Courses
CHEM 100. Principles of Chemistry (3)
Prerequisite: Qualifying score on the ELM Examination or equivalent*, or satisfying the exemption requirements. One-semester preparatory course that focuses on developing problem-solving skills based on an introduction to the field of chemistry. Application of the scientific method, modern ideas concerning atomic and molecular structure, principles of compound formation, and chemical nomenclature and calculations involving scientific units are emphasized. Selected topics in applied chemistry and the application of chemical principles to life and environmental sciences are explored. Engineering and Science majors should consult with their advisors before enrolling in this course. Credit cannot be earned in both CHEM 100 and CHEM 103. Students using this course to satisfy a General Education requirement in Natural Sciences may satisfy the corresponding lab requirement by completing CHEM 100L. 3 hours lecture per week.
*Effective Fall 2018, the ELM Exam has been replaced with Multiple Measures Assessment.
CHEM 100L. Principles of Chemistry Laboratory (1)
Prerequisite: Qualifying score on the ELM Examination or equivalent*, or satisfying the ELM exemption requirement. Corequisite: CHEM 100. Optional laboratory course to accompany CHEM 100 in which the fundamentals of scientific inquiry and basic laboratory techniques are presented. May be used to satisfy the laboratory requirement in Natural Sciences of General Education provided CHEM 100 is also completed. One 3-hour lab per week.
*Effective Fall 2018, the ELM Exam has been replaced with Multiple Measures Assessment.
CHEM 101/L. General Chemistry I and Lab (4/1)
Prerequisite: Satisfactory score on the Chemistry Placement Test (CPT) or a grade of “C” or higher (“C-” is unacceptable) in CHEM 100 taken at CSUN only. Corequisite: CHEM 101L. Basic course in the fundamental principles and theories with special emphasis on chemical calculations. Includes a discussion of the kinetic molecular theory, atomic structures, the periodic table, solutions and oxidation-reduction. Recitation portion deals with problem solving, review of the lecture material and quizzes. Lab section emphasizes basic lab skills, quantitative relationships in chemistry and inorganic preparative procedures. Completion of CHEM 101/L satisfies General Education Natural Sciences, including the corresponding lab requirement. 3 hours lecture; 1 hour recitation per week; one 3-hour lab per week.
CHEM 102/L. General Chemistry II and Lab (4/1)
Prerequisite: CHEM 101/L with a minimum grade of “C-” in CHEM 101. Corequisite: CHEM 102L. Continuation of CHEM 101. Introduction to kinetics, gas phase and solution equilibria, electrochemistry, chemical thermodynamics, radio, organic chemistry and the descriptive chemistry of the more familiar metals and nonmetals. Recitation portion deals with problem solving, review of the lecture material and quizzes. Lab section consists of experiments dealing with kinetics, acid-base and solubility equilibria, selected reactions of metals and nonmetals, and qualitative elemental analysis. Completion of CHEM 102/L satisfies General Education, Natural Sciences, including the corresponding lab requirement. 3 hours lecture; 1 hour recitation per week; one 3-hour lab per week.
CHEM 103/L. Introductory Chemistry I and Lab (3/1)
Prerequisite: Qualifying score on the ELM Examination or equivalent*, or satisfying the ELM exemption requirements. Corequisite: CHEM 103L. Not open to engineering, biology or physical science majors. Designed to stress fundamental principles of inorganic chemistry, the structure of atoms and molecules, the periodic table, states of matter, chemical calculations involving stoichiometry and simple algebraic operations. Credit cannot be earned in both CHEM 100 and 103. Students can use this course to satisfy the General Education, Natural Sciences laboratory requirement. 3 hours lecture and one 3-hour lab per week.
*Effective Fall 2018, the ELM Exam has been replaced with Multiple Measures Assessment.
CHEM 104/L. Introductory Chemistry II and Lab (3/1)
Prerequisites: CHEM 103/L. Corequisite: CHEM 104L. Not open to engineering, biology or physical science majors. Continuation of CHEM 103/L. Properties of solutions, chemical equilibrium, acids and bases. Chemistry of simple organic compounds and common elements. Students can use this course to satisfy the General Education, Natural Sciences laboratory requirement. 3 hours of lecture and one 3-hour lab per week.
CHEM 110. Chemistry in Action (3)
One-semester course introducing chemistry and its relation to technological advances and their impact on our society and the environment. Students using this course to satisfy a General Education requirement in Natural Sciences may satisfy the corresponding lab requirement by completing CHEM 110L. 3 hours lecture per week.
CHEM 110L. Chemistry in Action Lab (1)
Recommended Corequisite or Preparatory: CHEM 110 or CHEM 100. No credit for Science and Engineering majors. Laboratory exercises introduce the fundamentals of scientific inquiry and basic laboratory techniques. May be used to satisfy the lab requirement in Natural Sciences of General Education provided CHEM 100 or 110 also is completed. One 3-hour lab per week.
