Chemistry

Chemistry is the study of the world of molecules: how they are created from atoms, how their structures affect their chemical and physical properties, and how they unite or assemble to form the matter that makes up the physical world. Knowledge of chemistry is fundamental to an in-depth understanding of the structural properties and biochemical reactions that define all living systems. Chemistry is therefore the central science that bridges physics and the life sciences, and is a foundation to many other fields, such as materials science, earth science, and forensic science. The challenges that society faces in the twenty-first century, such as managing climate change, sourcing clean energy, and ensuring food security, are at their root chemical problems. With a global perspective and a broad science curriculum at its core, our chemistry major program gives students a comprehensive outlook necessary to tackle these challenges.

Requirements for the Major

Students can choose to follow the academic bulletin from the year that they were admitted or a more recent academic bulletin. For example, if you were admitted to NYU Shanghai in Fall 2019, you can choose to follow the academic bulletin 2019-2020, 2020-2021, and 2021-2022.

Planning the Major

To declare the Chemistry major, students must have a final grade of C, or currently enrolled in CHEM-SHU 126 Foundations of Chemistry II.

Faculty Mentors

Faculty mentors are the leading faculty and experts in the major disciplines. Students can reach out to faculty mentors for specific questions about the major, and references for connecting with relevant discipline resources. If you have specific questions about specific fields of study within the major, you can search for faculty through the faculty directory.

 

Danyang Yu

Area Head of Natural Sciences, Professor of Practice of Biology

 
Chemistry FAQs
Research Opportunities
  • We encourage students to reach out to the professors and take Foundations of Science courses to gain the chance to work in the professor’s lab. 
  • Students may refer to this study booklet of Molecular Science for the faculty research interests. 
Independent Study

Students are permitted to work on an individual basis under the supervision of a full-time faculty member in the relevant discipline if they have maintained an overall GPA of 3.0 and have a study proposal that is approved by the professor, Area Head and Academic Affairs.

Course Prerequisites
* = offered in Spring in Shanghai
The requirements below are from the 2020-2021 bulletin. Please refer to the previous years of academic bulletin if you are following a different major version. Not every course listed is taught every semester, and in any given semester other courses may be offered that fulfill this requirement. Requirements may be met through equivalent courses in the Global Network with prior approval.
PREREQUISITE COURSES
CHEM-SHU 125
Foundations of Chemistry I
Pre-req or co-req: MATH-SHU 131 Calculus or MATH-SHU 201 Honors Calculus
CHEM-SHU 126
Foundations of Chemistry II*
Pre-req: CHEM-SHU 125 Foundations of Chemistry I AND pre-req or co-req: MATH-SHU 131 Calculus or MATH-SHU 201 Honors Calculus
CHEM-SHU 127
Foundations of Chemistry I Lab
Pre-req or co-req: CHEM-SHU 125 Foundations of Chemistry I
CHEM-SHU 128 Foundations of Chemistry II Lab* Pre-req or co-req: CHEM-SHU 126 Foundations of Chemistry II
PHYS-SHU 11 OR

 

PHYS-SHU 91
General Physics I
OR
Foundations of Physics I Honors
Pre-req or co-req: MATH-SHU 131 Calculus or MATH-SHU 201 Honors Calculus
 
Pre-req OR co-req: MATH-SHU 131 Calculus or MATH-SHU 201 Honors Calculus

PHYS-SHU 12 OR

PHYS-SHU 93

General Physics II* OR Foundations of Physics II Honors*

Pre-req: PHYS-SHU 91 Foundations of Physics I Honors OR PHYS-SHU 11 General Physics I with B+ or higher grade
 
