Western Carolina University

Transfer Guide

Western Carolina University
Chemistry, BS

Transfer Guide for Associate in Science

2024-2025

Concentration(s): ACS-Certified Chemistry
Delivery Method: On-Campus

Program Admission Notes:

Transfer students should apply to Western Carolina University at applynow.wcu.edu. A minimum 2.2 GPA is required for consideration, however, this does not guarantee admission. We recommend that you aim for an average cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above on 12+ hours of college credit for competitiveness with other incoming transfer applicants.

Please note that admission to the institution does not guarantee admission to specific programs, and some programs do require a supplemental application. Check the program website at WCU.edu for supplemental application details and instructions, or reach out to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at 828.227.7317.

Contact:

Advising Center
transferadvising@wcu.edu

Revised: May, 2024

College Level Foreign Language Requirements:

No foreign language requirement for this program.

Major-Specific Course Recommendations:

Students are encouraged to build the North Carolina Community College (NCCC) course recommendations below into the associate degree to best prepare for the intended university and major.

Recommended NCCC Course Credit
Hours		 University Equivalent Associate Degree
Requirement Fulfilled		 University Requirement Fulfilled
CHM 151: General Chemistry I 4 CHEM 139: General Chemistry I UGETC Natural Sciences Required Course, General Education
CHM 152: General Chemistry II 4 CHEM 140: General Chemistry II UGETC Natural Sciences Required Course, General Education
MAT 271: Calculus I 4 MATH 153: Calculus I Additional General Education Courses Required Course, General Education
MAT 272: Calculus II 4 MATH 255: Calculus II Additional General Education Courses Required Course, General Education
PHY 251: General Physics I 4 PHYS 230: General Physics I Additional General Education Courses Required Course, General Education
CHM 251: Organic Chemistry I 4 CHEM 241: Organic Chemistry I Elective/Pre-Major Courses Required Course
CHM 252: Organic Chemistry II 4 CHEM 242: Organic Chemistry II Elective/Pre-Major Courses Required Course
MAT 171: Precalculus Algebra 4 MATH 130: Precalculus I & MATH 19A: Lower Level Electives UGETC Math Suggested Course, General Education
MAT 172: Precalculus Trigonometry 4 MATH 146: Precalculus II UGETC Math Suggested Course, General Education

Remaining Associate Degree Requirements:

In addition to major-specific course recommendations above, students should work with a community college advisor to select additional community college courses to fulfill the remaining associate degree requirements identified below.

Recommended NCCC Course Credit
Hours		 University Equivalent Associate Degree
Requirement Fulfilled		 University Requirement Fulfilled
ENG 111: Writing and Inquiry 3 ENGL 101: Writing and Rhetoric English Composition General Education
ENG 112: Writing/Research in the Disc 3 ENGL 202: Writing and Critical Inquiry English Composition General Education
COM 231: Public Speaking 3 COMM 201: Foundations of Communication UGETC Humanities/Fine Arts General Education
Student Choice/No Preference (Approved Course Options) 3 University Equivalencies UGETC Humanities/Fine Arts General Education
Student Choice/No Preference (Approved Course Options) 6 University Equivalencies UGETC Social/Behavioral Sciences General Education
ACA 122: College Transfer Success 1 ELEC 19A: Lower Level Electives Academic Transition Elective
Student Choice/No Preference (Approved Course Options) 6 University Equivalencies Elective/Pre-Major Courses Elective

Additional Information From Western Carolina University:

Students completing this concentration are certified by the Committee on Professional Training of the American Chemical Society.  This concentration is intended for those students who anticipate pursuing a graduate degree in chemistry or a related field.  As this degree concentration requires independent research with a faculty advisor, students anticipating pursuing a career as an R & D chemist will also be best prepared to enter the workforce by completing this degree. The Accelerated Bachelor’s/Master’s (ABM) option, outlined in detail below, allows students to earn both a B.S. and M.S. in Chemistry from WCU in an accelerated timeframe.

Remaining Bachelor’s Degree Requirements at University:

University Course Credit
Hours		 University Course Notes
Chemistry Core Requirements 22
  • CHEM 232 - Quantitative Analysis Credits: 4 (CHM 263: Analytical Chemistry)
  • CHEM 321 - Inorganic Chemistry Credits: 3
  • CHEM 352 - Physical Chemistry: Chemical Thermodynamics Credits: 3
  • CHEM 361 - Principles of Biochemistry Credits: 3 (CHM 271: Biochemical Principles)

OR

  • BIOL 361 - Principles of Biochemistry Credits: 3
  • CHEM 370 - Instrumental Analysis I Credits: 4
  • CHEM 372 - Chemical Thermodynamics Laboratory Credits: 1
  • CHEM 495 - Seminar in Chemistry Credits: 1
  • PHYS 231 - General Physics II Credits: 4 (PHY 252: General Physics II)
ACS-Certified Chemistry Concentration Requirements 17

Choose one of the MATH classes listed below:

  • MATH 256 - Calculus III Credits: 4
  • MATH 270 - Statistical Methods I Credits: 3
  • MATH 320 - Ordinary Differential Equations Credits: 3
  • MATH 340 - Introduction to Scientific Computing Credits: 3

Complete all of the classes listed below:

  • CHEM 380 - Research in Chemistry Credits: 1-3, R12 4 credit hours of CHEM 380 are required.
  • CHEM 435 - Instrumental Analysis II Credits: 3
  • CHEM 453 - Physical Chemistry: Quantum Chemistry and Spectroscopy Credits: 3
  • CHEM 471 - Inorganic Syntheses Credits: 1
  • CHEM 472 - Organic Syntheses Credits: 1
  • CHEM 473 - Quantum Chemistry and Spectroscopy Laboratory Credits: 1
  • CHEM 475 - Biochemistry Laboratory Credits: 1
General Electives 30

To complete 120 hours, students may need to take additional General Electives (the number depends on how many Liberal Studies courses also count toward the major).

Students may wish to consider the following electives to aid in their development as a professional chemist:

  • ENGL 402 - Technical Writing Credits: 3
  • CS 150 - Problem Solving and Programming I Credits: 4
  • CS 151 - Problem Solving and Programming II Credits: 4

Students enrolled in the ABM option should consider taking an additional 3-credit 500-level chemistry course for an elective to satisfy requirements of the M.S. degree.