Undergraduate Programs
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers undergraduate programs leading to the BA and BS degree in Chemistry, with optional concentrations in Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Environmental Chemistry, as well as a five-year BS/Accelerated MS degree. Our comprehensive undergraduate education in chemistry is designed to prepare students for professional careers in chemistry and for advanced studies in chemistry and chemistry-related areas such as environmental science, material science, biochemistry, medicinal chemistry, geochemistry, chemical waste management, pharmacy, forensic chemistry, and chemical engineering. Students planning medical, dental, or veterinary careers may meet the requirements of these professional schools by majoring in chemistry.
Pre-Medical, Pre-Dental, Pre-Pharmacy, and Pre-Veterinary Students
Web: prehealth.gmu.edu
Many students planning medical, dental, pharmacy, veterinary, optometry, or other health professional careers choose to pursue a major in chemistry. These students should consult the health professions advising web site on required coursework and overall preparation.
Pre-Pharmacy Society
Mason students who are interested in pursuing careers in pharmacy are encouraged to participate in the Pre-Pharmacy Society. This student organization organizes supplemental programming focused toward pharmacy as a career.
Chemistry Club
The Chemistry Club provides a social and informational network for students. It serves the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry by sponsoring informational programs and allowing students to work at university events.
Graduate Programs
The department’s graduate programs (MS and PhD) provide advanced training for students who are recent college graduates, professionals in teaching, or technical workers in local research organizations. Students select a specialization from the fields of analytical, biological, environmental, inorganic, organic, physical, or computational chemistry. The graduate chemistry courses for these programs are usually offered during the late afternoon or evening hours for the convenience of students who are employed full-time. Graduate fellowships and teaching/research assistantships are available to the most qualified students.
The department offers a Chemistry, MS with a research project (thesis option) or an all coursework program (non-thesis option). Within the MS, students may pursue a concentration in biochemistry. The PhD in all branches of chemistry is available through the Chemistry and Biochemistry, PhD. Students may also pursue Chemistry-related PhD research through the Environmental Science and Public Policy, PhD and the Biosciences, PhD. An area of emphasis in computational chemistry is available through the Computational Sciences and Informatics, PhD, offered in conjunction with the Department of Computational and Data Sciences.
Department Faculty
Professors
Foster, Hussam
Associate Professors
Bishop, Couch, Hatton, Honeychuck, Jones, Schreifels, Slayden, Van Aken, Weatherspoon (chair)
Assistant Professors
Erb (associate chair), Fayissa, Paige, Jing, You
Emeriti
Cozzens, Davies
Requirements
Writing Intensive Requirement
Mason requires all undergraduate students to complete at least one course designated as “writing intensive” in their majors at the 300 level or above. Students majoring in chemistry fulfill this requirement by successfully completing CHEM 336 Physical Chemistry Lab I or CHEM 465 Biochemistry Lab.
Teacher Licensure
Students who wish to become teachers should consult the College of Education and Human Development and attend an information session early in their studies. For more information, visit gse.gmu.edu.
Chemistry (CHEM)
100 Level Courses
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
200 Level Courses
Required Prerequisites: CHEM 213*C, U213* or 213T*.
* May be taken concurrently.
C Requires minimum grade of C.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Required Prerequisites: (CHEM 211C, 211T or U211) and (CHEM 213C, 213T or U213) and (CHEM 214*C, 214T* or U214*).
* May be taken concurrently.
C Requires minimum grade of C.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Required Prerequisites: CHEM 211*C, U211* or 211T*.
* May be taken concurrently.
C Requires minimum grade of C.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Required Prerequisites: (CHEM 212*C, U212* or 212T*) and (CHEM 211C, 211T or U211) and (CHEM 213C, 213T or U213).
* May be taken concurrently.
C Requires minimum grade of C.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Required Prerequisite: CHEM 272*C.
* May be taken concurrently.
C Requires minimum grade of C.
Enrollment limited to students in the Volgenau School of Engineering college.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Required Prerequisite: CHEM 271*C.
* May be taken concurrently.
C Requires minimum grade of C.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
300 Level Courses
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Required Prerequisites: (CHEM 271C and 272C) or (CHEM 211C, 213C, 212C and 214C).
C Requires minimum grade of C.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Required Prerequisites: (CHEM 212C or U212).
C Requires minimum grade of C.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Required Prerequisites: (CHEM 313C or L313).
C Requires minimum grade of C.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Required Prerequisites: (CHEM 313*C or L313*).
* May be taken concurrently.
C Requires minimum grade of C.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Required Prerequisites: (CHEM 315C or L315).
C Requires minimum grade of C.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Required Prerequisites: CHEM 212C, MATH 113C, CHEM 211C and MATH 114*C.
* May be taken concurrently.
