Chemistry

Programs Offered

• Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry
• Bachelor of Science in Chemistry
• Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Option in Biochemistry
• Minor in Chemistry
• Certificate in Chemistry

The Chemistry Program at CSUCI is based on a “Big Ideas” approach to the discipline. Students will learn how to apply the “Big Ideas” skills to their analysis of concepts and problems. In addition to implementing the “Big Ideas” across the curriculum, students learn how to improve their analytical thinking, oral and written communication, and problem solving skills as individuals and in teams. The culmination of the degree involves a Chemistry Colloquium in conjunction with a service learning project, internship, or independent research experience. Writing skills are developed in all upper-division Chemistry courses.

Careers [top]

Graduates from the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Chemistry will receive an excellent preparation for securing entrance to a professional program (i.e., medical, veterinary, dentistry, or pharmacy), to graduate school in Chemistry or Biochemistry, and for employment in the academic, private, or public sector as chemists, biochemists, forensic scientists, and materials scientists.

The Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry is designed to provide a broad preparation in the Chemical Sciences. Required courses prepare students in four of the five traditional sub-disciplines of Chemistry: analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry. The Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry can also serve as the depth of study necessary for securing a Single Subject Credential in Science for teaching at the high school and middle school level. Additional courses in geology, astronomy, and biology are recommended to meet the breadth requirements for this credential.

The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry provides an excellent breadth and depth of preparation in Chemistry suitable for obtaining a position at a chemical or pharmaceutical industry, or for admission to graduate school in Chemistry or Biochemistry. Students may select either the general Bachelor of Science in Chemistry or the Biochemistry Option within the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. The Biochemistry Option overlaps substantially with the requirements for the minor in Biology and students are encouraged to obtain the Biology minor in addition to the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Biochemistry Option.

The Minor in Chemistry provides non-majors with the Chemistry background that is needed to pursue graduate study or a career in an interdisciplinary field. Students in professional programs (medical, dental, veterinary, pharmacy), or majoring in Biology or Environmental Science and Resource Management, in particular, should consider obtaining a Chemistry minor, since a significant portion of the coursework needed for the Chemistry minor is included in these programs.

The Certificate in Chemistry is designed to provide individuals who have already obtained a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in another discipline with the opportunity to obtain a certificate for advanced Chemistry coursework that is equivalent to a minor in Chemistry.

Program Learning Outcomes [top]

Students graduating from the Chemistry program will be able to:

• explain the fundamental concepts of Chemistry;
• evaluate a microscopic and macroscopic (real-life) problem and appropriately apply the fundamental concepts of Chemistry to the problem;
• formulate hypotheses and devise and perform experiments to test a hypothesis as individuals and in a team;
• explain key concepts in chemistry effectively through oral and written communication; and
• interpret and evaluate the chemical literature.

Contact Information [top]

http://chemistry.csuci.edu

Faculty [top]

Simone Aloisio, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Chemistry
Academic Advisor for the Chemistry Program
Aliso Hall Room 207
Phone: (805) 437-8999
Email: simone.aloisio@csuci.edu 

Blake Gillespie, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Chemistry
Academic Advisor for the Chemistry Program
Aliso Hall Room 208
Phone: (805) 437-2796
Email: blake.gillespie@csuci.edu 

Philip D. Hampton, Ph.D.
Professor of Chemistry
Chair and Academic Advisor for the Chemistry Program
Aliso Hall Room 206
Phone: (805) 437-8869
Email: philip.hampton@csuci.edu 

Additional Faculty

Ching-Hua Wang, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor and Chair, Biology Program
Academic Advisor for Biology Program
Aliso Hall Room 204
Phone: (805) 437-8870
Email: ching-hua.wang@csuci.edu 

Amy Denton, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biology
Aliso Hall Room 103
Phone: (805) 437-8458
Email: amy.denton@csuci.edu 

Geoff Dougherty, Ph.D.
Professor of Physics
Aliso Hall Room 101
Phone: (805) 437-8990
Email: geoffrey.dougherty@csuci.edu 

Nancy Mozingo, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biology
Aliso Hall Room 205
Phone: (805) 437-8989
Email: nancy.mozingo@csuci.edu 

Greg Wood, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Physics
Aliso Hall Room 102
Phone: (805) 437-3293
Email: greg.wood@csuci.edu

 

Requirements For the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Chemistry (120 Units) [top]

Lower Division Requirements (28 Units)

1. CHEMISTRY
   CHEM 121 General Chemistry I (4)
   CHEM 122 General Chemistry II (4)
   CHEM 250 Quantitative Analysis (2)
   CHEM 251 Quantitative Analysis Laboratory (2)
   
