Undergraduate Chemistry Programs |
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The Department of Chemistry offers several degree programs leading to the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Science. The curriculum leading to the A.B. degree offers a substantive program in chemistry while allowing students the freedom to take more courses in other disciplines and pursue a broad liberal arts education. Students who have a deeper interest in chemistry normally elect one of the several programs leading to the B.S. degree. The general B.S. program, which is accredited by the American Chemical Society, is appropriate for students who are interested in chemistry as a profession. The other B.S. programs focus on their specific area of applied chemistry: Chemical Physics, Environmental Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Forensic Chemistry. These programs are slightly less intense in chemistry but draw on significant course materials from areas that are relevant to the particular emphasis but outside of a classical chemistry degree. Students following the A.B or one of the B.S. programs may also consider taking advantage of the Education Abroad Program. Your advisors can assist you in planning a curriculum while abroad that assures regular progress in the major. A minor program in chemistry is also available. |
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Chemistry graduates with bachelor’s degrees are employed extensively throughout various industries in quality control, research and development, production supervision, technical marketing, and other areas. The types of industries employing these graduates include chemical, energy, pharmaceutical, genetic engineering, biotechnology, food and beverage, petroleum and petrochemical, paper and textile, electronics and computer, and environmental and regulatory agencies. The bachelor’s programs also provide chemistry graduates with the rigorous preparation needed for an advanced degree in chemistry and various professional schools in the health sciences. Major requirements and a sample schedule provide just one option for the required courses available for: the general B.S.; the B.S. in Chemical Physics; the B.S. with an emphasis in Environmental Chemistry; the B.S. in Pharmaceutical Chemistry; the B.S. with emphasis in Forensic Chemistry; the A.B.; and the minor program. The UCD General Catalog describes all chemistry courses offered by the Department. |
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If you would like further information concerning the major and minor programs in chemistry, please see your Undergraduate Academic Adviser or one of the faculty advisers. Our advisers are quite willing and able to help you in problems related to your choice of major and planning your program of study. We wish our advising program to be an active one and strongly request that each chemistry major consult with an adviser at least once during the academic year, preferably in late Spring or at the beginning of Fall, to plan out the coming academic year. Students who choose to major in chemistry are an important part of the Department. We encourage each student to take every opportunity to become acquainted with other chemistry majors, your chemistry advisers, the faculty of the Department, and to participate in the activities of our Student Chemistry Club. |
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