and is the level that all Physics majors are expected to take. You must have credit for CAS MA 123 Calculus 1 and you must take CAS MA 124 Calculus 2 before, or in the same semester as, PY 251.

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Course of interest: If you already have advanced credit for Calculus and Physics, you can instead 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.

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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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: Ancient Worlds: (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.