Pre-req OR co-req: Calculus AND pre-req: PHYS-SHU 11 General Physics I - this can be waived by the instructor based on student's prior experience
PHYS-SHU 71
FoS Physics I Lab
Pre-req or co-req: PHYS-SHU 91 Foundations of Physics I Honors or PHYS-SHU 11 General Physics I
PHYS-SHU 94
Physics II Lab*
Pre-req: PHYS-SHU 71 FoS Physics I Lab
Note that Foundations of Physics III Honors is NOT required for Chemistry majors.
MAJOR COURSES
MATH-SHU 151
Multivariable Calculus* 
Pre-req: MATH-SHU 131 Calculus with C or higher grade
CHEM-SHU 225
Organic Chemistry I
Pre-req: CHEM-SHU 126 Foundations of Chemistry II
CHEM-SHU 225L
Organic Chemistry I Lab
Co-req: CHEM-SHU 225 Organic Chemistry I
CHEM-SHU 226
Organic Chemistry II*
Pre-req: CHEM-SHU 225 Organic Chemistry I
CHEM-SHU 226L
Organic Chemistry II Lab*
Co-req: CHEM-SHU 226 Organic Chemistry II
CHEM-SHU 651
Physical Chemistry: Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy
 
CHEM-SHU 652
Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics and Kinetics
Pre-reqs: CHEM-SHU 126 Foundations of Chemistry II and PHYS-SHU 93 Foundations of Physics II Honors/PHYS-SHU 12 General Physics II. Multivariable Calculus is strongly recommended. Linear Algebra and Differential Equations is also recommended.
CHEM-SHU 661
Physical Chemistry Laboratory
 
CHEM-SHU 998 Integrated  Science Capstone*  
CHEMISTRY ELECTIVES: Choose Three
CHEM-SHU 285
Experimental Biochemistry
 
CHEM-SHU 310
Biophysical Chemistry
 
CHEM-SHU 312
Analytical Chemistry
Pre-req: CHEM-SHU 126 Foundations of Chemistry II 
CHEM-SHU 711
Inorganic Chemistry
 
CHEM-SHU 752
Computational Chemistry
Pre-reqs: CHEM-SHU 651 Physical Chemistry - Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy or PHYS-SHU 301 Quantum Mechanics AND CHEM-SHU 652 Physical Chemistry - Thermodynamics and Kinetics or PHYS-SHU 302 Statistical Mechanics and Thermodynamics
CHEM-SHU 881
Biochemistry I
Pre-req: CHEM-SHU 226 Organic Chemistry II
CHEM-SHU 882
Biochemistry II*
Pre-req: CHEM-SHU 881 Biochemistry I
CHEM-SHU 997
Independent Study*
Please note that Independent Study must have a combined total of 4 credits. This can be done in 1 semester with a 4-credit load. Students can also fulfill this requirement over 2 semesters and take 2-credit loads each semester. Students should fill out the permission form after consulting with the DUS and Faculty Research Advisor for approval.
CHEM-SHU 999
Chemistry Undergraduate Research Thesis*
Students must receive invitation of Chemistry Area Coordinator
CHEM-AD 312
Analytical Chemistry
 
CHEM-UA 911
Advanced Organic Chemistry
 
CHEM-UA 382
Structural DNA Nanotechnology
 
  1. Students interested in pursuing graduate study in Chemistry are strongly encouraged to take Inorganic Chemistry.
  2. Additional Advanced Chemistry courses in the NYU Global Network can also meet the Chemistry Electives requirement. Students should consult with their Academic Advisor for further details.
  3. Students may also take any courses in the NYU Global Network to satisfy the general elective requirements, but are strongly encouraged to take the following Mathematics and Computer Science courses.
Recommended Mathematics General Electives
MATH-SHU 235
Probability and Statistics*
Pre-reqs: MATH-SHU 131 Calculus or MATH-SHU 210 Honors Calculus with C or higher grade. Not open to students who took MATH-SHU 233 Theory of Probability
MATH-SHU 265
Linear Algebra and Differential Equations*
Pre-req: MATH-SHU 131 Calculus or MATH-SHU 201 Honors Calculus with C or higher grade
Recommended Computer Science General Electives
CSCI-SHU 11
Introduction to Computer Programming*
Pre-req or Co-req: MATH-SHU 131 Calculus or MATH-SHU 9 Precalculus with B or higher grade or pass Calculus placement test
CSCI-SHU 101
Introduction to Computer Science*
Pre-req: CSCI-SHU 11 Intro to Computer Programming or Placement
Study Away

Chemistry major students usually choose to study away in New York or Abu Dhabi to take major required courses and electives.

Information for Advisors [Log-in Required]