Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry
(120 units)
Degree Progress
Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry majors must complete the following requirements within the specified time of declaring the major. Some students may need to take courses during Summer Session to meet these requirements. Students who have not met the requirements by the required semester must either declare another major or meet with an Academic Advisor to determine if the student's performance in the courses merits an additional semester to complete. Students required to enroll in pre-baccalaureate math may receive one additional semester to meet the requirements.
Freshmen: A grade "C" or better must be achieved in both MATH 122 and CHEM 111A within one calendar year. A grade of "C" or better must be achieved in CHEM 111B and CHEM 220A within two calendar years.
Transfer Students: A grade "C" or better must be achieved in both CHEM 220A and PHYS 151 within one calendar year.
In addition, BA Chemistry majors must earn a “C” or better in all courses counting toward the major majors must maintain major and upper-division major GPAs of 2.0 or higher. A student whose GPA in the major or upper division GPA in the major falls below 2.0 will be advised that they are at risk of being dismissed from the major and granted one semester to raise their major GPA(s) to 2.0. Students who do not successfully raise their major GPA(s) must meet with an advisor to declare another major or submit an appeal to the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry explaining why they need one additional semester. Students whose major GPAs remain below 2.0 after this additional semester must declare a new major.
Requirements
Lower Division:
Take either of the following pairs:
- CHEM 111A General Chemistry (5)
Prerequisites: A passing score on the Chemistry Placement Examination.
Corequisite: MATH 109 or higher.
- and
- CHEM 111B General Chemistry (5)
Prerequisites: CHEM 111A and MATH 113 or MATH 115 or MATH 119A or MATH 122 all with a grade of "C" or better.
or
- CHEM 112A Advanced General Chemistry (5)
Prerequisite: Department consent.
- and
- CHEM 112B Advanced General Chemistry (5)
Prerequisite: CHEM 112A with a grade of "C" or better
Take either:
- CHEM 251 Quantitative Analysis (4)
Prerequisite: CHEM 111B with a grade of “C” or better
or
- 4 units of electives chosen in consultation with an advisor
Take all of the following courses:
- CHEM 220A Organic Chemistry I (3)
Prerequisites: CHEM 111B with a grade of "C" or better. Corequisites: CHEM 224 is required for students repeating course. CHEM 223A must be taken concurrently if required by a degree plan.
- CHEM 220B Organic Chemistry II (3)
Prerequisites: CHEM 220A with a grade of C or better.
Corequisite: CHEM 223B or CHEM 320L except for students who previously earned a "C" or better in CHEM 223B or CHEM 320L.
- MATH 122 Calculus I (4)
Prerequisite: Appropriate MDPT placement or a grade of "C" or better in MATH 111 and MATH 113.
- MATH 123 Calculus II (4)
Prerequisite: A grade of "C" or better in MATH 122.
- PHYS 151 Mechanics and Heat (4)
Prerequisite/Corequisite: MATH 122.
- PHYS 152 Electricity and Magnetism (4)
Prerequisite: PHYS 151; Prerequisite/Corequisite: MATH 123.
Upper Division:
Take all of the following courses:
- CHEM 320L Organic Chemistry Laboratory for Chemistry & Biochemistry Majors (2) F, S
Prerequisite: CHEM 220A
Corequisite: CHEM 220B, except for students who have previously earned a "C" or better in CHEM 220B
- CHEM 331 Inorganic Chemistry (3)
Prerequisites: CHEM 111B with a grade of "C" or better.
- CHEM 361 Chemical Communications (3)
Prerequisites: GE Foundation requirement. Students must have scored 11 or higher on the GWAR Placement Examination or completed the necessary portfolio course that is a prerequisite for a GWAR Writing Intensive Capstone.
Prerequisite/Corequisite: CHEM 220A.
Take one of the following courses:
- CHEM 420 Advanced Organic Chemistry Lab (3)
Prerequisites: CHEM 220B or CHEM 320L and either CHEM 361 or CHEM 466, all with a grade of "C" or better.
- CHEM 498 Senior Thesis (3)
Prerequisites: major GPA>3, 3 units of CHEM 496 with a grade of "A", consent of instructor
Take all of the following courses:
- CHEM 451 Instrumental Methods of Analysis (5)
Prerequisites: PHYS 152, CHEM 361; CHEM 371B or CHEM 377B; all with a grade of "C" or better.
- CHEM 461 Chemistry Capstone (1)
Prerequisite: Department consent.
Select one pair from the following:
- CHEM 371A Physical Chemistry (3)
Prerequisites: CHEM 111B, MATH 123, PHYS 152 (all with a grade of "C" or better).
Prerequisite/Corequisite: MATH 224.
- and
- CHEM 371B Physical Chemistry (3)
Prerequisites: CHEM 111B, MATH 123, PHYS 152 (all with a grade of "C" or better).
Prerequisite/Corequisite: MATH 224.
or
- CHEM 377A Fundamentals of Physical Chemistry (3)
Prerequisites: CHEM 111B, MATH 123, and PHYS 152 (all with a grade of "C" or better).
- and
- CHEM 377B Fundamentals of Physical Chemistry (3)
Prerequisites: CHEM 111B, MATH 123, and PHYS 152 (all with a grade of "C" or better).
Take an additional 3 additional units chosen with advisor consultation from the following:
- CHEM 332, CHEM 373, CHEM 421, CHEM 431, CHEM 441A, 441B, CHEM 448, CHEM 480, CHEM 496. Only one biochemistry pathway may be used toward this degree program: either CHEM 448 or CHEM 441A and/or 441B.
To meet prerequisite standards for courses in this program's requirements, a "C" or better is necessary in the following: CHEM 111A, CHEM 111B, CHEM 112A, CHEM 220A, CHEM 220B, CHEM 320L, CHEM 361, CHEM 371B, CHEM 377B, MATH 122, MATH 123, PHYS 151, PHYS 152.
Students must consult an advisor to select additional courses to meet the student's individual goals and interests.
