Plans in Chemistry lead to the bachelor of arts (B.A.) or bachelor of science (B.S.) degrees. The Chemistry Program has completed evaluation and assessment by the American Chemical Society (ACS), and is on the ACS list of approved chemistry programs nationwide. Therefore students may now obtain ACS-certified BS degrees in chemistry if they complete the appropriate curriculum. Students enrolled in the Chemistry plan may choose from high quality content courses in all of the traditional areas of Organic, Analytical, Physical and Inorganic Chemistry, as well as in the closely related fields of Biochemistry and Environmental Chemistry. Moreover, students are encouraged to further enhance their studies by undertaking research with one of the Chemistry plan's faculty in any of these areas. In regard to such research, it should be noted that during the past nine years the Chemistry plan has received endowments from the Welch Foundation in the form of a Chemistry Departmental Research Grant. Those funds have been expended in support of the research efforts carried out by the plan's faculty during the training of students. This grant has just been renewed through the year 2011. The Chemistry plan also has an endowment from the Zeon Chemicals Company.

All chemistry courses taken at UHCL more than one year prior to being admitted to the Chemistry plan are subject to faculty review before being accepted for degree credit. Further information on the Chemistry plan is available from the Chair of Chemistry.

The B.A. degree is recommended for students preparing for careers in interdisciplinary areas such as medicine, secondary school teaching, patent law or environmental science. Students seeking a career in secondary school teaching must also file a certification plan with the School of Education (SoE). The B.S. degree is designed to meet the needs of students planning careers as professional chemists and is recommended as preparation for graduate training or for a career in the chemical industry.