Skip to main content

Accessibility menu

Skip to main content Skip to footer

Chemistry & Biochemistry

Email Call Visit Print

UWL chemistry and biochemistry students develop problem-solving skills through challenging coursework and hands-on laboratory experiences.

Request info Declare a program Apply today

Declare a program

Interested in one of our majors, minors or certificates? Fill out the declaration form to declare a major or minor.

Undergraduate programs

Chemistry

Undergrad major Undergrad minor Teacher license

What can you do with a chemistry degree? Discover new drugs, manage environmental challenges, help meet demand for modern products and much more.

Areas of study

ACS Certification

UWL's Chemistry program is approved by the American Chemical Society (ACS). This degree track includes the coursework and experiences necessary to satisfy the requirements for ACS certification, meaning students who meet the ACS guidelines will receive an ACS-Certified Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry. 

Undergrad major View a sample plan for ACS Certification Catalogfor ACS Certification

Business Concentration

The chemistry major with a business concentration is appealing to students interested in both the science and business sides of chemistry. Students learn core chemical theory and laboratory skills through a series of chemistry courses. They also gain a strong foundation in business through courses in management, accounting, finance, and marketing.

Undergrad major View a sample plan for Business Catalogfor Business

Science Education

The Chemistry Education Program includes the coursework and classroom experiences necessary to satisfy the requirements for a science, grades 4-12 (2600) teaching license in the state of Wisconsin.

Undergrad major Teacher license View a sample plan for Science Education Catalogfor Science Education

Environmental Science Concentration

The chemistry major with an environmental science concentration provides a strong background in chemistry, along with multi-disciplinary, elective course options to explore areas such as climate change, contaminants, renewable energy, geospatial analysis, and ecosystem modeling.

Undergrad major View a sample plan for Environmental Science Catalogfor Environmental Science

Chemistry & Engineering

Chemistry majors with interest in engineering may be able to receive both a UWL degree in chemistry and a degree in engineering from UW-Madison.

Chemistry Undergrad major
Chemistry Undergrad major
Catalogfor Bachelor of Science in Chemistry & Bachelor of Science in Engineering Dual Degree Program Learn more about Chemistry
Catalogfor Chemistry
Quick glancefor Chemistry

Biochemistry

Undergrad major

As a biochemist your future could be in pharmacy, medicine or the growing biotechnology industry. Learn about biochemistry and career directions in the field.

