Program Details
Program Details
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Program Details

B.S. in Biological Chemistry

Bachelor of Science
Ferrum College

A Ferrum College B.S. in chemistry, together with the appropriate minor or supporting elective courses, will prepare a student to begin a career in business, industry, government, science, or secondary education. Students are prepared for graduate school in any of the fields of chemistry or related interdisciplinary areas such as toxicology, environmental engineering, materials science, or pharmacology. Some graduate programs in Forensic Science specify that a bachelor’s degree in Chemistry (or other natural science) is required for admission. The chemistry major also makes the student competitive for entrance into professional schools in business or law, as well as the more traditional areas such as veterinary and human medicine and pharmacy.


Program Overview & Guidance
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Program Web Page
External Link
Delivery Mode
In-Person
Check Course Schedules
Delivery Mode
Online
Check Course Schedules
Delivery Mode
Hybrid
Check Course Schedules
Program Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Considerations for Selecting Degree
Considerations When Selecting Courses

  • Create a schedule for all required courses, pay attention to prerequisites and when courses are offered, complete your first math and English courses in your first year
  • Connect with an advisor at your community college and Ferrum College within your first year via College Connect
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses
Doing More With Your Degree
Program Successes & Highlights
Program Credit Requirements
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Please look above to see if a Transfer Guide is available for this program. lf you are a current Virginia Community College student or are planning to start at a Virginia Community College before transferring to this institution and program, please follow the Transfer Guide to plan your courses at the community college.

The table below provides the requirements to complete this program if you are not following a Transfer Guide. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You can find schools where you can take courses that will transfer and apply to this degree using the Where Can I Find An Equivalent Course feature in the Transfer Tools menu.

The program map provided below is an estimate based on courses identified as a result of reviewing your portfolio and the requirements for the selected program.

A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
Requirements
Required Credits
B.S. in Biological Chemistry
120
Biological Chemistry
120
This requires a minimum GPA of 2
AND
Transfer credits will be evaluated, and as applicable, up to 61 credits may be applied to this program.
General Education Requirements
30
Common Competencies
21
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
The General Education Curriculum rests on a foundation of four "Common Competencies": Written Communication (WC), Quantitative Reasoning (QR), Global and Social Responsibility (GSR), and Oral Communication (OC). All students are required to take three (3) credits in each of these four competency areas as well as ENG-112. Additionally, all entering students with less than 24 credits are required to fulfill six (6) credits of Professional Development. This includes FER-100 (or HON-100), FER-200 and FER-202. Those with more than 24 credits are not required to take GWS-101. Students transferring in with an Associate's degree meet the Professional Development requirements.
Written Communication
6
Earn 6 credits: Complete the following
Earn 6 credits: Use the following rules
Complete courses from the following Category:
AND
Complete courses from the following Course:
Quantitative Reasoning
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Global and Social Responsibility
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Oral Communication
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Professional Development
2
Earn 2 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
Discipline Competencies
9
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
Students select one course (3 or 4 credits) from each of the following categories: the humanities, history and fine arts (HFA), the social and behavioral sciences (SBS), and the natural sciences and mathematics (NSM). Courses required in a student's major may not be used to meet this requirement.
Humanities, History & Fine Arts
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Social & Behavioral Sciences
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Natural Science & Mathematics
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Category:
Major Requirements
73
Earn 73 credits by completing courses from the following Course:
Science Core Certificate
7
Earn 7 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
Choose one of two courses
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
Choose one of three courses
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
Choose one of two courses
3
Earn 3 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
Biological Chemistry Required Courses
43
Earn 43 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
Choose one of three courses
4
Earn 4 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
Choose 9 credits from list of courses
9
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
Biological Chemistry Electives: Minimum 6 credits at 300 level or higher, 6 credits must be Chemistry.
Earn 9 credits by completing courses from the following Course list:
General Electives
17
Requirement Notes
Requirement Notes:
Take courses to reach 120 credits for graduation.
Earn 17 credits by completing any available course
Applicable Admissions Agreements
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There are no Applicable Admission Agreements for the Program.

What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?
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Transfer Guidance Element What You Need to Know
Associate Transfer Degree Completion Completion of an Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, or Associate of Arts and Sciences degree from an accredited instution guarantees completion of our general education curriculum and consideration for the Ferrum Promise, where completion of an approved learning contract results in attainment of the Bachelor's degree within four semesters of admission.

Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School Dual enrollment credits are evaluated based on the credentials of the institution certifying the credit.
Credit for Prior Learning We accept AP, IB, and CLEP results for college credit if the score earned meets college expectations. Enter your test into the portal to see if your scores will earn credit.
Did You Know That...
  • Completing your Associate transfer degree post-high school satisfies all lower division general education requirements and increases the chance of completing your bachelor's degree?
  • Exceeding 3 years or 90 credits at your community college means you may have exhausted your financial aid at that college and have limited your future financial aid at: Ferrum College
College Level Information
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Transfer Center
External Link
Transfer Admission Application
External Link
Transfer Student Aid
External Link
Number of Transfer Students
140
College Fit Guidance What You Need to Know
Is This College Right For Me? We are a small college in a rural setting. Our students attend classes Monday through Friday between 8am and 4pm, with a protected window of time in late afternoon for athletic practices. Over 90% of our student body resides on campus, and over half our student body is comprised of NCAA Division III intercollegiate athletes. As a Ferrum College student, prepare to be connected across campus and supported in every aspect of your life here as a part of our family.
Transfer Student Catalog Year Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance
First Year Student Catalog Year Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions Contact Ferrum College admissions at any stage of your VCCS journey, and we will work with you!
Where Can This Degree Transfer
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This section displays degrees most closely related to this program and to which you may be able to transfer. So, you can use this list to find the next degree you can complete in your major. Please click the degree name to visit that program page.

Institution Title Degree Award Name Award Level Delivery Mode
Eastern Mennonite UniversityBachelor of Science ChemistryBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Wytheville Community CollegeAssociate of Arts & Sciences Degree in Science AssociateAssociate of Arts & Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Hollins UniversityBA in ChemistryBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Hollins UniversityBS in ChemistryBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Mountain Gateway Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in ScienceAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online
Germanna Community CollegeAssociate of Arts & Sciences Degree in ScienceAssociateAssociate of Arts and Sciences2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
J Sargeant Reynolds Community CollegeAssociate of Science in ScienceAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Brightpoint Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in ScienceAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Northern Virginia Community CollegeScience, A.S.AssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online
Virginia Peninsula Community CollegeAssociate of Science in ScienceAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online
Tidewater Community CollegeAssociate of Science - ScienceAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person
Virginia Western Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in ScienceAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Wytheville Community CollegeAssociate of Science Degree in ScienceAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Online, Hybrid
Sweet Briar CollegeBachelor of Science in ChemistryBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Christopher Newport UniversityBachelor of Science in Chemistry, Major in BiochemistryBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Christopher Newport UniversityBachelor of Science in Chemistry, Major in ChemistryBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
James Madison UniversityBachelor of Science, Major in Biophysical ChemistryBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
James Madison UniversityBachelor of Science, Major in ChemistryBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Longwood University Chemistry: Biochemistry BSBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Longwood University Chemistry BSBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Longwood University Chemistry: Teacher Preparation in Chemistry BSBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Richard Bland CollegeAssociate of Science-Physical ScienceAssociateAssociate of Science2-YearIn-Person, Hybrid
Roanoke CollegeBachelor of Arts in Chemistry EducationBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Roanoke CollegeBachelor of Arts in ChemistryBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Roanoke CollegeBachelor of Science in ChemistryBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Radford UniversityBS in ChemistryBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
The University of Virginia's College at WiseBachelor of Arts in Natural Sciences, Major in ChemistryBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
The University of Virginia's College at WiseBachelor of Science in Natural Sciences, Major in ChemistryBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Virginia Wesleyan UniversityBachelor of Science in ChemistryBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
George Mason UniversityChemistry, BABachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearNot Specified
George Mason UniversityChemistry, BSBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Norfolk State UniversityBachelor of Science in ChemistryBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Norfolk State UniversityBachelor of Science in Chemistry - (DNIMAS) TrackBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Norfolk State UniversityBachelor of Science in Chemistry - Secondary Education ConcentrationBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Norfolk State UniversityBachelor of Science in Chemistry - Pre-Medicine ConcentrationBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Norfolk State UniversityBachelor of Science in Chemistry - Pre-Medicine (DNIMAS) TrackBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
William & MaryChemistry - Bachelor of ScienceBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Old Dominion UniversityChemistry-BSBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
University of Mary WashingtonBS in Biochemistry-ACS Cert.BachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
University of Mary WashingtonBS in Chemistry: BiochemistryBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
University of Mary WashingtonBS in Chemistry-ACS CertifiedBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
University of Mary WashingtonBS in ChemistryBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Bridgewater CollegeChemistry Major - BSBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Shenandoah UniversityBachelor of Science ChemistryBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Bluefield UniversityBS in ChemistryBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Randolph CollegeBachelor of Science in Chemical PhysicsBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Randolph CollegeBachelor of Arts in ChemistryBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Randolph CollegeBachelor of Science in ChemistryBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Virginia Commonwealth UniversityChemistry with concentration in Biochemistry, Bachelor of ScienceBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Virginia Commonwealth UniversityChemistry with concentration in Chemical Modeling, Bachelor of ScienceBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Virginia Commonwealth UniversityChemistry with concentration in Chemical Science, Bachelor of ScienceBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Virginia Commonwealth UniversityChemistry with concentration in Professional Chemist, Bachelor of ScienceBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Virginia Commonwealth UniversityChemistry with concentration in Professional Chemist with Honors, Bachelor of ScienceBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Emory & Henry UniversityChemistry (BA)BachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
Emory & Henry UniversityChemistry (BS)BachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Randolph-Macon CollegeChemistry - General (BS)BachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Randolph-Macon CollegeChemistry - Biochemistry (BS)BachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Randolph-Macon CollegeChemistry - Education (BS)BachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Randolph-Macon CollegeChemistry - Forensic Science (BS)BachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Randolph-Macon CollegeChemistry - Research (BS)BachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
University of LynchburgBA in ChemistryBachelorBachelor of Arts4-YearIn-Person
University of LynchburgBS in ChemistryBachelorBachelor of Science4-YearIn-Person
Careers Where This Degree Applies
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O*Net Code Name Description Parent
19-4031.00Chemical TechniciansConduct chemical and physical laboratory tests to assist scientists in making qualitative and quantitative analyses of solids, liquids, and gaseous materials for research and development of new products or processes, quality control, maintenance of environmental standards, and other work involving experimental, theoretical, or practical application of chemistry and related sciences.Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
25-1052.00Chemistry Teachers, PostsecondaryTeach courses pertaining to the chemical and physical properties and compositional changes of substances. Work may include providing instruction in the methods of qualitative and quantitative chemical analysis. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching, and those who do a combination of teaching and research.Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
19-2031.00ChemistsConduct qualitative and quantitative chemical analyses or experiments in laboratories for quality or process control or to develop new products or knowledge.Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
11-9121.01Clinical Research CoordinatorsPlan, direct, or coordinate clinical research projects. Direct the activities of workers engaged in clinical research projects to ensure compliance with protocols and overall clinical objectives. May evaluate and analyze clinical data.Management Occupations
19-4013.00Food Science TechniciansWork with food scientists or technologists to perform standardized qualitative and quantitative tests to determine physical or chemical properties of food or beverage products. Includes technicians who assist in research and development of production technology, quality control, packaging, processing, and use of foods.Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
19-4092.00Forensic Science TechniciansCollect, identify, classify, and analyze physical evidence related to criminal investigations. Perform tests on weapons or substances, such as fiber, hair, and tissue to determine significance to investigation. May testify as expert witnesses on evidence or crime laboratory techniques. May serve as specialists in area of expertise, such as ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, or biochemistry.Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
11-9121.00Natural Sciences ManagersPlan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields.Management Occupations
25-2031.00Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical EducationTeach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level.Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
11-9121.02Water Resource SpecialistsDesign or implement programs and strategies related to water resource issues such as supply, quality, and regulatory compliance issues.Management Occupations
Cost To Complete
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This section provides you with a very high-level estimate of your costs and is purely intended as a guide. You should consult the institution via College Connect to get a more detailed estimate based on the totality of your circumstances. The selections below are based on information gathered from your Profile and the estimated costs are calculated based on the 120 credits remaining to be completed

