2023-2024 Cal Poly Humboldt Catalog 
    
    Apr 25, 2024  
2023-2024 Cal Poly Humboldt Catalog

Chemistry, B.A.


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The B.A. degree provides less specialization in chemistry and greater opportunity for studies in other fields. This curriculum is recommended for those who wish to obtain a Standard Teaching Credential with Specialization in Secondary Teaching, students who wish to add a second major, and students switching from majors with different core courses from the B.S..

Hands-on learning forms the basis of our Chemistry program. In our close-knit classrooms, you’ll get to know your professors and get real-world experience and first class instruction. And you’ll connect with your fellow students in ways you wouldn’t at other universities. Our modern instrumentation, including, FT-NMR, FT-IR, HPLC, GCMS, and a computational laboratory, are all available to undergraduate students. Our program provides a sense of care, support and belonging, and better prepares students to approach their chosen fields through close faculty contact and hands-on experience.

With a strong foundation in chemistry, you’ll be highly prepared for your future. Our degrees offer excellent preparation for job placement and graduate or professional school. Nearly all of our students go where they want to go after graduation. The Chemistry major will work closely with their advisor to determine what coursework will prepare them best for the employment or academic opportunities that they are most interested in. In general, the chemistry student with additional skills or a highly specialized emphasis has special advantages in the job market. Students also have a strong chance of increasing employability by strengthening their skills with additional course work from related disciplines.

Preparation: High school students should take chemistry, English, and mathematics.

Requirements for the Bachelor’s Degree


A bachelor’s degree requires a total of 120 units. Students must fulfill General Education & All-University Requirements , residency, unit, and GPA requirements as outlined in the Bachelor’s Degree Requirements . This major does not include a Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) certified course. Students must take a GWAR certified writing intensive course to fulfill the requirement. 

Requirements for the Major (55-71 Units)


Students must earn a minimum grade of C- in all courses with the “CHEM” prefix.

Physics/Calculus Options


Complete one option:


Complete one year-long sequence option. *CHEM 438 is not required if the student opts for CHEM 434, CHEM 434L, CHEM 435, and CHEM 435L as their additional year-long sequence course.

Chemistry, B.A. Program Learning Outcomes


Students completing the program will:

  1. attain sufficient breadth, depth, and rigor in chemistry,
  2. apply chemical and mathematical models to interpret and explain concepts in chemistry,
  3. locate, evaluate, cite and interpret chemistry literature,
  4. demonstrate proficiency in designing, performing, and interpreting laboratory experiments,
  5. demonstrate proficiency in written communication sufficient to convey an appropriate level of understanding about chemical phenomena to a diverse audience, and
  6. demonstrate proficiency in oral communication to convey an appropriate level of understanding about chemical phenomena to a diverse audience. 

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