ACS Certified Major

Founded in 1876, the American Chemical Society (ACS) promotes excellence in chemistry education for undergraduate students through approval of undergraduate chemistry programs that meet its standards of excellence. The ACS recognizes five major areas of chemistry: analytical, biochemistry, inorganic, organic, and physical. The Colby Chemistry Department has been ACS certified since 1955. To graduate from Colby with an ACS-certified degree, you must satisfy the following five requirements:

1. Complete the equivalent of two semesters of general chemistry (e.g., CH141/CH142; CH147; or CH121/122).

2. Complete foundation courses in each of the five major areas of chemistry and laboratory courses in four of the five areas.

3. Complete an additional three in-depth courses from the following list: CH342, BC368, CH431, CH432, CH434, CH444.

4. Complete a total of 400 hours of laboratory experience past general chemistry. Upper-level labs are generally 44 hours per weekly meeting, so you will have at least 176 hours of lab by completing the requirements in the table above. Completing the 2 credits of research required for the major gives another 88 hours. For the other 136 hours, you will need at least one additional laboratory course experience (e.g., CH442), with the other hours coming from additional research or laboratory courses.

5. Math and physics requirements include MA160 and PH145. BI163 is required for the biochem courses.

Possible Schedule for Certification

Note that there are many ways to meet the requirements; one example is shown here.

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