Chemistry, BA - General Option

Chemistry, BA

General Option

Program Delivery

On Campus, Online, Hybrid

Total Credits

120 Credits

About the Program

The BA in Chemistry with the general option is designed for students wishing a major in chemistry that requires fewer credit hours in chemistry, physics, and mathematics than the BS degree. This degree program is suitable for students interested in a more general degree, pre-professional students, students having an interest in both chemistry and some other discipline, students who switch over to a chemistry major during their third or fourth year of college, or students who are unsure of their goals early in their college experience. Many BA students choose to go on to graduate school in chemistry and prepare themselves by taking sufficient courses in chemistry and related disciplines in order to qualify for acceptance.


Focus of Study

The BA in Chemistry provides majors with the following:

  • Knowledge of organic, analytical, physical and inorganic areas of chemistry and biochemistry, and an integrated overview of chemistry
  • Knowledge of additional areas of mathematics, physics, and technology and the ability to manipulate experimental data and understand the derivation of fundamental relationships
  • The ability to communicate effectively about the field of chemistry

Program Requirements

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Chemistry requires the following:

  • A minimum of 51 credit hours of CHEM coursework. At least 16 of those hours must be upper division (courses numbered 3000 or higher).
  • 21 additional hours of auxiliary coursework.
  • A grade of C or better in all CHEM and auxiliary coursework.
  • A minimum 2.0 GPA must be maintained in all CHEM coursework.
  • No more than 60 credit hours of CHEM course work may apply to the bachelor’s degree.

Specialization Track Options*

* Note that the requirements listed below are for the General option only. Please follow the above links for specialization track requirements.


Program Coursework

For details on program coursework, please visit the Academic Catalog.

Chemistry Core Courses
  • CHEM 1401 - General Chemistry I
  • CHEM 1402 - General Chemistry Laboratory I
  • CHEM 1511 - General Chemistry for Majors II
  • CHEM 1513 - General Chemistry Laboratory for Majors II
    • Note: CHEM 1511/1513 is recommended, but students may elect to take the non-majors courses, CHEM 1411/1412.
  • CHEM 3201 - Organic Chemistry for Majors I
  • CHEM 3203 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory for Majors I
  • CHEM 3211 - Organic Chemistry for Majors II
  • CHEM 3213 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory for Majors II
    • Note: Students who have earned credit hours for CHEM 3101/3102 and 3111/3112 must take CHEM 3203 and 3213.
  • CHEM 4001 - Analytical Chemistry
  • CHEM 4002 - Analytical Chemistry Laboratory
  • CHEM 4011 - Instrumental Analysis
  • CHEM 4012 - Instrumental Analysis Laboratory
  • CHEM 4101 - Physical Chemistry: Quantum Mechanics and Molecular Spectroscopy
  • CHEM 4102 - Experimental Physical Chemistry: Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy
  • CHEM 4111 - Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics and Kinetics
  • CHEM 4112 - Experimental Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics and Kinetics
  • CHEM 4211 - Biochemistry
  • CHEM 4301 - Inorganic Chemistry I
  • CHEM 4911 - Chemistry Capstone
Chemistry Electives

Complete 6 hours of upper-division (3000 + level) Chemistry Electives. Up to 6 hours may be from CHEM 4904 or 4905.

  • CHEM 4904 - Research: Upper Division
  • CHEM 4905 - Internship: Undergraduate
Auxiliary Required Courses
  • BIOL 1350 - General Biology: Introduction to the Cell
  • MATH 1350 - Calculus I
  • MATH 1360 - Calculus II
  • PES 1110 - General Physics I - Calculus Based
  • PES 1160 - Advanced Physics Lab I - Calculus Based
  • PES 1120 - General Physics II - Calculus Based
  • PES 2160 - Advanced Physics Lab II - Calculus Based
LAS & Compass Requirements
  • GPS 1010: Gateway Program Seminar
  • ENGL 1310: Rhetoric & Writing I
  • ENGL 1410: Rhetoric & Writing II
  • HUM 3990: Special Topics in Humanities
  • Other LAS and Compass Requirements (12 Credit Hours)
  • General Electives (24 Credit Hours)

Admission Details

To learn more about admission requirements and the application process, please visit the UCCS Admissions page.

Additional resources for Admissions: