Chemistry, BA
Degree: Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Major: Chemistry
Program Overview
The BA program in Chemistry is intended for pre-professional students who plan careers in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, or other fields for which a baccalaureate degree in chemistry provides appropriate training. BA majors may supplement their required courses with additional chemistry courses or may utilize the curriculum’s flexibility to develop an interdisciplinary program of their choice. Many Chemistry, BA majors participate in undergraduate research in the Department of Chemistry (CHEM 397/CHEM 398) or in other science departments, including those in the School of Medicine.
Learning Outcomes
- Students will be able to demonstrate proficiency in the content knowledge of the main sub disciplines of chemistry including general, organic, analytical and physical.
- Students will be able to solve chemistry problems, and carry out, record and analyze the results of chemical experiments.
- Students will be able to utilize peer-reviewed scientific literature effectively, and evaluate technical articles critically.
- Students will be able to design and carry out experiments in a safety-focused manner.
- Students will be able to utilize ethically sound judgements when working with scientific results.
Teacher Licensure
Students admitted to Case Western Reserve University prior to Fall 2024 can declare a secondary major in Teacher Education and prepare for licensure in Adolescent to Young Adult (grades 7-12) in any one of the following areas: Integrated Language Arts (English major), Integrated Social Studies (history major), Integrated Mathematics (mathematics major), Life Science (biology major), or Physical Science (chemistry or physics major); or 2) Multi-Age (grades preK-12) in French, Spanish, or Latin. Eligible students interested in the teacher education program should refer to the General Bulletin for the year they entered Case Western Reserve University for the specific program requirements.
Undergraduate Policies
For undergraduate policies and procedures, please review the Undergraduate Academics section of the General Bulletin.
Combined Bachelor's/Master's Programs
Undergraduate students may participate in accelerated programs toward graduate or professional degrees. For more information and details of the policies and procedures related to accelerated studies, please visit the Undergraduate Academics section of the General Bulletin.
Program Requirements
Students seeking to complete this major and degree program must meet the general requirements for bachelor's degrees and the Unified General Education Requirements. Students completing this program as a secondary major while completing another undergraduate degree program do not need to satisfy the school-specific requirements associated with this major.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Chemistry Courses: | ||
| CHEM 105 | Principles of Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 106 | Principles of Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 113 | Principles of Chemistry Laboratory | 2 |
| CHEM 223 | Introductory Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| or CHEM 323 | Organic Chemistry I | |
| CHEM 224 | Introductory Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| or CHEM 324 | Organic Chemistry II | |
| CHEM 233 | Introductory Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 2 |
| CHEM 234 | Introductory Organic Chemistry Laboratory II | 2-3 |
| or CHEM 322 | Laboratory Methods in Organic Chemistry | |
| CHEM 301 | Introductory Physical Chemistry I | 3 |
| or CHEM 335 | Physical Chemistry I | |
| CHEM 302 | Introductory Physical Chemistry II | 3 |
| or CHEM 336 | Physical Chemistry II | |
| CHEM 304 | Quantitative Analysis Laboratory | 2 |
| CHEM 305 | Introductory Physical Chemistry Laboratory | 3 |
| CHEM 310 | Foundations of Analytical Chemistry | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours | 32-33 | |
Additional Required Courses
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| PHYS 115 | Introductory Physics I | 4 |
| or PHYS 121 | General Physics I - Mechanics | |
| PHYS 116 | Introductory Physics II | 4 |
| or PHYS 122 | General Physics II - Electricity and Magnetism | |
| MATH 125 | Math and Calculus Applications for Life, Managerial, and Social Sci I | 4 |
| or MATH 121 | Calculus for Science and Engineering I | |
| MATH 126 | Math and Calculus Applications for Life, Managerial, and Social Sci II | 4 |
| or MATH 122 | Calculus for Science and Engineering II | |
| Total Credit Hours | 16 | |
Sample Plan of Study
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| CHEM 105 | Principles of Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 113 | Principles of Chemistry Laboratory | 2 |
| MATH 121 or MATH 125 | Calculus for Science and Engineering I or Math and Calculus Applications for Life, Managerial, and Social Sci I | 4 |
| Academic Inquiry Seminar, Breadth, or Elective course a | 3 | |
| CHEM Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| CHEM 106 | Principles of Chemistry II | 3 |
| MATH 122 or MATH 126 | Calculus for Science and Engineering II or Math and Calculus Applications for Life, Managerial, and Social Sci II | 4 |
| Academic Inquiry Seminar, Breadth, or Elective course a | 3 | |
| CHEM Elective | 3 | |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| CHEM 223 or CHEM 323 | Introductory Organic Chemistry I or Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 233 | Introductory Organic Chemistry Laboratory I | 2 |
| Breadth, or Elective course a | 3 | |
| CHEM Elective | 3 | |
| Open Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Spring | ||
| CHEM 224 or CHEM 324 | Introductory Organic Chemistry II or Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 234 or CHEM 322 | Introductory Organic Chemistry Laboratory II or Laboratory Methods in Organic Chemistry | 2 |
| Breadth, or Elective course a | 3 | |
| Open Electives | 6 | |
| Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| CHEM 301 or CHEM 335 | Introductory Physical Chemistry I or Physical Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 304 | Quantitative Analysis Laboratory | 2 |
| CHEM 310 | Foundations of Analytical Chemistry | 3 |
| PHYS 115 or PHYS 121 | Introductory Physics I or General Physics I - Mechanics | 4 |
| Breadth, or Elective course a | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| CHEM 302 or CHEM 336 | Introductory Physical Chemistry II or Physical Chemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 305 | Introductory Physical Chemistry Laboratory | 3 |
| PHYS 116 or PHYS 122 | Introductory Physics II or General Physics II - Electricity and Magnetism | 4 |
| Breadth, or Elective course a | 3 | |
| CHEM Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Breadth, or Elective course a | 3 | |
| Open Electives | 12 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Breadth, or Elective course a | 3 | |
| Open Electives | 12 | |
| Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |