Chemistry, BA

Department of Chemistry, College of Science and Engineering

81-94 credits

Introduction

The Department of Chemistry, in addition to its core of fundamental studies in Analytical, Biochemistry, Inorganic, Organic and Physical chemistry, has added a variety of elective courses that offer diversity in training, study and research at the undergraduate level. Within the Department, faculty members are active in many research areas including biofuels, protein engineering, computer modeling, catalysis, nanomaterials, materials for solar cells, electrochemistry, polymers, thin films, protein structural analysis by nuclear magnetic resonance and x-ray crystallography, and organic synthesis.

Why Consider a Chemistry Major?

The programs of study within the Chemistry major provide many benefits to students. There are a wide variety of programs that are designed to meet diverse career goals. There is close student-faculty contact and relatively small classes. The students have direct access to modern laboratory equipment and instrumentation, and there are opportunities for research work under the direction of a faculty advisor.

Contact Information

Chemistry Department Chair James R. Vyvyan Chemistry Building 270A 360-650-2883 James.Vyvyan@wwu.edu

Pre-Major Advisor & Program Coordinator Stacey Maxwell Chemistry Building 270 360-650-3070 chemdept@chem.wwu.edu

Sample Careers

Chemical/Pharmaceutical Sales | Physician | Crime Lab Analyst | High School Teacher | Industrial Chemist | Technical Writing | Forensic Scientist | Quality Assurance Specialist | Research Scientist | Occupational Safety Specialist | Science Lab Technician | Biotechnology Scientist | College Professor | Environmental Scientist/Consultant

Major/Career Resources

http://www.wwu.edu/careers/students_choosingamajor.shtml

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process):

Admission to the Bachelor of Arts major in chemistry is selective and based upon preparation and prior academic performance. Application may be made through the chemistry department, Chemistry Building 270. Admission to the BA-Chemistry major will be in two phases. Students will be designated Phase I majors until they have completed CHEM 121, CHEM 122, CHEM 123, CHEM 351 and CHEM 352. Students will then be considered for advancement to Phase II based on their performance in Phase I. Students with a grade point average of 2.5 or higher in the Phase I courses will be given preferential admission to Phase II. Students with a grade point average below 2.5 will be considered on a case by case basis for remaining spaces in the major. Note that neither completion of the prerequisites nor attainment of any specific GPA guarantees admission to Phase II. See the department’s website for more details.

Students planning on careers as high school teachers must take SCED 370, SCED 481 and SCED 491 to earn an endorsement in chemistry, plus the secondary education program in addition to the Bachelor of Arts degree. See the Secondary Education  section of this catalog for program admission, completion, and teacher certification requirements. Because certification to teach high school now requires more than four years, advisement prior to the beginning of the third year is absolutely necessary to avoid lengthening the program. Students also are strongly advised to complete requirements for a broad area science endorsement by taking BIOL 204, BIOL 205, BIOL 206 and GEOL 211, GEOL 212 and ASTR 103 or ASTR 315.

Grade Requirements

A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors. Courses required for a state teaching endorsement must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or above.