Cosmetic Chemistry, B.S.
Program Description
The cosmetic chemistry major provides an interdisciplinary background and training in the chemistry, bioscience, business, and marketing necessary to prepare graduates for careers in the cosmetic and personal care industry. A central focus of the major will be connecting scientific principles to real world product design and consumer needs. Students will gain hands-on training in laboratory procedures, techniques, and instrumentation routinely employed in cosmetic science and research. The curriculum emphasizes core chemistry principles underlying cosmetic science while integrating practical business concepts necessary for graduates to be highly competitive for careers such as cosmetic product development, quality control, and commercialization.
Why Choose this Major?
Cosmetic chemistry undergraduate major is an interdisciplinary program blending a chemical and bioscience training with a business understanding relevant to cosmetic science and industry. The major highlights the chemistry of cosmetics and cosmetic ingredients. The curriculum prepares graduates to work in the cosmetics and personal care industries, including cosmetic product design and development, quality control, regulatory compliance (e.g. FDA), and marketing. Students will gain expertise in:
- Cosmetic formulation and ingredient functionality
- Product development and marketing
- Product stability and safety testing
- Regulatory compliance (FDA, EU, etc.)
- Sustainability and innovation in cosmetic product development
Graduates will be equipped to pursue careers in cosmetic R&D, product development, quality assurance, regulatory affairs, and related fields. The program also provides a strong foundation for graduate study in cosmetic science, pharmaceutical sciences, or related disciplines.
Degree Earned
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
Required for Graduation
- Courses
- Major: 18 Courses: 8 Chemistry, 1 Math,1 Computer Science, 1 Business, 4 Biology, 1 Marketing or Innovation, 2 Electives
- Credits
- Major: 62-65
- Total: Must meet or exceed 120 completed credit hours in addition to satisfying all major and core requirements.
- GPA
- Major: 2.0
- Cumulative: 2.0
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will:
- Students will be able to apply the foundational chemistry, biochemistry, and materials science knowledge relevant to problems in cosmetic science.
- Students will explain and apply the principles of product development, marketing strategies, commercialization, and/or regulation relevant to the life cycle of cosmetic products.
- Students will apply quantitative and statistical skills to problems relevant to the cosmetic industry.
- Students will communicate information and scientific data relevant to the cosmetics industry effectively in discipline specific formats (e.g. poster presentations, written reports, business proposals, and oral discussions).
- Students will be able to safely execute chemistry laboratory procedures and techniques to collect data. Students will design experiments implementing these techniques and procedures to test hypotheses.
Progress Chart
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Level One - Core Courses | ||
| Universal Required Courses | ||
| Students must complete the following 4 courses. | ||
| ILO 8.1: Written Communication | ||
| ENG 110 | College Writing I: Persuasion | 3 |
| ILO 5.1: Information Literacy | ||
| ENG 210 | College Writing II: Research | 3 |
| ILO 1.1: Understanding Diverse Perspectives | ||
| FYS 130 | First-Year Academic Seminar | 3 |
| ILO 2.1: Reflective Thinking and Valuing | ||
| REL 100 | Religion Matters | 3 |
| Elective Core Courses | ||
| Students must complete 1 course in each of the following 4 ILOs. | ||
| ILO 3.1a: Scientific Reasoning | ||
| CHM 111 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| ILO 3.1b: Quantitative Reasoning | ||
| MTH 114 | Applied Business Calculus | 4 |
| or MTH 120 | Calculus I | |
| ILO 6.1: Technological Competency | ||
| CSC 152 | Computer Technology for the Sciences | 3 |
| ILO 8.1a/12.1: Oral Communication/Collaborative Engagement | ||
| Choose course within ILO | 3 | |
| Distinct Discipline Core Courses | ||
| Students must complete 1 course in each of the following 4 ILOs. Each course must be from a different discipline. (A "discipline" is represented by the 3- or 4-letter prefix attached to each course.) | ||
| ILO 4.1: Critical Analysis and Reasoning | ||
| Choose course within ILO | 4 | |
| ILO 9.1: Creative and Artistic Expression | ||
| Choose course within ILO | 3 | |
| ILO 10.1: Ethical Understanding and Reasoning | ||
| Choose course within ILO | 3 | |
| ILO 11.1: Cultural and Global Awareness and Sensitivity | ||
| Choose course within ILO | 3 | |
| Universal Required Modules | ||
| Students must complete the following 2 non-credit modules. 2 | ||