CHEM 235/L. Introductory Organic Chemistry and Lab (3/1)
Prerequisite: CHEM 102/L or CHEM 104/L. Corequisite: CHEM 235L. A course describing simple aliphatic and aromatic compounds with an emphasis on the chemistry of functional groups. 3 hours of lecture and one 3-hour lab per week. No credit for Science and Engineering majors, except for certain options in Biology and Geology; consult your major department. This course does not substitute for CHEM 333.
CHEM 321/L. Chemical Analysis I and Lab (2/2)
Prerequisite: CHEM 102/L. Corequisite: CHEM 321L. Emphasizes the principles of analytical reactions and the theory and applications of instruments to problems of chemical analysis. Principal topics include volumetric methods and instrumental techniques such as spectrophotometry, electro chemistry and chromatography. Lab: Introduction to the experimental methods of analytical chemistry based on the theory covered in CHEM 321. Emphasis on the development of careful and accurate lab technique. 2 hours lecture per week; two 3-hour lab periods per week.
CHEM 333/L. Organic Chemistry I and Lab (4/1)
Prerequisites: CHEM 102/L with a minimum grade of “C-” in CHEM 102. Corequisite: CHEM 333L. The study of the structure and properties of organic molecules with special emphasis on functional groups and their reactions. Attention given to the mechanisms of organic reactions and the spectroscopic techniques used to determine the structure of organic molecules. Lab: An introduction to the techniques of synthesis, purification and characterization of organic compounds. 3 hours lecture, 1-hour discussion per week, and one 3-hour lab per week.
CHEM 334/L. Organic Chemistry II and Lab (3/1)
Prerequisites: CHEM 333/L with a minimum grade of “C-” in CHEM 333. Corequisite: CHEM 334L (all majors), CHEM 334R for Chemistry and Biochemistry majors. Recommended Corequisite: CHEM 334R for all other majors. Continuation of CHEM 333, with an emphasis on mechanisms of organic reactions and synthesis. Attention given to representative compounds of interest in biology and medicine. Lab: Exposure to reactions common in chemical synthesis, including arene substitution, transformations of carbonyl compounds, the Diels-Alder reaction and polymer synthesis. 3 hours lecture per week; one 3-hour lab per week.
CHEM 334R. Problem Solving in Organic Chemistry II (1)
Prerequisites: CHEM 333/L. Corequisite: CHEM 334. Critical analysis of topics introduced in CHEM 334. Structured group work is used to develop essential analysis and problem-solving skills. 1 hour per week.
CHEM 351. Physical Chemistry I (4)
Prerequisites: CHEM 102/L; PHYS 220A or PHYS 225; MATH 150B or MATH 255B. Corequisite for Chemistry B.A. and B.S. majors: CHEM 351L. Recommended Corequisite or Preparatory: CHEM 351L and MATH 250. Basic laws of thermodynamics, states and changes of state, solutions, equilibria, phase rule, kinetic molecular theory, chemical kinetics and electrochemistry. 4 hours lecture per week. (Offered Fall semester.)
CHEM 351L. Physical Chemistry I Lab (1)
Corequisite: CHEM 351. Laboratory course for CHEM 351. Introduction to the experimental methods of physical chemistry based on the concepts covered in CHEM 351. One 3-hour lab per week. (Offered Fall semester.)
CHEM 352. Physical Chemistry II (4)
Prerequisites: CHEM 321/L, CHEM 351; PHYS 220B or PHYS 226. Corequisite for Chemistry B.S. majors: CHEM 352L. Recommended Corequisite or Preparatory: CHEM 352L; MATH 250 and MATH 280. Continuation of CHEM 351. Quantum mechanics, atomic and molecular structure, spectroscopy, statistical mechanics and new developments and trends in physical chemistry. (Offered Spring semester.)
CHEM 352L. Physical Chemistry II Lab (1)
Corequisite: CHEM 352. Laboratory course for CHEM 352. Selected experiments illustrating some of the important concepts covered in CHEM 352. One 3-hour lab per week. (Offered Spring semester.)
CHEM 365/L. Introduction to Biochemistry and Lab (3/1)
Prerequisite: CHEM 235/L or CHEM 333/L. Corequisite: CHEM 365L. A course designed for non-science majors, describing chemistry and metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, hormones, etc. 3 hours of lecture and one 3-hour lab per week. No credit for Science or Engineering majors, except for certain options in Biology; consult your major department.
CHEM 401. Inorganic Chemistry (3)
Prerequisite: CHEM 351. Principles of chemical bonding and molecular structure; survey of the chemistry of the elements of the periodic system. 3 hours lecture per week.
