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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.

Note: Degree requirements have been updated for FA24. Please see below for FA23 or earlier admits.

Lower-Division Requirements

The following courses must be taken for a letter grade:

  1. General Chemistry (CHEM 6A or 6AH, 6B or 6BH, and 6C or 6CH)
  2. General Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 7L or 7LM)
  3. Physics (PHYS 2A, 2B & 2C or 2D)
  4. Physics Laboratory (PHYS 2BL OR 2CL OR 2DL) 
  5. Calculus (MATH 20A, 20B, 20C & 20D)
  6. Linear Algebra (MATH 18)
  7. Organic Chemistry (CHEM 41A, 41B & 41C)*
  8. 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.

Upper-Division Requirements

The following courses must be taken for a letter grade:

  1. Physical Chemistry (CHEM 126A & 126B recommended; CHEM 130, 131 & 132 acceptable)
  2. Inorganic Chemistry (CHEM 120A & 120B)
  3. Biochemistry (CHEM 114A)
  4. 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)
  1. Synthetic Methods (CHEM 152)               
  2. Structural or Mechanistic Organic Chemistry (CHEM 154 or CHEM 156)
  3. Bioorganic or Bioinorganic Chemistry (CHEM 125 or CHEM 157)                             
  4. One additional course from the following:
    • 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.

 

Non-Course 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
  • 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.

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.
  • The quarter in which a course is offered is subject to change based on space and instructor availability.  Please check the department website 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.
  • It is your responsibility to ensure that you meet the 48 upper-division unit requirement for your major. Check your degree audit to ensure you will meet this requirement. Transfer students should be especially careful with checking for completion of this requirement.
  • Many courses have enforced prerequisites or are offered once per year. It is your responsibility to know which prerequisites are needed for each course. https://www.ucsd.edu/catalog/courses/CHEM.html
  • Two chemistry lab electives are required among the following: CHEM 123, 143C or 143D. 

    Seats in CHEM 123 are limited and saved for graduating CH36 seniors. 

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 18 CHEM 43A or 43AM PHYS 2C or 2D
PHYS 2A PHYS 2B PHYS 2BL, 2CL or 2DL
MATH 20D
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: Fall 2024 and Later (Printer Friendly PDF)

Molecular Synthesis Major 2-Year Sample Plan: Fall 2024 and Later (Printer Friendly PDF)

Major Requirements for FA23 and Earlier Admits

All major requirements must be completed with a letter grade:

Lower-Division Requirements

  1. General Chemistry (CHEM 6A or 6AH, 6B or 6BH, and 6C or 6CH)
  2. General Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 7L or 7LM)
  3. Physics (PHYS 2A, 2B & 2C or 2D)
  4. Physics Laboratory (PHYS 2BL OR 2CL OR 2DL) 
  5. Calculus (MATH 20A, 20B, 20C & 20D)
  6. Organic Chemistry (CHEM 41A, 41B & 41C)*
  7. 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.

Upper-Division Requirements

  1. Physical Chemistry (CHEM 126A & 126B recommended; CHEM 130, 131 & 132 acceptable)
  2. Inorganic Chemistry (CHEM 120A & 120B)
  3. Biochemistry (CHEM 114A)
  4. 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)
  1. Synthetic Methods (CHEM 152)               
  2. Structural or Mechanistic Organic Chemistry (CHEM 154 or CHEM 156)
  3. Bioorganic or Bioinorganic Chemistry (CHEM 125 or CHEM 157)                             
  4. One additional course from the following:
    • 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.

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 18 CHEM 43A or 43AM PHYS 2C or 2D
PHYS 2A PHYS 2B PHYS 2BL, 2CL or 2DL
MATH 20D
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: Fall 2023 and Earlier (Printer Friendly PDF)

Molecular Synthesis Major 2-Year Sample Plan: Fall 2023 and Earlier (Printer Friendly PDF)