The Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry includes courses in all major chemical subdisciplines: analytical, biochemistry, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry, plus complementary courses in mathematics and physics. With 10 fewer upper-division units than the BS in chemistry, students have flexibility in their programs to take courses in other disciplines, including prerequisites for the credential program.

This degree is appropriate for students pursuing a teaching credential in science with a concentration in chemistry. This degree is also excellent preparation for students considering chemistry-related interdisciplinary fields.

Students who choose this program should consult with their major advisor.

Grading Requirement

All courses taken to fulfill program course requirements must be taken for a letter grade except those courses specified by the department as credit/no credit grading only.

Some courses require a minimum grade to progress in the program. Minimum grade requirements, including those listed on course requisites, are considered graduation requirements.

Course Requirements for the Major: 60-64 units

Completion of the following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, is required of all candidates for this degree. Courses in this program may complete more than one graduation requirement.

Course List

Course	Title	Units
Lower Division
CHEM 111	General Chemistry I	4
CHEM 112	General Chemistry II	4
CHEM 270	Organic Chemistry I	4
MATH 120	Analytic Geometry and Calculus	4
MATH 121	Analytic Geometry and Calculus	4
MATH 220	Analytic Geometry and Calculus	4
Select one of the following groups: 1		8-12
Group 1:
PHYS 202A	General Physics I
PHYS 202B	General Physics II
Group 2:
PHYS 204A	Physics for Students of Science and Engineering: Mechanics
PHYS 204B	Physics for Students of Science and Engineering: Electricity and Magnetism
PHYS 204C	Physics for Students of Science and Engineering: Heat, Wave Motion, Sound, Light, and Modern Topics
Upper Division
CHEM 320	Quantitative Analysis	4
CHEM 331	Physical Chemistry I	3
CHEM 361	Inorganic Chemistry	3
CHEM 370	Organic Chemistry II	3
CHEM 370M	Organic Chemistry Laboratory	2
CHEM 381	Integrated Chemistry Laboratory I	2
CHEM 401W	Communicating Chemistry (W)	3
CHEM 451	Biochemistry I	3
Select one of the following:		3
CHEM 332	Physical Chemistry II
CHEM 452	Biochemistry II
CHEM 454MW	Biochemistry Laboratory (W)
Select two units from the following:		2
Any upper-division courses (300- and 400- level courses) in Chemistry and Biochemistry (CHEM)
Total Units		60-64

¹

One full sequence (PHYS 202A and PHYS 202B or PHYS 204A, PHYS 204B, and PHYS 204C) must be completed.

Electives Requirement

To complete the total units required for the bachelor's degree, select additional elective courses from the total University offerings. Consult with an advisor to help select courses that provide breadth to your University experience and possibly help satisfy credential, professional, or graduate school prerequisites or support completion of a minor.

See Bachelor's Degree Requirements for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 39 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.

General Education Requirements: 43 units

See General Education and the Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education requirements and course offerings.

This major has approved GE modifications. See below for information on how to apply these modifications.

• CHEM 401W is an approved major course substitution for Upper-Division Physical and Biological Sciences (UD-5).

American Institutions Course Requirements: 6 units

The American Institutions graduation requirement, as mandated in Title 5, Section 40404, requires that students satisfactorily complete courses in United States history, the US Constitution, and government and American ideals (including California state and local government). At Chico State, HIST 130 meets the US history requirement (US-1), and POLS 155 meets the US Constitution and government requirement (US-2) and the California state and local government requirement (US-3). POLS 155 also fulfills three units of GE Area 4, Social and Behavioral Sciences. See Bachelor’s Degree Requirements for more information.

Diversity Course Requirements: 6 units

You must complete a minimum of two courses that focus primarily on cultural diversity. At least one course must be in US Diversity (USD) and at least one in Global Cultures (GC). See Diversity Requirements for a full list of courses. Many courses taken to satisfy these requirements may also apply to General Education.

Upper-Division Writing Requirement

Writing Across the Curriculum (EM 17-009) requires you to take four Writing (W) courses, two of which are upper-division courses designated for your major. Specifically, you must:

• Take one Writing (W) course.
• Take one Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GW) course.
  • Complete a GE English Composition (1A) course before taking the GW course.
  • Earn a grade of C- or higher to receive GW credit.

See Writing and Math Requirements for details on additional writing requirements you need to complete for graduation.

Major-Designated Courses

Writing (W) Course 

• Any upper-division Writing (W) course.

GWAR (GW) Course 

• CHEM 401W Communicating Chemistry (W) 

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) are clear, measurable statements that describe how students demonstrate mastery of the knowledge, skills, and values of the discipline as appropriate to the degree. Graduates of this program are expected to achieve the following PLOs:

1. Have a deep understanding of the basic theories of matter and be able to explain more complex phenomena using that knowledge.
2. Have a good understanding of the theories of inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, analytical chemistry, and biochemistry.
3. Be able to apply advanced mathematical operations to problem solving as it relates to chemical concepts.
4. Be able to perform independent analysis of chemical compounds and mixtures using modern instrumentation.
5. Have a working knowledge of the capabilities of modern instrumentation and be able to design and modify experiments to use the instruments effectively.
6. Understand the hazards of various classes of chemicals and be able to perform experiments in a way to minimize safety risks to themselves and the environment.
7. Be able to solve chemical problems by analyzing experimental results and interpreting them based on chemical theory.
8. Be able to perform quantitative analyses with good accuracy and precision.
9. Be able to categorize data statistically using computer technology.
10. Be able to retrieve information from the chemical literature and incorporate it into written reports and new experiments of their own design.
11. Be able to communicate their knowledge of chemistry and their experimental results to other students and other chemists through well-written reports.
12. Be able to communicate their knowledge of chemistry and their experimental results to other students and other chemists through clear and concise oral presentations.