CHEM 401L. Inorganic Chemistry Lab (1)
Corequisite: CHEM 401. Synthesis and characterization of inorganic and organometallic compounds. Synthetic techniques important to inorganic chemistry, such as electrochemical synthesis, autoclave reactions and inert atmosphere techniques, as well as inorganic spectroscopic techniques. One 3-hour lab per week.
CHEM 411. Synthesis (3)
Prerequisite: CHEM 334. Preparation of inorganic and organic compounds and their identification, using advanced methods. 1 hour lecture; two 3-hour lab periods per week.
CHEM 422/L. Chemical Analysis II and Lab (2/2)
Prerequisite: CHEM 321. Corequisite: CHEM 422L. Continuation of CHEM 321, with special emphasis on polarography and voltammetry, chromatography, spectrophotometric methods, mass spectrometry and radiochemical methods. 2 hours lecture per week; two 3-hour lab periods per week.
CHEM 433. Organic Analysis (3)
Prerequisite: CHEM 334. Identification of organic compounds using advanced spectrometric techniques that include modern NMR methods. 1 hour lecture; two 3-hour lab periods per week.
CHEM 451. Modern Physical Chemistry (3)
Prerequisite: CHEM 352. Selected topics in modern physical chemistry, including atomic and molecular structure and spectra, the chemical bond, inter-molecular forces, interaction of matter with fields and the solid state. 3 hours lecture per week.
CHEM 461/L. Biochemistry I and Lab (3/1)
Prerequisites: CHEM 321/L, CHEM 334. Corequisites: CHEM 461L. The first part of a two-semester biochemistry lecture series designed for biochemistry majors that includes study of protein structure and function, enzyme mechanisms, biological membranes, carbohydrate metabolism, ATP generation and lipid metabolism. Lab includes experiments involving acid/base chemistry, peptide analysis, spectrophotometric analysis, protein isolation and characterization, and enzyme kinetics. 3 hours lecture per week; one 3-hour lab per week.
CHEM 462/L. Biochemistry II and Lab (3/1)
Prerequisite: CHEM 461 or instructor consent. Corequisites: CHEM 462L. Continuation of CHEM 461, the second part of a two-semester biochemistry lecture series designed for biochemistry majors, including discussion of photosynthesis, amino acid metabolism, lipoproteins, metabolic interrelationships and regulation, information transfer and signal transduction. Lab includes experiments involving gel filtration, ATP biosynthesis, isolation and characterization of phospholipids, reactions of lipolytic enzymes, mitochondrial dehydrogenases, isolation of DNA, study of restriction enzymes and polymerase chain reaction. 3 hours lecture per week; one 3-hour lab per week.
CHEM 464. Principles of Biochemistry (3)
Prerequisite: CHEM 334. Corequisite (for Chemistry majors and minors): CHEM 464L. Properties and metabolism of the constituents of biological systems. Mechanism of enzyme action, energy relations in biological systems. 3 hours lecture per week. Available for graduate credit.
CHEM 464L. Principles of Biochemistry Laboratory (1)
Prerequisite: CHEM 334. Corequisite: CHEM 464. Recommended Preparatory: CHEM 321/L. Experiments involving acid/base chemistry, peptide structure, spectrophotometric analysis, biomolecule purification and enzymology designed to develop the ability to collect, analyze and report experimental biochemical information. One 3-hour lab per week. Available for graduate credit.
CHEM 465. Topics in Biochemistry (3)
Prerequisite: CHEM 462 or instructor consent. Seminar in major recent developments in biochemistry. 3 hours lecture per week.
CHEM 495A-C. Directed Undergraduate Research (1-3)
Prerequisite: One course beyond CHEM 102 in the area related to the research. Interested students should make arrangements with the department as soon as possible, preferably during the previous semester. For students of advanced rank and proven competence in chemistry. Program of original independent research, culminating in a written report, carried out under the direction of one of the Chemistry faculty. Upon prior approval by the department of a detailed research proposal, the research may be performed in industrial or medical labs. In such a case, the research report must be submitted to and evaluated by a designated member of the Chemistry faculty. May be repeated for credit. No credit toward M.S. degree.
CHEM 499A-C. Independent Study (1-3)
See Independent Study under courses of study.
CHEM 500. Chemistry Teaching Assistant Workshop (1)
Prerequisite: Graduate student status. An instructional improvement workshop for graduate teaching assistants. Participants learn by presenting short videotaped lessons to the class and by receiving feedback on the basic skills demonstrated in the lesson. Participants are presented with a basic model for clear chemistry lab teaching and are taught effective feedback techniques. (Credit/No Credit only)
CHEM 502. Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (3)
Prerequisite: CHEM 401. Study of molecular structure of inorganic compounds; coordination chemistry; kinetics and mechanisms of inorganic reactions. 3 hours lecture per week.
