Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry

Many occupations require a moderate training in chemistry combined with training in one or more other areas. Accordingly, the Bachelor of Arts degree is intended for those students desiring a less specialized background in chemistry compared to the Bachelor of Science degree. For example, students who desire chemistry as a major in programs of premedicine, predentistry, preveterinary, or prelaw may elect this program. Students interested in teaching chemistry in high school normally complete a BA degree in chemistry. Other examples are students planning prospective careers in sales or technical service, as technical editors, writers, or secretaries, or as technical librarians, chemical patent lawyers, or forensic scientists.

All new majors in chemistry should schedule an appointment with the Chemistry Undergraduate Director for an overview of the program and assignment of an advisor. To schedule appointments, phone the undergraduate coordinator, Steve Poulios, at (517) 355-9715 ext 332.

Important announcements and course information are communicated to chemistry majors through electronic mail. Check your email for messages daily.

Recommendations:

  1. Higher level courses in chemistry may be chosen if graduate work in chemistry is intended: (e.g. the CEM 151 general chemistry series, the CEM 351 organic series, and the CEM 361 physical-analytical sequence). Additional collateral work may be necessary.
     
  2. Mathematics beyond MTH 133 through MTH 235 is recommended.
     
  3. Electives should be chosen in consultation with appropriate other departments. For example, prospective forensic scientists should consult the Criminal Justice Department. Prospective technical editors and writers should consult the School of Journalism. Students interested in sales or technical service should elect courses in accounting, economics, business, and psychology. Prospective technical librarians should take one year of a second foreign language, and to gain experience, such students may apply for employment in the Chemistry Library. Students interested in earning a secondary school teaching certificate should contact the Department of Teacher Education.
     
  4. Preprofessional students should contact the preprofessional advising center in the Natural Science Building.
 

Course Requirements for a BA in Chemistry:

To earn a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from Michigan State University you must satisfy university, college, and departmental level requirements. The requirements are as follows:

Please note: These guidelines are presented for planning purposes only. Students MUST consult a Chemistry Department advisor for reliable and exact determination of an individual's course requirements.

UNIVERSITY Level Requirements for a BA in Chemistry:

  1. Minimum of 120 semester credits. (Please note: credit in any course requires a 1.0 or higher grade; 1 quarter credit=0.66 semester credit.)
     
  2. An overall GPA of 2.0 or higher.
     
  3. Twenty (20) semester credit hours in the following courses:
     
    • Four (4) credits of an WRA (American Thought and Language) Tier I Writing Course, earned from one of the WRA 110 - 195H courses;
       
    • Eight (8) credits of IAH (Integrative Studies in Arts & Humanities), where 4 credits are earned from IAH 201, and the other 4 credits are earned from an IAH level 200 or higher course;
       
    • Eight (8) credits of ISS (Integrative Studies in Social Science), where 4 credits are earned from one of the ISS 210 - 225 courses, and the other 4 credits are earned from one of the ISS 310 - 335B courses.
     

COLLEGE of Natural Science Requirements for a BA in Chemistry:

  1. An overall GPA of 2.0 or higher in Chemistry courses.
     
  2. Six (6) credits from the College of Arts and Letters and/or the College of Social Science beyond the credits that are counted toward the University's Integrative Studies requirement.
     
  3. One of the following courses (credits for the course are given in parentheses):
    • PLB 105 (3)
    • BS 110 (4)
    • BS 111 (3)
    • ENT 205 (3)
    • MIC 205 (3)
    • PSL 250 (4)
    • ZOL 141 (3)
     
  4. At least 30 semester credit hours at the 300 - 400 level.
    • required Chemistry courses (14 credits):
      • CEM 383 (3)
      • CEM 384 (3)
      • CEM 333 (3)
      • CEM 411 (4)
      • CEM 444 (1)
    • required ISS course (4 credits):
      • ISS 3__ (4)

Chemistry DEPARTMENT Requirements for a BA in Chemistry: (Credits for the course are given in parentheses.)

