2024-2025 Catalog 
    
    Oct 06, 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.

Curriculum Map


Freshman 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 curriculum map is a sample, and students should consult with the department for any updated information. 

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