Program Overview

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Introduction to the Chemistry, BS Program

The Chemistry, BS degree at Western Washington University is approved by the American Chemical Society. This program provides numerous benefits to students and is designed to meet diverse career goals. Key features include close student-faculty contact, relatively small classes, direct access to modern laboratory equipment and instrumentation, and numerous research opportunities under the direction of a faculty advisor.

Program Details

• Location: WWU - Bellingham
• Department Website: Chemistry
• Department Advising: See the Advising section of the Chemistry website
• Degree Works: Current students should also log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.
• Career Services Center: Connect major to a career
• Sample Careers:
  • High School Chemistry Teacher
  • Chemical/Pharmaceutical Sales
  • Crime Lab Analyst
  • Industrial Chemist
  • Veterinarian
  • Technical Writing
  • Forensic Scientist
  • Quality Assurance Specialist
  • Research Scientist
  • Physician
  • Occupational Safety Specialist
  • Science Lab Technician
  • College Professor

Admission and Declaration Process

Admission to the Bachelor of Science major in chemistry is based upon an application process that considers both the applicant’s academic performance in prerequisite courses and responses to prompts about their motivations, career goals, and past experiences. There is frequently more demand for the BS chemistry major than space and resources allow. Therefore, neither completion of the prerequisites nor attainment of any specific GPA guarantees admission to full-major (Phase II) status.

Pre-major Declaration

Students may apply for pre-major (Phase I) status any time after completion of CHEM 161 or CHEM 175 by meeting with the Chemistry Department program coordinator. The pre-major (Phase I) declaration process is completed by meeting with a faculty advisor assigned by the program coordinator.

Major Application Process

Students are eligible to apply to Phase II of the BS chemistry major once they have accomplished the following:

• Completion of the pre-major (Phase I) declaration process.
• Completion (with a C- or above) of the following prerequisite (Phase I) courses: CHEM 161, CHEM 162, CHEM 163, (or CHEM 175, CHEM 176, and CHEM 225), CHEM 351, CHEM 352, MATH 124, MATH 125, and PHYS 161.

Priority will be given to applications from students who have:

• Completed MATH 224 (with a C- or above)
• Completed PHYS 162 (with a C- or above)

Applications for full-major (Phase II) status are reviewed twice per year and are due by either the end of the first day of spring quarter or by the end of the first week of fall quarter. The online application includes written responses to several prompts and reporting grades in the prerequisite (Phase I) coursework listed above.

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.

Program Requirements

The program requires 106-120 credits and includes the following courses:

• CHEM 351 - Organic Chemistry (4 credits)
• CHEM 352 - Organic Chemistry (4 credits)
• CHEM 353 - Organic Chemistry (4 credits)
• CHEM 354 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory I (3 credits)
• CHEM 355 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (4 credits)
• CHEM 434 - Instrumental Analysis (3 credits)
• CHEM 436 - Instrumental Analysis Lab (2 credits)
• CHEM 441 - Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (4 credits)
• CHEM 461 - Physical Chemistry (4 credits)
• CHEM 462 - Physical Chemistry (4 credits)
• CHEM 463 - Physical Chemistry (3 credits)
• CHEM 464 - Physical/Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory I (5 credits)
• CHEM 465 - Physical/Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory II (5 credits)
• MATH 224 - Multivariable Calculus and Geometry I (5 credits)
• MATH 204 - Elementary Linear Algebra (4 credits)
• PHYS 161 - Physics with Calculus I (5 credits)
• PHYS 162 - Physics with Calculus II (5 credits)
• PHYS 163 - Physics with Calculus III (5 credits)
• Choose one of the following series:
  • CHEM 161 - General Chemistry I (5 credits)
  • CHEM 162 - General Chemistry II (5 credits)
  • CHEM 163 - General Chemistry III (5 credits)
  • CHEM 333 - Analytical Chemistry (5 credits)
  • or
  • CHEM 175 - General Chemistry I, Honors (5 credits)
  • CHEM 176 - General Chemistry II, Honors (5 credits)
  • CHEM 225 - General Chemistry III, Honors (5 credits)
• Choose either:
  • CHEM 375 - Elements of Biochemistry (4 credits)
  • or
  • CHEM 471 - Biochemistry I (4 credits)
  • CHEM 472 - Biochemistry II (4 credits)
• Choose either:
  • MATH 124 - Calculus and Analytic Geometry I (5 credits)
  • MATH 125 - Calculus and Analytic Geometry II (5 credits)
  • or
  • MATH 134 - Calculus I Honors (5 credits)
  • MATH 135 - Calculus II Honors (5 credits)
  • or
  • MATH 138 - Accelerated Calculus (5 credits)
• Advanced electives with prior departmental approval to total 9 credits

University Graduation Requirements

• General University Requirements
• Writing Proficiency Requirement (WP)
• 180 Minimum Total Credits
• 60 Minimum Upper Division Credits
• Residency Requirement
• Minimum Grade Requirements
• Final Quarter Requirement