Mar 29, 2024  
2023-2024 Academic Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Academic Catalog

Baccalaureate Degree Requirements Advising Sheet

Chemistry B.A./B.S.



Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Academic Programs

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

View the degree program Roadmap, which provide recommended advising maps to complete the degree program. Please consult your academic advisor as you develop your academic plan.

Program Learning Outcomes

  1. Graduates will demonstrate knowledge competency extending throughout the main sub-disciplines of chemistry.
  2. Graduates will think critically to analyze chemical problems.
  3. Graduates will communicate effectively in a professional setting.
  4. Graduates will demonstrate the ability to work competently and effectively in a laboratory environment.

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 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 the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements.


A student must comply with all University regulations and satisfy the following requirements:

  1. Units and Residency  (minimum of 120 units: 40 units of upper division coursework and 30 semester units at Stanislaus State. At least 24 of these 30 units must be earned in upper-division courses, at least 12 must be in the major, and at least 9 must be applicable to General Education-Breadth requirements)
  2. Grade Point Average  (minimum grade point average of 2.0 (C) or better)
  3. General Education  (minimum of 49 units)
  4. Upper Division Writing Proficiency  (minimum of 3 units)
    - Writing Proficiency (WP) Course (may double count in the major)
  5. United States Constitution and California State and Local Government  (minimum of 3 units)
  6. Multicultural Requirement  (minimum of 3 units) (may double count with General Education requirements or in the major)

Subsequently all students must submit an application for graduation and receive approval from the major advisor, department chair, and Director of Academic Advising. For more information see the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements .

2. Complete the following prerequisites to the major:


CR grades will not be accepted for chemistry course prerequisites.

b. Students pursuing the biochemistry concentration must complete the following prerequisite courses:


(8 units)

c. Bachelor of Arts students complete the following required courses in supporting fields:


(21 units)

d. Bachelor of Science students complete the following required courses in supporting fields:


(25 units)

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)

2. Select a minimum of six credit hours from the following courses:


(6 units)

Bachelor of Science Major


(31 units)

2. Select a minimum of three credit hours from the following courses:


(3 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.

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Academic Programs