BA in Chemistry

APU’s chemistry major prepares students for careers and graduate study in chemistry, biochemistry, and environmental studies.

52-54 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 business management, computer information systems, computer science, mathematics, physics, or political science.
 
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 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.
Biology
BIOL 151General Biology I 14
BIOL 496Writing 3: Ethics and the Sciences 23
Chemistry
CHEM 151General Chemistry I 1, 34
CHEM 152General Chemistry II 34
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 401Physical Chemistry I3
Mathematics
MATH 165Calculus I 33
MATH 166Calculus II 33
Physics
Select one of the following:8-10
PHYC 151
& PHYC 152
Physics for Life Sciences I
and Physics for Life Sciences II 4
PHYC 161
& PHYC 162
Physics for Science and Engineering I
and Physics for Science and Engineering II 5
Electives
Select at least 8 units from the following:8
BIOL 152
General Biology II
or BIOC 270
 Biomolecular Chemistry
CHEM 311
Teaching and Learning in STEM 6
CHEM 312
STEM Education Research Seminar 6
CHEM 313
STEM Teaching Practicum 6
CHEM 320
& CHEM 330
Instrumental Analysis: Theory
and Instrumental Analysis - Lab 7
CHEM 394
Directed Research Internship 6
CHEM 395
Chemical Science Internship 6
CHEM 411
Physical Chemistry I Lab
CHEM 402
Physical Chemistry II
CHEM 412
Physical Chemistry II Lab
CHEM 461
Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM 495
Advanced Topics in Chemistry
MATH 268
Multivariable Calculus
Total Units52-54
1

Meets the General Education Natural Sciences requirement.

2

Meets the General Education Writing 3 requirement.

3

This course may be waived with an appropriate Advanced Placement test score.

4

PHYC 151 meets the General Education Natural Sciences requirement and may be waived with an appropriate Advanced Placement test score.

5

PHYC 161 meets the General Education Natural Sciences requirement and may be waived with an appropriate Advanced Placement test score.

6

Up to 3 units combined of CHEM 311, CHEM 312, CHEM 313, CHEM 394, and CHEM 395 may count toward major elective units.

7

CHEM 320 and CHEM 330 meet the General Education Integrative and Applied Learning requirement.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete this program shall be able to:
  1. Demonstrate a broad knowledge base in the field of chemistry.
    2.
  2. Effectively communicate scientific ideas and research orally.
    3.
  3. Effectively communicate scientific ideas and research in writing.
    4.
  4. Demonstrate proficiency in problem solving and applying the scientific method to scientific questions.
    5.
  5. Demonstrate laboratory skills and techniques.
    6.
  6. Demonstrate knowledge of relevant laboratory instrumentation.
    7.
  7. Express a Christian worldview that integrates faith with their chemistry vocation.