Jul 05, 2025  
Rensselaer Catalog 2025-2026 
    
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Rensselaer Catalog 2025-2026

Chemistry - (Environmental Track), B.S.

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The Environmental Chemistry track within the B.S. in Chemistry is designed for students passionate about addressing environmental challenges through chemistry. This track provides a strong foundation in chemistry while integrating key concepts from Environmental Engineering and Earth & Environmental Sciences to offer a multidisciplinary approach to environmental issues. Students pursuing this track will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to contribute to sustainable solutions in areas such as pollution control, climate change, ecological and human health risk assessment, environmental monitoring, compliance, and resource management.

This track is ideal for students who aspire to pursue careers in environmental chemistry, sustainable energy, public health, regulatory agencies, or to continue their studies in graduate programs focused on environmental science and policy. With this degree specialty, students will be equipped with the critical thinking and technical expertise needed to address some of the most pressing global challenges related to the environment.

To enhance their understanding of the broader context of environmental issues, students in the Environmental Chemistry track are encouraged to select from one of the following Integrated Pathways for their HASS Core:

  • Public Health
  • Science, Technology, and Society
  • Sustainability
  • Ethics, Integrity, and Social Responsibility

A total of 128 credit hours are required for graduation. Students are encouraged to consult with their academic advisor to select elective courses that complement their interests and career goals while ensuring a well-rounded program.

A minimum of 3 credits combined of undergraduate research (CHEM 2930 , CHEM 2940 , CHEM 2950 , and/or CHEM 4970 ) or a SURP/URP or internship position are required as prerequisites for CHEM 4950 . Suggestions for the timing of these research credits are included in the schedule below, however students may elect to schedule them anytime throughout the program.

Courses in the track may be taken out of sequence, as long as prerequisites are met, allowing for flexibility in scheduling.

First Year

Fall

Spring

Second Year

Fall

Spring

Third Year

Please note: The third and fourth year of the program varies depending on when the student chooses to do the Arch-Away experience. Students following the Chemistry (Environmental Chemistry Track) B.S. may select either the summer following the second year or third year in which to do their Arch-Away experience. For more information on the ARCH process, please click here: The Arch 

Students who plan to enroll in a graduate program in Chemistry or related discipline following completion of their BS degree, or plan to pursue a research focused career, are encouraged to participate in the Summer Program for Advanced Research in Chemistry (SPARC) in the department for their Arch-Away experience.

Students who wish to lengthen their Arch-Away experience may elect to remain on campus for the summer following the second year. This would replace the Fall semester in the fourth year. Students should consult with their academic advisor for course selection in the summer term. They should then select the Summer after the third year for the Arch-Away experience

Summer

Fall

Spring

Fourth Year

Summer

Fall

  • Free Elective Credit Hours: 4
    or
  • Environmental Chemistry Track Elective Credit Hours: 3   5

Spring

Footnotes

1 CHEM 1100   or CHEM 1110   may be substituted for CHEM 1120   by students transferring into Chemistry.

2 ENGR 1600   may be substituted for CHEM 1220  by students transferring into Chemistry.

3 The Arch-Away experience, ILEA 4400 , only needs to be completed once, in either the summer after the second or third year.

4 A minimum of 3 elective credits combined should be used for undergraduate research (CHEM 2930  , CHEM 2940  , CHEM 2950  , and/or CHEM 4970 ) as prerequisites for CHEM 4950  

5 Students should select one course from the following list for the Environmental Track elective:

 

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