Mar 28, 2024  
2016-2017 Academic Catalog 
    
2016-2017 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 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 with interests in health related fields are advised to take complete the Biochemistry concentration.

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

Bachelor of Science in Chemistry


The Bachelor of Science degree program is approved by the American Chemical Society (ACS) 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 wishing to receive a degree approved by the ACS must complete CHEM 4610, and either MATH 2530 or MATH 2460, in addition to the Bachelor of Science degree requirements listed.

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)

Biochemistry Concentration


(8 units)

This concentration offers chemistry majors an additional focus on the subfield of biochemistry.  Chemistry majors that are pre-med, pre-pharmacy, or planning on graduate studies in biochemistry or molecular biology are recommended to pursue this concentration.

1. Complete the following required upper-division courses:


(5 units)

2. Complete one of the following upper-division elective courses:


(3 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.