Chemistry, BA

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 majors may be students interested in a more general degree, pre-professional students, students having an interest in both 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.

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

General Information

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Chemistry requires the following:

• A minimum of 51 credit hours of CHEM course work. At least 16 of those hours must be upper division (courses numbered 3000 or higher).
• 21 additional hours of auxiliary course work.
• A grade of C or better in all CHEM and auxiliary course work.
• A minimum 2.0 GPA must be maintained in all CHEM course work.
• No more than 60 credit hours of CHEM course work may apply to the bachelor’s degree.

Additional course work is required to complete the Chemistry, BA degree. Please see the advising guide on the Academic Advising website for more information.

Chemistry Major Options

The following options, or tracks, may be added to the Chemistry major. Options may have different course, grade, GPA, or hour requirements.  See below for more information.

• Pre-Health/Interdisciplinary Sciences
• Secondary Education - UCCSTeach

Learning Outcomes

• Have knowledge of organic, analytical, physical and inorganic areas of chemistry and biochemistry, and an integrated overview of chemistry
• Have knowledge of additional areas of 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