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Chemistry
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  4. Chemistry
  5. Major: Bachelor of Science

Major: Bachelor of Science

Major
  • Chemistry opens in a new tab
Program Minimum Units
89 Units
University Minimum Units
180 Units
Interests
Public Health, Experimentation & Discovery, Data and Information Sciences, Technology, Sustainability
Academic Areas
Natural Sciences, Medicine, Health Sciences

Overview

Chemistry is about the nature of matter, how to make it, measure it, and model it. It holds the key to making new drugs, creating new materials, and understanding and controlling material properties. It is no wonder that chemistry is called the “Central Science.” Traditionally, it is divided into subdisciplines including organic, inorganic, physical, biological, theoretical, and analytical. Still, these distinctions blur as it is increasingly appreciated how all science, let alone chemistry, is interconnected. 

The undergraduate program in Chemistry aims to provide students with foundational knowledge in the subdisciplines of chemistry and depth in one or more advanced areas, as well as the chance to participate in cutting-edge research. Introductory coursework allows students to gain hands-on experience investigating chemical phenomena, gathering data, and proposing models and explanations for their observations. In advanced labs and lectures students build in-depth knowledge of the molecular principles of chemistry, empowering them to become molecular engineers comfortable with the methodologies necessary to solve complex problems and effectively articulate their ideas to the scientific community. Ultimately, the analytical thinking and problem-solving skills developed within the chemistry major make students successful candidates for various careers in chemistry and beyond, including engineering, teaching, consulting, medicine, law, science writing, and science policy.

Requirements

Core Program Requirements

Lab Course Requirement

Students entering the program above CHEM 33 must take the short course CHEM 100 Chemical Laboratory and Safety Skills before any course with a lab component; CHEM100 is only offered the second week of autumn quarter.

A department-approved lab coat and safety glasses will be provided to each student.

Complete all of the following course(s):
CHEM 100

Chemical Laboratory and Safety Skills

1 Units

Core Coursework

Complete all of the following requirements:
Introductory Courses
Complete all of the following requirements:
Chem 30 Series
Complete any of the following course(s):
CHEM 31A

Chemical Principles I

5 Units
and
CHEM 31B

Chemical Principles II

5 Units
CHEM 31E

Chemical Foundations and 21st Century Problems

5 Units
and
Additional Courses
Complete all of the following course(s):
CHEM 33

Structure and Reactivity of Carbon-Based Molecules

5 Units
CS 106A

Programming Methodology

3-5 Units
MATH 19

Calculus

3 Units
MATH 20

Calculus

3 Units
MATH 21

Calculus

4 Units

Breadth in Discipline

Chemistry Pathway

Complete Foundational and Advanced coursework for either the Traditional Chemistry Path or the Biological Chemistry Path.

Complete any of the following requirements:
Traditional Chemistry Path
Complete all of the following requirements:
Foundational Courses
Complete all of the following course(s):
CHEM 121

Understanding the Natural and Unnatural World through Chemistry

5 Units
CHEM 131

Instrumental Analysis Principles and Practice

5 Units
CHEM 151

Inorganic Chemistry I

4 Units
CHEM 171

Linking the Molecular to the Macroscopic: Foundations of Physical Chemistry

4 Units
CHEM 181

Biochemistry I

4 Units
MATH 51

Linear Algebra, Multivariable Calculus, and Modern Applications

5 Units
or
MATH 61CM

Modern Mathematics: Continuous Methods

5 Units
or
MATH 61DM

Modern Mathematics: Discrete Methods

5 Units
PHYSICS 41

Mechanics

4 Units
or
PHYSICS 41E

Mechanics, Concepts, Calculations, and Context

5 Units
or
PHYSICS 61

Mechanics and Special Relativity

4 Units
PHYSICS 42

Classical Mechanics Laboratory

1 Units
PHYSICS 43

Electricity and Magnetism

4 Units
or
PHYSICS 81

Electricity and Magnetism Using Special Relativity and Vector Calculus

4 Units
PHYSICS 44

Electricity and Magnetism Lab

1 Units
and
Advanced Courses
Complete all of the following course(s):
CHEM 123

Organic Polyfunctional Compounds

3 Units
CHEM 124

Organic Chemistry Laboratory

3 Units
CHEM 126

Synthesis Laboratory

3 Units
CHEM 153

The Chemistry of Extended Solids

3 Units
CHEM 173

Physical Chemistry II

3 Units
CHEM 174

Electrochem Lab: Measuring the Invisible

3 Units
CHEM 175

Physical Chemistry III

3 Units
CHEM 176

Spectroscopy Laboratory

3 Units
CHEM 185

Biophysical Chemistry

3 Units
or
Biological Chemistry Path
Complete all of the following requirements:
Foundational Courses
Complete all of the following course(s):
BIO 86

