Program: B.S., Biochemistry
Program Description
The B.S. degree in Biochemistry is designed for students who desire: (a) pre-medical, pre-dental, pre-pharmacy, or pre-veterinary preparation, (b) graduate study in biochemistry, or (c) careers in the life sciences that require an understanding of biological phenomena at the molecular level.
The curriculum for the B.S. degree in Biochemistry has been reviewed by the American Chemical Society (ACS) and meet its requirements for approved programs.
Program Requirements
1. Lower Division Required Courses (32 units)
BIOL 106/L Biological Principles I and Lab (3/1)
BIOL 107/L Biological Principles II and Lab (3/1)
CHEM 101/L General Chemistry I and Lab (4/1)
CHEM 102/L General Chemistry II and Lab (4/1)
MATH 255A Calculus for the Life Sciences I (3)
MATH 255B Calculus for the Life Sciences II (3)
PHYS 220A Mechanics (3)
PHYS 220AL Mechanics Lab (1)
PHYS 220B Electricity and Magnetism (3)
PHYS 220BL Electricity and Magnetism Lab (1)
2. Upper Division Required Courses (43 units)
BIOL 380 Cell Biology (3)
CHEM 321/L Chemical Analysis I and Lab (2/2)
CHEM 333/L Organic Chemistry I and Lab (4/1)
CHEM 333R Problem Solving in Organic Chemistry I (1)
CHEM 334/L Organic Chemistry II and Lab (3/1)
CHEM 334R Problem Solving in Organic Chemistry II (1)
CHEM 351 Physical Chemistry I (4)
CHEM 352 Physical Chemistry II (4)
CHEM 401 Inorganic Chemistry (3)
CHEM 422/L Chemical Analysis II and Lab (2/2)
CHEM 461/L Biochemistry I (3/1)
CHEM 462/L Biochemistry II (3/1)
CHEM 465 Topics in Biochemistry (3)
3. Upper Division Electives (9 units)
A minimum of 3 units of upper division electives selected from the following courses:
CHEM 411 Synthesis (3)
CHEM 433 Organic Analysis (3)
CHEM 471 Chemical Literature, Information Retrieval and Presentation (1)
CHEM 481 Nuclear and Radiochemistry (4)
CHEM 495A-C Directed Undergraduate Research (1-3)
CHEM 499A-C Independent Study (1-3)
CHEM 538 Natural Products (3)
A minimum of 6 units of electives selected with approval of major advisor from upper division courses in Biology.
4. General Education (48 units)
Undergraduate students must complete 48 units of General Education as described in this Catalog.
Total Units in the Major: 84
General Education Units: 36
Total Units Required for the B.S. Degree: 120
Contact
Chair: Eric Kelson
Eucalyptus Hall (EH) 2102
(818) 677-3381
www.csun.edu/science-mathematics/chemistry-biochemistry
Student Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate basic knowledge in the following areas of chemistry: analytical, biochemistry inorganic, organic and physical.
- Organize and communicate scientific information clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
- Effectively utilize the scientific literature, including the use of modern electronic search and retrieval methods, to research a chemistry topic or to conduct chemical research.
- Work effectively and safely in a laboratory environment, including the ability to follow experimental chemical procedures and maintain a proper lab notebook.
- Effectively utilize modern chemical instrumentation to obtain data and perform research.
- Perform qualitative and quantitative chemical analysis, including the application of computer technology for such analyses.
- Describe the impact of chemistry on our world, including the environment, the economy and medicine.
- Demonstrate an ability to determine the scientific validity of a claim that pertains to consumer products, the environment or the life sciences.