Degree: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
Track: Track Two
The B.A. degree is designed for those interested in obtaining a broader background in liberal arts, including a foreign language. It may also open up international opportunities, especially if coupled with OSU's International Degree Program. This degree includes a second language requirement and additional liberal arts courses.
This page serves as a general suggestion for students looking to complete their B.A degree within four years. We always recommend working with your adviser to find the best academic plan for you.
General Chemistry (15): CH 231/231H and 271, CH 232/232H and 272, CH 233/233H and 273
Elementary Functions (4)b: MTH 112
Careers in Chemistry (1)a: CH 220
Calculus (8): MTH 251, 252
Writing I (Bacc Core) (3): WR 121/121H
Speech (Bacc Core) (3): COMM 111/111H or 114/114H or 211 or 218
Additional language (9-12): First year
Perspective or DPD Course (Bacc Core) (3-6):
Organic Chemistry (9): CH 334, 335, 336
Experimental Chemistry I (6): CH 361, 362
Vector Calculus I (4): MTH 254
General Physics (15): PH 211 & 221, PH 212 & 222, PH 213 & 223 or PH 201, 202, 203
Writing II (Bacc Core) (3): Writing II
Skills or Perspective (Bacc Core) (6):
General electives (2)
Analytical Chemistry (4 or 9): CH 324 OR CH 421, 422, and 461c
Physical Chemistry (9): CH 440, 441, 442
Experimental Chemistry II (3): CH 462 (WIC), OR CH 463 (WIC), OR CH 464 (WIC)
Biological science course with lab (4-5)
Perspective or DPD (Bacc Core) (3)
Synthesis (Bacc Core) (3)
General electives (5-6)
Inorganic Chemistry (6): CH 411, 412c
Additional language (second year) (9-12)
Additional liberal arts courses (9)
Perspective (3)
Synthesis (3)
CSE (9): Career Supportive Electives
General electives (3-6)
a First Year Orientation for chemistry majors is strongly recommended (1 cr. P/N);
b MTH 112 is not a required course for the chemistry degree.
c The analytical chemistry combination of CH 421 (fall), CH 422 (winter), and CH 461 (fall) is recommended for the strongest background in analytical chemistry and should be taken in the third year. With this option, only one inorganic chemistry course is required (either CH 411 or CH 412) so this option adds only 2 credit hours to the total.
The nine credits of CSE courses are to be approved by the student's academic adviser by the end of the winter quarter of the junior year. The student should submit a formal list to the adviser (email is preferred). These courses must include at least 3 credits of an upper division lab course. The other 6 credits can be a lab or lecture courses. A course is considered a lab course if the primary emphasis of the course is the laboratory experience and the majority of time in the course is devoted to the laboratory. (A 4 credit course with three lectures a week and one lab a week is not considered a lab course.) Undergraduate research or undergraduate thesis (CH 401 or CH 403 or corresponding courses in other departments) are strongly recommended. These courses can be used for part or all of the CSE and provide the student with valuable experience that is especially important for continuing education in graduate school.
Generally, CSE courses are upper division (UD) courses in chemistry, science or related areas including engineering, oceanography and agricultural science. Courses to consider include upper-division courses that are identified for other options. Other than CH 401, recommended courses also include other UD undergraduate chemistry courses (not already required for the B.A.), graduate chemistry courses, biochemistry, physics, mathematics and statistics. CH 374 is a synthesis course and not considered a career-supportive elective.
3. If students choose the analytical chemistry sequence CH 421, 422, 461, only one inorganic course (CH 411) is required. CH 411 and CH 412 are a sequence so CH 411 is the specified inorganic chemistry course.
4. The additional liberal arts courses (above Bacc Core requirements) can be any course offered by the College of Liberal Arts with the restriction that music or art courses must be in theory or history (e.g., not marching band).