2. MATH
   MATH 150 Calculus I (4)
   MATH 151 Calculus II (4)
    
3. PHYSICS
   PHYS 100 Introduction to Physics I or
   PHYS 200 General Physics I (4)
   PHYS 101 Introduction to Physics II or
   PHYS 201 General Physics II (4)

Upper Division Requirements (16 Units)

CHEM 305 Computer Applications in Chemistry (1)
CHEM 311 Organic Chemistry I (3)
CHEM 312 Organic Chemistry I Laboratory (1)
CHEM 314 Organic Chemistry II (3)
CHEM 315 Organic Chemistry II Laboratory (1)
CHEM 371 Physical Chemistry I (3)
CHEM 372 Physical Chemistry Laboratory (1)
CHEM 492 Internship/ Service Learning or
CHEM 494 Independent Research (2)
CHEM 499 Chemistry Colloquium (1)

 (9 units of the above courses will be counted toward lower-division general education categories B1, B3, and B4)

Upper Division Chemistry Electives (11 Units)

A total of 11 units of electives, excluding courses numbered 330-349 or 430-449, and including a minimum of two laboratory courses. Two units of Chemistry learning community courses (i.e., CHEM 313 and 316) may be used as electives toward the degree. No more than a combined total of 4 units of CHEM 492, 494, and 497 may be applied as electives.

CHEM 301 Environmental Chemistry (3)
CHEM 313 Organic Chemistry I Learning Community (1)
CHEM 316 Organic Chemistry II Learning Community (1)
CHEM 373 Physical Chemistry II (3)
CHEM 410 Advanced Organic Synthesis (4)
CHEM 415 Molecular Structure Determination (4)
CHEM 450 Instrumental Analysis (4)
CHEM 460 Biochemistry I (4)
CHEM 461 Biochemistry II (4)
CHEM 465 Bioinorganic Chemistry (4)
CHEM 490 Special Topics in Chemistry (1-3)
CHEM 492 Internship/ Service Learning (1-3)
CHEM 494 Independent Research (1-3)
CHEM 497 Directed Studies (1-3)

Required Supporting and Other GE Courses (45 units)

American Institutions Requirement (6)
Other Courses in GE Categories A-E (39)
Electives in Any Discipline (20 units)

Proposed Course of Study, Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry [top]

First Year (31 Units)

Fall (14 Units)

Composition and Rhetoric (ENGL 102 or ENGL 105); GE Category A-2 (3)
Critical Reasoning; GE Category A-3 (3)
CHEM 121 General Chemistry I; GE Category B-1 (4)
MATH 150 Calculus I; GE Category B-3 (4) 

Spring (17 Units)

University Elective or ENGL 103 (3)
CHEM 122 General Chemistry II (4)
MATH 151 Calculus II (4)
Foreign Language Requirement; GE Category C-3a (3)
Oral Communication; GE Category A-1 (3)

Second Year (29 Units)

Fall (14 Units)

American Institutions Requirement (3)
CHEM 311 Organic Chemistry I (3)
CHEM 312 Organic Chemistry I Laboratory (1)
Social Science, General Education Requirement;
GE Category D (3)
Physics requirement (PHYS 100 or 200); (4)

Spring (15 Units)

CHEM 314 Organic Chemistry II (3)
CHEM 315 Organic Chemistry II Laboratory (1)
CHEM 250 Quantitative Analysis (2)
CHEM 251 Quantitative Analysis Laboratory (2)
Physics requirement (PHYS 101 or 201); (4)
American Institutions Requirement (3)

Third Year (30 Units)

Fall (14 Units)

CHEM 305 Computer Applications in Chemistry; 
 GE Category B-4 (1)
CHEM 371 Physical Chemistry I (3)
CHEM 371 Physical Chemistry Laboratory (1)
Multicultural General Education Requirement;
GE Category C-3b (3)*
Life Science, General Education Requirement;
GE Category B-2 (3)*
Literature, General Education Requirement;
GE Category C-2 (3)* 

Spring (16 Units)

Chemistry Elective, Laboratory (4)
Human Physiological and Psychological Perspectives, General Education Requirement; GE Category E (3)*
University Elective (3)
University Elective (3)
Social Science, General Education Requirement;
GE Category D (3) 

Fourth Year (30 Units)

Fall (15 Units)

Chemistry Elective, Lecture (3)
Social Science, General Education Requirement;
GE Category D (3)*
Visual and Performing Arts, General Education Requirement;
GE Category C-1 (3)*
University Elective (3)
University Elective (3) 

Spring (15 Units)

Chemistry Elective, Laboratory (4)
Social Science, General Education Requirement;
GE Category D (3)
University Elective (3)
University Elective (2)
CHEM 492 Internship/ Service Learning or
CHEM 494 Independent Research (2)
CHEM 499 Chemistry Colloquium (1)

Note to Students: To maximize University Electives, it is recommended that the nine units of upper-division, interdisciplinary general education courses (numbered 330-349 or 430-449) be taken from those courses marked with an asterisk (*), in order to meet simultaneously Categories A-E and the nine units of Upper-Division General Education.

