Program Details
B.S. in Biological Chemistry
Bachelor of ScienceFerrum 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

Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
---|---|
Considerations for Selecting Degree | |
Considerations When Selecting Courses |
|
Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | |
Doing More With Your Degree | |
Program Successes & Highlights |
Program Credit Requirements

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.
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.
Applicable Admissions Agreements

There are no Applicable Admission Agreements for the Program.
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

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... |
|
College Level Information

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

Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Eastern Mennonite University | Bachelor of Science Chemistry | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Wytheville Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in Science | Associate | Associate of Arts & Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Hollins University | BA in Chemistry | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Hollins University | BS in Chemistry | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Mountain Gateway Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Science | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Germanna Community College | Associate of Arts & Sciences Degree in Science | Associate | Associate of Arts and Sciences | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Science in Science | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Science | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Northern Virginia Community College | Science, A.S. | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Science in Science | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Science - Science | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Science | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Wytheville Community College | Associate of Science Degree in Science | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Sweet Briar College | Bachelor of Science in Chemistry | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Christopher Newport University | Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Major in Biochemistry | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Christopher Newport University | Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Major in Chemistry | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
James Madison University | Bachelor of Science, Major in Biophysical Chemistry | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
James Madison University | Bachelor of Science, Major in Chemistry | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Longwood University | Chemistry: Biochemistry BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Longwood University | Chemistry BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Longwood University | Chemistry: Teacher Preparation in Chemistry BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Richard Bland College | Associate of Science-Physical Science | Associate | Associate of Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Roanoke College | Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry Education | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Roanoke College | Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Roanoke College | Bachelor of Science in Chemistry | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Radford University | BS in Chemistry | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
The University of Virginia's College at Wise | Bachelor of Arts in Natural Sciences, Major in Chemistry | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
The University of Virginia's College at Wise | Bachelor of Science in Natural Sciences, Major in Chemistry | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Wesleyan University | Bachelor of Science in Chemistry | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
George Mason University | Chemistry, BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | Not Specified |
George Mason University | Chemistry, BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Norfolk State University | Bachelor of Science in Chemistry | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Norfolk State University | Bachelor of Science in Chemistry - (DNIMAS) Track | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Norfolk State University | Bachelor of Science in Chemistry - Secondary Education Concentration | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Norfolk State University | Bachelor of Science in Chemistry - Pre-Medicine Concentration | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Norfolk State University | Bachelor of Science in Chemistry - Pre-Medicine (DNIMAS) Track | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
William & Mary | Chemistry - Bachelor of Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Old Dominion University | Chemistry-BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
University of Mary Washington | BS in Biochemistry-ACS Cert. | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
University of Mary Washington | BS in Chemistry: Biochemistry | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
University of Mary Washington | BS in Chemistry-ACS Certified | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
University of Mary Washington | BS in Chemistry | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Bridgewater College | Chemistry Major - BS | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Shenandoah University | Bachelor of Science Chemistry | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Bluefield University | BS in Chemistry | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Randolph College | Bachelor of Science in Chemical Physics | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Randolph College | Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Randolph College | Bachelor of Science in Chemistry | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Chemistry with concentration in Biochemistry, Bachelor of Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Chemistry with concentration in Chemical Modeling, Bachelor of Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Chemistry with concentration in Chemical Science, Bachelor of Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Chemistry with concentration in Professional Chemist, Bachelor of Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Chemistry with concentration in Professional Chemist with Honors, Bachelor of Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Emory & Henry University | Chemistry (BA) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Emory & Henry University | Chemistry (BS) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Randolph-Macon College | Chemistry - General (BS) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Randolph-Macon College | Chemistry - Biochemistry (BS) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Randolph-Macon College | Chemistry - Education (BS) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Randolph-Macon College | Chemistry - Forensic Science (BS) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Randolph-Macon College | Chemistry - Research (BS) | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
University of Lynchburg | BA in Chemistry | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
University of Lynchburg | BS in Chemistry | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year | In-Person |
Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
---|---|---|---|
19-4031.00 | Chemical Technicians | Conduct 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 |
25-1052.00 | Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach 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 |
19-2031.00 | Chemists | Conduct 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 |
11-9121.01 | Clinical Research Coordinators | Plan, 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 |
19-4013.00 | Food Science Technicians | Work 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 |
19-4092.00 | Forensic Science Technicians | Collect, 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 |
11-9121.00 | Natural Sciences Managers | Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as life sciences, physical sciences, mathematics, statistics, and research and development in these fields. | Management Occupations |
25-2031.00 | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | Teach one or more subjects to students at the secondary school level. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
11-9121.02 | Water Resource Specialists | Design or implement programs and strategies related to water resource issues such as supply, quality, and regulatory compliance issues. | Management Occupations |
Cost To Complete
