Chemistry and Biochemistry
College of Science and Engineering
Dean: Keith Bowman
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
TH 806
Phone: 415-338-1288
Chair: Jane DeWitt
Graduate Coordinators: Andrew Ichimura, Bruce Manning
Faculty:
Professors: DeWitt, Erden, Esquerra, Gassner, Gerber, Manning, Palmer, Simonis, Trautman, Wu
Associate Professors: Amagata, Anderson, Baird, Guliaev, Ichimura, Komada
Assistant Professors: Billingsley, Eroy-Reveles, Kuhn
Research Associate Professor: Yen
Adjunct Professor: Runquist
Emeritus Professors: Aragón, Buttlaire, Keeffe, Luckey, Macher, Orenberg, Plachy
Programs
M.S. in Chemistry: Concentration in Biochemistry
Program Scope and Career Outlook
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers an outstanding educational environment for undergraduate and graduate students. Our mission is to educate, train, and produce versatile chemists and biochemists that understand both the theoretical basis and practical applications of their discipline. Department faculty provide quality instruction across a wide range of sub-disciplines. Our degree programs are designed to prepare students for various professional positions (i.e., biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, chemical manufacturing, and other laboratory-based industries), health professions (i.e., medical, pharmacy, and dental school), graduate study, and teaching positions.
Students receive significant hands-on experience with modern instrumentation in our relatively small-sized lab classes, and the opportunity to participate in research projects under the direct supervision of our faculty. The department houses a variety of state-of-the-art research instrumentation, laboratory facilities, and computational labs. These include a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) facility, a Mass Spectrometry (MS) facility, a Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) facility and the Computational Chemistry and Visualization (CCV) laboratory.
The Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry program is particularly well-suited for those students whose career goals involve the integration of chemistry with other fields. This program can be combined with another degree or minor to develop the unique synthesis of experience needed for careers in health professions, forensic science, environmental science, regulatory affairs, chemical engineering, patent law, management, sales, marketing, technical writing, scientific journalism, library science, and art restoration. This program also provides excellent preparation for high school science teachers. Students planning to become K-12 chemistry or science teachers should note that additional preparation beyond the major is required to meet the breadth requirements and should consult with the credential advisor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry to review the state-mandated requirements.
The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, which is approved by the American Chemical Society (ACS), prepares students 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 chemical sub-disciplines (analytical, biochemical, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry), and excellent hands-on training in laboratory and instrumental techniques.
The Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry is designed for students who wish to be particularly well qualified at the rapidly expanding interface between biology and chemistry. The degree includes extensive laboratory training, provides exceptional preparation for careers in biotechnology, and enjoys a favorable reputation among biotechnology companies in the Bay Area. This degree also provides a strong foundation for a graduate degree in biochemistry.
The Master of Science degree in Chemistry and the Master of Science degree in Chemistry with a concentration in Biochemistry are programs of study with research at the core. As the student focuses in depth on an independent scientific investigation, solid research and communication skills are developed. The goal of both M.S. degree programs is to provide students with a thorough grounding in laboratory and research skills, and in-depth training in their areas of specialization. Our M.S. program provides excellent training for (1) careers in all aspects of the chemical industry (biotechnology, environment, process and analytical, basic research); (2) science educators seeking to increase their skill and knowledge base; and (3) students whose goal is advanced study at the Ph.D. level. The M.S. in Chemistry program is approved by the ACS.
Significant features of our department include high-quality teaching, one-on-one advising for all of our majors, and opportunities for students to participate in research under the direct supervision of active faculty members who are recognized authorities in their field. Students interested in becoming involved in research should consult with an advisor and review faculty research interests on our department website (www.chembiochem.sfsu.edu). Examples of research projects currently under investigation by our faculty members and their research students include:
Analytical Chemistry: Identification and quantitation of organic pollutants via Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) and Direct Sampling Mass Spectrometry (DSMS). Application of X-Ray Fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) to the determination of toxic elements in foods, supplements, and other products. Development of novel analytical techniques for separation and detection of redox-sensitive trace species.
