B.A. Degree in Chemistry
Description
The B.A. degree in Chemistry consists of a core of chemistry classes and a number of elective credits that can be tailored to the goals of the student through advising. This flexibility allows students to include the related field courses (physics, biology, earth science, mathematics, computer science) in their chemistry program that best fit their future career, graduate school, or professional school needs. Alternatively, a student can select an emphasis in Pre-Health and Biochemistry, Environmental Chemistry, or Forensic Science. To receive the B.A. Degree in Chemistry, the student must meet the minimum university requirements and specific requirements for the program. Completion of 120 credits is required for this degree which includes the Liberal Arts and Sciences Curriculum.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate basic knowledge and understanding of the fundamentals of experimental and theoretical chemistry and/or biochemistry.
- Demonstrate skills in analytical thinking, problem solving and application of scientific methods to experimental data.
- Demonstrate skills in laboratory operations including techniques and instrumentation.
- Demonstrate ability to design and conduct chemical or biochemical research projects.
- Effectively communicate chemistry or biochemistry in written and oral formats.
Program Delivery Mode
Land plus: face-to-face where some online courses may be available or required
Core Requirements
( 28 credits )
CHEM 150 General Chemistry I (3)
CHEM 150L General Chemistry Laboratory I (1)*
CHEM 210 General Chemistry II (3)
CHEM 210L General Chemistry Laboratory II (1)*
CHEM 294 Introduction to Research (1)
CHEM 350 Organic Chemistry I (3)
CHEM 355 Organic Chemistry I Laboratory (1)
CHEM 375 Team-based Chemistry Research (4)
CHEM 380 Analytical Chemistry I with Lab (4)
CHEM 400 Biochemistry I (3)
CHEM 405 Biochemistry Laboratory I (1)
Select One Physical Chemistry Class:
CHEM 450 Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics (3) or
CHEM 460 Physical Chemistry: Quantum Chemistry & Kinetics (3) or
BCBT 450 Molecular and Biophysical Chemistry (3)
*Students may replace either CHEM 150L (1) or CHEM 210L (1) with CHEM 275 (3).
Designated Writing Intensive Course for Major
CHEM 375 Team-Based Chemistry Research (4)
Related Requirements
( 15+ credits )
MATH 261 Calculus I (4)
Select 1: MATH 262 Calculus II (4) or BIOL 275 Biostatistics (4) or MATH 234 Introduction to Probability and Statistics (3)
Select 1: PHYS 160 Physics I with Algebra & Lab (4) or PHYS 200 Physics I with Calculus & Lab (4)
Select 1: PHYS 161 Physics II with Algebra & Lab (4) or PHYS 201 Physics II with Calculus & Lab (4)
Restricted Electives
( 22 credits )
If no emphasis is chosen:
Students must take 2 additional classes (6 credits) from the list below:
CHEM 300 Inorganic Chemistry I (3)
CHEM 360 Organic Chemistry II (3)
CHEM 410 Biochemistry II (3)
CHEM 420 Inorganic Chemistry II (3)
CHEM 480 Analytical Chemistry II (3)
BCBT 463 Genomics, Proteomics, and Beyond (3)
In addition, students must choose sixteen (16) credits of electives from CHEM, BCBT, BIOL, PHYS, AST, GEOS, MATH, or CSIS at the 300 level or higher in consultation with advisor. These can include courses not taken from the lists above (300 level or higher).
Emphasis in Pre-Health and Biochemistry
Restricted Electives
( 26 credits )
In addition to completing the core and related requirements above, students with this emphasis must also complete the following. Courses cannot double-count for both categories of electives.
