Program: B.S., Chemistry
Program Description
The B.S. degree in Chemistry is designed to prepare students who desire to (1) pursue graduate work in chemistry, (2) work in industry or government laboratories, or (3) work in the fields of technical sales, hazardous materials testing and handling, chemical literature, or chemical patents.
The curriculum for the B.S. degree in Chemistry has been reviewed by the American Chemical Society (ACS) and meet its requirements for approved programs.
Program Requirements
1. Lower Division Required Courses (36 units)
CHEM 101 General Chemistry I (3)
CHEM 101D Problem Solving in General Chemistry I (1)
CHEM 101L General Chemistry I Lab (1)
CHEM 102 General Chemistry II (3)
CHEM 102D Problem Solving in General Chemistry II (1)
CHEM 102L General Chemistry II Lab (1)
MATH 280 Applied Differential Equations (3)
PHYS 225 Physics I (4)
and PHYS 220AL Mechanics Lab (1)
PHYS 226 Physics II (4)
and PHYS 220BL Electricity and Magnetism Lab (1)
2. Upper Division Required Courses (40 units)
CHEM 321/L Chemical Analysis I and Lab (2/2)
CHEM 333/L Organic Chemistry I and Lab (3/1)
CHEM 333D 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 351L Physical Chemistry Lab (1)
CHEM 352 Physical Chemistry II (4)
CHEM 352L Physical Chemistry II Lab (1)
CHEM 401 Inorganic Chemistry (3)
CHEM 401L Inorganic Chemistry Lab (1)
CHEM 422/L Chemical Analysis II and Lab (2/2)
CHEM 464 Principles of Biochemistry (4)
CHEM 495A Directed Undergraduate Research (1)
or CHEM 499A Independent Study (1) with presentation of a seminar
3. Upper Division Electives (3 units)
Chemistry electives selected with approval of the major advisor from 400- or 500-level courses in Chemistry other than CHEM 495 and CHEM 499.
4. General Education (48 units)
Undergraduate students must complete 48 units of General Education as described in this Catalog, including 3 units of coursework meeting the Ethnic Studies (ES) graduation requirement.
9 units are satisfied by the following courses in the major: CHEM 101 satisfies B1 Physical Science; CHEM 101L satisfies B3 Science Laboratory Activity; MATH 150A satisfies Basic Skills B4 Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning; and CHEM 333 satisfies B5 Scientific Inquiry and Quantitative Reasoning.
Total Units in the Major: 79
General Education Units: 39
Additional Units: 2
Total Units Required for the B.S. Degree: 120
Contact
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Chair: Simon Garrett
Eucalyptus Hall (EH) 2102
(818) 677-3381
chemistry@csun.edu
Program Learning Outcomes
Students receiving a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry will be able to:
- Demonstrate basic knowledge in the following areas of chemistry: analytical, biochemistry, inorganic, organic, 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.