Requiremetns for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry (120 Units) [top]

Lower Division Requirements (28 UNITS)

1. Chemistry
   CHEM 121 General Chemistry I (4)
   CHEM 122 General Chemistry II (4)
   CHEM 250 Quantitative Analysis (2)
   CHEM 251 Quantitative Analysis Laboratory (2)
   
2. Math
   MATH 150 Calculus I (4)
   MATH 151 Calculus II (4)
    
3. Physics
   PHYS 100 Introduction to Physics I or
   PHYS 200 General Physics I (4)
   PHYS 101 Introduction to Physics II or
   PHYS 201 General Physics II (4)

Uppper Division Requirements (20 Units)

CHEM 305 Computer Applications in Chemistry (1)
CHEM 311 Organic Chemistry I (3)
CHEM 312 Organic Chemistry I Laboratory (1)
CHEM 314 Organic Chemistry II (3)
CHEM 315 Organic Chemistry II Laboratory (1)
CHEM 371 Physical Chemistry I (3)
CHEM 372 Physical Chemistry Laboratory (1)
CHEM 460 Biochemistry I (4)
CHEM 492 Internship/ Service Learning OR
CHEM 494 Independent Research (2)
CHEM 499 Chemistry Colloquium (1)

(9 units of the above courses will be counted toward lower-division General Education Categories B1, B3, and B4) 

Upper Division Chemistry Electives (22 Units)

A total of 22 units of electives, excluding courses numbered 330-349 or 430-449, and including a minimum of three laboratory courses. Two units of Chemistry learning community courses (i.e. CHEM 313 and 316) may be used as electives. No more than a combined total of 4 units of CHEM 492, 494, and 497 may be applied as electives. 

CHEM 301 Environmental Chemistry (3)
CHEM 313 Organic Chemistry I Learning Community (1)
CHEM 316 Organic Chemistry II Learning Community (1)
CHEM 373 Physical Chemistry II (3)
CHEM 410 Advanced Organic Synthesis (4)
CHEM 415 Molecular Structure Determination (4)
CHEM 450 Instrumental Analysis (4)
CHEM 461 Biochemistry II (4)
CHEM 465 Bioinorganic Chemistry (4)
CHEM 490 Special Topics in Chemistry (1-3)
CHEM 492 Internship/ Service Learning (1-3)
CHEM 494 Independent Research (1-3)
CHEM 497 Directed Studies (1-3) 

Required Supporting and Other GE Courses (45 units)

American Institutions Requirement (6)
Other Courses in GE Categories A-E (39)
Electives in Any Discipline (5 units)

Proposed Course of Study Bachelor of Science in Chemistry [top]

First Year (30 Units)

Fall (14 Units)

Composition and Rhetoric (ENGL 102 or ENGL 105); GE Category A-2 (3)
Critical Reasoning; GE Category A-3 (3)
CHEM 121 General Chemistry I; GE Category B-1 (4)
MATH 150 Calculus I; GE Category B-3 (4) 

Spring (16 units)

University Elective or ENGL 103 (3)
CHEM 122 General Chemistry II (4)
MATH 151 Calculus II (4)
Foreign Language Requirement; GE Category C-3a (3)
University Elective (2) 

Second Year (29 Units)

Fall (14 Units)

Oral Communication; GE Category A-1 (3)
CHEM 311 Organic Chemistry I (3)
CHEM 312 Organic Chemistry I Laboratory (1)
Social Science, General Education Requirement;
GE Category D (3)
Physics requirement (PHYS 100 or 200); (4) 

Spring (15 Units)

CHEM 314 Organic Chemistry II (3)
CHEM 315 Organic Chemistry II Laboratory (1)
CHEM 250 Quantitative Analysis (2)
CHEM 251 Quantitative Analysis Laboratory (2)
Physics requirement (PHYS 101 or 201); (4)
American Institutions Requirement (3) 

Third Year (31 Units)

