Chemistry, BA

Program Description:

The Department of Chemistry offers programs leading to the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Master of Science degrees in chemistry. The department also offers a Bachelor of Science program, which is certified by the American Chemical Society, and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry Education. While the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science curricula are designed to prepare undergraduate students for entrance into medical, dental, or other professional schools, the Bachelor of science curricula are strongly suggested for students who wish to pursue a career as a professional chemist or graduate work in chemistry. All undergraduate degree programs are flexible and permit the option of a heavy concentration in chemistry courses or a combination of a chemistry major with extensive course work in allied (other sciences) or non-allied (business, arts) areas. In order to develop their academic programs to meet specific needs and individual interests, students should consult their academic advisors.

Bachelor of Arts

The Bachelor of Arts degree candidate is required to complete the chemistry, mathematics, and physics course sequences in the following program outlines. The general elective requirement may be satisfied with any course sequence in the College of Science and Mathematics (COSM) or the College of Engineering and Computer Science (CECS), including additional chemistry courses, life sciences courses or individual research projects (CHM 4990 ). Chemistry majors who are Bachelor of Arts degree candidates are required also to complete 18 credit hours outside the Colleges of Science and Mathematics and Engineering and Computer Science. This requirement may not be satisfied with WSU Core requirements.

Chemistry Honors Program

The honors program in chemistry is designed to provide recognition to the intellectually gifted student who pursues a program of independent study under the guidance of a faculty advisor. The program is open to any chemistry major in the B.S. program having at least junior standing and a 3.25 or better overall GPA, including a 3.60 or better average in the four most recent chemistry lecture courses. The normal time for application for admission is at the end of the sophomore year and no later than the end of the junior year. Students apply for admission by contacting the chair of the undergraduate studies committee, who will examine the student’s record to determine eligibility. Eligible students are asked to submit a letter of intent (no longer than one typed page) indicating (1) why he/she wishes to pursue departmental honors, (2) the faculty member who has agreed to work with him/her, and (3) a description of the proposed project (with a timeline). Upon acceptance into the program, the student should complete at least 9 credits of “A” research work, of which at least 6 credits will be CHM 4990 . An additional 2 credit hours of “A” research work may be completed as collaborative research as specified in the letter of intent. The student also must pass with a minimum of a “B” grade two elective 4000-level elective chemistry courses and present the research results at a local or national ACS meeting or other specialized conference and as an oral presentation as part of the CHM 8000 seminar series. Full details are available on the Chemistry Department website.

For additional information:

Program Requirements:

I. Wright State Core: 42 Hours

Element 1: Communication: 6 Hours

ENG 1100 - Academic Writing and Reading Credit Hour(s): 3
ENG 2130 - Research Writing and Argumentation: Sciences Credit Hour(s): 3

Element 2: Mathematics: 4 Hours

Required

MTH 2300 - Calculus I Credit Hour(s): 4

Element 3: Global Traditions: 6 Hours

Element 4: Arts and Humanities: 3 Hours

Element 5: Social Sciences: 6 Hours

Element 6: Natural Sciences: 10 Hours

Required

CHM 1210 - General Chemistry I Credit Hour(s): 3
CHM 1210L - General Chemistry Lab I Credit Hour(s): 2
CHM 1220 - General Chemistry II Credit Hour(s): 3
CHM 1220L - General Chemistry Lab II Credit Hour(s): 2

Additional Core Courses: 7 Hours

Required

MTH 2310 - Calculus II Credit Hour(s): 4

II. Departmental Core Requirements: 15 Hours

CHM 2110 - Organic Chemistry I Credit Hour(s): 3
CHM 2110L - Organic Chemistry Laboratory I Credit Hour(s): 2
CHM 2120 - Organic Chemistry II Credit Hour(s): 3
CHM 2120L - Organic Chemistry II Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 2
CHM 3120 - Quantitative Analysis Credit Hour(s): 2
CHM 3120L - Quantitative Analysis Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 3

III. Departmental Requirements and Electives: 19 Hours

CHM 3190 - Chemical Literature and Composition Credit Hour(s): 2
CHM 3560 - Physical Chemistry for Life Sciences Credit Hour(s): 3
CHM 3510L - Physical Chemistry Laboratory I Credit Hour(s): 2
Chemistry electives Credit Hour(s): 12. Choose from the following list of approved electives:
CHM 4020 / CHM 4020L
CHM 4170
CHM 4370 / CHM 4370L
CHM 4610
CHM 4680
1 credit of CHM 4900 (cannot be repeated for additional elective credits)
3 credits from either BMB 4210 or BMB 4230
no more than 3 credits (combined total) in CHM 4880 and/or CHM 4990

IV. Related Course Requirements: 28 Hours

PHY 2400 - General Physics I Credit Hour(s): 4
PHY 2400L - General Physics I Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 1
PHY 2410 - General Physics II Credit Hour(s): 4 and
PHY 2410L - General Physics II Laboratory Credit Hour(s): 1 or
PHY 1110 - Principles of Physics I Credit Hour(s): 4 and
PHY 1110L - Principles of Physics Lab I Credit Hour(s): 1
PHY 1120 - Principles of Physics II Credit Hour(s): 4
PHY 1120L - Principles of Physics Lab II Credit Hour(s): 1
18 hours outside of COSM and CECS, in addition to those used to satisfy Wright State Core requirements

V. General Electives: 16 Hours

Total: 120 Hours

Graduation Planning Strategy

The Graduation Planning Strategy (GPS) has been created to illustrate one option to complete degree requirements within a particular time frame. Students are encouraged to meet with their academic advisor to adjust this plan based on credit already earned, individual needs or curricular changes that may not be reflected in this year’s catalog.