This BA degree program acts as a core curriculum for students who are preparing to incorporate biochemistry into broader careers such as pharmacy, dentistry, or medicine. This program is also an appropriate major for students seeking endorsement in teaching high-school chemistry.
A BS is recommended for students who anticipate pursuing a graduate degree in biochemistry or a biochemistry position requiring greater depth of knowledge in other chemistry disciplines. See a faculty advisor in the Chemistry Department as soon as possible to develop a course of study and to determine which degree program to pursue.
Teaching Endorsement Requirements:
This major partially satisfies the criteria for a teaching endorsement in chemistry (5-12), qualifying students to teach Chemistry at the high school, middle, or junior high levels. Students who successfully complete the Chemistry BA and STEM Teaching Program (an alternative to the Professional Education Program) are eligible to apply for Washington State teacher certification. Teacher certification candidates must receive a C grade or higher in all major and STEM Teaching Program courses, have a GPA of at least 3.0 for either the last 45 graded quarter credits or overall CWU/transfer cumulative, and meet all Washington State teacher certification requirements. See the chemistry teaching advisor as soon as possible to develop a course of study.
Program Learner Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Master the concepts and skills, including experimental techniques, designated in curriculum learning outcomes for courses in General, Organic, Biochemistry, and Analytical Chemistry, which are needed to graduate and successfully pursue career pathways.
- Write and speak clearly in the language and style of the discipline
- Demonstrate critical thinking skills needed to develop explanations, support qualitative and quantitative problem solving, and design experiments to test hypotheses.
- Use computers and the modern software of the discipline to fulfill designated curricular outcomes in lab and lecture courses that require data acquisition and analysis, instrument control, computation and display of molecular structure, or preparation of written reports or oral presentations.
- Retrieve and critically analyze chemical literature.
- While working in chemical laboratories, recognize chemical and laboratory hazards, and minimize risks using recognized best practices of laboratory safety.