Fall (15 Units)

CHEM 371 Physical Chemistry I (3)
CHEM 372 Physical Chemistry Laboratory (1)
CHEM 460 Biochemistry I (4)
CHEM 305 Computer Applications in Chemistry; GE Category B-4 (1)
Life Science, General Education Requirement; GE Category B-2 (3)*
Social Science, General Education Requirement; GE Category D (3) 

Spring (16 Units)

Chemistry Elective, Laboratory (4)
Chemistry Elective, Lecture (3)
Human Physiological and Psychological Perspectives, General Education Requirement; GE Category E (3)*
Social Science, General Education Requirement; GE Category D (3)*
Multicultural General Education Requirement; GE Category C-3b (3)* 

Fourth Year (30 Units)

Fall (16 Units)

Chemistry Elective, Laboratory (4)
Chemistry Elective, Lecture (3)
Social Science, General Education Requirement; GE Category D (3)*
American Institutions Requirement (3)
Literature, General Education Requirement; GE Category C-2 (3)* 

Spring (14 Units)

Visual and Performing Arts, General Education Requirement; GE Category C-1 (3)*
Chemistry Elective, Laboratory (4)
Chemistry Elective, Lecture (3) AND Chemistry Elective (1); OR Chemistry Elective, Laboratory (4)
CHEM 492 Internship/ Service Learning or CHEM 494 Independent Research (2)
CHEM 499 Chemistry Colloquium (1)

Note to Students: To maximize University Electives, it is recommended that the nine units of upper-division, interdisciplinary general education courses (numbered 330-349 or 430-449) be taken from those courses marked with an asterisk (*), in order to meet simultaneously Categories A-E and the nine units of Upper-Division General Education.

 

Requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry, Biochemistry Option (120 Units) [top]

Lower Division Requirements  (36 Units)

1. Chemistry
   CHEM 121 General Chemistry I (4)
   CHEM 122 General Chemistry II (4)
   CHEM 250 Quantitative Analysis (2)
   CHEM 251 Quantitative Analysis Laboratory (2) 
   
2. Biology
   BIOL 200 Principles of Organismal & Population Biology (4)
   BIOL 201 Principles of Cell and Molecular Biology (4) 
   
3. Math
   MATH 150 Calculus I (4)
   MATH 151 Calculus II (4)
    
4. Physics
   PHYS 100 Introduction to Physics I or
   PHYS 200 General Physics I (4)
   PHYS 101 Introduction to Physics II or
   PHYS 201 General Physics II (4)

Upper Division Requirements (32 Units)

1. Chemistry
   CHEM 305 Computer Applications in Chemistry (1)
   CHEM 311 Organic Chemistry I (3)
   CHEM 312 Organic Chemistry I Laboratory (1)
   CHEM 314 Organic Chemistry II (3)
   CHEM 315 Organic Chemistry II Laboratory (1)
   CHEM 371 Physical Chemistry I (3)
   CHEM 372 Physical Chemistry Laboratory (1)
   CHEM 460 Biochemistry I (4)
   CHEM 461 Biochemistry II (4)
   CHEM 492 Internship/ Service Learning OR
   CHEM 494 Independent Research (2)
   CHEM 499 Chemistry Colloquium (1)
    
2. Biology
   BIOL 300 Cell Biology (4)
   BIOL 400 Molecular Biology (4)

(12 units of the above requirements will be counted toward lower-division General Education Categories B1, B2, B3, and B4)

Upper Division Chemistry Electives (2 Units)

A total of 2 units of electives, excluding courses numbered 330-349 or 430-449. Two units of Chemistry learning community courses (i.e., CHEM 313 and 316) may be used as electives toward the degree. 

CHEM 301 Environmental Chemistry (3)
CHEM 313 Organic Chemistry I Learning Community (1)
CHEM 316 Organic Chemistry II Learning Community (1)
CHEM 373 Physical Chemistry II (3)
CHEM 410 Advanced Organic Synthesis (4)
CHEM 415 Molecular Structure Determination (4)
CHEM 450 Instrumental Analysis (4)
CHEM 465 Bioinorganic Chemistry (4)
CHEM 490 Special Topics in Chemistry (1-3)
CHEM 492 Internship/ Service Learning (1-3)
CHEM 494 Independent Research (1-3)
CHEM 497 Directed Studies (1-3) 

Required Supporting and Other GE Courses (42 units)

American Institutions Requirement (6)
Other Courses in GE Categories A-E (36)
Electives in any Discipline (5 units)

Proposed Course of Study Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Biochemistry Option [top]

