Major in Chemistry - Professional Track

The major in Chemistry requires completion of required and elective courses. A student may repeat no more than three courses, including multiple attempts at the same course, required for the Chemistry major. This includes all foundation courses, as well as required courses and electives for the major.

Professional Track

This track is recommended for those students who wish to obtain a more in-depth view of chemistry. This program is strongly recommended for those who intend to pursue graduate studies in chemistry or a closely related field, or who intend to work in basic or applied research in chemistry or as a chemist in industry. Students electing this track should contact the Department of Chemistry and be assigned an adviser to assist them in designing programs to meet their career needs.

The Professional track consists of 45 units of required chemistry courses, 16 units of additional required courses and 6 units of elective courses, of which 2 units must be CHEM or FRSC courses. The Professional track is designed to meet the requirements for American Chemical Society (ACS) certification as described elsewhere in the catalog.

Required Chemistry Courses
CHEM 131
131L
GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LECTURE
and GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY
4
CHEM 132
132L
GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LECTURE
and GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LABORATORY
4
CHEM 220
220L
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY [LECTURE]
and ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY [LAB]
5
CHEM 310INSTRUMENTAL ANALYSIS4
CHEM 334
CHEM 336
CHEM 337
CHEM 339
ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I [LECTURE]
and INTRODUCTORY ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY
and ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II [LECTURE]
and INTERMEDIATE ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY
10
CHEM 323INORGANIC CHEMISTRY5
CHEM 345PRINCIPLES OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY3
CHEM 346THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY3
CHEM 351BIOCHEMISTRY3
CHEM 372PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY2
CHEM 401COMMUNICATION SKILLS IN CHEMISTRY1
CHEM 491RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY2
Additional Required Courses
MATH 273
MATH 274
CALCULUS I
and CALCULUS II
8
PHYS 241
PHYS 242
GENERAL PHYSICS I CALCULUS-BASED
and GENERAL PHYSICS II CALCULUS-BASED 1
8
Total Units62
1

PHYS 211 and PHYS 212 may be taken in place of PHYS 241 and PHYS 242, but this is not recommended. For ACS certification of the degree, two semesters of calculus-based physics is required.

In addition to the required courses listed above, students selecting this track must take a minimum of two additional courses (6 additional units) from the list of electives given below. These 6 units must include at least one CHEM or FRSC course. 

Elective Courses
Select at least 6 units of the following:6
CELL BIOLOGY 2
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2
IMMUNOLOGY 2
VIROLOGY 2
BIOCHEMISTRY LAB
ADVANCED BIOCHEMISTRY
SPECIAL PROBLEMS IN CHEMISTRY I 1
ADVANCED LECTURE TOPICS
ADVANCED LABORATORY TECHNIQUES
APPLICATIONS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY
CHEMICAL TOXICOLOGY
RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY 1
HONORS THESIS IN CHEMISTRY
CHEMISTRY OF DANGEROUS DRUGS
FORENSIC CHEMISTRY
FORENSIC ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
MINERALOGY 2
HYDROGEOLOGY
INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICAL METHODS
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
INTRO TO BIOINFORMATICS
ADVANCED BIOINFORMATICS 2
INTRODUCTORY MATHEMATICAL PHYSICS
MODERN PHYSICS I
THERMODYNAMICS AND KINETIC THEORY
ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM 2
Total Units6
1

A maximum of 1 unit of CHEM 391 and a maximum of 2 units of a combination of CHEM 391CHEM 491, or CHEM 495 may be used for elective credit. 

2

Course has prerequisite(s) not listed among the required courses above.

Students selecting this track should plan their college careers carefully because not all the advanced chemistry courses are offered every term. A long-term schedule for these courses may be obtained from the Department of Chemistry. Advanced chemistry electives are offered periodically, subject to adequate enrollment.

Sample Four-Year Plan

The selected course sequence below is an example of the simplest path to degree completion. Based on course schedules, student needs, and student choice, individual plans may vary. Students should consult with their adviser to make the most appropriate elective choices and to ensure that they have completed the required number of units (120) to graduate.

Freshman
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
CHEM 131
131L (Core 7)
4CHEM 132
132L (Core 8)
4
MATH 273 (Core 3)4MATH 2744
PHYS 211 or 2414PHYS 212 or 2424
Core 1 (or Core 2)3Core 2 (or Core 1)3
 Core 143
 15 18
Sophomore
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
CHEM 220
220L
5CHEM 3104
CHEM 3343CHEM 3362
Core 43CHEM 3373
Core 53Core 93
 Core 103
 14 15
Junior
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
CHEM 3392CHEM 4911-3
CHEM 3513CHEM 3235
Core 63Core 123
Core 113Core 133
Elective 1 (from approved list)1-4Elective 2 (from approved list)1-4
Elective3 
 15-18 13-18
Senior
Term 1UnitsTerm 2Units
CHEM 3453CHEM 3463
CHEM 4011CHEM 3722
Elective 3 (from approved list)2-3Elective3
Elective3Elective3
Elective3Elective3
Elective3Elective (optional)11
 15-16 15
Total Units 120-129
1

This elective is optional and only necessary if the student is not on target to earn 120 units by the end of their final term.

  1. Explain important chemical concepts and solve chemical problems by application of relevant concepts and analytical tools.
  2. Design an experiment to test a hypothesis or theory in chemistry, and collect and interpret experimental data within the framework of the appropriate chemical theory.
  3. Prepare written laboratory reports in a journal format that provide a description of the experiment, explain the experiment and reasoning clearly, and provide an appropriate conclusion. Students will be able to give oral presentations on topics in chemistry.
  4. Use computer resources effectively.