How to Apply to Chemistry at the University of Memphis: A BS (with Biochemistry, Environmental and Forensic Chemistry Concentrations) and an ACS-Approved BSCH with Three Semesters of Research, and the Admission Route and Prerequisites for US, International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Applicants

The University of Memphis (UofM) is a public university in Memphis, Tennessee. The chemistry undergraduate program is offered by the Department of Chemistry. This article follows the University’s website and is organised for US applicants, international applicants and applicants from China, followed by transfer students. Medicine, nursing, pharmacy, dentistry, public health and other health-professions degrees are outside this article—see the website; biology, physics, mathematics and engineering are also not covered. The University’s undergraduate catalog was not read for this article, so check course descriptions and formal degree requirements on the website.

1. Degrees and tracks, and how you are admitted

• Overview of the department’s degrees: the programs page says the department offers two undergraduate degrees, the BS and the BS.CH., both with an optional biochemistry concentration; the BS.CH. requires additional chemistry coursework and undergraduate research, and graduates are certified by the American Chemical Society (ACS). Departmental honors can be earned in all undergraduate degrees: a GPA of at least 3.25 overall and in required science and mathematics courses, honors credit in two upper-division CHEM courses and a third at any level, three credits of undergraduate research, and a research paper presented to an audience outside the department. An accelerated Bachelor/Master program lets outstanding undergraduates begin MS coursework in their senior year.
• BS in Chemistry, General concentration: the department says it is recommended for students interested in teaching high school chemistry or pursuing entry-level positions in the chemical industry, and offers the minimum coverage expected for admission to most graduate programs in chemistry. It requires 36 hours in chemistry, 10–12 hours in mathematics, 8 hours in physics and one upper-division ethics course; with 30 hours of General Education and electives the total is 120 hours, at least 42 of them upper division. Chemistry courses include General Chemistry I and II (with labs), Foundations of Inorganic Chemistry, Foundations of Analytical Chemistry (with lab), General Organic Chemistry I and II (with labs), Foundations of Physical Chemistry, the CHEM 4999 Senior Survey and eight further upper-division hours (no more than 3 credits of experiential learning). Mathematics is Calculus 1 and 2 plus one listed course; physics is PHYS 2110/2111 and 2120/2121 (or General Physics 2010/2011 and 2020/2021).
• Other BS concentrations: the programs page lists Biochemistry, Environmental Chemistry and Forensic Chemistry concentrations. The biochemistry concentration page says it is recommended for students preparing for postgraduate study in pharmacy, medicine, dentistry or related health professions and mentions a “3+1” option with participating pharmacy schools (a health route not expanded here). Detailed requirements for the environmental and forensic concentrations are not published on the pages read.
• ACS-approved BS.CH. (BSCH): the department says this degree is usually taken by students preparing for careers as professional chemists and by those intending advanced degrees in chemistry; the program is approved by the ACS Committee on Professional Training (CPT) and graduates are ACS-certified. It requires 42–43 hours in chemistry, 11–12 hours in mathematics, 8 hours in physics and one upper-division ethics course; the chemistry hours include nine upper-division lecture hours, two upper-division laboratory courses, CHEM 4901, 4902 and 4903 (Chemical Research I–III) and CHEM 4999.
• Grade rules: the department says prerequisites are strictly enforced and these courses may not be repeated more than three times to earn the minimum required grade of C-.
• When you declare the major and conditions for transferring in: the department’s apply page says students who want a BS or BS.Ch. in Chemistry choose and complete the appropriate application from the forms listed on that page (the forms were not read); the timing and grade conditions are not published on the pages read.
• Choosing a major at application: see section 3; the admissions pages read do not say whether you must choose a major when applying—ask Undergraduate Admissions.