Biochemistry: Structural and functional characterization of acetyltransferases involved in protein modification, antibiotic resistance, cellular homeostasis, and metabolic flux. Active-site mechanism, structure, and engineering of enzymes relevant to human environmental toxicology using single-turnover stopped-flow absorbance and fluorescence spectroscopy, rapid-quench, electrochemical, calorimetric, and structural studies of enzyme active sites, protein-ligand, and protein-protein interactions. Characterization of enzymes involved in the nitric oxide and hydrogen sulfide cellular signaling pathways. Structural and functional studies of metalloproteins involved in redox reactions, oxygen activation, oxygen transport, and signal transduction. Computational studies of carcinogen modified bases to understand the role of structural features in human DNA repair and recognition, and on the effects of toxic metals on DNA repair efficiency. Protein structure-function relationships, particularly substrate specificity, catalysis and inhibition in serine proteases; engineering serine proteases to alter substrate specificity and protease-inhibitor interactions with implications for proteolytic drug development. Investigations of photosensitizers and their interactions with nitric oxide for their use in biomedical application. Investigations of biofluids to uncover markers for disease.
Biophysical Chemistry: Biophysical spectroscopic methods, including nanosecond time-resolved polarized absorption spectroscopy, to characterize biological function and examine the molecular basis of disease. Chromatin folding, dynamics and stability.
Chemical Education: Identify student experiences and instructional practices that promote student success in chemistry courses and persistence in STEM majors. Design experiences to engage students in applying course-based chemistry knowledge to address community questions and societal needs.
Environmental Chemistry: Detection of trace levels of volatile organic compounds and heavy metals in urban air, water, and soil samples. Determination of structures and speciation of metals and trace elements adsorbed on environmental surfaces by X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Modeling speciation, precipitation, and adsorption reactions of trace elements in environmental systems. Development and characterization of reactive metallic and mineral-based remediation materials for soil and water contaminants. Investigation of the composition and degradation of organic matter in marine systems through quantification and modeling of natural carbon isotopes.
Organic/Bioorganic Chemistry: Organic synthesis, chemistry of fulvenes, total synthesis of fulvenoid anticancer agents, singlet oxygen chemistry and organic peroxides. Molecular imaging, synthesis and biological evaluation of natural products, synthetic organometallic chemistry. Design, synthesis, and optimization of novel enzyme and channel inhibitors to treat human disease. Mechanisms of fundamental organic reactions by computational and experiemental approaches, design and synthesis of substrate analogs to elucidate the catalytic mechanisms of enzymes, new synthetic methods for heterocyclic molecules.
Materials and Inorganic Chemistry: Synthesis and characterization of semiconducting thin films with applications to solar cells, water splitting, water remediation and CO2 reduction. Growth and nucleation of crystalline TiO2 by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and in situ grazing incidence X-ray diffraction (GIXRD).
Natural Products Chemistry: Isolation and characterization of novel compounds from marine microorganisms from sediments, algae and sponges with anti-cancer, or anti-malarial properties.
Physical Chemistry: Synthesis and characterization of heteroatom substituted zeolites by XRD, solid state MAS-NMR, and optical spectroscopy, with applications to photocatalysis of carbon dioxide to fuels. Photophysics and electron spin resonance (ESR) investigation of thin films for applications in photovoltaics and photocatalysis.
Undergraduate Programs in Chemistry and Biochemistry
High school preparation for the chemistry and biochemistry degree programs should include two years of algebra, one year of geometry, one-half year of trigonometry, one year of chemistry, and one year of physics. Calculus is highly recommended.
Mandatory Advising All undergraduate chemistry and biochemistry majors are required to meet with a major advisor several times over their academic career. First-time freshmen and new transfer students are required to meet with an advisor or attend a group advising session during the first semester of attendance. Continuing students enrolled in CHEM 115, CHEM 335, CHEM 321, CHEM 300 and CHEM 351 will be required to meet with an advisor that semester to avoid having a hold placed on their registration for the next semester.
Complementary Studies:
Students in the BA chemistry program will satisfy the Complementary Studies Requirement with completion of courses in physics and mathematics that are required in the major.
