BA in Chemistry
53-55 units
Chemistry is the study of the properties and reactivity of all matter. An understanding of chemistry is fundamental to a variety of fields including but not limited to biology, astronomy, earth science, physics, environmental science, medicine, and pharmacology.
The Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry program provides a strong foundation in general chemistry, organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, and physical chemistry. Additional course requirements provide a foundation in related fields (biology, physics, and mathematics) and opportunity to study other areas within chemistry in greater depth. This major is intended to be paired with a minor such as art, business management, computer science, data science, mathematics, physics, political science, or others in alignment with student interest and career goals.
The BA in Chemistry program provides excellent preparation for entry-level positions as a researcher or laboratory technician, in governmental or industrial technical support, in management, or in teaching at the secondary level. Students in this major are strongly encouraged to collaborate with science faculty in a research project or participate in an off-campus internship in industry.
Note: Entry requirements differ among graduate schools and jobs. Students are responsible to research the requirements of graduate programs and professions in which they are interested.
Requirements
All of the following requirements must be met to continue as an allied health, biological sciences, biochemistry, or chemistry major. Failure to maintain these requirements will result in a student being dropped from the major. Reentry to the major is by department petition only.
- Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 in all biochemistry, biology, chemistry, math, and physics courses required for the major.
- Must complete each course required for the major with a C- or higher for the course to meet a degree requirement in the Department of Biology and Chemistry.
- Any single course within the major can be taken only two times at APU; students must change to a major outside the department after two unsuccessful (below C-) attempts in a single required course.
- Only two courses total within the major can be repeated; students must change to a major outside the department after unsuccessful (below C-) attempts in any three required courses.
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Biology | ||
| BIOL 151 | General Biology I 1, 2 | 4 |
| BIOL 496 | Ethics and the Sciences | 3 |
| Chemistry | ||
| CHEM 151 | General Chemistry I 1, 2 | 4 |
| CHEM 152 | General Chemistry II 2 | 4 |
| CHEM 251 & CHEM 261 | Organic Chemistry: Theory I and Organic Chemistry - Lab | 4 |
| CHEM 252 & CHEM 262 | Organic Chemistry: Theory II and Organic Chemistry - Lab | 4 |
| CHEM 300 & CHEM 310 | Quantitative Chemical Analysis - Theory and Quantitative Chemical Analysis - Laboratory | 4 |
| CHEM 401 | Physical Chemistry I | 3 |
| Mathematics | ||
| MATH 165 | Calculus I 2 | 4 |
| MATH 166 | Calculus II 2 | 4 |
| Physics | ||
| PHYC 145 | Physics Laboratory I 1, 2 | 1 |
| PHYC 146 | Physics Laboratory II | 1 |
| Select one of the following course pairs: | 6-8 | |
| Physics for Life Sciences I and Physics for Life Sciences II 1, 2 | ||
| Physics for Science and Engineering: Mechanics and Physics for Science and Engineering: Electricity and Magnetism 1, 2 | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select at least 7 units from the following: | 7 | |
| Biomolecular Chemistry | ||
| Biomolecular Metabolism | ||
| Instrumental Analysis | ||
| Directed Research Internship 3 | ||
| Physical Chemistry II | ||
| Physical and Inorganic Chemistry Lab | ||
| Inorganic Chemistry | ||
| Multivariable Calculus | ||
| Total Units | 53-55 | |
- 1
Meets the APU Core: Natural Science general education requirement.
- 2
This course may be waived with an appropriate Advanced Placement test score.
- 3
Up to 3 units of CHEM 394 may count toward major elective units.