ACS Certified Degree

American Chemical Society logo in blue, white, and gold

The American Chemical Society (ACS) promotes excellence in chemistry education for undergraduate students through a detailed approval process for baccalaureate chemistry programs. The HMC Chemistry department has a long history of meeting these standards and being designated as an ACS-approved program. 

When you complete your chemistry major, joint chem-bio or joint chem-climate major at Harvey Mudd College, you have the opportunity to earn a degree that is also certified by the American Chemical Society. Earning an American Chemical Society certified chemistry degree means that Harvey Mudd has prepared you for a wide variety of careers relying on chemistry knowledge and skills. On your resume, you can specify that you earned an ACS certified degree from an ACS-approved Chemistry department, and employers will know you have both completed a broad-based and rigorous chemistry major (i.e., the certified degree) and graduated from a Chemistry department that meets high standards (i.e., the approved program). All ACS certified degree graduates can connect with the world’s largest scientific community by activating a free three-year membership with the  American Chemical Society.

The American Chemical Society provides some more detail with this brief letter. The American Chemical Society’s Committee on Professional Training (CPT) oversees the approval of chemistry programs and certification of Chemistry degrees and provides even more information Committee on Professional Training. 

Here is a checklist of items required to complete the ACS certified degree at Harvey Mudd College and a link to the form that graduating seniors should complete to apply for the ACS certified degree. If you have any questions about ACS certification, please feel free to reach out to your chemistry advisor, chemistry department chair, or associate chair.

Chemistry Major Requirements for ACS Certified Degree

The course requirements for graduation with the chemistry major satisfy the ACS certified degree requirements, so no additional coursework is necessary. It is important, however, that when you take the elective courses for your major that you select at least 9 units designated as “in-depth,” register for the chemistry course number of any cross-listed course and have satisfied the prerequisite for the in-depth courses with the specified chemistry course(s). If you are unsure about these requirements, please consult with your advisor or the department chair. To apply for an ACS certified degree, fill out the web form provided by the department  and you will receive your ACS certificate upon graduation.

Joint Chemistry-Biology Major Requirements for ACS Certified Degree

In as few as three additional classes, you can earn an ACS certified degree. In addition to the graduation requirements for your joint major, you will need to take one additional foundation course. Specifically, instead of taking either Chem103 or Chem104, you will need to take both of these classes. In addition, you will need to take at least 6 additional credits of in-depth chemistry course(s) (e.g. 2 full (three-credit) class or 3 in-depth half-courses (two-credit classes). In-depth courses are non-lab, advanced chemistry courses that have foundational chemistry courses as a prerequisite or that have another in-depth course as a prerequisite. It is recommended that you talk with your chemistry advisor or the department chair about your plans to complete the requirements for the ACS certified degree. To apply for an ACS certified degree, fill out the web form provided by the department and you will receive your ACS certificate upon graduation.

Joint Chemistry-Climate Major Requirements for ACS Certified Degree

The Joint Chemistry-Climate major is flexible with several options for courses to be chosen from a list. If you are interested in obtaining an ACS certified degree, talk with your chemistry advisor or the department chair as early as possible so that your choices can be made to meet both the major and the certification requirements. In addition to the graduation requirements for your joint major, you will need to ensure that you take both Chem 104 and Chem 182 to meet the foundation course requirement. In addition, you will need to take at least 3 additional credits of in-depth chemistry course(s) (e.g. 1 full (three-credit) classes or 2 in-depth half-courses (two-credit classes) in addition to the required Chem 170. In-depth courses are non-lab, advanced chemistry courses that have foundational chemistry courses as a prerequisite or that have another in-depth course as a prerequisite. Finally, you will need to take at least 2 additional laboratory courses (such as Chem 53, 58, 110 or 184). To apply for an ACS certified degree, fill out the web form provided by the department  and you will receive your ACS certificate upon graduation. One sample pathway that leads to ACS certification is shown here:

  • First semester: Math 19, Writ 1, CS5+lab, Bio 46, Bio 23, Phys 23, PE
  • Second semester: Math 73, HSA 10, Phys 24, Chem 42, Chem 24, elective
  • Third semester: Engr 79, Math 82, Chem 51, Chem 53, Phys 51, PE, HSA
  • Fourth semester: Core 79, Phys 50, Chem 103, Chem 109, Math 62, HSA, elective
  • Fifth Semester: CLES 101, Chem 56, Chem 58, Chem 199, Chem In-depth (such as Chem 112), 2x HSA, PE
  • Sixth Semester: CLES 120, Chem 60, Chem 104, Chem 110, CLES 199, 2x HSA
  • Seventh Semester: CLES 199, 3x HSA, Chem 151, elective
  • Eighth Semester: Chem 170, Chem 182, Chem 199, 2x HSA, Chem 152