Students who have earned AA-T or AS-T degrees and are pursuing a similar B.A. degree at SF State are required to fulfill the Complementary Studies requirement as defined by the major department. Students should consult with a major advisor about how transfer units and/or SF State units can best be applied to this requirement in order to ensure degree completion within 60 units.
General Education requirements met in the Chemistry major or Undeclared with Interest in Chemistry:
The requirements below are deemed “met in the major” upon completion of the courses listed (even though the courses and their prerequisites are not approved for GE). This is true whether or not the student completes the major. All other requirements must be completed as outlined in the General Education section of the Bulletin.
- Area B1 (Physical Science) is satisfied upon completion of CHEM 233.
- Area B3 (Laboratory Science) is satisfied upon completion of CHEM 234.
Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry
- All courses used in the major program must be completed with letter grades (CR/NC not allowed).
- Courses that are required for the major must be completed with a minimum grade point average of 2.0.
Chemistry (B.A.) — 56 units
Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.
Lower Division Requirements (31 units)
- CHEM 115 General Chemistry I: Essential Concepts of Chemistry (5)
-
CHEM 215/ General Chemistry II:
Quantitative Applications of Chemistry Concepts -
CHEM 216 General Chemistry II Laboratory:
Quantitative Applications of Chemistry Concepts (2) - CHEM 233/ Organic Chemistry I
- CHEM 234 Organic Chemistry I Laboratory (2)
- MATH 226 Calculus I (4)
- MATH 227 Calculus II (4)
One of the following sets:
and
or
and
- PHYS 240/ General Physics with Calculus III
- PHYS 242 General Physics with Calculus III Laboratory (1)
Upper Division Requirements (25 units)
- CHEM 300 General Physical Chemistry I 1
- CHEM 321 Quantitative Chemical Analysis
- CHEM 322 Quantitative Chemical Analysis Laboratory (2)
- CHEM 325 Inorganic Chemistry
- CHEM 335 Organic Chemistry II
- CHEM 336 Organic Chemistry II Laboratory 2 (2)
-
CHEM 340 Biochemistry I
or
CHEM 349 General Biochemistry - CHEM 390 GW Contemporary Chemistry and Biochemistry Research - GWAR
Advanced Laboratory Electives
Students must complete at least 3 units of advanced laboratory electives selected from the list below. Courses from community colleges can not be substituted for the courses on the list below. Consult with an advisor regarding selection of elective courses and check course co- and prerequisites before enrolling.
- CHEM 327 Practical GC and HPLC (4)
- CHEM 343 Biochemistry I Laboratory
- CHEM 370 Computer Applications in Chemistry and Biochemistry
- CHEM 420 Environmental Analysis
- CHEM 422 Instrumental Analysis (4)
- CHEM 426 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory (2)
- CHEM 451 Experimental Physical Chemistry (2)
- CHEM 470 Research
- CHEM 699 Independent Study 3 (1 - 3)
Note: A minimum of 40 upper division units must be completed for the degree (including upper division units required for the major, general education, electives, etc.). A student can complete this major yet not attain the necessary number of upper division units required for graduation. In this case additional upper division courses will be needed to reach the required total.
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry
- All courses used in the major program must be completed with letter grades (CR/NC not allowed).
- Courses that are required for the major must be completed with a minimum grade point average of 2.0.
Chemistry (B.S.) — 72 units
Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.