Restricted Electives I:
Students must take 2 additional classes (6 credits) from the list below:
CHEM 300 Inorganic Chemistry I (3)
CHEM 360 Organic Chemistry II (3)
CHEM 410 Biochemistry II (3)
CHEM 420 Inorganic Chemistry II (3)
CHEM 480 Analytical Chemistry II (3)
BCBT 463 Genomics, Proteomics, and Beyond (3)
Restricted Electives II:
Students must earn 20 credits of electives and at least 12 must be upper division (300 level or higher) from the list below:
BIOL 111/BIOL 111L Cell Biology and Lab (4)
BIOL 115/BIOL 115L Organismal Biology and Lab (4)
BIOL 323/BIOL 323L Human Anatomy and Lab (4)
BIOL 349/BIOL 349L Human Physiology and Lab (4)
BIOL 341/BIOL 341L Genetics and Lab (4)
BIOL 350/BIOL 350L Microbiology and Lab (4)
BIOL 360/BIOL 360L Cellular and Molecular Physiology and Lab (4)
BIOL 365/BIOL 365L Developmental Biology and Lab (4)
BIOL 385 Molecular Biology (3)
BIOL 385L Molecular Biology Lab (1)
BIOL 430/BIOL 430L Immunobiology and Lab (4)
BIOL 494 Undergraduate Research in Biology (1-3)
BCBT 463 Genomics, Proteomics, and Beyond (3)
BCBT 464 Cell Culture, Histology, and Immunochemistry (3)
BCBT 394 Biochemistry and Biotechnology Research (1-3)
CHEM 360 Organic Chemistry II (3)
CHEM 365 Organic Chemistry II Lab (1)
CHEM 410 Biochemistry II (3)
CHEM 394 Undergraduate Research (1-3)
Emphasis in Environmental Chemistry
Program Requirements
( 25 credits )
In addition to completing the core and related requirements above, students with this emphasis must also complete the following:
CHEM 300 Inorganic Chemistry I (3)
CHEM 360 Organic Chemistry II (3)
CHEM 365 Organic Chemistry II Lab (1)
CHEM 480 Analytical Chemistry II (3)
BIOL 115/BIOL 115L Organismal Biology and Lab (4)
BIOL 345/BIOL 345L Principles of Ecology and Lab (4)
GEOS 109 Processes and History of a Dynamic Planet (3)
GEOS 109L Introductory Geology Lab (1)
GEOS 415 Reading Geochemical Fingerprints (3)
*CHEM 275 General Chemistry Research-based Lab and BIOL 275 Biostatistics are recommended as part of the core and related requirements.
Restricted Electives
( 3 credits )
Select one of the following:
CHEM 304 The Environmental and You (3)
PSCI 378 Energy and the Environment (3)
SUST 200 Nature of Sustainability (3)
POL 345 Environmental Politics (3)
Recommended Electives
CHEM 394 Undergraduate Research (1-3)
BIOL 372 Aquatic Biology (4)
GEOS 110 Water, Land, and People: An Introduction to Physical Geography (3)
GEOS 110L Water, Land, and People: An Introduction to Physical Geography Lab (1)
GEOS 305 Oceanography (3)
GEOS 330 Elementary Meteorology (3)
GEOS 335 Environmental Geography and Conservation (3)
GEOS 340 Economic and Environmental Geology (3)
GEOS 345 Principles of Geomorphology and Hydrology (3)
GEOS 417L Problems in Geochemistry (2)
Emphasis in Forensic Science
Program Requirements
( 25 credits )
In addition to completing the core and related requirements above, students with this emphasis must also complete the following:
CHEM 105 Crime Scene Science (3)
CHEM 360 Organic Chemistry II (3)
CHEM 365 Organic Chemistry II Lab (1)
CHEM 480 Analytical Chemistry II (3)
BCBT 360 Team-Based BCBT Research (3)
BIOL 111/111L Cell Biology and Lab (4)
BIOL 341/341L Genetics and Lab (4)
BIOL 385 Molecular Biology (3)
BIOL 385L Molecular Biology Lab (1)
*BCBT 450 Molecular and Biophysical Chemistry is recommended as part of the core requirements.
Restricted Electives
( 6 credits )
Take at least 6 credits from the following list (CJ 312 and CJ 337 are recommended):
PSY 113 General Psychology (3)
CJ 200 Introduction to Criminal Justice (4)
CJ 300 Criminology (3)
CJ 312 Criminal Investigation (3)
CJ 335 Criminal Law (3)
CJ 337 Criminal Procedure (3)
POL 201 You and the Law (3) or POL 230 Introduction to the Law (3)
POL 310 Political Science Research Methods (3)
Recommended Electives
CHEM 300 Inorganic Chemistry I (3)
CHEM 394 Undergraduate Research (1-3)
BCBT 463 Genomics, Proteomics, and Beyond (3)
BIOL 115/BIOL 115L Organismal Biology and Lab (4)
BIOL 323/BIOL 323L Human Anatomy and Lab (4)
BIOL 350/BIOL 350L Microbiology and Lab (4) or BIOL 236 Foundations of Microbiology with Lab (4)