Chemistry Courses

At the University of Maine, chemistry majors take courses in the traditional sub-disciplines of organic, inorganic, physical, analytical and biological chemistry. The curriculum, which is certified by the American Chemical Society, is designed to provide a good foundation in each of these areas and then will build on this foundation with in-depth course work in two or more of these areas. Hands-on work in the lab is an important aspect of your training as a future chemist. Chemistry is an experimental science and laboratories are where new areas are discovered and contributions to society are made. In the laboratory, you will learn techniques that will serve you well as you develop your ability to ask good scientific questions and explore possible solutions. You will also reinforce what you have learned in class and gain the ability to support the theories you’ve learned within an applied context.

Independent Research

All chemistry majors at the University of Maine conduct independent research with a faculty member and then write a thesis about their project.  The University of Maine is the only university in the state that offers graduate programs in chemistry. The presence of graduate students offers a unique and valuable experience for our undergraduate chemistry majors who work closely with the graduate students and faculty in our research labs. Many of our majors have been co-authors on scientific presentations and publications. 

Becoming a Chemistry Major

The curriculum for chemistry majors provides a solid foundation in chemistry, and also allows the opportunity for students to earn minors, concentrations or even complete double majors in other subjects.

Further information may be obtained by contacting Alice Bruce, Chair, Department of Chemistry, 154/271 Aubert Hall, Orono, ME  04469, abruce@maine.edu.

“Old” Curriculum

Undergraduate students entering the Chemistry Department in the fall of 2017 started a new curriculum.  For those students that are still following the old curriculum, you will have access to those documents here.

Chemistry BA:

Curriculum description for BA chemistry degree (1-31-15)

Sample curriculum for BA chemistry (1-31-15)

Chemistry BS:

Curriculum description for BS chemistry degree (1-31-15)

Sample curriculum for BS chemistry degree (1-31-15)

ACS Certified Degree:

Curriculum description for B.S. ACS certified degree (1-31-15)

Sample curriculum for ACS-BS certified (1-31-15)

Premed Concentration:

Curriculum description for BS-premed concentration (1-31-15)

Sample curriculum for BS Pre-med conc (1-31-15)

Prepharm Concentration:

Curriculum description for BS-prepharm concentration (1-31-15)

Sample curriculum for 2 year pre-pharm conc (1-31-15)

Pre-health Prequisites:

Chemistry Requirements:

Chemistry requirements checklist (1-31-15)