CHEMISTRY (CH25)
The Chemistry major provides a broad introduction for the biochemistry, organic, physical, or inorganic student as well as those who prefer not to specialize. This major will enable a student to pursue further studies in chemistry or in related fields of science, medicine, or engineering. Click here to read more about the Learning Objectives for the Chemistry major.
Note: For students admitted Fall 2016 or earlier, please see the FAQ page for information regarding re-numbering of Organic Chemistry courses.
Lower-Division Requirements
The following courses must be taken for a letter grade:
- General Chemistry (CHEM 6A, 6B & 6C or 6AH, 6BH & 6CH)
- General Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 7L or CHEM 7LM)
- Physics (PHYS 2A, 2B & 2C or 2D)
- Physics Laboratory (PHYS 2BL, 2CL or 2DL)
- Calculus (MATH 20A, 20B, 20C & 20D)
- Organic Chemistry (CHEM 40A, 40B & 40C or 40AH, 40BH & 40CH)
- Organic Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 43A or 43AM)
Upper-Division Requirements
The following courses must be taken for a letter grade:
- Physical Chemistry (CHEM 130, 131 & 132)
- Inorganic Chemistry (CHEM 120A & B)
- Biochemical Structure and Function (CHEM 114A)
- Required Laboratory Courses (must take all 3):
- Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM100A)
- Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (CHEM143B)
- Physical Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM105A)
- Laboratory Elective (Select 2 of the following courses):
- Instrumental Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 100B)
- Advanced Physical Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 105B)
- Protein Biochemistry Laboratory (CHEM 108)
- Recombinant DNA Laboratory (CHEM 109)
- Advanced Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 123)
- Organic Chemistry Laboratory III (CHEM 143C)
- Molecular Design and Synthesis (CHEM 143D)
- Reading and Research (CHEM 199): 8 units with of research with the same instructor may be petitioned to fulfill one elective lab. See details here.
- Additional Electives (Select 3 electives that match the following description): These electives are defined as a four-unit (minimum) upper division undergraduate course (numbered 100-191) offered by the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and taken for a letter grade. 4 units of non-letter graded courses such as CHEM 199, may be petitioned to fulfill 1 Elective.
NOTE: Neither CHEM 126A nor 126B are allowed to fulfill an elective for CH25 majors.
Additional Requirements
- All courses for the major, lower-division and upper-division, must be taken for a letter grade.
- This excludes Special Studies courses, like CHEM 199, which only allow P/NP grading option
- To receive a Bachelor of Science from UC San Diego, all students must complete 48 or more units of upper-division course work within the major.
- A minimum 2.0 major GPA is required for graduation.
- No more than one (1) "D" grade is allowed in upper-division coursework
- All Chemistry/Biochemistry majors are required to complete at least six (6) upper-division courses within the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department.
It is the students' responsibility to read and understand all policies listed here
Example Academic Plan
IMPORTANT NOTES:
- Courses listed above and on the long-term plan below only include major requirements. Speak with your college advisor for planning completion of general education and university requirements.
- Elective labs chosen from CHEM 100B, 105B, 108, 109, 123, 143C or 143D. Units vary by lab chosen.
- It is unlikely to obtain a seat in CHEM 123, as we reserve seats in this course for Molecular Synthesis graduating seniors. Please have a back-up lab elective planned.
- The quarter in which a course is offered is subject to change based on space and instructor availability. Please check the department website (https://chemistry.ucsd.edu/ext/ugcourses.html?year=2019-2020) each academic year to see a projection of classes offered by quarter.
- The best time to study abroad is Fall quarter of Sophomore or Junior Year. Education Abroad Program deadlines for upcoming year vary by country. See EAP website. See the Chemistry & Biochemistry Undergraduate Advisor for assistance in planning to study abroad.
FALL |
WINTER |
SPRING |
FRESHMAN YEAR | ||
---|---|---|
CHEM 6A | CHEM 6B | CHEM 6C |
MATH 20A | MATH 20B | MATH 20C |
CHEM 7LM or 7L | ||
SOPHOMORE YEAR | ||
CHEM 40A | CHEM 40B | CHEM 40C |
MATH 20D | CHEM 43AM or 43A | PHYS 2BL, 2CL or 2DL |
PHYS 2A | PHYS 2B | PHYS 2C or 2D |
JUNIOR YEAR | ||
CHEM 120A | CHEM 120B | CHEM 105A |
CHEM 130 | CHEM 131 | CHEM 132 |
CHEM 100A | CHEM 143B | |
SENIOR YEAR | ||
CHEM 114A | Chemistry Elective | Chemistry Elective |
Chemistry Elective Lab | Chemistry Elective Lab | Chemistry Elective |