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 105aLbL | General Chemistry, or |
CHEM 115aLbL | Advanced General Chemistry | 4-4 |
MATH 125 | Calculus I | 4 |
MATH 126 | Calculus II | 4 |
MATH 225 | Linear Algebra and Linear Differential Equations, or |
MATH 226 | Calculus III | 4 |
PHYS 151L | Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics | 4 |
PHYS 152L | Fundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism | 4 |
PHYS 153L | Fundamentals of Physics III: Optics and Modern Physics | 4 |
Required courses, Upper division | Units |
CHEM 300L | Analytical Chemistry | 4 |
CHEM 325abL | Organic Chemistry | 4-4 |
CHEM 332L | Physical Chemical Measurements | 4 |
CHEM 426 | Advanced Organic Chemistry | 4 |
CHEM 430ab | Physical Chemistry | 4-4 |
CHEM 453 | Advanced Inorganic Chemistry | 4 |
CHEM 423L | Advanced Laboratory Techniques in Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, or |
CHEM 465L | Chemical Instrumentation | 4 |
CHEM 490x | Directed Research | 4 |
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 105aLbL | General Chemistry, or |
CHEM 115aLbL | Advanced General Chemistry | 4-4 |
MATH 125 | Calculus I | 4 |
MATH 126 | Calculus II | 4 |
MATH 225 | Linear Algebra and Linear Differential Equations, or |
MATH 226 | Calculus III | 4 |
PHYS 151L | Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics | 4 |
PHYS 152L | Fundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism | 4 |
PHYS 153L | Fundamentals of Physics III: Optics and Modern Physics | 4 |
Required courses, Upper division | Units |
CHEM 300L | Analytical Chemistry | 4 |
CHEM 325abL | Organic Chemistry | 4-4 |
CHEM 430ab | Physical Chemistry | 4-4 |
one course from among: | Units |
CHEM 332L | Physical Chemical Measurements | 4 |
CHEM 423L | Advanced Laboratory Techniques in Organic and Inorganic Chemistry | 4 |
CHEM 453 | Advanced Inorganic Chemistry | 4 |
CHEM 490 | Directed Research | 2-8 |
One additional upper division science elective
Physical Sciences Major Requirements (B.S.)
Required courses, Lower division | Units |
CHEM 105aLbL | General Chemistry, or |
CHEM 115aLbL | Advanced General Chemistry | 4-4 |
GEOL 105L | Planet Earth | 4 |
PHYS 151L | Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics | 4 |
PHYS 152L | Fundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism | 4 |
PHYS 153L | Fundamentals of Physics III: Optics and Modern Physics | 4 |
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 |
other courses | Units |
MATH 125 | Calculus I | 4 |
MATH 126 | Calculus II | 4 |
MATH 226 | Calculus III | 4 |
Total units | 64 |
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 105aLbL | General Chemistry, or |
CHEM 115aLbL | Advanced General Chemistry | 4-4 |
Required courses, Upper division | Units |
CHEM 300L | Analytical Chemistry | 4 |
CHEM 322aLbL | Organic Chemistry, or |
CHEM 325aLbL | Organic Chemistry | 4-4 |
CHEM 426 | Advanced Organic Chemistry, or |
CHEM 453 | Advanced Inorganic Chemistry | 4 |
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.