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Department of Chemistry

B.A. Degree, Environmental Option

The Environmental Chemistry B.A. Degree is designed for those students having an interest in environmental processes and problem solving from a chemical perspective. Many environmental issues are multi-dimensional and require the application of chemical principles, processes, and techniques within other disciplines. The strength of this program option is the combination of chemical principles with those of other earth systems. This degree program will give the student a solid foundation in chemistry while pursuing a multi-disciplinary approach that includes course work in biology, ecology, geography, and economics.

The B.A.-Environmental Option degree requires a minimum of 50 credit hours in chemistry. No more than 54 hours in chemistry may be applied toward the 120 credit hours required for graduation. The following courses or their equivalents are required for a B.A.-Environmental Option degree.

Cr Hrs Total
Core Courses 35
Humanities and Social Science area requirements, including ECON 101 24
English 131 and 141 6
Electives
 5
Mathematics and Science Core Courses 35
Mathematics: MATH 135 and 136
  • Chemistry majors should consider MATH 135 as a prerequisite and 136 as a corequisite for PES 111
 8
Physics: PES 111, 112, 116, and 216 10
Biology: BIOL 121 and 370
 7
Geography and Environmental Studies: GES 100, 441, and 450 or 451 or other 400-level courses (by approval) 10
Chemistry Courses 50
General Chemistry: CHEM 103 and 106
  • CHEM 101 and 102 cannot be substituted for these requirements. Students are encouraged to take CHEM 108, Introduction to Chemistry Laboratory Research, along with CHEM 106.
 10
Organic Chemistry: CHEM 331, 332, 337, and 338
  • B.A. environmental option majors who have earned credits for CHEM 331, 332, 333, and 334 must take CHEM 338 or CHEM 940.
 10
Environmental Chemistry: CHEM 341 3
Inorganic Chemistry: CHEM 401 3
Analytical Chemistry: CHEM 417, 418, and 420 9
Physical Chemistry: CHEM 451, 452, and 454 7
Biochemistry: CHEM 483 3
Seminar: CHEM 495 and 496 2
Chemistry Elective:
 3
Total Credit Hours 120

Four-Year Program for B.A., Environmental Option Chemistry Majors

Freshman Year
CHEM 103, 106 (108 also recommended)
MATH 135, 136
ENGL 131, 141
BIOL 121
Elective or area requirement
Total Hours		 Cr Hrs
10(11)
8
6
4
 3 
31		 Junior Year
CHEM 341
CHEM 417
CHEM 451, 452, 454
CHEM 483
ECON 101
GES 441
Electives or area requirements
Total Hours		 Cr Hrs
3
4
7
3
3
3
 6 
29
Sophomore Year
CHEM 331, 332, 337, 338
PES 111, 112, 116, 216
BIOL 370
GES 100
Elective or area requirement
Total Hours		 Cr Hrs
10
10
3
4
 3 
30		 Senior Year
CHEM 401
CHEM 418, 420
CHEM 495, 496
GES 450 or GES 451
CHEM Elective
Electives or area requirements
Total Hours		 Cr Hrs
3
5
2
3
3
 14 
30
Total Credit Hours 120