Chemistry, BA

Department of Chemistry, College of Science and Engineering

82-96 credits

Why Consider a Chemistry, BA 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 P. Clint Spiegel Chemistry Building 270A 360-650-3137 spiegep@wwu.edu

Chemistry Program Coordinators Chemistry Building 270 360-650-3070 chemistry@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

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. Students may apply for pre-major (Phase I) status by meeting with the Chemistry Department program coordinator, in Morse Hall (CB) 270. Admission to the BA-Chemistry major will be in two phases. Students will declare pre-major (Phase I) status upon completion of CHEM 161 and remain designated as pre-majors (Phase I) until they have completed CHEM 161, CHEM 162, CHEM 163, CHEM 351, CHEM 352, MATH 124, MATH 125, and PHYS 161. Students may then apply to be considered for full-major (Phase II) status, based on their performance in pre-major (Phase I) courses. Students with a grade-point average of 2.5 or higher in pre-major (Phase I) courses will be given preferential admission to full-major (Phase II) status. Students with a grade-point average below 2.5 in pre-major courses 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 full-major (Phase II) status. 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.