UNIVERSITY CATALOG: 2024-2025

Program Description

The B.A. degree in Chemistry is designed for students who desire: (1) a strong chemistry background for careers in the health field (see advisor concerning additional necessary courses), (2) careers in industry, including textile chemistry, technical sales, government laboratories, patent law, library fields, etc., or (3) a single subject teaching credential (science, chemistry).

Students in the Chemistry, B.A. may not declare a double major/option within the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

Program Requirements

1. Lower Division Required Courses (24 units)

CHEM 101/CHEM 101L General Chemistry I and Lab (3/1)
CHEM 101D Problem Solving in General Chemistry I (1)
CHEM 102/CHEM 102L General Chemistry II and Lab (3/1)
CHEM 102D Problem Solving in General Chemistry II (1)
MATH 255A Calculus for the Life Sciences I (3)
MATH 255B Calculus for the Life Sciences II (3)
PHYS 220A Mechanics (3)
PHYS 220AL Mechanics Lab (1)
PHYS 220B Electricity and Magnetism (3)
PHYS 220BL Electricity and Magnetism Lab (1)

2. Upper Division Required Courses (27 units)

3. Upper Division Electives (7 units)

Chemistry electives selected with approval of major advisor from 400- or 500-level courses in Chemistry. At least 3 units must be from electives other than CHEM 495 and 499.

4. General Education (48 units)

Undergraduate students must complete 48 units of General Education as described in this Catalog, including 3 units of coursework meeting the Ethnic Studies (ES) graduation requirement.

9 units are satisfied by the following courses in the major: CHEM 101 satisfies B1 Physical Science; CHEM 101L satisfies B3 Science Laboratory Activity; MATH 255A satisfies Basic Skills B4 Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning; and CHEM 333 satisfies B5 Scientific Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning.

Total Units in the Major: 58

General Education Units: 39

Additional Units: 23

Total Units Required for the B.A. Degree: 120

Contact

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Chair: Simon Garrett
Eucalyptus Hall (EH) 2102
(818) 677-3381
chemistry@csun.edu

Program Learning Outcomes

Students receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate basic knowledge in the following areas of chemistry: analytical, biochemistry, inorganic, organic, physical.
  2. Organize and communicate scientific information clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
  3. Effectively utilize the scientific literature, including the use of modern electronic search and retrieval methods, to research a chemistry topic or to conduct chemical research.
  4. Work effectively and safely in a laboratory environment, including the ability to follow experimental chemical procedures and maintain a proper lab notebook.
  5. Effectively utilize modern chemical instrumentation to obtain data and perform research.
  6. Perform qualitative and quantitative chemical analysis, including the application of computer technology for such analyses.
  7. Describe the impact of chemistry on our world, including the environment, the economy and medicine.
  8. Demonstrate an ability to determine the scientific validity of a claim that pertains to consumer products, the environment or the life sciences.

ADT/STAR Act Degree Road Maps

Students who have graduated with a verified Associate Degree for Transfer and have been admitted to a CSUN program that has been deemed similar will be able to complete the baccalaureate degree within 60 semester units. For additional information, see ADT/STAR Act Degree Road Maps.

Chemistry/Bachelor of Arts - AS-T in Chemistry (2023-Present)

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