Chemistry

Mission Statement

The chemistry program offers a comprehensive background in organic, inorganic, physical, analytical and biochemistry, with the main goal of instilling the understanding and relevance of chemistry.

Laboratory work serves to apply the lecture material and provide training in laboratory skills.  Advanced coursework in chemistry, which can include research, serves to deepen understanding and hone laboratory and quantitative skills. Within a research project, whether on campus or through an external internship, students develop their abilities to design and execute experiments as well as analyze and present their results.

Majors gain the confidence and problem-solving skills necessary to continue their education in medical, other professional schools or graduate school, or to pursue industrial careers in fields such as pharmaceuticals, forensic science, materials chemistry, environmental chemistry, biochemistry and analytical chemistry.


A minimum of 16 units with the following distribution:
Core requirements - 9 units of Chemistry as follows:
Chemistry 111, 112, 211, 212, 214, 313, 314, 400, 511.
Elective requirements - 2 units of Chemistry chosen from the following:
Chemistry 491, 492, 510, 514, 517, 518, 520, 591.
Senior Learning Community
The senior learning community in chemistry consists of the reflective tutorial (CH400), a capstone course (CH491 or higher), and a department-approved non-credit research project, internship or completion of CH400E after the junior year.
Cognate courses - 4 units of Mathematics and Physics:
Mathematics 121, 122, Physics 131, 132 or Physics 141, 142.
Students may participate in on-campus research with a  faculty a faculty mentor by engaging in a summer research project or enrolling in CH491 or CH492, which would increase the total units to 17.  A second semester of research is strongly recommended  Off-campus research, often performed during the summer, must be approved by the chemistry faculty.
Core requirements - 10 units of Chemistry as follows:
Chemistry 111, 112, 211, 212, 214, 313, 314, 400, 517, 518.
Elective requirements - 1 unit of Chemistry chosen from the following:
Chemistry 491, 492, 510, 511, 514, 520, 590. The department strongly recommends CH511 as the elective course for students interested in graduate school or bachelor's level employment.
Senior Learning Community
The senior learning community in chemistry consists of the reflective tutorial (CH400), a capstone course (CH491 or higher), and a department-approved non-credit research project, internship or completion of CH400E after the junior year.
Cognate courses - 4 units of Mathematics and Physics:
Mathematics 121, 122, Physics 131, 132 or Physics 141, 142.

A minimum of 18 units with the following distribution:
Core requirements - 9 units of Chemistry as follows:
Chemistry 111, 112, 211, 212, 214, 313, 314, 400, 511
Elective requirements - 2 units of Chemistry chosen from the following:
Chemistry 517 or 540 or 591; 491 or 492.  Research (CH491/492) must be conducted in environmental chemistry.
Senior Learning Community
The senior learning community in chemistry consists of the reflective tutorial (CH400), a capstone course (CH491 or higher), and a department-approved non-credit research project, internship or completion of CH400E after the junior year.
Cognate courses - 6 units of Mathematics, Physics and Biology:
Mathematics 121, 122, Physics 131, 132 or 141, 142, Biology 213, 215
16 or 18 units required for the chemistry major and any three additional courses in mathematics numbered 200 or higher.
A minimum of 6 units including courses chosen from:
Chemistry 111, 112, 211, 212 and any 2 Chemistry courses beyond Chemistry 212.