2. Prerequisites, course layout and research

• Math requirements for the first courses: the department says an ACT MATH sub-score of at least 24, or credit for MATH 1710 (College Algebra) or higher, is required to register for CHEM 1110 (General Chemistry I); an ACT MATH sub-score of at least 26, or credit for MATH 1720 (Trigonometry) or MATH 1730 (Pre-Calculus), is required to register for MATH 1910 (Calculus 1).
• High school prerequisites: beyond the minimum high school curriculum for all freshmen in section 3, the department pages set no separate high school chemistry or physics requirement, nor A-Level, AP or IB credit rules for chemistry courses; this is not published on the pages read.
• Undergraduate research: the department says CHEM 4901/4902/4903 are for students doing chemical research under a faculty mentor on or off campus, and a research contract must be completed before obtaining a registration permit; students can also do research without taking those courses, some faculty have funds to pay hourly wages or small stipends, volunteers are welcome when no funding exists, and students can present on campus and at regional and national meetings. The department also notes the American Chemical Society Scholars Program for minority students, with applications due to the ACS before 1 March each year.
• Accreditation: the BS.CH. is approved by the ACS Committee on Professional Training.
• Departmental scholarships: the department page says scholarships for entering freshmen are awarded from the information on the University application with no separate application unless noted by the Scholarship Office; the department has a small number of scholarships for students already in its undergraduate degrees, such as the J. C. Williams Memorial Scholarship and the William H. Zuber Memorial Scholarship, applied for through the Tiger Scholarship Manager; there are also the Chi Beta Phi award for the highest-achieving graduating senior and an Outstanding Freshman Chemistry Major award.
• Program objectives: the department says graduates should know the core concepts of analytical, organic, physical, inorganic and bioorganic chemistry, be able to solve theoretical and practical problems, have laboratory, communication and basic computer and computational skills, and be prepared for entry-level positions or for graduate and professional school.
• Where graduates go: the pages read give no employment-rate or salary data.

3. How to apply, materials and testing

• Where to apply: the application page sorts applicants into freshman, transfer, graduate, international, online (UofM Global), returning, dual enrollment, law and non-degree types; first-time freshmen may use the University’s own application or the Common App (dual-enrolment applicants should not use the Common App). The page says applications open in the first week of your senior year of high school, and that you must be fully admitted to be eligible for scholarship consideration.
• Fee and materials: freshmen pay a non-refundable $25 application fee, and provide an official transcript with at least three years of high school work and a standardized exam result (ACT or SAT). The requirements page says all students must provide a standardized exam result, valid if taken within five calendar years of the entry term; sub-scores are used for placement; no score alone guarantees admission, and scores are weighed with other factors. The freshman page adds that the University allows self-reported GPA and ACT/SAT scores (with sub-scores) for faster decisions, with a final high school transcript required after admission.
• Minimum high school curriculum: English 4 units; visual and/or performing arts 1; mathematics 3 (at least Algebra I, Geometry and Algebra II); natural and physical science 2 (at least one unit of biology, chemistry or physics); social studies 2 (one of them US History); foreign language 2 (the same language). This is the minimum for all freshmen; any additional high school subject requirements for chemistry or biology are not published on the pages read.
• Deadlines (domestic applicants): fall application deadline 1 July with file completion by 1 August; spring 1 December and 1 January; summer 1 May and 15 May. The priority deadline for scholarship consideration is 1 December for admitted students, and the University urges those who may be scholarship-eligible to apply before 1 November of the year before enrollment. The pages do not print a year, so check on the website that these apply to fall 2027 entry.
• Admission thresholds: the pages read give no minimum GPA or ACT/SAT for first-year admission (they link to “Guaranteed Admission Pathways”, which were not read); they only say applicants not admissible on self-reported data are placed in supplemental review and asked for more information such as a seventh-semester transcript. There is no separate admission bar for chemistry or biology on the pages read, and they do not say whether you must pick a major at application; ask Undergraduate Admissions.

4. US, international and Chinese applicants

US applicants

• Tuition (undergraduate, 2026–27): the fee schedules are by credit hours. Tennessee residents pay $406 tuition per credit hour plus an $84 university service fee, capped at 12 hours: $4,872 tuition plus $1,008 service fee, $5,880 in total per semester. Non-Tennessee residents pay $610 tuition per credit hour plus the $84 service fee—$8,328 for 12 hours and $10,158 for 15 hours (no cap on the per-hour tuition; the service fee caps at $1,008 from 12 hours). A different page says non-resident students are charged in-state tuition rates on credits over 12, which does not match the schedule’s continuing $610 per credit hour from 13 hours—check the latest schedule on the website. The tuition overview page has a separate note for residents of five bordering counties; see the website’s border-county page, which was not read.
• Scholarships: the value page says academic scholarships begin at a 3.25 GPA and a 22 ACT or equivalent SAT. The first-time freshman page says scholarships are assessed from the admissions application on two paths—GPA plus test score, or high school GPA only—with priority for applications by 1 December and updated GPA and test scores accepted until 1 March; academic scholarships are renewable for up to three additional years with 12 credit hours a semester, good standing and required service hours. Separate programs include Emerging Leaders ($5,500 a year; minimum 21 ACT or 1060 SAT and a 3.0 GPA; separate application due 1 February) and First Scholars ($5,000 a year, for first-generation students; due 1 February). Tennessee residents may receive the Memphis Promise last-dollar scholarship, which fills the gap between financial aid and tuition.

