Mar 29, 2024  
2015-2016 Academic Catalog 
    
2015-2016 Academic Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Chemistry B.A./B.S.


View information for the Department of Chemistry , including Learning Outcomes for the department and its programs.

Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry


The Bachelor of Arts degree program is designed for students seeking to enter professions requiring moderate training in chemistry combined with training in other areas. Examples are high school teaching, chemical patent law, library work, and technical sales, as well as health professions such as medicine, optometry, dentistry, medical technology, pharmacy, physical therapy, and veterinary medicine. Students are advised to take specific courses depending on their field of interest; for example, BIOL 1050 or BIOL 1150, CHEM 4400 or CHEM 4420, and ZOOL 3130 or ZOOL 3150, or both, in preparation for dental, medical, or veterinary medical schools.

Further information on the health professions area can be obtained from the Pre-Health Professional Program .

Bachelor of Science in Chemistry


The Chemistry Department maintains approval by the American Chemical Society (ACS).  The Bachelor of Science degree program adheres to ACS guidelines and provides comprehensive training in chemistry for students wishing to become professional chemists in industry or government, or who plan to attend graduate school.  Students seeking to satisfy ACS requirements must complete CHEM 4400, CHEM 4610, and either MATH 2530 or MATH 2460, in addition to the Bachelor of Science degree requirements listed.  Students meeting ACS degree requirements are eligible to join the ACS immediately upon graduation.

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Chemistry Requirements


1. Complete University General Education requirements for the bachelor’s degree.


(51 units minimum)

Click here to view General Education requirements. 

2. Complete the following prerequisites to the major:


CR grades will not be accepted for chemistry course prerequisites.

3. Complete a major.


Of not less than 24 upper-division units as specified for the Bachelor of Arts degree, or 31 upper-division units as specified for the Bachelor of Science degree; of these, no more than eight units of CR-graded coursework in courses graded exclusively CR/NC may apply toward the major. Transferred lower division courses (such as community college courses) may be used to fulfill subject requirements, but these will not count towards the minimum number of upper-division units in the major.

4. Completion of a minor is not required.


The Bachelor of Arts Major


(24 units)

Bachelor of Science Major


(31 units)

Environmental Sciences Concentration


A Chemistry major may complete additional requirements in the sciences and mathematics to qualify for a concentration in Environmental Sciences. This program requires study in biological sciences, chemistry, computer science, mathematics, and physical sciences, along with an environmental seminar and investigation of an environmentally related problem. Further details are found in the Environmental Sciences  section of this catalog.