Please select the "Cumulative Months of Service" that determine your Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits.
Estimated Cost for the B.S. in Biological Chemistry at Ferrum College
These costs are based on an estimated 8 semesters or 4 years remaining to complete this degree (assuming a full-time load of 16 hours per semester)
Category Cost Basis Cost (To You) Estimated Benefits Net Cost Notes
Tuition $13,700 Per Semester $109,600 $0 $109,600 1-6 credits $553/cr, 7-11 credits $770/cr
Fees
Room & Board $6,615 Per Semester $52,920 0 $52,920 Estimated. Varies per housing option $6,315 - $7,435.
*Please note that the above estimated costs do not include all Federal, State or other financial aid, grants, scholarships, etc. for which you may qualify. All such aid could substantially reduce these costs.
Tuition & Fee Notes:
  • Instructional Fees
    • Instructional Fees range from $30/course to $755/credit depending on discipline
  • Additional Fees
    • Student Service Fee $120, Technology Fee $230, Health Fee $210, Car Registration $50, Graduation Fee $125
Other Financial Aid to Pay for College:
  • You may be eligible for additional financial aid from Federal, State, and Local sources. Military education benefits are not considered in determining eligibility for federal financial aid. Everyone is therefore encouraged to apply for federal financial aid by submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), because many will qualify for additional educational funds like Pell Grants, worth over $5,500/yr.