Bachelor of Science in Chemistry

Catalog Year 2024-2026

Based on VCCS Curriculum for CHEMISTRY

Transfer Guidance

Guaranteed Admission Agreement Requirements

• Earn a transfer associate degree based on the Chemistry curriculum.

• Earn a minimum of 2.0 GPA for the associate degree.

• A maximum of 63 credits will transfer and apply toward a bachelor's degree requirements.

• Submit your transfer application for Fall admission by March 1 and for Spring admission by December 1, including an unofficial transcript.

• Request an official transcript to be sent upon completing the associate degree.

• Transfer within four years of first enrolling at the community college and within one year of completing the appropriate associate degree.

Important Links & Dates

• University Transfer Center: Transfer Admissions & Services https://www.nsu.edu/transfer

• Register Intent to Transfer: By the end of your first semester at the Community College through College Connect at www.TransferVirginia.org

• Admission Application: By May 1 at https://www.nsu.edu/Admissions-Aid/Apply-Online

• Financial Aid: https://www.nsu.edu/tuition-and-financial-aid

• FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid: By October 1 at studentaid.gov

What Should I Consider When Selecting Courses?

• Chemistry requires mathematics up to Calculus III. Chemistry courses require integration of knowledge across disciplines, and high-level critical thinking. The chemistry program requires the sequential completion of courses. Students are highly encouraged to learn about chemistry course pre-requisites.

• Students planning to enter the Chemistry program should take general chemistry with laboratory, algebra, and trigonometry courses. If possible, students should also take organic chemistry with laboratory and calculus courses. An advisor will meet with students to determine their initial chemistry and mathematics course placement depending on their transfer courses.

• Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, and complete your first math and English courses in your first year. For help, see Transfer Steps and Resource Center at www.TransferVirginia.org

• Connect with an advisor at your community college and Norfolk State University within your first year. College Connect available in your account at www.TransferVirginia.org

Is This Degree Right For Me?

• Our B.S. in Chemistry program requires 121 or 123 credit hours, depending on the track.

• Grades of C or higher are required for all CHM courses.

• The chemistry degree, especially the pre-medicine track, requires great focus on academics. Students should plan to spend at least 40 hours a week on academic work to have a competitive advantage upon graduation.

• The Chemistry program requires mathematics up to Calculus III and development of rigorous critical thinking.

• Chemistry knowledge is cumulative. That means you will use knowledge acquired in previous courses throughout your academic career.

What Is The Impact On My Degree Of Work I Have Already Completed?

• Associate Transfer Degree Completion: Completion of a transfer-level associate degree satisfies all lower-division general education requirements.

• Dual Enrollment – Completion of Associate Degree in HS: The agreement of guaranteed admission into the college applies to students earning an associate degree concurrent with high school who have completed a transfer-approved degree with a minimum of 45 credits completed through a Virginia Community College, with a GPA of 2.0 or higher and that meets all requirements outlined in the Transfer Guide.

• Credit for Prior Learning: All course credits that were awarded by the two-year institution for equivalent prior learning experiences (IB, AP, CLEP, Military, etc.) will transfer based on the transfer equivalence for the course awarded.

• Catalog Year: Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance at the community college post high school graduation. For students maintaining continuous enrollment, this entitlement will be in effect for a minimum of four years from the time of the student's first enrollment at the two-year institution. Students must enroll at the four-year institution within one year of completing their associate degree.

Is This College Right For Me?

• NSU has been ranked by U.S. News and World Report as one of the Top 20 HBCUs in the nation.

• It is close to downtown Norfolk and within driving distance of Virginia Beach.

• On-campus housing is available.

• Weekend/evening/summer courses are available, and online degree options are available for several programs.

• NSU is a military-friendly institution.

• Learn more about our college at www.TransferVirginia.org

Did You Know That…

• Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree?

• Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at Norfolk State University?

What Can I Do With This Degree?

• Chemistry majors have numerous paid opportunities to further develop in their field and contribute as undergraduate researchers, peer leaders, tutors and peer mentors.

• Chemistry majors have opportunities to do research internships during the academic year with departmental faculty, sometimes with a stipend.

• Majors lead two affiliated student clubs: NOBBChE Student Chapter (National Organization for the Professional Development of Black Chemists and Chemical Engineers) and ACS Student Chapter (American Chemical Society).

• Chemistry is an excellent foundation for a variety of careers, including clinical medicine and medical research, pharmacy and drug design, toxicology and forensics, and entrepreneurship.

• Explore possible careers, salaries, and job outlook at www.TransferVirginia.org

Program Successes & Highlights

• Chemistry majors regularly participate in prestigious summer research and pre-medicine internships, such as at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, the University of Michigan and Johns Hopkins (summer 2022).

• In the past two years, 2021 and 2022, a chemistry major and an alumna were selected for the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Scholar.

• All majors have the opportunity to develop a mentoring relationship with alumni and have a close relationship with faculty as part of a well-knit community.

• All NSU chemistry graduates are certified by the American Chemical Society, the largest professional organization in the world.

• Students have the opportunity to serve as paid peer leaders, assisting fellow students in structured learning teams.

• Most students are accepted into paid research internships during the summer.

• Successful Chemistry program alumni serve in the department external advisory board and mentor chemistry majors.

• Most students who complete two years of the required chemistry courses graduate in less than six years and secure jobs or post-graduate education positions in their preferred career path.

What Are My Chances For Getting Accepted?

• NSU accepts close to 90 percent of students who complete an application.

• The average GPA of students admitted is a 2.9.

• Learn more about applying at www.TransferVirginia.org

Do More With Your Degree!

• In addition to our general track, you can also pursue a chemistry degree with an emphasis in pre-medicine, preparing you for dental, veterinary and medical careers.

• If you're interested in teaching chemistry, our teacher certification program prepares you to work in K-12 education.

• Our five-year, dual-degree program is another incredible educational option, resulting in a B.S. in chemistry and an M.S. in materials science. This valuable credential prepares you for industry leadership roles.