International applicants

• Applying and fee: apply online and pay the non-refundable $50 application fee; upload your secondary (or college) transcript or marks sheet to the portal for an initial assessment, with official records required before enrolment; decisions typically come by email within 5–7 business days. The international page says freshman admission is competitive, with the primary factors being the secondary school GPA and demonstrated English proficiency. It does not list ACT/SAT as required, while the requirements page says all students must provide a standardized exam result—the two differ, so confirm with Undergraduate Admissions.
• Deadlines: for first-time F-1 applicants outside the US: fall application 1 July and file completion 15 July; spring 1 November and 1 December; summer 1 April and 1 May (summer is not recommended for those needing a visa). For international applicants already in the US: fall 1 August, spring 1 December and 1 January, summer 1 May and 1 June. No year is printed, so check that these apply to fall 2027 entry.
• English proficiency (any one): citizenship of an English-speaking country with English as native language, or English as the language of instruction in high school or college; TOEFL iBT 61 (the page says “61 Prior to 2026 / 4 after 2025”), IELTS 6, PTE 50, Duolingo 95, iTEP 3.7; SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 540, ACT English 21, IB Higher-Level English A1 grade 5, GED 450 / HiSET 45, Cambridge GCE/GCSE/IGCSE English Language or First Language at B or higher; completing the University’s Intensive English for Internationals (IEI) program; one semester of English Composition with a C or better at a US or approved English-speaking-country college, or at least two years at a high school in the US or an approved English-speaking country; or a letter from your school stating the language of instruction (which the Admission Committee may reject). Test scores expire after two years; submit unofficial scores with the application and have official scores sent directly.
• Aid: the University selectively awards competitive merit-based scholarships to newly admitted degree-seeking international students on F-1 or J-1 visas studying on campus; they are for first-time entering students only, and dual citizens and permanent residents are not eligible. Applicants are assessed on GPA plus test score, or GPA only. The amounts are in an image on the page, which was not read, so check them on the website.

Applicants from China

• The University publishes a China-specific requirements PDF (dated 9 September 2026 on its face): submit at least one of the following—the high school graduation exam results certificate (HUIKAO), verified directly by the China Qualifications Verification Authority (CDGDC), or the graduation certificate; GCE/GCSE/IGCSE (O-Level, A/AS-Level) and IB certificates are also accepted. Documents must be submitted in English and in the native language. Applicants who did not sit any of these exams should notify Undergraduate Admissions. Proof of English proficiency is as above.
• Whether and how the gaokao is considered is not published on the pages read; ask Undergraduate Admissions (admissions@memphis.edu).

5. Transfer students

• Materials: first-time transfer applicants pay a non-refundable $25 fee and provide official transcripts from every post-secondary institution attended, with a cumulative GPA for all work attempted. Those who will not have completed 15 transferable hours by enrolment must also send a final high school transcript and ACT/SAT results and meet the freshman requirements; those with 15 or more credits do not need the high school transcript or test scores. The page says a cumulative college GPA of 2.0 is typically expected, with a comprehensive review, and applicants on academic suspension at the last school attended will generally not be admitted.
• International transfer applicants: a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 across all institutions, domestic and international; coursework from outside the US needs a course-by-course evaluation from a NACES or AICE member agency; evaluated credits post first as unassigned electives and must be matched to degree requirements with course descriptions or syllabi through your adviser; applicants with fewer than 15 transferable hours must send secondary transcripts.
• Deadlines: the pages read list no separate transfer application deadlines; check the website.
• Course and GPA expectations for transfers into chemistry or biology are not published on the pages read; course equivalencies are in the undergraduate catalog, which was not read.

6. AP/IB credit

The chemistry department and admissions pages read do not say how AP or IB credit maps to chemistry courses; this is not published on those pages, so ask the department and Undergraduate Admissions.

Sources: University of Memphis, chemistry programs; BS in Chemistry; BSCH (ACS-approved); biochemistry concentration; undergraduate research; departmental scholarships; applying to chemistry; how to apply; admission requirements; deadlines; freshmen; international undergraduate; international requirements; English proficiency; requirements by country; China requirements (PDF); transfer; transfer requirements; tuition overview; resident fee schedule (PDF); non-resident fee schedule (PDF); international fee schedule (PDF); freshman scholarships; international scholarships. Figures and dates should be checked against the latest website pages.