Declaring a Major or Minor
The Department of Chemistry is home to about 80 majors at any given time. These students are a crucial part of a dynamic group of chemists. If you’re interested in joining us, you should start by discussing your interest with your favorite chemistry professor. They will answer your questions and guide you to the next step in declaring your major.
To formally declare a major or minor in chemistry, you must first visit https://registrar.wfu.edu/program-change-student/ and fill out the required information. Once your declaration has been reviewed, the department administrative assistant (Ms. Linda Tuttle, 113-C Salem Hall) will assign you a minor or major advisor. Please note that you must have earned 40 credit hours before declaring chemistry as your major.
Our Department offers four degrees certified by the American Chemical Society: Bachelor of Science (B.S.), B.S. with concentration in Biochemistry, B.S. with concentration in Materials Chemistry, and B.S. with concentration in Medicinal Chemistry & Drug Discovery. We also offer a Bachelor of Arts (B.A) degree. Course requirements and typical semester schedules for these different degrees are given in the undergraduate bulletin.
Which degree is right for you depends on your chemical interests and career plan. Any of our major advisors will be happy to discuss your options with you. Because there is considerable overlap between the degrees, it is possible to change your degree path along the way.
The Department of Chemistry jointly offers an interdisciplinary major with the Department of Biology in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BMB). The BMB major provides a strong foundation in biochemistry and molecular biology, and related topics at the interface of these two disciplines. For more information on the BMB major, click here to visit the BMB program website
Be advised, if you’re reading this before coming to Wake Forest, it is very important that you take CHM 111 in the fall semester of your first year.
Chemistry Minor
A minor in Chemistry requires 19 hours in chemistry and must include at least one of the following: 334, 341, 342, 351, 361, 364, 366, 370 or 373.
