Chemistry Admissions

This page contains information on applying to the Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry and Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (general and biochemistry options).

1. Degree options
2. Application timeline
3. How to apply
4. Admission prerequisites
   • Transfer coursework
   • Covid-19 and pass/fail grading
5. Questions?

Chemistry degree options

There are three undergraduate chemistry programs at UW Bothell:

• Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry
• Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (general option)
• Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (biochemistry option)

Application timeline

The Chemistry majors admit students for entry in autumn, winter, and spring quarters. Visit the UW Bothell Application Dates & Deadlines page for information on application deadlines.

How to apply

If you are already a student at UW Bothell, submit an “internal application”.

If you are coming from another institution, including UW Seattle or Tacoma, submit a “transfer application”.

Admission prerequisites

The prerequisites for entry into all three Chemistry majors are the same:

• A one-year Calculus series intended for science majors. The series should be equivalent to the STMATH 124, 125, 126 series at UW Bothell.
• A one-year General Chemistry series intended for science majors. The series should be equivalent to the BCHEM 143+144, 153+154, 163+164 series at UW Bothell and must include labs.
• A one-year Organic Chemistry series intended for science majors. The series should be equivalent to the BCHEM 237, 238+241, 239+242 series at UW Bothell and must include labs. Internal applicants may apply while B CHEM 237 is in progress.

Important notes on prerequisites

• Many Washington state colleges use the Common Course Numbering (CCN) system for their courses, noted with an ampersand (&), but some may vary.
• Calculus III transfers: Because of variance in Calculus III offerings at Washington state colleges, you may also need to take Calculus IV (MATH& 254/264) to gain equivalency for Calculus III.
• Minimum grades. All prerequisite coursework must be completed with a minimum grade of 2.0 in each course. However, reaching this minimum is not a guarantee of admission.
• In-progress courses. You may submit an application while you have your final Calculus and/or Organic Chemistry course in progress, but these courses must be completed before you begin the first quarter of your major.
• Quarters versus semesters. The University of Washington operates on a quarter system. If you are transferring from an institution that operates on a semester system, then please note that a three-quarter series and a two-semester series are usually considered equivalent.

Transfer coursework

To determine how most courses from a 2-year institution in Washington State transfer to the University of Washington Bothell, visit the transfer equivalency guide.

Covid-19 and pass/fail grading

The University of Washington recognizes the difficulties of the Covid-19 pandemic. For courses taken during Extraordinary Circumstances Quarters (ECQ), we will consider pass/fail grading options for the purposes of admissions and graduation requirements.

• If taken at a UW campus during an ECQ, a grade of ‘S’ (Satisfactory) will be considered. A grade of ‘NS’ (Not Satisfactory) will not be accepted.
• If taken elsewhere during an ECQ, a “Satisfactory”, “Credit”, “Pass”, or similar grade will be considered if the definition of these grades indicate they would have been at least a 2.0 if the class had been numerically graded.

Questions?

Premajor applicants

Start by visiting the premajor advising website or contacting the First Year & Premajor Programs (FYPP) team at uwbadvis@uw.edu.

Transfer applicants

Start by visiting the transfer admissions website or contacting the admissions advising team at uwbinfo@uw.edu.

Other applicants / further questions

You can contact us directly at stemadv@uw.edu.