Undergraduate Adviser: J. Krevor
Graduate Coordinator: J. R. Keeffe
Associate Professor—Trautman
Assistant Professors—Gronert, Simonis
Adjunct Professors—Banin, Dreyer, Roitman
B.S. in Biochemistry
B.S. in Chemistry
Minor in Chemistry
M.S. in Chemistry
M.S. in Chemistry: Concentration in Biochemistry
The Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry is particularly well-suited for those students whose career goals involve the integration of chemistry with other fields. This program provides excellent preparation for pre-medical students and high college science teachers, as well as those who will pursue further studies in the pharmaceutical sciences, veterinary medicine, and dentistry. Additionally, the B.A. in Chemistry may be combined with a minor in engineering, business, social sciences, the humanities, or the arts to provide the student with a unique synthesis of experience applicable to careers in patent law, management, sales, marketing, chemical engineering, regulatory affairs, technical writing, scientific journalism, library science, environmental protection, and art restoration.
The Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry is designed for those students who wish to be particularly well qualified in the rapidly expanding fields between biology and chemistry. This strong laboratory training program provides exceptional preparation for careers in biotechnology and enjoys a favorable reputation among biotechnology companies in the Bay Area. This degree provides a strong foundation for a graduate degree in biochemistry, and it is an excellent degree choice for entry into medical or dental college.
The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, which is approved by the American Chemical Society, prepares the student to pursue a career in chemically-oriented industry or to begin graduate study in chemistry and other molecular sciences. The degree provides a solid foundation in mathematics and physics, breadth in traditional chemical subdisciplines (analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry), and depth in one or more areas of chemistry. This program provides excellent training in instrumental analysis and emphasizes quantitative and analytical aspects of the discipline.
The Master of Science in Chemistry, which has been approved by the American Chemical Society, is designed as a balanced program in analytical, inorganic, organic, physical, and biochemistry. The department also offers the Master of Science in Chemistry with a Concentration in Biochemistry for students who want to specialize in the biochemical aspects of chemistry. The American Chemical Society placement examinations, while not greatly influencing the graduate status of the student, will determine where individual weaknesses exist so that corrective emphasis may be applied. The department also offers a cooperative M.S./Ph.D. program with the University of California, Davis and the University of California, San Francisco for defined minority students and women from all ethnic groups (contact the department chair for further information). Work leading to the master's degree should provide for the best possible balance between theoretical course work and research. A student completing the program should be prepared to pursue a career in the field of chemical research and development at the technical level, teaching, or have the necessary foundation to continue studies toward the doctorate.
The department provides high-quality teaching, close personal advising, and exciting opportunities for students to participate in faculty-supervised research. The department has been commended by the Committee on Professional Training of the American Chemical Society for the excellence of its undergraduate program. Chemistry and Biochemistry faculty members are actively involved in research, and many undergraduate students work on research projects during their senior year, working closely with their faculty research adviser. Examples of research projects currently under investigation by our faculty members and their research students include: physical studies of dynamic properties of macromolecules (natural and synthetic) in solution, including nucleic acids and proteins; synthesis of enzyme inhibitors that are potential drugs and investigation of enzyme-inhibitor interactions by kinetic and spectroscopic techniques; studies of the chemistry of singlet oxygen; molecular mechanism of muscular contraction; small ring chemistry; biochemical studies of bacterial heat shock proteins; synthesis and solution structure analysis of organic di-lithium salts; biochemical mechanisms of nutrient transport across cellular membranes; computation studies of transition state and electron density distributions using ab initio techniques; role of complex carbohydrate molecules on the surface of human cells in cancer and normal development of specialized cells; study of the active sites on heterogeneous catalysts and in biological molecules that assist in oxidation of alkanes; diffusion and solubility of molecular oxygen in biomembranes and in other tissue; spin label studies of skin; and composition and structure of Martian soil with implications regarding possible primitive exobiological processes.
Students obtain extensive hands-on experience with a wide-spectrum of laboratory techniques and modern instruments. These include, for example, excellent nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometers, which are used to study molecular structure and dynamics, as well as numerous modern biochemical instruments used to study biological molecules, including proteins and nucleic acids. Computers are used extensively in chemistry classes, and the department's modern facilities include a computational chemistry and visualization laboratory. This laboratory houses state-of-the-art computer workstations with 3D graphics capabilities and enables us to teach molecular modeling applications and computational chemistry in inorganic chemistry, physical chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry undergraduate lecture and laboratory courses. The advanced capabilities of this computer laboratory places the department at the forefront in the use of innovative methods to teach chemistry to undergraduate students.
UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS IN CHEMISTRY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
It is suggested that students plan the program of courses in the major with the help of the adviser in order that the correct sequence of courses be taken. Otherwise, unnecessary delays may occur in the completion of the program. It is also suggested that students in these programs consult with the adviser before selecting courses to meet General Education requirements. Students who are considering teaching chemistry should see a credential adviser in the Chemistry Department before planning the major. Specific courses and a competency assessment are required for admission to the credential program.
All courses used in the major program except CHEM 694 must be completed with letter grades. CR/NC may be used only for CHEM 694.
BACHELOR OF ARTS IN CHEMISTRY
See above for general information for undergraduate programs in Chemistry.
Courses for this program are listed in alphabetical sequence (see Chemistry discipline in the "Announcement of Courses" section).
Units CHEM 111 General Chemistry I 5 CHEM 113/114 General Chemistry II and Laboratory (3-2) 5 One of the following sets: 8-12 PHYS 111/112 General Physics I (3-1) and PHYS 121/122 General Physics II (3-1) or PHYS 220/222 General Physics with Calculus I and Laboratory (3-1) and PHYS 230/232 General Physics with Calculus II and Laboratory (3-1) and PHYS 240/242 General Physics with Calculus III and Laboratory (3-1) MATH 220/221 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I/II (3 each) 6 Total lower division requirements 24-28
CHEM 300 General Physical Chemistry I 2 CHEM 301 General Physical Chemistry II 2 CHEM 320 Modern Methods of Quantitative Chemical Analysis 4 CHEM 333 Organic Chemistry I 3 CHEM 334 Organic Chemistry I Laboratory 2 CHEM 335 Organic Chemistry II 3 CHEM 336 Organic Chemistry II Laboratory 3 [CHEM 338 may be substituted for CHEM 336] CHEM 452 Integrated Laboratory I 4 Upper division chemistry electives, including one of the following: 4 CHEM 343 Biochemistry I Laboratory CHEM 348 Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory (2) CHEM 432 Advanced Organic Laboratory (4) CHEM 453 Integrated Laboratory II CHEM 470 Research Total upper division requirements 27 Total for major 51-55
Students are required to complete 130 units to meet the requirements for the B.S. in Chemistry.
Courses for this program are listed in alphabetical sequence (see Chemistry discipline in the "Announcement of Courses" section).
Units CHEM 111 General Chemistry I 5 CHEM 113/114 General Chemistry II and Laboratory (3-2) 5 MATH 220/223 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I-IV (3 each) 12 PHYS 220/222 General Physics with Calculus I and Laboratory (3-1) 4 PHYS 230/232 General Physics with Calculus II and Laboratory (3-1) 4 PHYS 240/242 General Physics with Calculus III and Laboratory (3-1) 4 Total lower division requirements 34
CHEM 320 Modern Methods of Quantitative Chemical Analysis 4 CHEM 333 Organic Chemistry I 3 CHEM 334 Organic Chemistry I Laboratory 2 CHEM 335 Organic Chemistry II 3 CHEM 336 Organic Chemistry II Laboratory 3 [CHEM 338 may be substituted for CHEM 336] CHEM 351 Physical Chemistry I 3 CHEM 353 Physical Chemistry II 3 CHEM 425 Inorganic Chemistry 3 CHEM 452 Integrated Laboratory I 4 CHEM 453 Integrated Laboratory II 3 Electives, including at least two units of laboratory, on advisement from the following list (other upper division and graduate courses that have a physical chemistry prerequisite can also be elected, with consent of an adviser): 8 CHEM 340 Biochemistry I CHEM 341 Biochemistry II CHEM 343 Biochemistry I Laboratory CHEM 347 Clinical Biochemistry (2) CHEM 348 Clinical Biochemistry Laboratory (2) CHEM 423 Chemical Instrumentation CHEM 432 Advanced Organic Laboratory (4) CHEM 433 Advanced Organic Chemistry CHEM 470 Research (May be repeated once for a maximum of six units--Strongly recommended for students preparing for graduate college and professional positions) CHEM 694 Cooperative Education in Chemistry (1) [maximum of two units with approval] CHEM 825 Theoretical Inorganic Chemistry CHEM 831 Theoretical Organic Chemistry CHEM 834 Organic Spectroscopic Methods CHEM 841 Enzymology CHEM 850 Valency and Spectroscopy PHYS 320 Modern Physics I PHYS 321 Modern Physics Laboratory (1) Total upper division requirements 39 Total for major 73
Department advisers should be consulted about strengthening professional aspects of this degree. Research (CHEM 470) is strongly recommended for students preparing for graduate college and professional positions.
