USC
University of Southern California
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Undergraduate Degrees

Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry

In addition to the general education requirements, the following courses are required.

Chemistry Major Requirements (B.S.)

Required courses, Lower division Units
CHEM 105aLbLGeneral Chemistry, or
CHEM 115aLbLAdvanced General Chemistry4-4
MATH 125Calculus I4
MATH 126Calculus II4
MATH 225Linear Algebra and Linear Differential Equations, or
MATH 226Calculus III4
PHYS 151LFundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics4
PHYS 152LFundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism4
PHYS 153LFundamentals of Physics III: Optics and Modern Physics4

Required courses, Upper division Units
CHEM 300LAnalytical Chemistry4
CHEM 325abLOrganic Chemistry4-4
CHEM 332LPhysical Chemical Measurements4
CHEM 426Advanced Organic Chemistry4
CHEM 430abPhysical Chemistry4-4
CHEM 453Advanced Inorganic Chemistry4
CHEM 423LAdvanced Laboratory Techniques in Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, or
CHEM 465LChemical Instrumentation4
CHEM 490xDirected Research4

One advanced elective chosen from among the following: MATH 226, MATH 245, or any upper division course in chemistry, biological sciences, mathematics, physics or engineering which can satisfy requirements as upper division electives in the major in the department involved.

Chemistry Major Requirements (B.A.)

Required courses, Lower division Units
CHEM 105aLbLGeneral Chemistry, or
CHEM 115aLbLAdvanced General Chemistry4-4
MATH 125Calculus I4
MATH 126Calculus II4
MATH 225Linear Algebra and Linear Differential Equations, or
MATH 226Calculus III4
PHYS 151LFundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics4
PHYS 152LFundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism4
PHYS 153LFundamentals of Physics III: Optics and Modern Physics4

Required courses, Upper division Units
CHEM 300LAnalytical Chemistry4
CHEM 325abLOrganic Chemistry4-4
CHEM 430abPhysical Chemistry4-4

one course from among: Units
CHEM 332LPhysical Chemical Measurements4
CHEM 423LAdvanced Laboratory Techniques in Organic and Inorganic Chemistry4
CHEM 453Advanced Inorganic Chemistry4
CHEM 490Directed Research2-8

One additional upper division science elective

Physical Sciences Major Requirements (B.S.)

Required courses, Lower division Units
CHEM 105aLbLGeneral Chemistry, or
CHEM 115aLbLAdvanced General Chemistry4-4
GEOL 105LPlanet Earth4
PHYS 151LFundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics4
PHYS 152LFundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism4
PHYS 153LFundamentals of Physics III: Optics and Modern Physics4

Required courses, Upper division Units
Astronomy elective*4
Chemistry elective*4
Earth Sciences elective*4
Physics elective*4
Three additional electives from these fields*4

*Upper division courses must be applicable to majors in their respective departments.

other courses Units
MATH 125Calculus I4
MATH 126Calculus II4
MATH 226Calculus III4
Total units64

Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry

This degree is offered jointly by the Departments of Biological Sciences and Chemistry. An honors option is also available. See the Department of Biological Sciences for the complete description.

Biotechnology Minor

The College of Letters, Arts and Sciences departments of biological sciences and chemistry and the Marshall School of Business jointly offer the cross-departmental minor in biotechnology. This minor brings essential knowledge in the basic sciences together with the corporate skills needed in a rapidly growing industry. The minor is especially well suited for the business, biology, chemistry or engineering student seeking a career in business and/or the biomedical/biotechnical sciences. See Biological Sciences for course requirements.

Chemistry Minor

A chemistry minor is available for students who wish to broaden their exposure to the chemical sciences. In addition to a core of five chemistry courses (year-long sequences in general chemistry and organic chemistry and a one semester course in analytical chemistry), students must take one upper division chemistry elective in either advanced organic or advanced inorganic chemistry.

Biology majors must take CHEM 300L, CHEM 426 and CHEM 453.

Required courses, Lower division Units
CHEM 105aLbLGeneral Chemistry, or
CHEM 115aLbLAdvanced General Chemistry4-4

Required courses, Upper division Units
CHEM 300LAnalytical Chemistry4
CHEM 322aLbLOrganic Chemistry, or
CHEM 325aLbLOrganic Chemistry4-4
CHEM 426Advanced Organic Chemistry, or
CHEM 453Advanced Inorganic Chemistry4

Grade Point Average in Major Subject

A grade of C- or higher is required in each chemistry course specifically listed as a degree requirement. The GPA for all chemistry courses required for a department major or a physical sciences major must be C (2.0) or higher. The GPA for all upper division chemistry courses must also be C (2.0) or higher.

Honors Programs

An honors program in chemistry is available. Please consult with departmental advisors for additional information.

An honors program in biochemistry is offered. See the Department of Biological Sciences for requirements.