CHEM 522. Advanced Analytical Chemistry (3)
Prerequisites: CHEM 422/L or approval of the instructor. An advanced-level discussion of topics in analytical chemistry with particular emphasis on separation sciences and optical spectroscopy. Topics that will be discussed in detail are fluorescence, phosphorescence, phase and distribution equilibria, extraction techniques, electrophoresis and micro-fluid separation. 3 hours lecture per week.
CHEM 531. Survey of Organic Reactions (3)
Prerequisite: CHEM 334. Detailed survey of the ranges of application and mechanisms of organic oxidations, reductions, additions, eliminations, condensations and degradations with specific reference to their applications to problems of synthesis and structure elucidation. 3 hours lecture per week.
CHEM 534. Advanced Organic Chemistry (3)
Prerequisites: CHEM 334, CHEM 352. Physical and physiochemical consideration of organic chemistry. Kinetics, configuration. 3 hours lecture per week.
CHEM 541. Environmental Chemistry I (2)
Prerequisites: CHEM 422/L or instructor consent. Recommended Corequisite: CHEM 541L. Comprehensive survey of the Earth’s natural processes in atmosphere, water and soil, and the chemical aspects of the impact that human activities have produced in the natural environment. Also, topics such as energy resources, hazardous waste management/treatment and risk assessment are discussed. 2 hours lecture per week.
CHEM 541L. Environmental Chemistry I Lab (2)
Prerequisites: CHEM 422/L or instructor consent. Recommended Corequisite: CHEM 541. Application of chemical and instrumental methods for the identification and quantification of inorganic and organic contaminants present in water, soil and air samples using E.P.A.-approved methodologies and protocols. Two 3-hour lab periods per week.
CHEM 564. Bio-Organic Chemistry (3)
Prerequisite: CHEM 334, CHEM 464 or approval of advisor and instructor. Application of physical organic methods to solution of structural and mechanistic problems in biochemistry.
CHEM 565. Receptor Biochemistry (3)
Prerequisite: CHEM 464 or CHEM 461. Study of the kinetics, structural requirements and signal-transduction mechanisms of receptor-ligand interactions. 3 hours of lecture per week.
CHEM 566. DNA-Protein Interactions (3)
Prerequisites: CHEM 464, or CHEM 461 and CHEM 462. An advanced biochemistry course with an in-depth study of the biochemistry of DNA-protein interactions. The course focuses on subfields of biochemistry that involve direct physical interaction between DNA and proteins, including DNA repair, mutagenesis, replication, transcription, translation, RNA interference, DNA packaging and chromosomal maintenance. 3 hours of lecture per week.
CHEM 567. Investigating Protein Structure and Function (3)
Prerequisite: CHEM 461 or CHEM 464 (or equivalent); Recommended Corequisite: CHEM 567L; Recommended Preparatory: CHEM 352. The course covers advanced concepts in protein structure and function relationships focusing specifically on current biophysical approaches to problems in protein-protein and protein-ligand interactions, allosteric effects, protein motions and conformational changes, protein folding, as well as protein structure prediction and design.
CHEM 567L. Investigating Protein Structure and Function Laboratory (1)
Prerequisite: CHEM 461 or CHEM 464 (or equivalent); Required Corequisite: CHEM 567; Recommended Preparatory: CHEM 352. Application of biophysical methods to characterize protein structure and function. The lab will involve both hands-on collection and analysis of data from advanced instruments, as well as computational characterization and simulation of proteins.
CHEM 595A-Z. Experimental Topics Courses (1-3)
Prerequisites: Advisor and instructor consent. Specialized topics from a concentrated field of current interest presented at an advanced level. Since the topic chosen is different each semester, students may repeat this course with approval.
CHEM 599A-C. Independent Study (1-3)
Independent Study
CHEM 691. Literature Seminar (1)
Prerequisites: Graduate standing; Instructor consent. Oral reports by graduate students on important topics from the current literature in chemistry.
CHEM 692. Thesis Seminar (1)
Prerequisites: Graduate standing; Instructor consent. Oral reports by graduate students on the results of their thesis research. Before presenting the report, students must submit a rough draft of their M.S. thesis to their graduate thesis committee and to the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry as a whole.
CHEM 696A-C. Directed Graduate Research (1-7)
Prerequisites: Classified status; Consent of a faculty member who will serve as thesis advisor. Program of research conducted under the direction of the thesis advisor in an area of interest to the student. May be repeated, but no more than 7 units are allowed toward the M.S. degree.
CHEM 698A-C. Thesis (1-3)
Prerequisites: Classified standing; Advisor’s consent. For the M.S. degree: Thesis includes the preparation and writing of the master thesis. May be repeated once, but not more than 3 units are allowed towards the M.S. degree.