CHEMISTRY

 

Office: 

Craven Hall, Sixth Floor

 

Telephone: 

(760) 750-4103

 

Chemistry and Biochemistry Department Chair: 

Steven C. Welch, Ph.D.

 

Faculty:

 

Paul G. Jasien, Ph.D.

José A. Mendoza, Ph.D.

Karno Ng-Alston, Ph.D.

Michael H. Schmidt, Ph.D.

Jacqueline A. Trischman, Ph.D.

Steven C. Welch, Ph.D.

 

Instructional Support Technician:

Sally-Jo Divis

 

Programs Offered:

 

               Bachelor of Science in Chemistry Options in:

 

                - Biochemistry

 

                - Chemistry

 

-    Science Education

 

               Minor in Chemistry

 

CSU San Marcos offers a program of courses leading to a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with options in Biochemistry, Chemistry, and Science Education.  Chemistry is the study of matter and its changes. This includes everything in the universe from a simple hydrogen atom to very large replicating molecules in life processes. Chemistry is involved with the development of medicines that control and cure diseases; food through specific and safe agricultural chemicals; consumer products such as cleaners, plastics, and clothing; new methods of energy production, transfer and storage; new materials for electronic components; and new methods for protection and cleanup of the environment. Chemistry majors are needed to help solve some of society’s most difficult technological problems through research, development, and teaching.

 

As an integral part of this program, each student is required to do a senior research project, thesis, and thesis defense. Also, each student will have the opportunity to flavor his or her degree in chemistry by taking advanced elective courses in analytical, inorganic, organic, physical, or biochemistry. With appropriate choices of chemistry and general education electives, graduates can meet the requirements for admission to graduate, medical, dental, optometry, pharmacy, veterinary, and other professional schools.

 

The goal of the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department is to provide chemistry majors with the best education within the guidelines of the American Chemical Society.  Each student will learn the basics of analytical, inorganic, organic, physical, and biochemistry, including the most recent technology in instrumentation.  An atmosphere of small class size, close faculty/student interaction, and new facilities/equipment are some of the advantages of the Chemistry Program at CSU San Marcos. 

 

Up to five (5) units of chemistry credit can be applied toward a B.S. degree in Chemistry (Chemistry, Biochemistry or Science Education options) at CSUSM for students who have successfully completed high school chemistry with a laboratory and who have successfully completed the Advanced Placement Test in chemistry.  It is recommended that students with a score of 4-5 on the AP Test in chemistry and who have completed high school chemistry with a laboratory consider auditing CHEM 150 during the fall semester in preparation for CHEM 201/201L in the spring semester.  It is recommended that students with a score of 3-5 on the AP Test in chemistry and who have completed high school chemistry without a laboratory take CHEM 150 during the fall semester in preparation for CHEM  201/201L in the Spring semester.

 

Preparation

 

All courses taken for the major must be completed with a grade of C (2.0) or better.  Transfer students must complete a minimum of 24 hours counted toward the chemistry major at CSUSM.

 

CHEMISTRY

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN CHEMISTRY

 

Chemistry Option

 

This option is for students wishing a broad training in the traditional areas of chemistry. This option is recommended for students wishing to enter a chemistry graduate program or seek a position in industrial chemistry.

 

Units

General Education*                 51 units

Preparation for the Major*     45-46 units

Option Requirements             34 units

General Electives                    0-1 units

 

Total Required                        125 units

 

Preparation for the Chemistry Option

 

Non-Chemistry Supporting Courses (24-25 units)

 

Units

CS 111* or CS 301*               3-4 units

MATH 160*                          5 units

MATH 162*                          4 units

MATH 260*                          4 units

PHYS 201*                             4 units

PHYS 202                               4 units

 

Lower-division (21 units)

 

CHEM 150*                           5 units

CHEM 201 & 202                  6 units

CHEM 201L & 202L             4 units

CHEM 250                             3 units

CHEM 275                             3 units

 

OPTION REQUIREMENTS

 

Upper-division Chemistry (26 units)

 

CHEM 300                             2 units

CHEM 351                             3 units

CHEM 401, 402                     6 units

CHEM 404                             3 units

CHEM 404L                           1 units

CHEM 405                             2 units

CHEM 416                             5 units

CHEM 498 or 499                  4 units

 

Science Electives (8 units)

 

 Science major courses in the natural or mathematical sciences, chosen in consultation with the academic advisor, will be used to meet this requirement.

 

Biochemistry Option

 

This option is for students who wish to emphasize the biological aspects of chemistry. This option is recommended for students wishing to attend graduate school in biochemistry, a health related professional school, or seek a position in the biotechnology industry. CHEM 402 is highly recommended for students wishing to attend graduate school.

 

Units

General Education**               51 units

Preparation for the Major**   49-50 units

Option Requirements             32-33 units

General Electives                    0-2 units

 

Total Required                        125 units

 

*Nine (9) lower-division General Education units in Area B (Math and Science) are automatically satisfied by courses taken in Preparation for the Major.

 

Preparation for the Biochemistry Option

 

Non-Biology/Chemistry Supporting Courses (20-21 units)

 

Units

CS 111*** or CS 301***       3-4 units

MATH 160***                      5 units

MATH 162***                      4 units

PHYS 201***                         4 units

PHYS 202                               4 units

 

Lower-division Biology/Chemistry (29 units)

 

BIOL 210                                4 units

BIOL 211***                          4 units

CHEM 150***                       5 units

CHEM 201 & 202                  6 units

CHEM 201L & 202L             4 units

CHEM 250                             3 units

CHEM 275                             3 units

 

OPTION REQUIREMENTS

 

Upper-division Biology/Chemistry (30-31 units)

 

BIOL 351 or 355                    5-4 units

CHEM 300                             2 units

CHEM 351                             3 units

CHEM 351L                           2 units

CHEM 352                             3 units

CHEM 401                             3 units

CHEM 404                             3 units

CHEM 404L                           1 units

CHEM 416                             5 units

CHEM 498 or 499                  4 units

 

Upper-division Science Elective Units (2 units)

 

Science major courses in the natural or mathematical sciences, chosen in consultation with the academic advisor, will be used to meet this requirement.

 

***Some courses supporting the preparation or electives in the major may satisfy the Mathematics and Physical Science requirements of General Education. The courses fulfilling this double requirement are denoted by ***.

*Some courses supporting the preparation or electives in the major may satisfy the Mathematics and Physical Science requirements of General Education. The courses fulfilling this double requirement are denoted by *.

*Six (6) lower-division General Education units in Area B (Math and Science) are automatically satisfied by courses taken in Preparation for the Major.

 

Science Education Option

 

This option is for students who wish to seek training in Chemistry as well as pursue a career as a high school science instructor. (Evaluation of this option for a Single Subject Credential Waiver is currently under consideration.)

 

Units

General Education*                 51 units

Preparation for the Major*     55-56 units

Option Requirements             27-28 units

General Electives                    4-5 units

 

Total Required                        125 units

 

Preparation for the Science Education Option

 

Non-Chemistry Supporting Courses (34-35 units)

 

Units

BIOL 210                                4 units

BIOL 211**                            4 units

CS 111** or CS 301**           3-4 units

ES 101                                     3 units

ES 102                                     3 units

MATH 160**                        5 units

MATH 162**                        4 units

PHYS 201**                           4 units

PHYS 202                               4 units

 

Lower-division (21 units)

 

CHEM 150**                         5 units

CHEM 201 and 202               6 units

CHEM 201L and 202L           4 units

CHEM 250                             3 units

CHEM 275                             3 units

 

Proficiency in Spanish is strongly encouraged for the Science Education option and can be included as part of the Humanities Requirement of the General Education Requirement.

 

OPTION REQUIREMENTS

 

Upper-division Chemistry (22-23 units)

 

CHEM 300                             2 units

CHEM 351                             3 units

CHEM 351L                           2 units

CHEM 352                             3 units

CHEM 398^                           2 units

CHEM 401                             3 units

CHEM 404 and 404L

or CHEM 404 and 405

or CHEM 416                         5-6 units

CHEM 499                             2 units

 

Science Electives (5 units)

 

Science major courses in the natural or mathematical sciences, chosen in consultation with the academic advisor, will be used to meet this requirement.

 

MINOR IN CHEMISTRY

 

Requirements (21 units)

 

Units

CHEM 150                             5 units

CHEM 201 & 202                  6 units

CHEM 201L & 202L             4 units

CHEM 250                             3 units

CHEM 275                             3 units

 

Choice of 7 additional units from the following:

 

Units

CHEM 351                             3 units

CHEM 351L                           2 units

CHEM 352                             3 units

CHEM 398                             1-2 units

CHEM 399                             1-2 units

CHEM 401                             3 units

CHEM 402                             3 units

CHEM 404                             3 units

CHEM 404L                           1 units

CHEM 405                             2 units

CHEM 416                             5 units

CHEM 490                             3 units

CHEM 491                             3 units

CHEM 492                             3 units

CHEM 493                             3 units

CHEM 494                             3 units

 

Total Units                              28 units

 

^When topics relate and address scientific ethics.

**Some courses supporting the preparation or electives in the major may satisfy the Mathematics and Physical Science requirements of General Education. The courses fulfilling this double requirement are denoted by a **.