Plan of Study
A major in Chemistry requires a significant number of prerequisite courses. With proper planning, most students manage to fit all prerequisite and required courses into 4 years.
If you are getting a late start with Chemistry and are missing prerequisites, you may be able to take them in the summer. One easy solution is to take Physics 101-102 with labs in the summer. You may do this at either W&M or another pre-approved institution. You must take courses required for the major at W&M. But - Physics is a prerequisite, not a required major course, so you may take it away from W&M.
There are other possible paths through the major. Your faculty advisor can help you plan the sequence that best fits your needs. The [[chemis, Chemistry Office]] in ISC 1039 (757-221-2540) can be of assistance if you need help selecting an advisor.
Sample Plans for a Chemistry B.S.
Path A
For students who enter the College with no AP, IB, or transfer credit for General Chemistry, Math, or Physics and elect to begin Chemistry courses in their first semester.
| Year | Fall | Spring |
| 1 | General Chemistry I, CHEM 103 (3) General Chemistry Lab I, CHEM 103L (1) Calculus I, MATH 111 (4) |
Organic Chemistry I, CHEM 206 (3) Organic Chemistry Lab I, CHEM 206L (1) Calculus II, MATH 112 (4) |
| 2 | Organic Chemistry II, CHEM 209 (or 207) (3) Organic Chemistry Lab II, CHEM 253 (1) General Physics I with lab, PHYS 101/D/L (4) |
General Chemistry II, Chem 208 (3) General Chemistry Lab II, CHEM 256 (or 254) |
| 3 | Physical Chemistry I, CHEM 301 (3) Instrumental Analysis, CHEM 309 and Instrumental Analysis Lab, CHEM 309L (4) |
Physical Chemistry II, CHEM 302 (3) Physical Chemistry CHEM 302L(1) Inorganic Chemistry, CHEM 312 (3) |
| 4 | CHEM 4xx elective (3) | CHEM 4xx elective (3) senior writing requirement (0) |
Path B
For students who enter the College with AP, IB, or transfer credit for General Chemistry and elect to begin Chemistry courses in their first semester.
| Year | Fall | Spring |
| 1 | Advanced Freshman Chemistry, CHEM 205 (3) Calculus I, MATH 111 (4) |
Organic Chemistry I, CHEM 206 (3) Organic Chemistry Lab I, CHEM 206L (1) Calculus II, MATH 112 (4) |
| 2 | Organic Chemistry II, CHEM 209 (or 207) (3) Organic Chemistry Lab II, CHEM 253 (1) General Physics I with lab, PHYS 101/D/L (4) |
General Chemistry Lab II, CHEM 256 (or 254) General Physics II with lab, PHYS 102/D/L Biochemistry, CHEM 314 (3) |
| 3 | Physical Chemistry I, CHEM 301 (3) Instrumental Analysis, CHEM 309 and Instrumental Analysis Lab, CHEM 309L (4) |
Physical Chemistry II, CHEM 302 (3) and Physical Chemistry Lab, CHEM 302L (1) Inorganic Chemistry, CHEM 312 (3) |
| 4 | CHEM 4xx elective (3) | CHEM 4xx elective (3) senior writing requirement (0) |
Path C
For students who will have completed MATH 111, 112, and Physics 101-102 with labs by the end of their sophomore year.
| Year | Fall | Spring |
| 2 | CHEM 103 or 205 (3) CHEM 103L (1) |
CHEM 206 (3) and CHEM 206L (1) CHEM 208 (3)* and CHEM 256 (or 254) lab (1)** |
| 3 | CHEM 209 (or 207) (3) and 253 lab (1)** CHEM 309 and CHEM 309L (4) |
CHEM 312 (3) CHEM 314 (3) |
| 4 | CHEM 301 (3) CHEM 4xx elective (3) |
CHEM 302 (3) and CHEM 302L (1) CHEM 4xx elective (3) senior writing requirement (0) |
| * CHEM 208 is not needed if you take CHEM 205 in the first semester | ||
| ** Courses CHEM 209 (or 207) and CHEM 208 plus the 253 and 254 labs can also be taken in the summer at W&M between the second and third years. You would then be on Path A beginning with the third year. |
||
Path D
For students completing Math 111 and 112 but not Physics by the end of their sophomore year.
| Year | Fall | Spring |
| 2 | CHEM 103 or 205 (3) CHEM 103L (1) |
CHEM 206 (3) and 206L (1) |
| Summer | CHEM 207 (3) and CHEM 253 lab (1) | CHEM 208 (3)* and 254 lab (1) |
| 3 | PHYS 101/101D/101L (4) CHEM 309 and CHEM 309L (4) |
PHYS 102/102D/102L (4) CHEM 312 (3) CHEM 314 (3) |
| 4 | CHEM 301 (3) CHEM 4xx elective (3) |
CHEM 302 (3) and CHEM 302L (1) CHEM 4xx elective (3) senior writing requirement (0) |
| * CHEM 208 is not needed if you take CHEM 205 in the first semester | ||
| Note: The simplest thing to do is take Physics 101-102 with labs in the summer. Then follow Path C. | ||
Path E
For students who have completed Math 111 and 112 but not Physics by the end of their sophomore year who cannot attend summer school
| Year | Fall | Spring |
| 2 | CHEM 103 or 205 (3) CHEM 103L (1) |
CHEM 206 (3) and 206L (1) CHEM 208 (3)* and CHEM 256 (or 254) lab (1) |
| 3 | PHYS 101/101D/101L (4) CHEM 209 (or 207) (3) and CHEM 253 lab (1) CHEM 309 and CHEM 309L (4) |
PHYS 102/102D/102L (4) CHEM 312 (3) CHEM 314 (3) |
| 4 | CHEM 301 (3) CHEM 4xx elective (3) |
CHEM 302 (3) and CHEM 302L (1) CHEM 4xx elective (3) senior writing requirement (0) |
| * CHEM 208 is not needed if you take CHEM 205 in the first semester | ||
