2024-2025 Catalog 
    
    Dec 05, 2024  
2024-2025 Catalog

Chemistry Major


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The Major in Chemistry (“traditional” track with no concentration).  This is an additional requirement to this program.

For program description see Chemistry 

Program Learning Outcomes


Students will:

  • Develop a rigorous understanding of fundamental chemical concepts and techniques
  • Gain practical experience with a wide variety of chemistry instruments and knowledge to interpret obtained data
  • Develop an ability to communicate ideas in chemistry to general audiences and specialists
  • Understand a broad range of chemical principles and knowledge in analytical, biochemical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry
  • Gain chemical knowledge and critical thinking skills to solve theoretical and practical problems in chemistry
  • Demonstrate laboratory skills appropriate to the study of chemistry:
    • Acquire, interpret and analyze data using manual and instrumental methods
    • Carry out basic synthetic reactions
    • Maintain a laboratory notebook
    • Work confidently and safely in a laboratory
  • Organize and present scientific information in written and oral form assisted by the use of computer technology such as word processing, spreadsheets, chemical structure drawing programs, chemical information retrieval services
  • Understand the importance of chemistry in an industrial, economic, environmental and social context
  • Develop the ability to succeed in pursuing further studies or employment in chemistry or multi-disciplinary areas involving chemistry

Major Requirements (59 units)


Statement on Repeating Courses


All students majoring in Chemistry must earn a minimum grade of C in the core Chemistry courses (General Chemistry lecture and lab I& II, Organic Chemistry I& II, Organic Chemistry Lab I& II, and Analytical Chemistry) and all supporting courses (Calculus and Analytical Geometry I& II and Physics lecture and lab I& II). Courses required for a Chemistry major can only be repeated once. If the minimum grade is not attained by the second attempt, the student will be disqualified from the Chemistry major.

Degree Planner


First-Year


Fall Units
Core-B2: CHEM 111 - General Chemistry I    3
CHEM 112 - Laboratory   1
Core-B1: MATH 109 - Calculus & Analytic Geom I   4
Core - A2: Rhetoric and Composition 4
Core or Elective 4
Total Semester Units 16
Spring Units
CHEM 113 - General Chemistry II   3
CHEM 114 - Laboratory   1
MATH 110 - Calculus & Analytic Geom II   4
Core - A1: Public Speaking 4
Core or Elective 4
Total Semester Units 16

Sophomore Year


Fall Units
CHEM 230 - Organic Chemistry I      3
CHEM 232 - Organic Chemistry Lab I   1
PHYS 110 - General Physics I  or PHYS 100 - Introductory Physics I   4
Core or Elective 4
Core or Elective 4
Total Semester Units 16
Spring Units
CHEM 231 - Organic Chemistry II   4
CHEM 234 - Organic Chemistry Lab II   1
CHEM 260 - Analytical Chemistry   4
PHYS 210 - General Physics II  or PHYS 101 - Introductory Physics II   4
Core or Elective 4
Total Semester Units 17

Junior Year


Fall Units
CHEM 320 - Inorganic Chemistry I     4
CHEM 340 - Physical Chemistry I   4
Core or Elective 4
Core or Elective 4
Total Semester Units 16
Spring Units
CHEM 341 - Physical Chemistry II   4
CHEM 410 - Integrated Laboratory   4
Core or Elective 4
Core or Elective 4
Total Semester Units 16

Senior Year


Fall Units
CHEM 350 - Biochemistry I  or CHEM 356 - Fundamentals of Biochemistry   4
Core or Elective 4
Core or Elective 4
Core or Elective 4
Total Semester Units 16
Spring Units
Core or Elective 4
Core or Elective 4
Core or Elective 4
Core or Elective 4
Total Semester Units 16

*This information is subject to change, the degree planner is a sample, and students should consult with the department for any updated information. 

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