Chemistry, Bachelor of Arts College of Letters & Science

Office & Contact Information

Chemistry is the study of the composition of matter, its structure, and the means by which it is converted from one form to another.

The Program

We offer several degree programs leading to the Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) and the Bachelor of Science (B.S.). To meet and discuss these programs with our staff advisors, see Academic Advising.

The curriculum leading to the A.B. degree offers a substantive program in chemistry while allowing students the freedom to take more courses in other disciplines and pursue a broad liberal arts education. Students with a deeper interest in chemistry should choose one of the several programs leading to the B.S. degree.

Career Alternatives

Chemistry graduates with bachelor's degrees are employed extensively throughout various industries in quality control, research & development, production supervision, technical marketing, and other areas. The types of industries employing these graduates include chemical, energy, pharmaceutical, genetic engineering, biotechnology, food & beverage, petroleum & petrochemical, paper & textile, electronics & computer, and environmental & regulatory agencies. The bachelor's programs also provide chemistry graduates with the rigorous preparation needed for an advanced degree in chemistry and various professional schools in the health sciences.

Major Advisor

To contact a major advisor in the Department of Chemistry, see Academic Advising.

Honors & Honors Program

The student must take courses CHE 194HA, CHE 194HB, and CHE 194HC, and complete a capstone research project (typically a written honors thesis). For more information, see Undergraduate Research.

Graduate Study

The Department of Chemistry offers programs of study and research leading to M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Chemistry. Detailed information regarding graduate study may be obtained by contacting the Graduate Advisor, Department of Chemistry. See also Graduate Studies.

The major requirements below are in addition to meeting University Degree Requirements & College Degree Requirements; unless otherwise noted. The minimum number of units required for the Chemistry Bachelor of Arts is 72.

Preparatory Subject Matter
Chemistry
Choose a series:15
CHE 002A
& CHE 002B
& CHE 002C
General Chemistry
and General Chemistry
and General Chemistry
CHE 004A
& CHE 004B
& CHE 004C
General Chemistry for the Physical Sciences & Engineering
and General Chemistry for the Physical Sciences & Engineering
and General Chemistry for the Physical Sciences & Engineering
Physics
Choose a series:12-15
PHY 007A
& PHY 007B
& PHY 007C
General Physics
and General Physics
and General Physics
PHY 009A
& PHY 009B
& PHY 009C
Classical Physics
and Classical Physics
and Classical Physics
Mathematics
Choose a series:9-12
MAT 016A
& MAT 016B
& MAT 016C DISCONTINUED

and
and (Discontinued)
MAT 017A
& MAT 017B
& MAT 017C
Calculus for Biology & Medicine
and Calculus for Biology & Medicine
and Calculus for Biology & Medicine
MAT 019A
& MAT 019B
& MAT 019C
Calculus for Data-Driven Applications
and Calculus for Data-Driven Applications
and Calculus for Data-Driven Applications
MAT 021A
& MAT 021B
& MAT 021C
Calculus
and Calculus
and Calculus
Preparatory Subject Matter Subtotal36-42
Depth Subject Matter
Analytical Chemistry4
CHE 105
Analytical & Physical Chemical Methods
Physical Chemistry
Choose a series:6-12
CHE 107A
& CHE 107B
Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences
and Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences
OR
CHE 110A
& CHE 110B
& CHE 110C
Physical Chemistry: Introduction to Quantum Mechanics
and Physical Chemistry: Properties of Atoms & Molecules
and Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics, Equilibria & Kinetics
Inorganic Chemistry3
CHE 124A
Inorganic Chemistry: Fundamentals
Organic Chemistry12-13
Choose a series:
CHE 118A
& CHE 118B
& CHE 118C
Organic Chemistry for Health & Life Sciences
and Organic Chemistry for Health & Life Sciences
and Organic Chemistry for Health & Life Sciences
OR
CHE 128A
& CHE 128B
& CHE 128C
& CHE 129A
& CHE 129B
Organic Chemistry
and Organic Chemistry
and Organic Chemistry
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory
and Organic Chemistry Laboratory
Additional Upper Division Units11-18
Additionally, complete enough additional upper division units in Chemistry (CHE) or related areas to reach at least 43 total units of upper division major coursework. Depending on which physical and organic series are chosen, this will be between 11 and 18 additional upper division units. When credit is earned for one physical and organic series, units from the other series cannot count towards the major. These additional upper division units must include at least one course with formal lectures; courses in related areas must be approved in advance by the major advisor.
Depth Subject Matter Subtotal43
Total Units79-85