2013-2014 Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2013-2014 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Chemistry, BA


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This degree program is suitable for students wishing a major in chemistry that requires fewer credit hours in chemistry, physics, and mathematics than the BS degree. BA graduates may be students interested in a more general degree, pre-medical or pre-dental students, students having an interest in both biology and chemistry or chemistry and some other discipline, students who switch over to a chemistry major during their third or fourth year of college, or students who are unsure of their goals early in their college experience. Many BA students choose to go on to graduate school in chemistry and prepare themselves by taking sufficient courses in chemistry and related disciplines in order to qualify for acceptance.

There are five chemistry degree options within the BA: general, environmental, forensic chemistry, pre-health professional, and secondary education. Recommended year-by-year curricula for each option follow.

Learning Outcomes, Chemistry, BA

  • Have knowledge of general organic, analytical, physical and inorganic areas of chemistry and biochemistry, and an integrated overview of chemistry
  • Have knowledge of additional areas of biology, mathematics, physics, and technology and be able to manipulate experimental data and understand the derivation of fundamental relationships
  • Be able to communicate effectively about the field of chemistry

Chemistry BA, General Option—Four-Year Curriculum


The BA in Chemistry with the general option is designed for students who wish to major in chemistry, but is limited to fewer credit hours in chemistry, physics, and mathematics than the BS in Chemistry. Students may be interested in a more general degree or may be pre-professional students who will elect significant course work from another department. BA students may go on to graduate school in the chemical sciences by taking additional courses in chemistry or related disciplines.

The BA in Chemistry general option requires a minimum of 50 credit hours in chemistry. No more than 54 credit hours in chemistry may be counted in the 120 credit hours required for the degree.

Students are required to select two upper-division electives in chemistry. Up to 6 credits may be CHEM 4990 Chemistry Research - Undergraduate.

Total Hours (120)


Chemistry BA, Environmental Option—Four-Year Curriculum


This BA program is designed for those students having an interest in environmental processes and problem solving from a chemical perspective. Many environmental issues are multi-dimensional and require the application of chemical principles, processes, and techniques within other disciplines. The strength of this program option is the combination of chemical principles with those of other earth systems. This degree program will give the student a solid foundation in chemistry while pursuing a multi-disciplinary approach that includes course work in biology, ecology, geography, and economics.

The BA in Chemistry environmental chemistry option requires a minimum of 50 credit hours in chemistry. No more than 54 credit hours in chemistry may be counted in the 120 credit hours required for the degree.

Students are required to select one upper-division elective in chemistry. Up to 3 credits may be CHEM 4990 Chemistry Research - Undergraduate.

Total Hours (120)


Chemistry BA, Forensic Chemistry Option—Four-Year Curriculum


This BA program is designed for those students having an interest in forensic procedures and problem solving from a chemical perspective. Many forensic issues are multi-dimensional and require the application of chemical principles, processes, and techniques within other disciplines. The strength of this program option is the combination of chemical principles with those of other disciplines related to forensic chemistry. This degree program will give the student a solid foundation in chemistry while pursuing a multi-disciplinary approach that includes course work in biology, biochemistry, and forensic science.

The BA in Chemistry forensic chemistry option requires a minimum of 52 credit hours in chemistry. No more than 54 credit hours in chemistry may be counted in the 120 credit hours required for the degree.

Total Hours (120)


Chemistry BA, Pre-Health Professional Option—Four-Year Curriculum


The BA degree in chemistry with pre-health option is designed for students who are interested in chemistry and who plan a career in a health-oriented profession such as medicine or dentistry. This option satisfies the course requirements of most medical and dental schools. 

Students who wish to work as chemists or to pursue graduate studies in chemistry should elect one of the other program options (either BS or BA) in chemistry rather than the Pre-Health Option.

The BA in Chemistry pre-health professional option requires a minimum of 38 credit hours in chemistry. No more than 54 credit hours in chemistry may be counted in the 120 credit hours required for the degree.

Recommended Electives


It is recommended that students take one or two upper division chemistry electives in addition to the required courses.

Total Hours (120)


Chemistry BA, Secondary Education Option—Four-Year Curriculum


The BA degree in chemistry with secondary education option is designed for students wishing to be high school chemistry teachers. This program has very specific requirements and little room for elective courses that will count towards graduation. It is important to consult with advisors from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the College of Education.

Students who wish to work as chemists or to pursue graduate studies in chemistry should elect one of the other program options (either BS or BA) in chemistry rather than the Secondary Education option.

The BA in Chemistry secondary education option requires a minimum of 34 credit hours in chemistry. No more than 54 credit hours in chemistry may be counted in the hours required for the degree.

Students are required to select one upper-division elective in chemistry. Up to 3 credits may be CHEM 4990 Chemistry Research - Undergraduate.

Note:


*Secondary Education Option students, when registering for CHEM 4050 Introduction to Lab Teaching, must contact the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department chair in the semester prior to that in which they intend to teach, in order to determine an appropriate laboratory to teach.

Total Hours (125)


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