BA in Chemistry (General)

Units required for Major: 64-77
Total units required for BA: 120

Program Description

Three BA programs are available: One without a concentration (general) and two with concentrations (Biochemistry or Forensic Chemistry). The common requirements of the three programs are shown below under "Core Requirements."

Safety

Due to the potential hazards some chemicals may present, safety is an essential element of all Chemistry laboratory classes, including independent research.  All students must adhere to the Department of Chemistry Laboratory Safety Policies.  Failure to adhere to the Safety Policies may constitute grounds for withdrawal from a course and/or dismissal from the program. 

Advising

The Department believes advising of students is an important function. Members of the Chemistry Department who have a strong interest in advising have been selected to serve as advisors for students wishing to major in chemistry. Each represents a particular area of chemistry: analytical, inorganic, biochemistry, organic, and physical. Each Chemistry major will be assigned to one of these advisors when entering the Chemistry Department, coordinated to the area of each student's expressed interest.

Prerequisite Requirements

When enrolling in a course, it is required that the student will have met the specific prerequisites listed. A course listed as a prerequisite may have its own set of prerequisites. All must be met prior to enrolling in a chemistry course. Students not meeting the prerequisite requirements for a course will be administratively removed from the class.

Minimum Grade Requirements

In all courses required for the Chemistry major and minor, a minimum grade of "C-" must be earned with the exception of CHEM 1A which requires a grade of C or better. A minimum grade of "C-" is required in all prerequisite courses with the exception of CHEM 1A which requires a grade of C or better to meet the prerequisite requirement for CHEM 1B if a student has not achieved a "C-" in all prerequisite courses for a particular chemistry course, the instructor of the course will administratively remove the student from class.

Transfer Majors and Minors

Transfer students majoring in Chemistry must complete at least three of the required courses in chemistry while fulfilling the residence requirements of California State University, Sacramento. Transfer students seeking a minor in Chemistry must complete at least one upper division chemistry course at the University.

Program Requirements

Core Requirements (39-43 Units)
CHEM 1AGeneral Chemistry I 1,25
CHEM 1BGeneral Chemistry II5
CHEM 24Organic Chemistry Lecture I3
CHEM 25Organic Chemistry Laboratory3
CHEM 31Quantitative Analysis4
CHEM 124Organic Chemistry Lecture II3
MATH 30Calculus I 14
MATH 31Calculus II4
Select one of the following sequences:8 - 12
General Physics: Mechanics, Heat, Sound
General Physics: Light, Electricity and Magnetism, Modern Physics
General Physics: Mechanics
General Physics: Heat, Light, Sound, Modern Physics
General Physics: Electricity and Magnetism
Total Units39-43
1

Course satisfies General Education (GE)/Graduation Requirement.

2

Passing a placement exam or obtaining a passing grade of "C" or better in CHEM 4 is required to enroll in CHEM 1A.

No Concentration (25 Units)

CHEM 140APhysical Chemistry Lecture I3
CHEM 140BPhysical Chemistry Lecture II3
MATH 32Calculus III4
Select additional courses to a minimum of 24 upper division units in Chemistry. Must include two laboratory courses. Graduate courses may be used as elective courses with instructor and department Chair permission. Elective courses should be selected in consultation with an advisor15
Total Units25

General Education Requirements1

Area A: Basic Subjects (9 Units)
A1 - Oral Communication3
A2 - Written Communication3
A3 - Critical Thinking3
Area B: Physical Universe and Its Life Forms (6 Units)
B1 - Physical Science 20
B2 - Life Forms3
B3 - Lab (Note: Lab experience to be taken with one of the following: B1, B2 or B5) 20
B4 - Math Concepts 20
B5 - Additional Course (Any B to reach 12 units) - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements.3
Area C: Arts and Humanities (12 Units)
C1 - Arts3
C2 - Humanities3
C1/C2 - Area C Course3
C1/C2 - Area C Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements.3
Area D: The Individual and Society (9 Units)
Area D Course3
Area D Course3
Area D Course - Take upper-division course to complete Area & upper division requirements.3
Area E: Understanding Personal Development (3 Units)
Area E Course3
Area F: Ethnic Studies (3 Units)
Area F Course3
Total Units42
1

To help you complete your degree in a timely manner and not take more units than absolutely necessary, there are ways to use single courses to meet more than one requirement (overlap). For further information, please visit the General Education page.

Note: There is no way to list all possible overlaps so please consult with a professional advisor. The Academic Advising Center can be visited online, by phone (916) 278-1000, or email.

2

Required in Major; also satisfies GE.