C Requires minimum grade of C.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Required Prerequisites: (CHEM 212C, 211C, 213C and 214C) and (MATH 114C or 116C) and (PHYS 243*C or 160*C).
* May be taken concurrently.
C Requires minimum grade of C.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Required Prerequisites: (MATH 114C and CHEM 331C) and (PHYS 243C or 160C) and (PHYS 244*C or 260*C).
* May be taken concurrently.
C Requires minimum grade of C.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Required Prerequisites: CHEM 212C, 321C and 331*C and (PHYS 243*C or 160*C) and (MATH 114C or 116C).
* May be taken concurrently.
C Requires minimum grade of C.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Required Prerequisites: (CHEM 331C or L331) and (CHEM 332*C or L332*) and (CHEM 336C or L336).
* May be taken concurrently.
C Requires minimum grade of C.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Required Prerequisites: CHEM 313C, 315C, MATH 113C, PHYS 243C and 244C.
C Requires minimum grade of C.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Junior, Sophomore, Senior Plus or Senior.
Enrollment is limited to students with a major, minor, or concentration in Chemistry.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
400 Level Courses
Required Prerequisites: (CHEM 314C or 314L) and (CHEM 318C or 318L) and CHEM 331C.
C Requires minimum grade of C.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Required Prerequisites: CHEM 321C, 332C and 337C.
C Requires minimum grade of C.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Required Prerequisite: CHEM 422C.
C Requires minimum grade of C.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Required Prerequisite: CHEM 321C.
C Requires minimum grade of C.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Required Prerequisite: CHEM 332C.
C Requires minimum grade of C.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Required Prerequisites: CHEM 332C and 337C.
C Requires minimum grade of C.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Required Prerequisite: CHEM 441C.
C Requires minimum grade of C.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Required Prerequisites: (CHEM 463C or BIOL 483C) and CHEM 331C and 336C.
C Requires minimum grade of C.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Required Prerequisites: CHEM 314C, 318C, 321C, 331C and 336C.
C Requires minimum grade of C.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Senior Plus or Senior.
Enrollment is limited to students with a major, minor, or concentration in Chemistry.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Required Prerequisite: CHEM 451C.
C Requires minimum grade of C.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Senior Plus or Senior.
Enrollment is limited to students with a major, minor, or concentration in Chemistry.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Required Prerequisites: CHEM 313C, 314C, 315C, 318C, 331C, 336C and 490*C.
* May be taken concurrently.
C Requires minimum grade of C.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Senior Plus or Senior.
Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Chemistry.
Enrollment limited to students with the Honors Coll Schlrshp Confirmd, Honors College. or Honors in the Major. attributes.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Required Prerequisites: CHEM 455C and 490*C.
* May be taken concurrently.
C Requires minimum grade of C.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Senior Plus or Senior.
Enrollment is limited to students with a major in Chemistry.
Enrollment limited to students with the Honors Coll Schlrshp Confirmd, Honors College. or Honors in the Major. attributes.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Required Prerequisites: CHEM 211C and 212C and (CHEM 321C or GEOL 309C).
C Requires minimum grade of C.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Required Prerequisites: (CHEM 313C or L313) and BIOL 213C.
C Requires minimum grade of C.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Required Prerequisites: CHEM 463C or (BIOL 483C and (CHEM 314C or L314)).
C Requires minimum grade of C.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Required Prerequisites: (CHEM 463*C or BIOL 483C) and (CHEM 315C or L315).
* May be taken concurrently.
C Requires minimum grade of C.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Required Prerequisites: CHEM 463C, 464C, 314C and 331C.
C Requires minimum grade of C.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Required Prerequisites: CHEM 463C, 464C and 314C.
C Requires minimum grade of C.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
Required Prerequisites: (CHEM 331C or 336C).
C Requires minimum grade of C.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Senior Plus or Senior.
Enrollment is limited to students with a major, minor, or concentration in Chemistry.
This course is graded on the Undergraduate Regular scale.
500 Level Courses
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
600 Level Courses
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy, Graduate, Non-Degree or Senior Plus.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate, Non-Degree or Undergraduate level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Special scale.
700 Level Courses
Enrollment is limited to Graduate or Non-Degree level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate or Non-Degree level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate or Non-Degree level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate or Non-Degree level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate or Non-Degree level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate or Non-Degree level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate or Non-Degree level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Satisfactory/No Credit scale.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate or Non-Degree level students.
Students in a Non-Degree Undergraduate degree may not enroll.
This course is graded on the Satisfactory/No Credit scale.
800 Level Courses
Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
This course is graded on the Graduate Regular scale.
900 Level Courses
Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
This course is graded on the Satisfactory/No Credit scale.
Enrollment limited to students with a class of Advanced to Candidacy.
Enrollment is limited to Graduate level students.
This course is graded on the Satisfactory/No Credit scale.