Cell Biology

4 Units
or
BIO 84

Physiology

4 Units
or
BIO 82

Genetics

4 Units
CHEM 121

Understanding the Natural and Unnatural World through Chemistry

5 Units
CHEM 131

Instrumental Analysis Principles and Practice

5 Units
CHEM 151

Inorganic Chemistry I

4 Units
CHEM 171

Linking the Molecular to the Macroscopic: Foundations of Physical Chemistry

4 Units
CHEM 181

Biochemistry I

4 Units
MATH 51

Linear Algebra, Multivariable Calculus, and Modern Applications

5 Units
or
MATH 61CM

Modern Mathematics: Continuous Methods

5 Units
or
MATH 61DM

Modern Mathematics: Discrete Methods

5 Units
PHYSICS 41

Mechanics

4 Units
or
PHYSICS 41E

Mechanics, Concepts, Calculations, and Context

5 Units
or
PHYSICS 61

Mechanics and Special Relativity

4 Units
PHYSICS 42

Classical Mechanics Laboratory

1 Units
PHYSICS 43

Electricity and Magnetism

4 Units
or
PHYSICS 81

Electricity and Magnetism Using Special Relativity and Vector Calculus

4 Units
PHYSICS 44

Electricity and Magnetism Lab

1 Units
and
Advanced Courses
Complete all of the following course(s):
CHEM 123

Organic Polyfunctional Compounds

3 Units
CHEM 124

Organic Chemistry Laboratory

3 Units
CHEM 126

Synthesis Laboratory

3 Units
CHEM 173

Physical Chemistry II

3 Units
or
CHEM 175

Physical Chemistry III

3 Units
CHEM 176

Spectroscopy Laboratory

3 Units
CHEM 183

Biochemistry II

3 Units
CHEM 184

Biological Chemistry Laboratory

3 Units
CHEM 185

Biophysical Chemistry

3 Units

Writing in the Major (WIM)

WIM Course

Complete all of the following course(s):
CHEM 131

Instrumental Analysis Principles and Practice

5 Units

Capstone

Course Requirement

Complete all of the following course(s):
CHEM 185

Biophysical Chemistry

3 Units

Honors

Optional
Students may choose to pursue department honors by completing a program of special advanced work, such as an honors thesis, in addition to their major requirements.

Honors

Honors Program Overview

A bachelor's degree in Chemistry with honors is available to those students interested in chemical research.

Admission to the honors program requires a grade point average (GPA) of 3.3 in science courses and an overall GPA of 3.0 in all university courses. Beyond the standard BS course requirements for each track, nine research credit units and nine coursework units need to be completed during the junior and senior academic years. A thesis, approved by the honors advisor, must be completed during the senior year. The thesis must be submitted to the research advisor at least one week before the end of regular spring quarter classes and completed by May 15 to be considered for the Firestone award. Using a single course for multiple honors, major, minor, or coterminal requirements is not allowed. Students who wish to be admitted to the honors program should register with the Student Services Manager in spring quarter of their junior year.

Course Requirements

The nine units of coursework for honors must be completed from courses approved by the Undergraduate Studies Committee and taken for a letter grade. At least six of these units need to be taken from the following CHEM courses:

Earn at least 6 units in the following course(s):
CHEM 153

The Chemistry of Extended Solids

3 Units
CHEM 173

Physical Chemistry II

3 Units
CHEM 174

Electrochem Lab: Measuring the Invisible

3 Units
CHEM 175

Physical Chemistry III

3 Units
CHEM 183

Biochemistry II

3 Units
CHEM 184

Biological Chemistry Laboratory

3 Units
CHEM 221

Advanced Organic Chemistry I

3 Units
CHEM 223

Advanced Organic Chemistry II

3 Units
CHEM 225

Advanced Organic Chemistry III

3 Units
CHEM 232

Applications of NMR Spectroscopy

3 Units
CHEM 251

Advanced Inorganic Chemistry

3 Units
CHEM 253

Advanced Inorganic Chemistry

3 Units
CHEM 255

Advanced Inorganic Chemistry

3 Units
CHEM 257

Bio-Inorganic Chemistry

3 Units
CHEM 261

Computational Electronic Structure of Molecular Systems

3 Units
CHEM 271

Advanced Physical Chemistry

3 Units
CHEM 273

Advanced Physical Chemistry

3 Units
CHEM 275

Quantum mechanics with spectroscopy examples

3 Units
CHEM 277

Manipulating Spins: NMR Theory and Applications

3 Units
CHEM 281

Synthesis and Analysis at the Chemistry-Biology Interface

3 Units
CHEM 283

Therapeutic Science at the Chemistry - Biology Interface

3 Units
CHEM 289

Concepts and Applications in Chemical Biology

3 Units

Advances Undergraduate Research Units

Complete all of the following course(s):
CHEM 190

Advanced Undergraduate Research

1-5 Units

CHEM 190 Advanced Undergraduate Research research units toward honors may be completed after being accepted into the program, in any laboratory within Chemistry, or with courtesy faculty in Chemistry. Other chemical research can be approved through a formal petition of the Undergraduate Studies Committee. At least three units must be completed during the senior year. Participation in a summer research program in an academic setting between junior and senior years may be used instead of 3 units of CHEM 190 Advanced Undergraduate Research. For each quarter, a progress report reflecting the units undertaken is required. This report must be signed by the honors advisor and filed in the department student services office before the last day of finals in the quarter during which the research is performed.