MOLECULAR SYNTHESIS (CH36)
The Molecular Synthesis major offers a thorough training in all aspects of the molecular synthesis of organic, inorganic, and biological substances, along with a fundamental understanding of their structure and reactivity. This major provides an excellent preparation for employment in biotechnology, diagnostic, electronic, and pharmaceutical enterprises as well as for graduate programs in organic, bioorganic, and inorganic chemistry. Click here to read more about the Learning Objectives for the Molecular Synthesis Chemistry major.
The following courses must be taken for a letter grade:
- General Chemistry (CHEM 6A or 6AH, 6B or 6BH, and 6C or 6CH)
- General Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 7L or 7LM)
- Physics (PHYS 2A, 2B & 2C or 2D)
- Physics Laboratory (PHYS 2BL OR 2CL OR 2DL)
- Calculus (MATH 20A, 20B, 20C & 20D)
- Organic Chemistry (CHEM 41A, 41B & 41C)*
- Organic Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 43A or 43AM)
*If you have questions about the new organic chemistry restructuring or the honors sequence, please contact Student Affairs.
The following courses must be taken for a letter grade:
- Physical Chemistry (CHEM 126A & 126B recommended; CHEM 130, 131 & 132 acceptable)
- Inorganic Chemistry (CHEM 120A & 120B)
- Biochemistry (CHEM 114A)
- Required Laboratory Courses (Must take all 5):
-
- Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 100A)
- Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (CHEM 143B)
- Physical Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 105A)
- Select 2 of the following: Advanced Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 123), Advanced Organic Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 143C), Molecular Design and Synthesis Laboratory (CHEM 143D)
- Synthetic Methods (CHEM 152)
- Structural or Mechanistic Organic Chemistry (CHEM 154 or CHEM 156)
- Bioorganic or Bioinorganic Chemistry (CHEM 125 or CHEM 157)
- One additional course from the following:
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- Biochemical Energetics and Metabolism (CHEM 114B)
- Biosynthesis of Macromolecules (CHEM 114C)
- Synthesis of Complex Molecules (CHEM 155)
- Quantum Chemistry Lab (CHEM 185)
- 4 units of CHEM 199 may be petitioned. See details here.
- 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
- All lower division coursework for the major must be completed with a "D" grade or higher
- All upper division coursework for the major must be completed with a "C-" grade or higher
- A minimum 2.0 major GPA is required for graduation
- No more than one (1) "D" grade is allowed in upper-division coursework. You may graduate with only one "D" in upper division coursework so long as your GPA remains in good standing. Given extenuating circumstances, a petition may be submitted to graduate with 2 Ds if one of them occurs in your graduating quarter. You will need to include details of why the exception should be granted
- 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
- 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.
IMPORTANT NOTES:
Sample Academic Plan for the CH36 Major
FALL
|
WINTER
|
SPRING
|
FRESHMAN YEAR |
CHEM 6A |
CHEM 6B |
CHEM 6C |
MATH 20A |
MATH 20B |
MATH 20C |
|
|
CHEM 7L or 7LM |
SOPHOMORE YEAR |
CHEM 41A |
CHEM 41B |
CHEM 41C |
MATH 20D |
CHEM 43A or 43AM |
PHYS 2C or 2D |
PHYS 2A |
PHYS 2B |
PHYS 2BL, 2CL or 2DL |
JUNIOR YEAR |
CHEM 120A |
CHEM 120B |
CHEM 105A |
CHEM 126A |
CHEM 126B |
CHEM 114B, 114C, 155, OR 185 |
CHEM 100A |
CHEM 143B |
|
SENIOR YEAR |
CHEM 152 |
CHEM 154 or 156 |
CHEM 123 or 143C or 143D |
CHEM 123 or 143C or 143D |
CHEM 114A* |
CHEM 125 or 157 |
|
|
|
*CHEM 114A can be taken in either Fall or Winter quarter of senior year.
Molecular Synthesis Major 4-Year Sample Plan (Printer Friendly PDF)
Molecular Synthesis Major 2-Year Sample Plan (Printer Friendly PDF)