Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Degrees and Programs
The Chemistry Honors program is a 10-unit program completed in the last four or five semesters of a student’s undergraduate degree program. In addition to four honors courses, students are required to complete an independent research project resulting in an undergraduate thesis, complete a peer-instruction service requirement, and present their research at a scientific conference appropriate to their field.
A Minor in Chemistry for a bachelor's degree requires at least 21 units, of which
at least 7
are upper division.
Specific course requirements are
General Chemistry (CHEM 1A, CHEM 1AL and CHEM 1B, CHEM 1BL or CHEM 3A),
Organic Chemistry (CHEM 8 or CHEM 128A & CHEM 128B and CHEM 129A), and
Quantitative Analysis (CHEM 105).
Those students requiring additional upper-division chemistry units may choose from
courses such as the following: CHEM 125, CHEM 150, CHEM 155A, CHEM 155B,
and CHEM 156.
Note: The Chemistry Minor also requires a 2.0 GPA and six upper-division units in
residence.
An undergraduate degree designed for pre-health professional students. The program places greater emphasis on biochemistry and biology than the B.S. degree, because of the greater relevance to health professional careers. Graduates from our B.A. program have gone on to medical, dental, pharmacy, and other health professional schools. They have begun careers as high school science teachers and have entered the work force in chemical-based industries.
An undergraduate degree designed for students interested in going on to graduate school in chemistry or biochemistry or entering the job market as professional chemists.
An undergraduate degree intended for students who plan to pursue a career in biochemical or chemistry research, and suitable for a student pursuing health professions.
The B.A. Natural Sciences (Chemistry option) degree is designed for students who want to become high school chemistry or middle school life or physical science teachers.
A graduate program oriented toward students preparing for employment in chemistry-based occupations and students interested in additional training in chemistry to prepare for advanced Ph.D. graduate work.