Department of Chemistry

High School Graduates

The Office of Undergraduate Admissions has the responsibility of offering admission to all freshmen desiring enrollment at Virginia Tech. This office bases an admission decision on several factors; usually the most important are high school class rank and S.A.T. scores. Students admitted to chemistry usually have high class rank; the average S.A.T. score is approximately 1200, with a range of 950-1500. In a typical year admission offers will be made to about 150 students and about 60 of these will accept. Many high school students come with Advanced Placement credit. If a student scores a 4 or better on the chemistry AP test, credit will be given for all of general chemistry (1035, 1036, 1045, & 1046). The complete list of AP exam scores required for credit is available from the University Registrar. We usually recommend that students accept the credits that they have earned and proceed to the next higher level course in their program, but feel free to contact the Director of Undergraduate Studies for advice.

Visits: If you are visiting Virginia Tech and desire a tour of the chemistry labs, please email Anna Hawthorne (chemadv@vt.edu) two weeks before your visit to arrange a tour.

Transfers from Other Colleges

The Office of Undergraduate Admissions is responsible for admission offers to external transfer students. We typically have 10 transfer students entering our program about half from the Community College System and half from four-year colleges and universities. We work closely with the Virginia community colleges to ensure that students can make the transition to University studies with minimum disruptions. The Director of Undergraduate Studies welcomes inquiries from students considering transferring to our program. Helpful advice, about course selection prior to coming to VT, and including transcript evaluation of courses already taken, is always available.

Internal Transfers

To change your major to chemistry start with the Change of Major/Minor Form available at: http://www.cos.vt.edu/student/forms.asp. Students who wish to major in chemistry should visit the Director of Undergraduate Studies. The Chemistry Department has no restrictions on internal transfers, but students should be aware of the fact that to graduate in chemistry, you must have a 2.0 grade point average overall, and also in chemistry.

Double Majors

The Chemistry Department strongly recommends a second major in chemistry for students majoring in biology, biochemistry, chemical engineering, or a related discipline. For most students, the B.A. is the degree of choice. For example, biochemistry majors can receive the second major in chemistry by taking Math 2016, and Chem 3625, 4014, and 4424. See the Director of Undergraduate Studies for additional information.

Chemistry Minors

The courses to earn a Minor in Chemistry is on the Checksheets Page. To add a minor in chemistry start with the Change of Major/Minor Form available at: http://www.cos.vt.edu/student/forms.asp.