Chemistry Major, BA

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This BA degree program is designed for students preparing to incorporate chemistry into broader careers such as teaching, health sciences (PA, nursing, pre-PT), industry, business, and/or law. It is also the appropriate major for students seeking endorsement in teaching high school chemistry.

A BS is recommended for students who anticipate pursuing a graduate degree in chemistry, health programs (MD, DO, DVM, DDS, Pharm D, etc.) or chemistry careers that might require training in a greater depth of chemistry subdisciplines. See a faculty advisor in the Department of Chemistry 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.

Chemistry Program Requirements

Students must have earned a grade of C- or higher in all prerequisites to be admitted to a course. To graduate, all chemistry majors are required to achieve at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA and a 2.25 GPA in courses required for the major. To receive a minor in chemistry, students are required to achieve a 2.25 GPA in courses required for the minor.

Lab Fees
All chemistry labs have fees associated with them that must be paid when registering for the course.

Chemistry Program Learner Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

demonstrate proficiency in the concepts and skills designated in curriculum learner outcomes for courses in the relevant disciplines of chemistry;
communicate clearly and accurately, using the language and style appropriate to the field of chemistry;
demonstrate critical thinking skills that will allow for the explanation of chemistry-related principles and techniques, as well as quantitative problem solving, and demonstrate the ability to design experiments to test hypotheses;
retrieve and critically analyze chemical literature, demonstrate the ability to use software-based tools for data and statistical analysis, and use computers to interface with scientific equipment in a lab environment; and
utilize established safety protocols for standard chemistry procedures and locate available tools to establish new safety protocols.

Chemistry BA Core Requirements

Total Core Credits: 45

Required Courses Credits: 29

CHEM 332 - Quantitative Analysis Credits: (3)
CHEM 332LAB - Quantitative Analysis Laboratory Credits: (2)
CHEM 350 - Inorganic Chemistry Credits: (3)
CHEM 361 - Organic Chemistry I Credits: (3)
CHEM 361LAB - Organic Chemistry Laboratory I Credits: (2)
CHEM 362 - Organic Chemistry II Credits: (3)
CHEM 381 - Physical Chemistry (Thermodynamics) Credits: (5)
CHEM 431 - Biochemistry I Credits: (3)
CHEM 431LAB - Biochemistry Laboratory Credits: (2)
CHEM 488 - Colloquium Credits: (1)
CHEM 492 - Laboratory Experience in Teaching Chemistry Credits: (2)

Department-Approved Electives Credits: 5-6

CHEM 295 - Research Credits: (1-6)
CHEM 345 - Environmental Chemistry Credits: (5)
CHEM 363 - Organic Chemistry III Credits: (3)
CHEM 363LAB - Organic Chemistry Laboratory II Credits: (2)
CHEM 382 - Physical Chemistry (Quantum Chemistry) II Credits: (3)
CHEM 382LAB - Integrated Physical/Inorganic Laboratory I Credits: (2)
CHEM 383 - Physical Chemistry (Quantum, Statistical Mechanics) III Credits: (4)
CHEM 383LAB - Integrated Physical/Inorganic Laboratory II Credits: (1)
CHEM 395 - Research Credits: (1-6)
CHEM 432 - Biochemistry II Credits: (3)
CHEM 433 - Biochemistry III Credits: (3)
CHEM 433LAB - Biochemistry Lab II Credits: (2)
CHEM 452 - Instrumental Analysis Lecture Credits: (3)
CHEM 452LAB - Instrumental Analysis Laboratory Credits: (2)
CHEM 473 - Transition Metal Chemistry Credits: (3)
CHEM 495 - Senior Research Credits: (1-6)

Total Credits: 79-80

College and Department Information

Chemistry Department
College of the Sciences

Program Codes
CHEMBA, CHEMBAP