Mission Statement
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry is committed to providing quality undergraduate and master’s-level education that prepares our graduates for success in medical, industrial and academic careers. Our department offers ACS-certified Bachelor of Science degrees in Chemistry and Biochemistry and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry. We also offer research-based Master of Science degrees in Chemistry and Biochemistry. All of our graduate students and a significant number of our undergraduates conduct research with faculty, often resulting in coauthored research publications. For more information, please visit the Chemistry and Biochemistry department website.
About the Department
Chemistry is often called the central science for its role in connecting the physical sciences. Chemistry and biochemistry provide the molecular mechanisms behind the function of all living things, the structure of materials that make up the Earth, and the framework with which the rules of matter and energy can be studied. Chemistry is critical to every aspect of our daily lives, and biochemistry has become a vital tool of medicine and public health.
The department’s faculty are engaged in all areas of the field: analytical, inorganic, organic, physical and biochemistry. The department offers small classes, individualized attention and hands-on learning using state-of-the-art instrumentation. Familiarity with modern instrumentation gives graduates an edge in the marketplace, and personalized research experience provides an advantage in graduate and professional school applications. The B.S. degrees in Chemistry and Biochemistry are accredited by the American Chemical Society (ACS), and all of the department’s degrees (B.A., B.S. and M.S.) are pathways into professional, medical and academic careers.
Academic Advisement
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry requires majors to consult with faculty advisors prior to enrollment each semester. The department will assign an advisor prior to registration. Students are also welcome to seek advisement from the department office during walk-in advising hours. Please contact the department office with questions about the undergraduate or graduate programs, need for course articulations or for approval of elective courses in fulfillment of the degree.
Careers
Degrees in Chemistry and Biochemistry open doors to careers in medicine, industry and academia. Graduates can directly seek careers in manufacturing, pharmacology, environmental protection, biotechnology, nanotechnology and many other areas related to chemical and biochemical sciences. In addition, degrees in Chemistry and Biochemistry can act as springboards into professional programs, including doctoral, medical, dental and pharmacy schools. Master’s degrees also provide preparation for Ph.D. programs and qualify graduates to teach at the secondary and community college levels.
Accreditation
The Bachelor of Science degrees in Chemistry and Biochemistry are accredited by the American Chemical Society (ACS).
Clubs and Societies
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry sponsors the CSUN Chemistry and Biochemistry Club, which organizes numerous professional and community activities throughout the academic year. The department also has a student chapter of the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) that has regular activities.
Contact
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Chair: Simon Garrett
Eucalyptus Hall (EH) 2102
(818) 677-3381