Lower Division Requirements (34 units)
- CHEM 115 General Chemistry I: Essential Concepts of Chemistry (5)
-
CHEM 215/ General Chemistry II:
Quantitative Applications of Chemistry Concepts -
CHEM 216 General Chemistry II Laboratory:
Quantitative Applications of Chemistry Concepts (2) - CHEM 233/ Organic Chemistry I
- CHEM 234 Organic Chemistry I Laboratory (2)
- CHEM 251 Mathematics and Physics for Chemistry
- MATH 226 Calculus I (4)
- MATH 227 Calculus II (4)
- PHYS 220/ General Physics with Calculus I
- PHYS 222 General Physics with Calculus I Laboratory (1)
- PHYS 230/ General Physics with Calculus II
- PHYS 232 General Physics with Calculus II Laboratory (1)
Upper Division Requirements (38 units)
- CHEM 321 Quantitative Chemical Analysis
- CHEM 322 Quantitative Chemical Analysis Laboratory (2)
- CHEM 325 Inorganic Chemistry
- CHEM 335 Organic Chemistry II
- CHEM 336 Organic Chemistry II Laboratory 2 (2)
- CHEM 340 Biochemistry I
- CHEM 351 Physical Chemistry I: Thermodynamics and Kinetics
- CHEM 353 Physical Chemistry II: Quantum Chemistry and Spectroscopy
- CHEM 390 GW Contemporary Chemistry and Biochemistry Research - GWAR
- CHEM 426 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory 4 (2)
- CHEM 451 Experimental Physical Chemistry 4 (2)
Upper Division Electives
A minimum of 9 units of electives must be selected from the following list of courses. Courses from community colleges can not be substituted for the courses on the list below.
- CHEM 327 Practical GC and HPLC (4)
- CHEM 341 Biochemistry II
- CHEM 343 Biochemistry I Laboratory 4
- CHEM 370 Computer Applications in Chemistry and Biochemistry
- CHEM 420 Environmental Analysis
- CHEM 422 Instrumental Analysis (4)
- CHEM 433 Advanced Organic Chemistry
- CHEM 443 Biophysical Chemistry Laboratory (4)
- CHEM 470 Research
- CHEM 640 Advanced Topics in Biochemistry (1 - 3)
- CHEM 645 Research Trends in Chemistry and Biochemistry
- CHEM 680 Chemical Oceanography
- CHEM 699 Independent Study 3 (1 - 3)
Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry
- All courses used in the major program must be completed with letter grades (CR/NC not allowed).
- Courses that are required for the major must be completed with a minimum grade point average of 2.0 and a grade of C- or better in CHEM 341 and CHEM 343.
General Education requirements met in the Biochemistry major or Undeclared with Interest in Biochemistry:
The requirements below are deemed “met in the major” upon completion of the courses listed (even though the courses and their prerequisites are not approved for GE). This is true whether or not the student completes the major. All other requirements must be completed as outlined in the General Education section of the Bulletin.
- Area B1 (Physical Science) is satisfied upon completion of CHEM 233.
- Area B2 (Life Science) is satisfied upon completion of either BIOL 240 or CHEM 341.
- Area B3 (Laboratory Science) is satisfied upon completion of CHEM 234.
Biochemistry (B.S.) — 72 units
Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.
Lower Division Requirements (36 units)
- CHEM 115 General Chemistry I: Essential Concepts of Chemistry (5)
-
CHEM 215/ General Chemistry II:
Quantitative Applications of Chemistry Concepts -
CHEM 216 General Chemistry II Laboratory:
Quantitative Applications of Chemistry Concepts (2) - CHEM 233/ Organic Chemistry I
- CHEM 234 Organic Chemistry I Laboratory (2)
- MATH 226 Calculus I (4)
- MATH 227 Calculus II (4)
- BIOL 230 Introductory Biology I (5)
One of the following sets:
and
or
and
- PHYS 240/ General Physics with Calculus III
- PHYS 242 General Physics with Calculus III Laboratory (1)
Upper Division Requirements (36 units)
- CHEM 300 General Physical Chemistry I 1
- CHEM 301 General Physical Chemistry II 1
- CHEM 321 Quantitative Chemical Analysis
- CHEM 335 Organic Chemistry II
- CHEM 340 Biochemistry I
- CHEM 341 Biochemistry II
- CHEM 343 Biochemistry I Laboratory
- CHEM 390 GW Contemporary Chemistry and Biochemistry Research - GWAR
Students must complete at least 12 units of upper division chemistry and biology electives selected from the lists below. Courses from community colleges can not be substituted for the courses on the list below. Electives must include at least one course with a CHEM prefix and at least three laboratory courses. Note that many biology electives have a BIOL 240 prerequisite. Students wishing to enroll in BIOL 350, BIOL 355, and BIOL 612 without completing the BIOL 240 prerequisite should contact an advisor prior to registration. Students should consult an advisor regarding selection of elective courses and check course co- and pre-requisites before enrolling. Graduate level courses in chemistry or appropriate courses in biology, physics, geosciences, and computer science may be substituted upon prior approval of advisor.
