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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: 

  1. General Chemistry (CHEM 6A, 6B & 6C or 6AH, 6BH & 6CH)
  2. General Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 7L or CHEM 7LM)
  3. Physics (PHYS 2A, 2B & 2C or 2D)
  4. Physics Laboratory (PHYS 2BL, 2CL or 2DL) 
  5. Calculus (MATH 20A, 20B, 20C & 20D)
  6. Organic Chemistry (CHEM 40A, 40B & 40C or 40AH, 40BH & 40CH)
  7. Organic Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 43A or 43AM)

Upper-Division Requirements

The following courses must be taken for a letter grade: 

  1. Physical Chemistry (CHEM 130, 131 & 132)
  2. Inorganic Chemistry (CHEM 120A & B)
  3. Biochemical Structure and Function (CHEM 114A)
  4. Required Laboratory Courses (must take all 3):  
    1. Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM100A)
    2. Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (CHEM143B)
    3. Physical Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM105A)
  5. 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.
  6. Additional Electives (Select 3 electives that match the following description): These electives are defined as a four-unit (minimum) upper division undergraduate course 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.

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

 

Chemistry Major 4-Year Plan (Printer Friendly PDF)

Transfer Students