Graduation Requirements1

Graduation Requirements (required by CSU) (9 Units)
American Institutions: U.S. History3
American Institutions: U.S. Constitution & CA Government3
Writing Intensive (WI)3
Graduation Requirements (required by Sacramento State) (12 Units)
English Composition II3
Race and Ethnicity in American Society (RE)3
Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement 26
1

To help you complete your degree in a timely manner and not take more units than absolutely necessary, there are ways to use single courses to meet more than one requirement (overlap). For further information, please visit the General Education page.

Note: There is no way to list all possible overlaps so please consult with a professional advisor. The Academic Advising Center can be visited online, by phone (916) 278-1000, or email.

2

If not satisfied before entering Sacramento State, it may be satisfied in General Education Area C2 (Humanities). "C- or better required." The alternative methods for satisfying the Foreign Language Proficiency Requirement are described here: https://www.csus.edu/college/arts-letters/world-languages-literatures/foreign-language-requirement.html 

The following roadmaps are sample planning resources. Please consult your academic advisor and Academic Catalog for graduation requirements as you develop your individualized academic plan.

Chemistry (General), BA: 4-Year Roadmap

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
First SemesterUnits
MATH 30 Calculus I 4
GE Area 1A - English Composition 2 3
GE Area 1C - Oral Communication 2 3
GE Area 3B - Humanities 2 3
Elective of Choice 3
 Units16
Second Semester
CHEM 1A General Chemistry I 5
MATH 31 Calculus II 4
GE Area 6 - Ethnic Studies 2 3
GR American Institutions (US History) 2 3
 Units15
Year 2
First Semester
CHEM 1B General Chemistry II 5
MATH 32 Calculus III 4
ENGL 20 College Composition II 3
GE Area 1B - Critical Thinking 2 3
 Units15
Second Semester
CHEM 24 Organic Chemistry Lecture I 3
CHEM 31 Quantitative Analysis 4
PHYS 5A
General Physics: Mechanics, Heat, Sound 3
or General Physics: Mechanics
4
GE Area 3A - Arts 2 3
 Units14
Year 3
First Semester
CHEM 124 Organic Chemistry Lecture II 3
PHYS 5B
General Physics: Light, Electricity and Magnetism, Modern Physics 3
or General Physics: Heat, Light, Sound, Modern Physics
or General Physics: Electricity and Magnetism
4
CHEM Upper Division Elective 3 3
Foreign Language Semester 1 2 4
 Units14
Second Semester
CHEM 25 Organic Chemistry Laboratory 3
CHEM Upper Division Elective 3 3
Upper Division GE Area 3 - Arts or Humanities 2 3
Foreign Language Semester 2 2 4
Upper Division Elective 3
 Units16
Year 4
First Semester
CHEM 140A Physical Chemistry Lecture I 3
CHEM Upper Division Elective 3 3
CHEM Upper Division Elective Lab 3 1
GE Area 5B - Biological Science 2 3
GR American Institutions (GOVT) 2 3
Upper Division Elective 3
 Units16
Second Semester
CHEM 140B Physical Chemistry Lecture II 3
CHEM Upper Division Elective 3 3
CHEM Upper Division Elective Lab 3 1
Upper Division GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences + Writing Intensive 2 3
Upper Division GE Area 5 or 2 - Science or Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning 2 3
Upper Division Elective 3
 Units16
 Total Units122

Chemistry (General), BA: 2-Year Roadmap

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
First SemesterUnits
CHEM 124 Organic Chemistry Lecture II 3
CHEM Upper Division Elective 3 3
Foreign Language Semester 1 2 4
GR American Institutions (US History) 2 3
Elective of Choice 3
 Units16
Second Semester
CHEM 25 Organic Chemistry Laboratory 3
CHEM Upper Division Elective 3 3
Upper Division GE Area 3 - Arts or Humanities 2 3
Foreign Language Semester 2 2 4
Upper Division Elective 3
 Units16
Year 2
First Semester
CHEM 140A Physical Chemistry Lecture I 3
CHEM Upper Division Elective 3 3
CHEM Upper Division Elective Lab 3 1
GR American Institutions (GOVT) 2 3
Upper Division Elective 3
Elective of Choice 3
 Units16
Second Semester
CHEM 140B Physical Chemistry Lecture II 3
CHEM Upper Division Elective 3 3
CHEM Upper Division Elective Lab 3 1
Upper Division GE Area 4 - Social & Behavioral Sciences + Writing Intensive 2 3
Upper Division GE Area 5 or 2 - Science or Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning 2 3
Elective of Choice 3
 Units16
 Total Units64
1.

Any course not completed in the first semester should be taken in the second or a later semester.

2.

Please see General Education/Graduation Requirement course options.

3.

Please see an academic advisor for elective options.