The Department of Chemistry at WVU offers three undergraduate degree programs – Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Chemistry, Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Chemistry, and Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Biochemistry with a chemistry emphasis. The B.S. chemistry degree, which provides a more in-depth coverage of the academic subdisciplines of chemistry (analytical, inorganic, organic, physical, and biochemistry), has been approved by the American Chemical Society since 1941. The B.S. degree is appropriate for a student planning a career in science, especially if a graduate degree in Chemistry is part of the career plan. The B.A. degree in chemistry is appropriate for a student needing a good science background but with the intention of pursuing a different career. Many pre-medicine and pre-pharmacy students choose the B.A. chemistry degree since the curriculum gives them the flexibility to take a number of biology courses. The B.A. biochemistry degree is appropriate for a student interested in a career at the interface between chemistry and biology, with more of an emphasis on the chemistry. WVU also offers B.A. biochemistry degrees with emphasis in biology and in agricultural sciences.
In addition to these degrees, the Department works closely with the Forensic & Investigative Science degree program and offers a course in Forensic Chemistry. The F&IS program has a degree in Forensic Chemistry. Both the Chemistry Department and the F&IS program encourage students in Forensic Chemistry to consider a double major, especially a B.S. in Chemistry combined with the Forensic Chemistry degree. Students with these two degrees are extremely well prepared for careers in both forensic and chemistry laboratories.
