Office:
Science
2 Hall, First Floor
Telephone:
(760)
750-4103
Chemistry and Biochemistry
Department Chair:
Paul
G. Jasien, 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
Cal State 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, students will have the opportunity to take 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 Cal State 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 Cal State San Marcos 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. 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.
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 Cal State San Marcos.
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
Preparation for the
Major*45-46
Option Requirements34
Students must
take a sufficient number of
elective units to bring the
total number of
units to a
minimum of125
*Six (6) lower-division General Education units in Area B (Math and Science) are automatically satisfied by courses taken in Preparation to the Major.
Preparation for the Chemistry Option
Non-Chemistry
Supporting Courses
(24-25 units)
Units
CS 111* or CS
301* 3-4
MATH
160*5
MATH
162*4
MATH 260*4
PHYS
201* 4
PHYS
202 4
Lower-division (21
units)
CHEM 150*5
CHEM 201 & 2026
CHEM 201L & 202L4
CHEM
2503
CHEM 2753
* 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 *.
Option Requirements
Upper-division Chemistry (26 units)
CHEM 3002
CHEM
3513
CHEM 401, 4026
CHEM 4043
CHEM
404L1
CHEM
4052
CHEM 4165
CHEM 498 or
4994
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
Preparation for the
Major**49-50
Option Requirements32-33
Students must take a sufficient
number of elective
units
to bring the total
number of
units to a minimum of 125
** Nine (9) lower-division General Education units in Area B (Math and Science) are automatically satisfied by courses taken in Preparation to the Major.
Preparation for the Biochemistry Option
Non-Biology/Chemistry Supporting Courses (20-21 units)
Units
CS 111*** or CS
301***3-4
MATH 160***5
MATH 162***4
PHYS
201***4
PHYS 2024
Lower-division
Biology/Chemistry
(29 units)
BIOL 2104
BIOL 211***4
CHEM 150***5
CHEM 201 & 2026
CHEM 201L & 202L4
CHEM 2503
CHEM 2753
***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 ***.
Option Requirements
Upper-division
Biology/Chemistry
(30-31 units)
BIOL 351 or
3555-4
CHEM
3002
CHEM
3513
CHEM
351L2
CHEM
3523
CHEM
4013
CHEM
4043
CHEM
404L1
CHEM
4165
CHEM 498 or
4994
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.
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.
Units
General Education*51
Preparation for the
Major*55-56
Option Requirements24-25
Students must
take a sufficient
number of
elective units
to bring the
total number of
units to a
minimum of125
**Nine (9) lower-division General Education units in Area B (Math and Science) are automatically satisfied by courses taken in Preparation to the Major.
Preparation for the Science Education Option
Non-Chemistry
Supporting Courses
(34-35 units)
Units
BIOL
2104
BIOL
211**4
CS 111** or CS
301**3-4
ES 1013
ES
1023
MATH 160**5
MATH 162**4
PHYS 201**4
PHYS
2024
Lower-division (21 units)
CHEM 150**5
CHEM 201 and 2026
CHEM 201L and 202L4
CHEM
2503
CHEM 2753
** 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 **.
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.
Students following the Science Education Option are strongly encouraged to fulfill their upper-division General Education Humanities requirement with PHIL 340.
Option Requirements
Upper-division Chemistry (19-20 units)
CHEM 3002
CHEM 3513
CHEM 351L2
CHEM 3523
CHEM 4013
CHEM 404 and 404L
or CHEM 4164-5
CHEM 4992
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 1505
CHEM 201 & 2026
CHEM 201L &
202L4
CHEM
2503
CHEM 2753
Choice of 7 additional units from the following:
Units
CHEM 3513
CHEM
351L2
CHEM 3523
CHEM 3981-2
CHEM 3991-2
CHEM 4013
CHEM 4023
CHEM
4043
CHEM 404L1
CHEM
4052
CHEM
4165
CHEM 490 3
CHEM 4913
CHEM 4923
CHEM 4933
CHEM 4943
Total
Units28