Study Abroad and the Chemistry Major

Elon University has a strong and diverse study abroad program and it is a reason that many students decide to attend the university. The chemistry faculty support students that chose to study abroad but strongly encourage that they meet early with an advisor to determine the appropriate curricular choices.

Winter and summer term study abroad programs do not interfere with the chemistry curriculum in any way and should be easy to build into any student’s schedule. Semester abroad programs are more difficult to plan because of the vertical nature and pre-requisite structure of the chemistry major but they are not impossible.

Semester study abroad options for BS-ACS degree

The BS-ACS certified degree is designed to meet ACS professional certification and for that reason a strict curriculum must be followed. The key component of this structure is Physical Chemistry which must be completed no later than the junior year and requires prerequisites in both Math and Physics. Therefore options to study abroad are limited and must be planned carefully. Two scenarios are outlined below:

Option I: Semester abroad without summer school

Year 1:
  • CHM 111
  • CHM 112
  • MTH 1211
  • MTH 2211
  • PHY 1132
  • PHY 114
Year 2:
  • CHM 211
  • CHM 212
  • CHM 3113
  • CHM 332
  • CHM 334

Study abroad can take place in either Year 3 or 4. Upper level chemistry courses can be distributed based on which semester is chosen for study abroad. An example as follows:

Year 3:
  • Study Abroad
  • CHM 3214
  • CHM 2055
Year 4
  • CHM 351
  • CHM 432
  • CHM 431

1 Or by Math Placement
2 MTH 121 is a co-requisite for PHY 113. 
3 Quantitative Analysis (CHM 311) can be taken in either Year 2 or 4 but must precede CHM 321.
4 Instrumental Analysis (CHM 321) can be taken in either Year 3 or 4 but must follow CHM 311.
5 Inorganic Chemistry (CHM 205) can be taken in either Year 2 or 3.

Option 2: Semester abroad with summer school

Students have the option of taking both semesters of Calculus-based physics during the summer following their freshman year. This option will relieve some of the pressure of three math and science courses during their first year. All other scheduling follows the above scenario.

Semester abroad options for BA degree

The curriculum structure for the BA degree is not as restrictive as the BS-ACS. It is recommended that a student select study abroad in either the junior or senior year but it may be possible to do so in the sophomore year. A typical scenario is outlined below:

Year 1:
  • CHM 111
  • CHM 112
  • MTH 121
Year 2:
  • CHM 211
  • CHM 212
  • PHY 1111
  • PHY 1121
Year 3:
  • Study Abroad
  • CHM 205
Year 4:
  • CHM 311
  • CHM elective2

1 The BA degree does not require Calculus-based physics but PHY 113/114 can be substituted for PHY 111/112.
2 The BA degree requires 6 hours of CHM electives. They can be distributed in Year 3 and 4 in a variety of ways.