Undergraduate Major and Minor Requirements

University of Hawaii at Manoa CHEMISTRY

Major and Minor Requirements

As a major, chemistry provides a solid foundation of scientific knowledge and experimental skills that enables one to specialize in many directions toward careers in research, teaching, business, or professional practice. Chemistry stands at the crossroads between physics and biology. As biological processes are examined in ever finer detail, chemistry is increasingly called upon to provide the insights, techniques, and materials needed to understand the workings of living organisms, including ourselves. Chemistry is thus a popular major for those interested in biomedical careers.

Students must check with the Undergraduate Chemistry Advisors for a complete list of the current degree requirements. The current undergraduate advisors for the chemistry department are Professors Chain, Williams, Jarrett, and Hemscheidt.

BA Degree Requirements

  • 27 credit hours in CHEM courses numbered 200 and above, including CHEM 272/272L, 273/273L, 274/274L, 351, and 352/352L and either 425/425L or 445/445L
  • MATH 243 (Calculus III)
  • PHYS 170/170L, and 272/272L
  • Recommended languages: German, French, Russian, or Japanese

BS Degree Requirements for Students Declaring Chem Majors Before Fall 2011

  • 40 credit hours in CHEM courses numbered 200 and above, including CHEM 272/272L, 273/273L, 274/274L, 351, 352/352L, 422, 425/425L and 445/445L
  • A minimum of 6 credits from CHEM 399, 601, 602, 621, 622, 623, 641, 642, 643, 651, 652, 653, or 657, HON 493 and 494, BIOL 402/MBBE 402/PEPS 402 or BIOC 441
  • MATH 243 (Calculus III)
  • PHYS 170/170L and 272/272L
  • Recommended electives: Math Calculus IV and PHYS 274
  • Recommended languages: German or French

Effective Fall 2011 the BS requirements of:

  • A minimum of 6 credits from CHEM 399, 601, 602, 621, 622, 623, 641, 642, 643, 651, 652, 653, or 657, HON 493 and 494, BIOL 402/MBBE 402/PEPS 402 or BIOC 441

will be changed to:

  • A minimum of 3 credits from Chem 372, BIOL 402/MBBE 402/PEPS 402 or BIOC 441

  • A minimum of 3 credits from CHEM 399, 601, 602, 621, 622, 623, 641, 642, 643, 651, 652, 653, or 657, HON 493 and 494

Minor Requirements

  • 17 credit hours in chemistry courses numbered 200 and above, including CHEM 272/272L, 273/273L, 274/274L, and 351

Applying to UH Mānoa as a freshman, transfer, international, or second bachelor’s degree student? Visit Undergraduate Admissions to get started.

For additional information see:

Interested in learning more about chemistry? Join the ACS Undergraduate Chem Club.

The program outcomes for the BS and BA degrees in Chemistry are:

  • understand macroscopic properties of materials as manifestations of the properties of atoms and molecules,
  • understand principles and practices of measurement, and both quantitative and qualitative analysis,
  • use mechanistic reasoning to understand and predict reactivity and stereochemistry; use these principles for the preparation of new materials,
  • develop laboratory skills in preparation, purification, and characterization of materials,
  • understand principles and practices of documentation, interpretation of experimental data and communication of results; be familiar with modern literature search and retrieval techniques.

University of Hawaii at Manoa BIOCHEMISTRY

Major Requirements

Students must check with the Undergraduate Chemistry Advisors for a complete list of the current degree requirements. The current undergraduate advisors for the chemistry department are Professors Chain, Williams, Jarrett, and Hemscheidt.

BA Degree Requirements

  • 21 credit hours (minimum) in CHEM courses numbered 200 and above, including CHEM 272/272L, 273/273L, 274/274L, 372, 380, and 361 or 351 and 352.
  • BIOL 172/172L, 275/275L, 402
  • MATH 242 (Calculus II)
  • PHYS 170/170L, and 272/272L

At least 10 credits including 1 laboratory course.
Chemistry Electives: CHEM 352L, 422, 425/425L, and 445/445L, 462
Biology Electives: MICR 351/351L, MICR 431/431L, MICR 461/461L, MICR 463/463L, MICR 475/475l, MICR 490/490L, BIOL 375/375L, BIOL/MBBE 401, BIOL/MBBE 406, BIOL 407, BIOL/MBBE 483, MBBE 412, MBBE 480, ZOOL 430/430L, and ZOOL 442

BS Degree Requirements

  • 26 credit hours (minimum) in CHEM courses numbered 200 and above, including CHEM 272/272L, 273/273L, 274/274L, 372, 380, 462, 463L, and 361 or 351 and 352.
  • BIOL 172/172L, 275/275L, 402
  • MATH 242 (Calculus II)
  • PHYS 170/170L and 272/272L

At least 14 credits including 2 laboratory courses. At least 1 course must be from the Chemistry Electives and 2 courses must be from the Biology Electives.
Chemistry Electives: CHEM 352L, 399, 422, 425/425L, and 445/445L
Biology Electives: MICR 351/351L, MICR 431/431L, MICR 461/461L, MICR 463/463L MICR 475/475l, MICR 490/490L, BIOL 375/375L, BIOL/MBBE 401, BIOL/MBBE 406, BIOL 407, BIOL/MBBE 483, MBBE 412, MBBE 480, ZOOL 430/430L, and ZOOL 442

For additional information see: