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Chair’s Office
2040 Urey Hall Addition
(858)
534-5489
http://chemistry.ucsd.edu
Undergraduate Student Affairs
4010 York Hall,
Revelle College
(858) 534-4856
Graduate Student Affairs
4010 York Hall, Revelle
College
(858) 822-6014
All courses, faculty listings, and curricular and degree requirements described herein are subject to change or deletion without notice.
The UC San Diego Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry was founded in the 1950s by the late Professor Harold Urey and a group of colleagues who strove to create a department that would stress the fundamentals of chemistry and, at the same time, embrace diverse applications of those principles at the frontiers of knowledge.
Degrees offered include
Either a biochemistry/chemistry major (CH31) or a chemistry major (CH25) with appropriate choice of electives provides a strong background for students intending to pursue careers in the medical sciences.
Premedical students are encouraged to complete a three-quarter general chemistry series (CHEM 6A-B-C or 6AH-6BH-6CH) in their first year. Medical schools may not accept Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or A-Level exam scores to satisfy admissions requirements (see below). Students should complete the organic chemistry series (CHEM 40A-B-C) in their sophomore year. The lower-division biology (BILD 1-2-3) series or equivalent is also required for most medical schools, along with certain upper-division biology courses, some of which may be counted toward the major requirements in chemistry. Students should meet with one of the department’s undergraduate advisers early in order to plan their courses and discuss their options. Career Services offers in-depth advising to premedical students: http://healthbeat.ucsd.edu/.
Basic Chemistry: CHEM 4 is a one-quarter preparation course for 6A. It includes a lab component and is to be taken by those advised to do so or those who don’t have a strong background in chemistry.
General Chemistry: CHEM 6A-B-C sequence is intended for science and engineering majors as well as others who need quantitative courses. It satisfies all pre-professional program requirements.
Honors General Chemistry: CHEM 6AH-6BH-6CH sequence is designed for science and engineering majors with strong preparation in science and mathematics.
A student intending to major in chemistry can thus begin with CHEM 4, 6A, or 6AH depending on the level of preparation. A student intending to major in a discipline other than chemistry should consult his or her adviser in the appropriate department to determine which chemistry course is recommended.
Advanced placement: A score of AP3 or AP4 exempts from CHEM 4 only, and students may take CHEM 6A-B-C, or CHEM 6AH-BH-CH for credit. A score of AP5 exempts from CHEM 6A-B-C, but students may take CHEM 6AH-BH-CH for credit and are encouraged to do so.
CHEM 11, 12, 13 (The Periodic Table, Molecules and Reactions, and Chemistry of Life) is a terminal sequence for nonscience/nonengineering majors. Students should check with their college advisers to determine applicability toward general-education requirements.
Residency Requirement: To receive a bachelor of science from UC San Diego and fulfill the campus residency requirement, all chemistry majors (including transfer students) must complete at least forty-eight or more units of upper-division chemistry course work. This course work must be taken while officially enrolled at UC San Diego.
Grade Requirements for Majors: The minimum GPA requirement (for both the major GPA and overall UC GPA) for graduation is 2.0. The minimum passing grade in required chemistry course work is a D, although students may not graduate with more than one D grade in upper-division required major course work and must maintain a minimum of a 2.0 GPA in the major. All courses for the major, except for independent research (CHEM 196 and 199) and chemistry instruction (CHEM 195), must be taken for a letter grade. CHEM 195, 196, and 199 are taken on a P/NP basis.
American Chemistry Society (ACS) Certification: Students completing their degree with a major in chemistry (CH25), biochemistry/chemistry (CH31), or molecular synthesis (CH36) are automatically granted certification by the American Chemical Society. Students completing their degree with a major in environmental chemistry (CH34) or pharmacological chemistry (CH35) can receive ACS certification with the addition of one or more eligible courses (see below).
The suggested programs following each of the major descriptions are only examples. The quarters in which courses are offered are subject to change.
The biochemistry/chemistry major deals with the chemical processes in living organisms, including structure and function of nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids. It is suitable for those planning to go to graduate school or to medical, dental, veterinary, or other professional schools. It is also suitable at the bachelor’s level for jobs in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical field. Note the requirement for two advanced elective courses in biochemistry. If one does not wish to take so much biochemistry, one should major in chemistry and use electives to take the desired number of biochemistry courses.
Many courses have enforced prerequisites or are offered once per year.
FALL |
WINTER |
SPRING |
FRESHMAN YEAR |
||
CHEM 6A |
CHEM 6B |
CHEM 6C |
MATH 20A |
MATH 20B |
MATH 20C |
BILD 1* |
CHEM 7LM |
|
SOPHOMORE YEAR |
||
CHEM 40A |
CHEM 40B |
CHEM 40C |
CHEM 100A |
CHEM 43AM |
CHEM 143B |
MATH 20D |
PHYS 2B |
PHYS 2C |
PHYS 2A |
|
|
JUNIOR YEAR |
||
CHEM 114A |
CHEM 114B |
CHEM 105A |
CHEM 126 |
CHEM 127 |
CHEM 114C |
PHYS 2CL |
CHEM 105A |
|
SENIOR YEAR |
||
CHEM 120A |
CHEM 109 |
CHEM 108 |
Restricted Elective |
Restricted Elective |
Elective |
*Recommended, but not required.
The chemistry major provides a broad introduction in biochemistry, organic, physical, and inorganic chemistry. This major will enable a student to pursue further studies in chemistry or in related fields of science, medicine, or engineering.
Many courses have enforced prerequisites or are offered once per year.
FALL |
WINTER |
SPRING |
---|---|---|
FRESHMAN YEAR |
||
CHEM 6A |
CHEM 6B |
CHEM 6C |
MATH 20A |
MATH 20B |
MATH 20C |
CHEM 7LM |
||
SOPHOMORE YEAR |
||
CHEM 40A |
CHEM 40B |
CHEM 40C |
MATH 20D |
CHEM 43AM |
CHEM 43B |
PHYS 2A |
PHYS 2B |
PHYS 2C |
JUNIOR YEAR |
||
CHEM 120A |
CHEM 120B |
CHEM 105A |
CHEM 130 |
CHEM 131 |
CHEM 132 |
CHEM 100A |
PHYS 2CL |
|
SENIOR YEAR |
||
CHEM 114A |
Elective Lab |
Elective |
Elective Lab |
Elective |
Elective |
|
|
|
Students have an option of earning a BS in environmental chemistry with or without ACS-Certification. The ACS-Certified version is recommended for those who intend to apply to graduate school in chemistry. The noncertified program is designed to prepare students to enter the industrial, governmental, or legal workforce, or to continue studies in some of the environmental sciences.
Many courses have enforced prerequisites or are offered once per year.
FALL |
WINTER |
SPRING |
---|---|---|
FRESHMAN YEAR |
||
CHEM 6A |
CHEM 6B |
CHEM 6C |
MATH 20A |
MATH 20B |
MATH 20C |
PHYS 2A |
CHEM 7LM |
|
SOPHOMORE YEAR |
||
CHEM 40A |
CHEM 40B |
PHYS 2CL |
CHEM 100A |
CHEM 43A |
PHYS 2C |
MATH 20D |
PHYS 2B |
|
JUNIOR YEAR |
||
CHEM 130 |
CHEM 131 |
CHEM 132 |
CHEM 171 |
CHEM 172 |
CHEM 173 |
Elective |
Elective |
Elective |
SENIOR YEAR |
||
CHEM 105A |
CHEM 100B |
CHEM 174 |
Elective |
|
|
The molecular synthesis major offers a thorough training in all aspects of the molecular synthesis of organic, inorganic, and biological substances, along with a fundamental understanding of their structure and reactivity. This major provides an excellent preparation for employment in biotechnology, diagnostic, electronic, and pharmaceutical enterprises as well as for graduate programs in organic, bioorganic, and inorganic chemistry.
Many courses have enforced prerequisites or are offered once per year.
FALL |
WINTER |
SPRING |
---|---|---|
FRESHMAN YEAR |
||
CHEM 6A |
CHEM 6B |
CHEM 6C |
MATH 20A |
MATH 20B |
MATH 20C |
PHYS 2A | CHEM 7L |
|
SOPHOMORE YEAR |
||
CHEM 40A |
CHEM 40B |
CHEM 40C |
CHEM 100A |
CHEM 43AM |
CHEM 143B |
MATH 20D |
PHYS 2B |
PHYS 2C |
JUNIOR YEAR |
||
CHEM 120A |
CHEM 120B |
CHEM 105A |
CHEM 127 |
CHEM 126 |
|
CHEM 143C or 143D |
PHYS 2CL |
|
SENIOR YEAR |
||
CHEM 114A |
CHEM 156 or 154 |
CHEM 125 or 157 |
CHEM 152 |
CHEM 123 |
Restricted Elective |
The pharmacological chemistry major provides a strong background in chemistry. The major is intended primarily to prepare students for pharmacy school (PharmD). As for any professional school, students will need to supplement this program with other courses to meet all entrance requirements. Many pharmacy schools require a course in Economics (usually Econ 1 or 3) and a course in public speaking. Many pharmacy schools also require a year of biology with lab. Students may elect an upper-division biology lab or they may consult with pharmacy schools as to their requirements. Students fulfilling their elective requirements with appropriate courses should be prepared for graduate school in biochemistry or other areas of science. Degree recipients would also be prepared for jobs in the biotechnology and chemical industries.
Advanced Placement: Pharmacological chemistry students are encouraged to complete a full year of general chemistry and a full year of lower-division biology. Some pharmacy programs may not accept tests such as the Advanced Placement exam to satisfy these requirements.
Many courses have enforced prerequisites or are offered once per year.
FALL |
WINTER |
SPRING |
---|---|---|
FRESHMAN YEAR |
||
CHEM 6A |
CHEM 6B |
CHEM 6C |
MATH 20A |
MATH 20B |
MATH 20C |
BILD 1 |
CHEM 7LM |
|
SOPHOMORE YEAR |
||
CHEM 40A |
CHEM 40B |
CHEM 40C |
CHEM 100A |
CHEM 43AM |
CHEM 143B |
MATH 20D |
PHYS 2A |
PHYS 2B |
JUNIOR YEAR |
||
CHEM 114A |
CHEM 114B |
CHEM 114C |
PHYS 2C |
PHYS 2CL |
CHEM 126 |
|
BILD 2 |
|
SENIOR YEAR |
||
CHEM 118 |
CHEM 168 |
CHEM 167 |
CHEM 127 |
CHEM 108, 109, or 143C |
Elective |
|
|
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers an Honors Program to those students who have demonstrated excellence in any of the majors. Students are eligible to apply for Departmental Honors at graduation if they have met all of the following:
Students who are interested in the Honors Program should contact the Chemistry and Biochemistry Student Affairs Office in 4010 York Hall.
Majors are encouraged to explore the programs that allow students to study abroad or at other US universities for a term or longer. Consider especially the UC Education Abroad Program (EAP) and UC San Diego’s Opportunities Abroad Program (OAP). Subject to approval by our faculty, courses taken through EAP/OAP may be accepted for credit toward the major. Students interested in studying abroad, should see a departmental program adviser to discuss appropriate courses and programs for their plan of study.
A minor in chemistry consists of three lower-division lecture courses, followed by a minimum of four upper-division courses, including at least one laboratory course. Lower-division course requirements may not be satisfied by advanced placement credit, although transfer units may be used to satisfy lower-division minor requirements.
Students may apply two upper-division chemistry courses required by their major toward the minor. Students who wish to minor in chemistry should have their course work plans approved in advance by the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Student Affairs Office. Upper-division courses for the minor must be taken at UC San Diego in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and must be taken for a letter grade. The minimum overall GPA requirement for the minor is 2.0.
Chemistry and biochemistry minors can include a range of upper-division courses across different discipline areas of chemistry such as organic, biochemistry, inorganic, physical, pharmacological, and environmental. Alternatively, chemistry and biochemistry minors can also choose an area of focus by selecting upper-division courses in one disciplinary area such as: