Chemistry, B.S.

Mission

The mission of the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry is to train and mentor students to become skilled scientists who will glorify God and be good stewards of His creation as they serve others in research, health care, academia, and industry.

Degree Program

A Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry is offered upon completion of the University baccalaureate requirements and the departmental specific requirements.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the foundational principles of chemistry (ULO 1).
  2. Demonstrate an ability to solve quantitative, mechanistic, and technical problems related to chemistry (ULO 1).
  3. Demonstrate safe laboratory technique, proper use of appropriate equipment, and suitable results and data analysis (ULO 1).
  4. Obtain and use appropriate chemical literature and resource materials (ULO 1).
  5. Summarize the key issues in science and faith and recognize the harmony possible while studying God's creation (ULO 1, 2, and 3).

Each Program Learning Outcome (PLO) listed above references at least one of the University Learning Outcomes (ULO 1, 2, 3), which may be found in the General Information section of this catalog.

GPA Requirements

To continue in the program a student is required to have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher in their first year of chemistry, physics and/or math courses taken at Biola. Depending on the major, these courses may include: CHEM 105, CHEM 106, CHEM 301, CHEM 302, CHEM 311, and CHEM 312.

Curriculum Requirements

Integration Seminar Requirement

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry degree program are required to take BBST 465 as Christianity and the Natural Sciences, or another approved Integration Seminar topic (see advisor).

Program-Specific Core Curriculum Courses
Chemistry majors automatically meet the Core Curriculum requirement of 6 credits of science and mathematics. The foreign language requirement is met by two years in high school or 4 credits of college foreign language.
Program Courses
CHEM 105General Chemistry I 14
CHEM 106General Chemistry II4
CHEM 301Organic Chemistry I3
CHEM 302Organic Chemistry II3
CHEM 311Laboratory in Organic Chemistry I1
CHEM 312Laboratory in Organic Chemistry II1
CHEM 350Analytical Chemistry5
CHEM 402Physical Chemistry I3
CHEM 406Physical Chemistry Lab1
CHEM 411General Biochemistry I3
CHEM 480Internship2
or CHEM 490 Directed Research
MATH 150Calculus I4
MATH 151Calculus II4
PHSC 124Data Analysis and Presentation1
PHSC 132General Physics I: Mechanics and Heat 23
PHSC 134General Physics I Laboratory1
PHSC 233General Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism3
PHSC 237General Physics II Laboratory1
PHSC 234General Physics III: Waves, Optics and Modern Physics4
PHSC 460Capstone Seminar1
Select at least 6 credits from the following Chemistry, Math, or Physics courses:6
Environmental Chemistry
Fundamentals of Material Science
Introduction to Food Chemistry
General Biochemistry II
Laboratory in General Biochemistry
Advanced Organic Chemistry Lab
Internship
Directed Research
Calculus III
Linear Algebra
Biostatistics
Ordinary Differential Equations
Computer Techniques in Science and Engineering
Circuits and Instrumentation I
Thermodynamics
Select 6 credits from the following upper-division Chemistry courses:6
Inorganic Chemistry
Physical Chemistry II
Advanced Organic Chemistry
Program Course Requirements: 64 credits
Core Curriculum Requirements 361
Total Credits125
1

The prerequisite for CHEM 105 is a passing score on the Chemistry Placement Exam or CHEM 107 with at least a “B-”.

2

The prerequisite for PHSC 132 is a passing score on the Physics Placement Exam or PHSC 092 with a grade of “B” or better or 4 or above on any Advanced Placement (AP) Physics.

3

See Core Curriculum Program section for details.

NOTE: The course sequence table is designed by the major department and is one way that the classes will work out properly in sequence for your major. However, there are alternative or flexible ways to rotate some of the classes within the same year/level and sometimes between year levels. Please contact your major department advisor to discuss flexible alternatives in scheduling the sequence of your classes.

Taking coursework during the summer session may also be an option to accelerate your degree path.

See Core Curriculum Program section for a list of approved Core Curriculum courses.

Chemistry, B.S.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BBST 103 or 1653BBST 103 or 1653
CHEM 1054CHEM 1064
ENGL 100 or 1123KNES 1071
GNST 1021MATH 1514
MATH 1504Communication (see Core Curriculum)3
PHSC 1241 
 16 15
Total Credits 31
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BBST 209 or 2103BBST 209 or 2103
CHEM 3013BBST 2513
CHEM 3111CHEM 3023
HIST 200, 201, or POSC 2253CHEM 3121
PHSC 1323PHSC 2333
PHSC 1341PHSC 2371
Philosophy (see Core Curriculum)3Fine Arts (see Core Curriculum)3
 17 17
Total Credits 34
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BBST 3653BBST 3543
CHEM 3505CHEM 480 or 4902
ENGL 3133Chemistry Elective (upper-division)3
PHSC 2344Chemistry, Math, or Physics Elective 3
Writing Competency RequirementBehavioral Science (see Core Curriculum)3
 KNES Activity (see Core Curriculum)1
 Graduation Petition due in Registrar's Office
 15 15
Total Credits 30
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
BBST 300/400 Bible Elective3BBST 300/400 Bible Elective3
CHEM 4023BBST 465 (Christianity & Nat Sci - required)3
CHEM 4061PHSC 4601
CHEM 4113Chemistry Elective (upper-division)3
Chemistry, Math, or Physics Elective 3Literature (see Core Curriculum)3
 13 13
Total Credits 26

Note: If you have taken 2 years of the same language in high school, you have fulfilled your foreign language requirement. Otherwise, contact the Modern Language Department for placement test instructions.  

NOTE: The course sequence table is designed by the major department and is one way that the classes will work out properly in sequence for your major. However, there are alternative or flexible ways to rotate some of the classes within the same year/level and sometimes between year levels. Please contact your major department advisor to discuss flexible alternatives in scheduling the sequence of your classes.

Taking coursework during the summer session may also be an option to accelerate your degree path.

See Core Curriculum Program section for a list of approved Core Curriculum courses.

Chemistry, B.S.

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
HNRS 1014HNRS 1054
HNRS 1024HNRS 1064
CHEM 1054CHEM 1064
GNST 1021KNES 1071
MATH 1504MATH 1514
PHSC 1241 
 18 17
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
HNRS 2104HNRS 2304
HNRS 2154HNRS 2314
CHEM 3013CHEM 3023
CHEM 3111CHEM 3121
PHSC 1323PHSC 2333
PHSC 1341PHSC 2371
 16 16
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
HNRS 3244HNRS 3374
HNRS 3262HNRS 3392
CHEM 3505CHEM 480 or 4902
PHSC 2344Chemistry Elective (upper-division)3
 Chemistry, Math, or Physics Elective3
 KNES Activity (see Core Curriculum)1
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
HNRS 4434HNRS 4584
CHEM 4023BBST 4653
CHEM 4061ENGL 3133
CHEM 4113PHSC 4601
Chemistry, Math, or Physics Elective3Chemistry Elective (upper-division)3
 14 14
Total Credits 125

Note: If you have taken 2 years of the same language in high school, you have fulfilled your foreign language requirement. Otherwise, contact the Modern Language Department for placement test instructions.