B.A. in Chemistry

Pictured :: Jessica Williams :: Biological Sciences // Chemistry :: South Bend, Indiana (hometown)


Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry

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About the Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry

The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Chemistry degree offers a broad base of chemistry, physical science, mathematics, humanities, and other fields that give a liberal arts perspective with chemistry. This degree prepares students for graduate studies in materials science, polymer chemistry, environmental chemistry, analytical chemistry, physical chemistry, drug design, natural products, alternative energies, and a variety of other fields. Many graduates pursue additional studies medicine, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, and others. Still other graduates obtain rewarding jobs in industry, including quality control, analytical chemistry, environmental testing, toxicology, food science, essential oils, diagnostic testing, adhesive development, forensic chemistry, and many other fields.


Academic Advising

College policy on advising requires that students meet with their academic advisors at least once each year, and in some departments, prior to each semester’s to enrollment. Advising holds are placed on all CLAS students prior to advance registration and are released following advising appointments. Students with a declared major are advised in their academic units. To determine who your advisor is and how to contact them, see One.IU.


Degree Requirements (120 cr.)

All courses are 3 credits unless otherwise noted.

Students receiving the Bachelor of Arts degree must complete 120 total credit hours including:

  • The IU South Bend campuswide general-education curriculum (33-39 cr.)
    Note | The Quantitative Reasoning requirement is met by the required mathematics courses for the B.A. in Chemistry.
  • The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Bachelor of Arts additional requirements (14-23 cr.)
    Note | The laboratory science requirement is fulfilled by required chemistry courses.
  • Major concentration and elective requirements.
  • The Required Minor (15-18 cr.) taken in any campus school or interdisciplinary program.
  • A minimum of 30 credit hours at the 300- or 400-level.

Courses required for the major and minor must be completed with a grade of C– or higher. A minimum CGPA of 2.0 is required.

All courses are 3 credit hours, unless otherwise designated


Major Requirements (55 cr.)

All courses are 3 credit hours, unless otherwise designated.

  • CHEM-C 105 Principles of Chemistry I
  • CHEM-C 106 Principles of Chemistry II
  • CHEM-C 125 Experimental Chemistry I (2 cr.)
  • CHEM-C 126 Experimental Chemistry II (2 cr.)
  • An additional 25 credit hours in chemistry above the 200-level, which must include:
  • CHEM-C 301 Chemistry Seminar 1 (1 cr.)
  • CHEM-C 310 Analytical Chemistry (4 cr.); or
  • CHEM-C 410 Principles of Chemical Instrumentation (4 cr.)
  • CHEM-C 341 Organic Chemistry Lectures 1
  • CHEM-C 342 Organic Chemistry Lectures 2
  • CHEM-C 343 Organic Chemistry Laboratory 1 (2 cr.)
  • CHEM-C 344 Organic Chemistry Laboratory 2 (2 cr.)
  • CHEM-C 361 Physical Chemistry of Bulk Matter (4 cr.); OR
    CHEM-C 362 Physical Chemistry of Molecules (4 cr.)

Sequence 1
  • PHYS-P 201 General Physics 1
  • PHYS-P 202 General Physics 2 (5 cr.)

Sequence 2 (recommended)
  • PHYS-P 221 Physics 1 (5 cr.)
  • PHYS-P 222 Physics 2 (5 cr.)

The following mathematics courses:
  • MATH-M 215 Calculus I (5 cr.)
  • MATH-M 216 Calculus II (5 cr.)

Required Minor (15-18 cr.)
  • Chosen from any campus school or interdisciplinary program.

Photo credit :: Peter Ringenberg

Academic Bulletins

PDF Version

Click here for the PDF version. Please be aware that the PDF is formated from the webpages; some pages may be out of order.