  1. Mathematics requirement: MTH 132 (3) and MTH133 (4).
     
  2. Physics requirement:
    • Six to eight (6-8) credits of Physics Lecture, selected from the two-semester courses PHY 231/232 (6), PHY 183/184 (8), or PHY 193H/294H (6).
      and
    • Two (2) credits of Physics Laboratory, selected from the two-semester lab courses PHY 251/252 (2) or PHY 191/192 (2).
     
  3. Chemistry requirement: Thirty-three to thirty-four (33-34) semester credits are required, which will be automatically satisfied by students completing the required courses in Chemistry as described below.
    • General Chemistry Lecture (7-8 credits), selected from the sequence lecture courses CEM141/142 (7), or CEM 151/152 (7), or CEM 181H/182H (8).
      and
    • General Chemistry Laboratory (4-5 credits) selected from the sequence lab courses CEM 161/162/262 (5), or CEM 185H/186H (4)
      and
    • Organic Lecture (6 credits), selected from the sequence courses CEM 251/252 (6) or CEM 351/352 (6).
      and
    • Organic Laboratory (2 credits), selected from CEM 255 (2) or CEM 355 (2).
      and
    • Analytical-Physical Chemistry Lecture (6 credits), selected from either the sequence course CEM 383/384 (6), or from any two of Chemistry courses CEM 483 (3), CEM 484 (3), and CEM 434 (3).
      and
    • Analytical-Physical Chemistry Laboratory (3 credits): CEM 333 (3).
      and
    • Chemical Safety Lecture (1 credit): CEM 444 (1).
      and
    • Inorganic Chemistry Capstone Lecture (4 credits): CEM 411 (4).
    [Note that the University's Tier II writing requirement is met by CEM 333 and 411.]

Sample Course Schedule for the BA Degree in Chemistry

  Fall Semester Spring Semester
  Course Credits Course Credits
Year 1 CEM 141
CEM 161
ATL 110-150
*MTH 116
 4
1
4
5
 
14
 CEM 142
CEM 162
*Elective
MTH 132
ISS 210-225
 3
2
3
3
4
 
15
Year 2 CEM 251
MTH 133
PHY 231
ISS 310-335B
 3
4
3
4
 
14
 CEM 252
CEM 255
PHY 232
PHY 251
IAH 201
**College requirement 		3
2
3
1
4
3
 
16
Year 3 CEM 383
CEM 444
PHY 252
IAH 200-level+
Language
**College requirement
 3
1
1
4
4
3
 
16
 CEM 384
CEM 333
Elective
Language
 3
3
3
4
 
13
Year 4 ***Bioscience
TCC
Electives
 3
3
10
 
16
 Electives
CEM 411
 12
4
 
16
 
* Recommended, not required
** Six (6) credits from the College of Arts and Letters and/or College of Social Science beyond University requirements
*** One of the following courses: PLB 105-3;   BS 110-4;   BS 111-4;   ENT 205-3;   MIC 205-3;   PSL 250-4;   ZOL 141-3
 

Sample Course Schedule for the BA Degree in Chemistry (Study Abroad Track)

  Fall Semester Spring Semester
  Course Credits Course Credits
Year 1 CEM 141
CEM 161
MTH 116
ATL 110
 4
1
5
4
 
14
 CEM 142
CEM 162
MTH 132
BS 110
IAH 201
 3
1
3
4
4
 
15
Year 2 Study Abroad Term
ISS 2xx
IAH xxx
Electives
  
4
4
8
 
16
 CEM 251
CEM 262
PHY 231
PHY 251
MTH 133
 3
2
3
1
4
 
13
Year 3 CEM 252
PHY 232
PHY 252
CEM 255
CEM 383
CEM 444
Elective
 3
3
1
2
3
1
3
 
16
 CEM 384
CEM 333
ISS 3xx
Electives
 3
3
4
6
 
16
Year 4 Electives
 14
 
14
 CEM 411
Electives
 4
12
 
16