Program: Chemistry, B.A. - Fresno State - Modern Campus Catalog™

Apr 01, 2025

General Catalog 2023-2024

Degree Requirements

The Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry is intended primarily for those students who plan to take extensive coursework in other areas in addition to chemistry. This degree is suitable for prehealth professional students (premedical, predental, etc.), secondary school teaching credential students, and biochemistry students oriented toward biotechnology, forensic science, and the health professions. This degree is NOT intended for students who anticipate a career in chemistry, or who expect to continue their education in pursuit of graduate degrees.

Note: Chemistry majors may not take courses listed in the major or additional requirements for CR/NC grades.

B.A. Chemistry Major Requirements (38 units)

Core Program

CHEM 1A - General Chemistry 1A Units: 3 (Area B1)
CHEM 1AL - General Chemistry Laboratory 1A Units: 2 (Area B1)
CHEM 1B - General Chemistry 1B Units: 3
CHEM 1BL - General Chemistry Laboratory 1B Units: 2
CHEM 102 - Quantitative Analytical Chemistry Units: 5
CHEM 108 - Introductory Physical Chemistry Units: 4
CHEM 128A - Organic Chemistry Units: 3
CHEM 128B - Organic Chemistry Units: 3
CHEM 129A - Organic Chemistry Laboratory Units: 2
CHEM 129B - Organic Chemistry Laboratory Units: 2
CHEM 155A - Fundamentals of Biochemistry Units: 3
CHEM 155B - Physiological Chemistry and Metabolism Units: 3
CHEM 156 - Biochemical Laboratory Techniques Units: 3

Additional Requirements (31-38 units)

BIOL 1A - Introductory Biology Units: 4 (Area B2)
BIOL 1B - Introductory Biology Units: 3
BIOL 1BL - Introductory Biology Laboratory Units: 1
MATH 75 - Calculus I Units: 4 (Area B4)
MATH 76 - Calculus II Units: 4 (MATH 77 strongly recommended)
PHYS 2A - General Physics Units: 4 (Area B1)
PHYS 2B - General Physics Units: 4
OR
PHYS 4A - Mechanics and Wave Motion Units: 3
PHYS 4AL - Laboratory in Mechanics and Wave Motion Units: 1
PHYS 4B - Electricity, Magnetism, and Heat Units: 3
PHYS 4BL - Laboratory in Electricity, Magnetism, and Heat Units: 1
PHYS 4C - Light and Modern Physics Units: 3 (strongly recommended)

Elect 7 Units From

BIOL 102 - Genetics Units: 3
BIOL 103 - Cellular Biology Units: 3
BIOL 104 - Genetics and Cell Biology Lab Units: 1
BIOL 120 - Microbiology Units: 3
or other approved courses

Other Degree Requirements

In addition to the major program requirements, every student must also complete the University’s baccalaureate degree requirements such as:

American Government and Institutions (PLSI 2 )
General Education Requirements (48 units)
Multicultural and International (MI)
Upper-division Writing
Sufficient Elective Units to Meet Required Total Units (varies); it is recommended that units in this area be utilized to complete a second major or minor.

A full description of the University’s graduation requirements can be found in the Baccalaureate Degree Requirements .

Total Units: 120*

*General Education, MI, and Upper-division Writing courses can be double counted with major requirements. These courses include CHEM 1A and CHEM 1AL or PHYS 2A in G.E. Breadth B1, BIOL 1A in G.E. Breadth B2, and MATH 75 in G.E. Foundation B4. See advisor for details.