First Year (29 Units)

Fall (14 Units)

CHEM 121 General Chemistry I; GE Category B-1 (4)
Composition and Rhetoric (ENGL 102 Stretch Composition or ENGL 105 Composition and Rhetoric); GE Category A-2 (3)
Critical Reasoning; GE Category A-3 (3)
MATH 150 Calculus I; GE Category B-3 (4) 

Spring (15 Units)

University Elective or ENGL 103 (3)
CHEM 122 General Chemistry II (4)
BIOL 200 Principles of Organismal and Population
Biology; GE Category B-2 (4)
MATH 151 Calculus II (4) 

Second Year (30 Units)

Fall (15 Units)

CHEM 311 Organic Chemistry I (3)
CHEM 312 Organic Chemistry I Laboratory (1)
Physics requirement (PHYS 100 or 200); (4)
Foreign Language Requirement; GE Category C-3a (3)
BIOL 201 Principles of Cell & Molecular Biology (4) 

Spring (15 Units)

CHEM 314 Organic Chemistry II (3)
CHEM 315 Organic Chemistry II Laboratory (1)
Physics requirement (PHYS 101 or 201) (4)
CHEM 250 Quantitative Analysis (2)
CHEM 251 Quantitative Analysis Laboratory (2)
Oral Communication; GE Category A-1 (3) 

Third Year (29 Units)

Fall (15 Units)

CHEM 371 Physical Chemistry I (3)
CHEM 372 Physical Chemistry Laboratory (1)
CHEM 305 Computer Applications in Chemistry, General Education Requirement; GE Category B4 (1)
CHEM 460 Biochemistry I (4)
Social Science, General Education Requirement; GE Category D (3)
American Institutions Requirement (3) 

Spring (14 Units)

CHEM 461 Biochemistry II (4)
BIOL 300 Cell Biology (4)
Human Physiological and Psychological Perspectives, General Education Requirement; GE Category E (3)*
Social Science, General Education Requirement; GE Category D (3)* 

Fourth Year (32 Units)

Fall (15 Units)

BIOL 400 Molecular Biology (4)
Chemistry Elective (2)
American Institutions Requirement (3)
Literature, General Education Requirement; GE Category C-2 (3)*
Social Science, General Education Requirement; GE Category D (3)* 

Spring (17 Units)

CHEM 499 Chemistry Colloquium (1)
CHEM 492 Internship/ Service Learning or CHEM 494 Independent Research (2)
Social Science, General Education Requirement; GE Category D (3)*
Social Science, General Education Requirement; GE Category D (3)*
Multicultural General Education Requirement; GE Category C-3b (3)*
University Elective (2)
Visual and Performing Arts, General Education Requirement; GE Category C-1 (3)*

To maximize University Electives, it is recommended that the nine units of upper-division, interdisciplinary general education courses (numbered 330-349 or 430-449) be taken from those courses marked with an asterisk (*), in order to meet simultaneously Categories A-E and the nine units of Upper-Division General Education. 

Requirements for the Minor in Chemistry (23 Units) [top]

Lower Division Requirements (8 units)

CHEM 121 General Chemistry I and Laboratory (4)
CHEM 122 General Chemistry II and Laboratory (4) 

Upper Division Requirements (8 units)

CHEM 311 Organic Chemistry I (3)
CHEM 312 Organic Chemistry I Laboratory (1)
CHEM 314 Organic Chemistry II (3)
CHEM 315 Organic Chemistry II Laboratory (1)

Electives (7 units)

A total of 7 units with the CHEM prefix at the 300-400 level (excluding CHEM 330-349, CHEM 430-449, and CHEM 490-499) or CHEM 250 and 251. One unit of a learning unity course (CHEM 313 or 316) can be applied to the Chemistry Minor. 

Requirements for the Certificate in Chemistry (23 Units) [top]

Lower Division Requirements (8 units)

CHEM 121 General Chemistry I and Laboratory (4)
CHEM 122 General Chemistry II and Laboratory (4) 

Upper Division Requirements (8 units)

CHEM 311 Organic Chemistry I (3)
CHEM 312 Organic Chemistry I Laboratory (1)
CHEM 314 Organic Chemistry II (3)
CHEM 315 Organic Chemistry II Laboratory (1)

Electives (7 units)

A total of 7 units of courses with the CHEM prefix on the 300-400 level (excluding CHEM 330-349, CHEM 430-449, and CHEM 490-499) or CHEM 250 and 251. One unit of a learning unity course (CHEM 313 or 316) can be applied to the Chemistry Certificate.

 

Top of page