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Undergraduate Degree Programs


Majors and Minors

Four- or five-year plans of study are available for each major/concentration offered. More details can be found in the Chemistry Advising Handbook

Chemistry Minor

The Chemistry Minor (popular for Pre-health Professional Majors) is a prescribed 20 hours that includes many courses that biology, physics, or other science majors may already be taking to satisfy major requirements. The minor is designed to augment study in another major.

Chemistry Major (General)

The Chemistry Major with General Concentration allows for maximum flexibility. A second major is required. Many of our students choose biology or another science. A minimum of 33 hours of chemistry is required for the major. This major is often ideal for students planning for a career as a health professional, including pharmacy, dental, medical, and chiropractic pre-professionals.

Chemistry Major (Foundations)

The Chemistry Major with Foundations Concentration gives a broader range of chemistry background than the General Concentration, but less depth than the ACS-certified major. This major is often ideal for students planning for a career with a chemistry emphasis that might merge with another field, such as Environmental Science, Criminology (for forensics), or Biology. A minor or second major is required. Many of our students choose biology or another science as their minor. A minimum of 37 hours of chemistry is required for the major.  

Chemistry Major with Certification by the American Chemical Society

The department offers a degree certified by the American Chemical Society, the largest scientific professional society in the world. The  ACS-Certified Major is recommended for those planning to attend graduate school or for those preparing for a career in chemistry that involves laboratory research. Students complete 53 hours of chemistry, including courses in organic, inorganic, analytical and physical chemistry. Many of these additional hours involve hands-on laboratory courses and instrument training; moreover, students complete at least three hours of credit by doing innovative research under the guidance of a faculty member.

Biochemistry Major

In collaboration with the Department of Biology, students may pursue a Biochemistry Major (64 hours). This program offers the only true undergraduate degree in biochemistry at a public institution in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Pre-Health Professional (Medical, Pharmacy, Dental, Optometry or Veterinary Schools)

Programs are available for students planning to attend medical, pharmacy, dental, optometry or veterinary schools. Many of these students choose to obtain a major or minor in chemistry in addition to completing other recommended coursework. Pre-pharmacy students who spend three years at WKU and complete a specific series of chemistry classes may opt to transfer credits back from pharmacy school and complete their chemistry degree. Chemistry is the most direct option for the pre-pharmacy student, as all chemistry courses required for pre-pharmacy completes 70% of the courses required for a Chemistry Major. If the student plans to continue undergraduate education at WKU to obtain a B.S. degree, can typically be done in four years.

Teacher Certification

Students interest in teaching High School Chemistry should consider the General Chemistry degree, but with adjustments. More details are available on this Teacher-certification Chemistry Major plan of study.

Joint Undergraduate-Masters Program (JUMP, formerly known as 5-year BS/MS)

Students may obtain both a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (ACS-certified) and a Master of Science in Chemistry (MS Degree) concurrently through our ground-breaking Joint Undergraduate-Masters Program. The standard plan for this is designed to be accomplished in 5-years. Transfer students should note that specialized plans may be available that suit their needs to transition from an Associate of Science degree through both the BS and MS degrees in as little as three years.


 

 


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 Last Modified 9/29/19