PHYS 220, 222, 230, 232, 240, and 242 may be substituted for PHYS 111 and 121. CHEM 351 and 353 may be substituted for CHEM 300 and 301.
Courses for this program are listed in alphabetical sequence (see Chemistry discipline in the "Announcement of Courses" section).
Units CHEM 111 General Chemistry I 5 CHEM 113/114 General Chemistry II and Laboratory (3-2) 5 PHYS 111/112 General Physics I (3-1) 4 PHYS 121/122 General Physics II (3-1) 4 MATH 220/222 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I-III (3 each) 9 BIOL 230 Introductory Biology I 5 Total lower division requirements 32
CHEM 300 General Physical Chemistry I 2 CHEM 301 General Physical Chemistry II 2 CHEM 320 Modern Methods of Quantitative Chemical Analysis 4 CHEM 333 Organic Chemistry I 3 CHEM 334 Organic Chemistry I Laboratory 2 CHEM 335 Organic Chemistry II 3 CHEM 336 Organic Chemistry II Laboratory 3 [CHEM 338 may be substituted for CHEM 336] CHEM 340 Biochemistry I 3 CHEM 341 Biochemistry II 3 CHEM 343 Biochemistry I Laboratory 3 CHEM 452 Integrated Laboratory I 4 Total upper division requirements 32 Biochemistry or Biology Option (see below) 8-10 Total for major 72-74
Electives from the following (must include at least two units of laboratory course work): 8 CHEM 347 Clinical Biochemistry (2) CHEM 470 Research (Biochemistry related research with prior consent of Biochemistry adviser) CHEM 640 Advanced Topics in Biochemistry (1-3) [may be repeated for a maximum of four units for different topics] CHEM 694 Cooperative Education in Chemistry (1) [maximum of two units with approval; biochemistry related research with prior consent of Biochemistry adviser] CHEM 699 Special Study in Chemistry (1) [maximum of one unit with approval; biochemistry related research with prior consent of Biochemistry adviser]
BIOL 240 Introductory Biology II 5 Electives from the following: 3-5 BIOL 350 Cell Biology BIOL 351 Experiments in Cell Biology and Genetics (4) BIOL 355 Genetics BIOL 401 General Microbiology BIOL 402 General Microbiology Laboratory (2) BIOL 525 Plant Physiology BIOL 526 Plant Physiology Laboratory (2) BIOL 612 Human Physiology BIOL 613 Human Physiology Laboratory (2)
GRADUATE PROGRAMS IN CHEMISTRY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
Courses for this program are listed in alphabetical sequence (see Chemistry discipline in the "Announcement of Courses" section).
Units CHEM 834 Organic Spectroscopic Methods 3 One of the following courses selected on advisement of graduate major adviser: 3 CHEM 850 Valency and Spectroscopy CHEM 851 Biochemical Spectroscopy CHEM 880 Seminar 3 Other Requirements CHEM 897 Research 6 (After initiating a research project, a graduate student must enroll each semester in CHEM 897 while actively engaged in research for the M.S. degree. A maximum of six units of CHEM 897 may be included on the Graduate Approved Program.) CHEM 898 Master's Thesis 3 Related Study Upper division or graduate courses in chemistry, physics, mathematics, or biology on advisement of graduate major adviser 12 Minimum total 30 and Oral Defense of Thesis
Courses for this program are listed in alphabetical sequence (see Chemistry discipline in the "Announcement of Courses" section).
Units CHEM 834 Organic Spectroscopic Methods 3 One of the following courses selected on advisement of graduate major adviser: 3 CHEM 850 Valency and Spectroscopy CHEM 851 Biochemical Spectroscopy CHEM 880 Seminar 3 Other Requirements Courses in biochemistry selected from the following: 6 CHEM 841 Enzymology CHEM 843 Membrane Biochemistry CHEM 844 Bioinorganic Chemistry CHEM 845 Glycoconjugate Biochemistry Upper division or graduate courses in chemistry, physics, mathematics, or biology on advisement of graduate major adviser. (May include courses listed above which have not been taken to satisfy either the core requirement or the six-unit biochemistry requirement.) 6 CHEM 897 Research 6 (After initiating a research project, a graduate student must enroll each semester in CHEM 897 while actively engaged in research for the M.S. degree. A maximum of six units of CHEM 897 may be included on the Graduate Approved Program.) CHEM 898 Master's Thesis 3 Minimum total 30 and Oral Defense of Thesis
last modified June 1, 1995