| ILO 7.1a | ||
| Health Literacy Module | ||
| ILO 7.1b | ||
| Financial Literacy Module | ||
| Major Requirements | ||
| Level Two | ||
| Students must complete 1 course/learning experience in each of the 4 commitments. | ||
| ILO 2.2: Broader Identity (Capstone Course/Experience) | ||
| CHM 499 | Chemistry Capstone | 1 |
| Select one ILO from 3.2a, 3.2b, 4.2, 5.2, 6.2, 7.2a, or 7.2b: Expanded Literacies | ||
| CHM 202 | Organic Chemistry II (ILO 3.2a) | 4 |
| ILO 8.2b: Effective Expression (Writing-Intensive Course) | ||
| CHM 405 | Materials Chemistry | 4 |
| Select one ILO from 10.2, 11.2, or 12.2: Active Responsibility | ||
| CHM 212 | Quantitative Analysis (ILO 12.2) | 4 |
| All Other Required Courses | ||
| CHM 112 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| CHM 141 | Introduction to Cosmetic Chemistry | 3 |
| CHM 201 | Organic Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHM 411 | Biochemistry I | 4 |
| BIO 210 | Integrated Biology I- Molecules and Cells | 4 |
| BIO 231 | Regulatory Affairs | 3 |
| BIO 303 | Microbiology | 4 |
| BIO 320 | Biostatistics | 3 |
| BUS 204 | Principles of Marketing with Applications | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Life Science Innovation | ||
| Advertising and Promotional Management | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6-8 | |
| Mammalian Physiology | ||
| Histology | ||
| Marketing Research | ||
| Women, Gender, And Public Health | ||
| Free Electives | ||
| In addition to the requirements listed above, students must take enough courses to the fulfill graduation credit requirements for their School and major. | ||
| Total Credits | 93-96 | |
Recommended Course Sequence
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| First Semester | Credits | |
| CHM 111 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHL 111 | Laboratory | 0 |
| Credits | 4 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| CHM 112 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| CHL 112 | Laboratory | 0 |
| CHM 141 | Introduction to Cosmetic Chemistry | 3 |
| BIO 210 | Integrated Biology I- Molecules and Cells | 4 |
| BIL 210 | Laboratory | 0 |
| Credits | 11 | |
| Second Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| CHM 201 | Organic Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHL 201 | Laboratory | 0 |
| MTH 114 | Applied Business Calculus | 4 |
| Credits | 8 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| CHM 202 | Organic Chemistry II | 4 |
| CHL 202 | Laboratory | 0 |
| BUS 204 | Principles of Marketing with Applications | 3 |
| Credits | 7 | |
| Third Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| CHM 405 | Materials Chemistry | 4 |
| CHL 405 | Materials Chemistry Lab | 0 |
| Elective | 3-4 | |
| Credits | 7-8 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| BIO 231 | Regulatory Affairs | 3 |
| BIO 320 | Biostatistics | 3 |
| BIO 330 or MKT 302 |
Life Science Innovation or Advertising and Promotional Management |
4 |
| Credits | 10 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| First Semester | ||
| CHM 411 | Biochemistry I | 4 |
| CHL 411 | Laboratory | 0 |
| Elective | 3-4 | |
| MKT 302 or BIO 330 |
Advertising and Promotional Management or Life Science Innovation |
3-4 |
| Credits | 10-12 | |
| Second Semester | ||
| BIO 303 | Microbiology | 4 |
| BIL 303 | Laboratory | 0 |
| CHM 499 | Chemistry Capstone | 1 |
| Credits | 5 | |
| Total Credits | 62-65 | |
Course Descriptions
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CHM 111 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHL 111 | Laboratory | 0 |
| CHM 112 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| CHL 112 | Laboratory | 0 |
| CHM 141 | Introduction to Cosmetic Chemistry | 3 |
| CHM 201 | Organic Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHL 201 | Laboratory | 0 |
| CHM 202 | Organic Chemistry II | 4 |
| CHL 202 | Laboratory | 0 |
| CHM 212 | Quantitative Analysis | 4 |
| CHL 212 | Laboratory | 0 |
| CHM 405 | Materials Chemistry | 4 |
| CHL 405 | Materials Chemistry Lab | 0 |
| CHM 411 | Biochemistry I | 4 |
| CHL 411 | Laboratory | 0 |
| CHM 499 | Chemistry Capstone | 1 |
| BIO 210 | Integrated Biology I- Molecules and Cells | 4 |
| BIL 210 | Laboratory | 0 |
| BIO 231 | Regulatory Affairs | 3 |
| BIO 320 | Biostatistics | 3 |
| BIO 303 | Microbiology | 4 |
| BIL 303 | Laboratory | 0 |
| BIO 305 | Mammalian Physiology | 4 |
| BIL 305 | Laboratory | 0 |
| BIO 330 | Life Science Innovation | 4 |
| BIO 405 | Histology | 4 |
| BIL 405 | Laboratory | 0 |
| BUS 204 | Principles of Marketing with Applications | 3 |
| MTH 114 | Applied Business Calculus | 4 |
| MTH 120 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MKT 302 | Advertising and Promotional Management | 3 |
| MKT 401 | Marketing Research | 3 |
| PHLT 357 | Women, Gender, And Public Health | 3 |