Catalogfor Biochemistry
Quick glancefor Biochemistry

Featured courses

  • General Chemistry I
    CHM 103 | 5 credits
    An introduction to chemistry including topics in atomic structure, chemical bonding, molecular structure, chemical stoichiometry, reactivity, states of matter, solutions, acid-base theory, and nuclear chemistry, and also including selected topics in descriptive and applied chemistry. Scientific inquiry, experimental design and data analysis are included. Lect. 3, Lab 3, Disc. 1. Prerequisite: grade of "C" or better in MTH 150 or placement into MTH 151 or higher. Students who are currently enrolled in CHM 103 may not register for this course again until after priority registration (unless they have instructor/department consent). Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.
  • Analytical Chemistry
    CHM 301 | 5 credits
    This course offers a broad survey of common methods and scientific instruments used for chemical analysis. Instrumental methods include the topics of spectroscopy, chromatography, and electrochemistry. Quality assurance and calibration techniques are emphasized. Lect. 3, Lab 6. Prerequisite: CHM 104. Offered Fall, Spring.
  • Organic Chemistry Theory I
    CHM 303 | 3 credits
    A study of the structure, methods of structure determination, stereochemistry and chemical behavior of hydrocarbons, alcohols, and halogenated hydrocarbons. Theories and mechanisms are introduced to explain chemical behavior. Prerequisite: CHM 104; sophomore standing. Students with credit in CHM 300 cannot earn credit in CHM 303. Offered Fall, Spring.
  • Physical Chemistry Theory I
    CHM 309 | 3 credits
    This course is a study of real gases, equations of state, properties of gases, molecular energies, classical thermodynamics, chemical equilibria, changes of state, and reaction kinetics and mechanisms. Prerequisite: CHM 104; PHY 103 or PHY 203; PHY 104 or PHY 204; grade of "C" or better in MTH 208. Offered Fall.
  • Fundamental Biochemistry
    CHM 325 | 4 credits
    This course is the study of the fundamental chemical processes in biological systems emphasizing the structure and function of biological macromolecules, metabolism and the regulation of cellular processes, transport mechanisms, nature of biological energy, and applications to cellular and organismal function. Lect. 3, Lab 3. Prerequisite: CHM 300 or CHM 304. Students with credit in CHM 417 cannot earn credit in CHM 325. Offered Fall, Spring.
  • Industrial Chemistry
    CHM 330 | 3 credits
    An overview of both the scientific and commercial aspects of the chemical industry. Industrially important chemical processes will be discussed. Topics will include production and end use of basic inorganic chemicals of commercial importance, industrial gases, and petroleum-based products. The economics of various chemical processes will be presented. Global and local topics such as regulatory compliance, product liability, and patent/trade secret documentation may also be discussed. Prerequisite: CHM 300 or CHM 303. Offered Spring - Even Numbered Years.
  • Environmental Chemistry Laboratory
    CHM 413 | 2 credits
    This course is an exploration of chemical reactivity and measurement in atmospheric, terrestrial, and aquatic ecosystems. Students collect and analyze samples and perform experiments that validate major environmental topics. Lab experiments include measurement of the physical/chemical properties of air, water, and soil relative to environmental standards and toxic thresholds, as well as investigations of the chemistry of greenhouse gases, contaminants, indoor pollution, and acid rain. Lab 4. Prerequisite: CHM 300 or CHM 303 or CHM 301. Offered Fall.
  • Biochemistry I: Macromolecules
    CHM 417 | 4 credits
    This course is the study of the structure and function of biological macromolecules with special emphasis on proteins. Topics include the biochemical basis for the flow of genetic information, protein folding, protein-ligand interactions, protein function, and membrane structure and function. The laboratory focuses on contemporary biochemical techniques including quantitative biochemical assays, ligand binding, protein purification, and enzyme function. Lect 3, Lab 3. Prerequisite: CHM 300 or CHM 304. Students with credit in CHM 325 cannot earn credit in CHM 417. Offered Fall.
  • Biochemistry II: Metabolism
    CHM 418 | 3 credits
    This course provides a comprehensive and integrative approach to fundamental metabolism. In particular, the course emphasizes the chemical principles governing metabolite inter-conversions, energy flow, and regulation of metabolic pathways. Prerequisite: CHM 417. Offered Spring.
  • Advanced Biochemistry Lab
    CHM 419 | 3 credits
    This capstone biochemistry laboratory course provides students with the opportunity to undertake hypothesis-driven research. Students use a variety of contemporary biochemical and biophysical techniques to study biomolecular structure and function. Students give written and oral reports of their work that incorporate the primary literature. Lect. 1, Lab 6. Prerequisite: CHM 417; CHM 418 or concurrent enrollment. Offered Spring.
  • Spectroscopy
    CHM 424 | 3 credits
    A survey of important spectroscopic methods used in chemistry; infrared and ultraviolet, proton and carbon-13 NMR, and mass spectrometry. Theory and practice of techniques are covered. Emphasis is placed on structure determination of organic molecules. Analysis of dynamic systems and mixtures may also be covered. Lect. 2, Lab 3. Prerequisite: CHM 300 or CHM 304; junior standing. Offered Spring - Even Numbered Years.
  • Instrumental Analysis
    CHM 441 | 4 credits
    This is an in-depth course covering the operational principles, design, and application of instrumentation used for chemical analysis. Topics include instrumental methods for separations, mass spectrometry, spectroscopic, and electrochemical analysis; and specific instrumentation for materials characterization. Lect. 3, Lab 3. Prerequisite: CHM 301. Offered Fall.
  • Nuclear Chemistry
    CHM 461 | 4 credits
    A study of the decay of radioactive nuclides with emphasis on the theory of nuclear decay. Laboratory will include the study of the detection of radiation, methods of radio analysis and the safe handling of unsealed radioactive sources. Lect. 3, Lab 3. Prerequisite: four semesters of chemistry courses; junior standing. Students with credit in CHM 361 cannot earn credit in CHM 461. Offered Spring.
  • Molecular Biology
    BIO 435 | 3 credits
    This course is a study of molecular biology with an emphasis on eukaryotic systems. The course focuses on the molecular aspects controlling biological processes. The impact of recombinant DNA technology on biotechnology and medicine are also examined. This course is taught largely at an undergraduate level. Graduate students have additional course requirements/expectations. Prerequisite: BIO 306 or MIC 416; BIO 315 or CHM 325 or CHM 417 or MIC 425; junior standing. BIO 436 is an optional laboratory which can be taken concurrently. Offered Fall, Spring.
View all courses
Portrait of Madeline Brunner

Hear from an alum

Madeline Brunner

It wasn’t until leaving UWL that I discovered how exceptional my undergraduate education was. As a student at UWL, we had accessible faculty who were often willing to go out of their way to ensure students succeeded. Classes at UWL were rigorous and the curriculum rivals (if not beats) that of top-tier universities.

Portrait of Dr. Asieudu Boateng

Hear from an alum

Dr. Asieudu Boateng

My studies at UWL helped me develop the skills and experience needed to pursue graduate and professional studies as a career goal. A great deal of the rigorous and challenging coursework between biochemistry and chemistry helped me breeze through my doctorate program in pharmacy.

Portrait of Janek Walker

Hear from an alum

Janek Walker

Quite frankly, I couldn’t be where I am today without the training I received at UWL. The culmination of the rigorous curriculum and an abundance of practical laboratory experience gave me the confidence to begin a career in the life sciences and made me an ideal candidate for prospective graduate schools and employers.

Portrait of Leslie Scheurer

Hear from an alum

Leslie Scheurer

The personal connection I had with my professors was integral in navigating what classes I should take and what research group I should join to explore my options. Additionally, those professors helped me compile my application materials and wrote letters of recommendation for me.

Portrait of Danielle Rux

Hear from an alum

Danielle Rux

At UWL I benefited from small class sizes and one-on-one assistance, especially in upper level courses. I was able to generate professional relationships with my professors that led to more meaningful and personalized recommendations that were critical for the next steps in my career.

Portrait of Taylor Hackel

Hear from an alum

Taylor Hackel

The chemistry faculty truly want students to succeed and prepare us for competitive positions in academia and industry. I will always be very grateful to Dr. Heather Schenck for teaching me to run kinetic studies on the NMR [Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometer] for my senior project and being an amazing mentor.