BA/BS in Chemistry

Duke's Department of Chemistry offers two routes to an undergraduate chemistry major, the B.S. and the A.B. Both share a common set of required courses covering general, organic, quantitative and inorganic, and analytical chemistry, along with introductory physics and calculus. The B.S. goes deeper into the subject and is the track encouraged for students heading to graduate study in chemistry or to careers in the chemical industry. The A.B. gives more room in scheduling and course choice, which suits students who want a second major or who plan to continue into a professional school such as medicine, dentistry or law. Those drawn to industry or further science study can also choose it, ideally adding extra upper-level chemistry. Each degree can be completed with or without a concentration, giving four pathways in all. A checklist for both degrees is available for download, and the director of undergraduate studies answers questions about course selection.