Transfer Students: Making a Smooth Transition

Welcome to BU Chemistry—we’re glad you’re here! Because Chemistry majors complete prerequisite work across math, physics, chemistry, and (in some cases) biology, transfer planning can be complex. To ensure you register for the right courses in your first semester, please reach out before you enroll.

Who to contact

What to include in your email

  • Your full name and BU ID
  • An unofficial transcript or list of completed courses (include institution and course level)
  • Any placement scores/tests (e.g., calculus, language)
  • A brief list of proposed first-semester courses (if you have one)
  • Several meeting times (Eastern Time) for a short Zoom conversation

Michelle Njoroge will review your materials, answer questions about transfer credit and sequencing, Upon request, Mackenzie Hubbard can also coordinate a brief meeting with a Chemistry faculty mentor to finalize your planning. Mackenzie Hubbard can help connect you to a faculty member upon request.

Transfer Credit Evaluation

  • Chemistry courses taken elsewhere must be reviewed by the department to count toward your major.
  • Submit syllabi for each course you’d like evaluated.
  • Evaluations are handled by subject-specific experts (e.g. General Chemistry is evaluated by the Director of General Chemistry).

Typical First Semester Courses (Depending on if you are a sophomore or junior)

  1. Organic Chemistry (CH203 or CH211) – if you completed a year of General Chemistry
  2. Mathematics – If you’ve completed Calculus I and II:
    • Chemistry and Chemistry: Materials & Nanoscience specialization majors: CH225 – Mathematical Methods for Molecular Science
    • Chemistry & Physics majors: MA 225 – Calculus III
    • Chemical Biology specialization majors: CH225 not required, but highly recommended to support CH352 – Physical Chemistry
  3. Physics or Physical Chemistry:
    • If you’ve completed Calculus I–III and two semesters of calculus-based Physics, take CH352 – Physical Chemistry II (offered fall only, required for all Chemistry majors/specializations)
      • If you are entering BU in the spring, then you may want to register for CH351 – Physical Chemistry I (offered spring only, required for CH, CMN, and CH & PY majors)
    • Otherwise, take Physics I or II based on your previous coursework and major requirements

You should also consider:

Please review the CAS Transfer Registration Checklist for more guidance on selecting your first-semester courses. If a course you hope to register for is full, please review the Fall 2026 Full/Closed class procedures (BU login required) list that outlines the procedures for all BU departments.

Transfer Student Advising

If you’ve declared a major in Chemistry, you’ll be connected with:

  • Michelle Njoroge, Assistant Director in CAS Advising (mnjoroge@bu.edu)
  • The Chemistry Undergraduate Academic Program Specialist (chemuaa@bu.edu)
  • The Director of Undergraduate Studies in Chemistry
  • The Assistant Director for Transfer Success (listed in myBU Student).

Once you matriculate, you’ll be assigned a faculty mentor during your first semester. We encourage you to connect with both your academic advisor and faculty mentor early to review your course plan, research interests, and career goals.

Other information for transfer students

CAS Language Requirement

CAS students can fulfill the foreign language requirement by completing four semesters of college-level study, placing into a higher level via a placement exam, or waiving the requirement by demonstrating proficiency through standardized tests (such as AP, IB, or SAT Subject Tests) or a language proficiency evaluation for languages not taught at BU.

Learn more about fulfilling or waiving the language requirement

CAS Advising Forms

Need to declare a major or minor, add or drop a course, or request a graduation review? CAS Advising provides a range of online forms to support your academic planning.

Access CAS Advising forms here

BU Hub Requirements for Transfer Students

Transfer students follow a modified version of the BU Hub curriculum, because transferred coursework does not satisfy BU Hub requirements. These modified requirements ensure a smooth transition into BU’s general education program, while recognizing prior coursework.

  • When choosing a Hub course, you should consider selecting a course or two that fulfills Hub requirements you won’t fulfill with your major, including:
    • Philosophical, Aesthetic, & Historical Interpretation.
      • Note: Chemistry & Physics majors can earn this HUB requirement from PY351 – Modern Physics 1
    • Social Inquiry I or II
    • Diversity, Civic Engagement, & Global Citizenship
      • Note: These HUB requirements are typically satisfied by completing CAS language courses on BU’s campus
  • If you’re not sure how to find a Hub elective, you can review our registration instructions for tips on browsing by Hub requirement. 

Learn more about Hub requirements for transfer students

BU Pre-Health Advising

If you are interested in entering a health profession (medicine, dentistry, pharmaceuticals, etc) after graduating from BU, it is important that you familiarize yourself with the pre-health curriculum and connect with pre-health advisors. Prior to requesting an appointment, all students are required to self-enroll and complete their Blackboard Pre-Health 101 course. Students should also consider joining the Pre-Health Seminar section of FY103 in fall of their sophomore year.

Pre-Health Coursework for Chemistry majors:

  • Major Courses that are required for pre-health: CAS CH109/101 General Chemistry 1, CAS CH110/102 General Chemistry 2, CAS CH211/203 Organic Chemistry 1, CH212/214/204 Organic Chemistry 2 (spring semester only)
    • Note: CH212/214/204 Organic Chemistry 2 is not required for the Chemistry & Physics major, but it will satisfy your Chemistry elective requirement for the major
  • Additional Courses: CAS PS 101 General Psychology, CAS SO 100 Principles of Sociology, and CAS MA 113, 115, or 213 Statistics 1
  • Biology Courses: CAS BI 108 General Biology 2 (spring semester only), CAS BI203 Cell Biology or BI213 Intensive Cell Biology (fall semester only), and CAS BI 315 Systems Physiology
  • Biochemistry Courses: CAS BB421 Biochemistry 1 (major requirement, fall semester only) & CAS BB422 Biochemistry 2 (major elective, spring semester only)

Learn more about Pre-Health Advising