Chemistry and Biochemistry

The M.S. in Biochemistry allows specialization in the areas of biochemistry, molecular biology, structural biology or bioorganic chemistry. The degree is intended for students desiring research-oriented careers in the chemical, biochemical or biotech industry; postsecondary chemistry/biochemistry teaching; or entry into Ph.D. programs.

A. Admission to the Program

1. In addition to general University requirements for admission, a bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 or higher overall GPA and a Chemistry major or other area with appropriate science content is recommended. Applicants with an overall GPA between 2.75 and 3.0 must additionally submit GRE scores (from the general test).
2. Foreign students must submit a minimum TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based test) or 79 (internet-based test) to demonstrate their proficiency in the English language.
3. Departmental approval. The department also requires the submission of a personal statement and at least one letter of recommendation. See Graduate Program Information for details. The department may request additional supporting material to assess an applicant’s preparation and likelihood for academic success.
4. General University requirements for classified status.

B. Departmental Proficiency Requirements

1. Satisfactory scores on the departmental proficiency exams in biochemistry, organic chemistry and one additional chemistry (chosen from analytical, inorganic or physical chemistry) or demonstrated competence through coursework in these areas.

C. Degree Requirements

A minimum of 30 units of graduate work, including a thesis. At least 21 units must be taken in 500- or 600-level courses. Normally, degree candidates are expected to serve as teaching assistants in the department.

Note:

1. Students are not permitted to enroll in any 600-level courses until they have satisfactory scores on the departmental proficiency exams or demonstrated competence through coursework in these areas.
2. A maximum of 9 units of 400-level courses may be applied toward the 30 units required for the degree.
3. 400- and 500-level courses are excluded if the student received a “B” or higher when previously taken in support of a B.S. or B.A. degree at CSUN.
4. Up to 6 units taken outside of the department can count as elective coursework, with graduate coordinator permission. Any laboratory classes taken outside of the department will only be counted towards the elective unit requirements—they cannot be used to fulfill the laboratory requirement.

1. Required Courses (16-22 units)

Foundational (1 unit)

All students are required to take the following course in the first fall semester of the program.

CHEM 500 Chemistry Practicum (1)

Biochemistry Graduate-Level Coursework (6 units)

Select two of the following courses. Note: to fulfill this category, the CHEM 567L lab is optional.

CHEM 564 Bio-Organic Chemistry (3)
CHEM 565 Receptor Biochemistry (3)
CHEM 566 DNA-Protein Interactions (3)
CHEM 567/CHEM 567L Investigating Protein Structure and Function and Lab (3/1)
CHEM 595D Bioinorganic (3)
CHEM 595Q Therapeutic Antibodies (3)
CHEM 595R Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry (3)

Course with a Laboratory (3-4 units)

Select at least one of the following courses with the associated lab. Courses taken under this category cannot simultaneously fulfill any other required category.

Seminar (2 units)

CHEM 691 Literature Seminar (1)
CHEM 692 Thesis Seminar (1)

Research (3-6 units)

CHEM 696A-C Directed Graduate Research (3-6)

2. Electives (8-14 units)

Select a minimum of 8 units from the following courses. Note that if a course was taken to fulfill one of the “Required” categories (above), it cannot simultaneously be counted toward elective units. Lab courses that accompany lectures are optional for graduate students, except CHEM 411, CHEM 433 and CHEM 555, for which the lab is mandatory.

CHEM 401 Inorganic Chemistry (3)
CHEM 403 Real-World Applications of the Elements (3)
CHEM 411/CHEM 411L Synthesis (1/2)
CHEM 422/L Chemical Analysis II and Lab (2/2)
CHEM 423 Forensic Chemistry (3)
CHEM 433/CHEM 433L Organic Analysis and Laboratory (1/2)
CHEM 461/L Biochemistry I and Lab (3/1)
CHEM 462/L Biochemistry II and Lab (3/1)
CHEM 464/CHEM 464L Principles of Biochemistry and Laboratory (3/1)
CHEM 465 Topics in Biochemistry (3)
CHEM 470SC Science Careers (3)
CHEM 502 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (3)
CHEM 522 Advanced Analytical Chemistry (3)
CHEM 531 Survey of Organic Reactions (3)
CHEM 534 Advanced Organic Chemistry (3)
CHEM 541/CHEM 541L Environmental Chemistry I and Laboratory (2/2)
CHEM 543 Chemistry of Energy (3)/CHEM 595S Chemistry of Energy Laboratory (1)
CHEM 551 Chemical Thermodynamics (3)
CHEM 552 Quantum Chemistry (3)
CHEM 553 Chemical Kinetics (3)
CHEM 554 Macromolecules (3)
CHEM 555/L Computational Molecular and Materials Chemistry and Lab (2/2)
CHEM 564 Bio-Organic Chemistry (3)
CHEM 565 Receptor Biochemistry (3)
CHEM 566 DNA-Protein Interactions (3)
CHEM 567/CHEM 567L Investigating Protein Structure and Function and Laboratory (3/1)
CHEM 599A-C Independent Study (1-3)*

*CHEM 599 (Independent Study) can only count for credit if the student takes the course prior to demonstrating proficiency. Once proficient, they must take CHEM 696.

3. Culminating Experience (1-3 units)

CHEM 698A-B Thesis (1-3)

1. Oral defense of thesis.
2. Formal approval by the graduate thesis committee.

Total Units Required for the M.S. Degree: 30