Upper Division Electives in Chemistry
- CHEM 322 Quantitative Chemical Analysis Laboratory (2)
- CHEM 325 Inorganic Chemistry
- CHEM 327 Practical GC and HPLC (4)
- CHEM 336 Organic Chemistry II Laboratory 2 (2)
- CHEM 370 Computer Applications in Chemistry and Biochemistry
- CHEM 420 Environmental Analysis
- CHEM 422 Instrumental Analysis (4)
- CHEM 426 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory (2)
- CHEM 433 Advanced Organic Chemistry
- CHEM 443 Biophysical Chemistry Laboratory (4)
- CHEM 451 Experimental Physical Chemistry (2)
- CHEM 470 Research
- CHEM 640 Advanced Topics in Biochemistry (1 - 3)
- CHEM 645 Research Trends in Chemistry and Biochemistry
- CHEM 680 Chemical Oceanography
- CHEM 699 Independent Study 3 (3)
Upper Division Electives in Biology
- BIOL 350 Cell Biology
- BIOL 351 GW Experiments in Cell and Molecular Biology - GWAR (4)
- BIOL 355 Genetics
- BIOL 357 Molecular Genetics
- BIOL 401 General Microbiology
- BIOL 402 GW General Microbiology Laboratory - GWAR (2)
- BIOL 420 General Virology
- BIOL 435 Immunology
- BIOL 436 Immunology Laboratory (2)
- BIOL 612 Human Physiology
- BIOL 613 GW Human Physiology Laboratory - GWAR
- BIOL 638 Bioinformatics and Gene Annotation (4)
- BIOL 640 Cellular Neurosciences
Minor Program in Chemistry
A minimum of 23 units of chemistry, including CHEM 115 and CHEM 215/CHEM 216, are required to qualify for a minor in chemistry. Ten of the 23 units must be upper division, with at least 6 of those units taken at SF State. Courses from community colleges can not be used to meet the upper division unit requirement for the minor.
All courses must be completed with grades of C- or better (CR/NC grading is not accepted). Only one course from each of the following pairs can be counted towards the minor: CHEM 130 or CHEM 233, CHEM 349 or CHEM 340. The following courses cannot be counted toward the minor: CHEM 100, CHEM 101, CHEM 102, CHEM 105, CHEM 107, CHEM 108, CHEM 109, CHEM 110, CHEM 361, and CHEM 599.
Graduate Programs in Chemistry and Biochemistry
Admission to Program
Students must meet these criteria:
- Satisfy the University’s admission requirements.
- Have completed an undergraduate major in chemistry or biochemistry. If this criterion is not met, the student may be admitted but additional course work will be required.
- Have a GPA of at least 3.0 in chemistry and related courses.
- Report GRE scores of the general (not subject) exams.
- Applicants are required to fill out the department application form. Department application procedures are described at www.chembiochem.sfsu.edu/graduate_app_proc.
- Submit three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with previous academic work and/or potential for graduate work in chemistry. These letters should be sent to the graduate advisor, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.
Written English Proficiency Requirement
Level One: Applicants are required to satisfy the entry-level written English proficiency requirement by a score of 4 or above on the GRE Analytical Writing section. Applicants who do not meet the GRE AWA score, but meet all other requirements, may be admitted on a conditional basis. The conditional status will be removed upon successful completion of a writing-based entrance exam. Admitted students who do not pass the writing-based entrance exam will take SCI 614 or an equivalent writing course by the end of the second semester.
Level Two: Students will demonstrate an advanced level of proficiency in written and spoken English by successfully completing CHEM 880, a thesis (CHEM 898) or written manuscript (CHEM 895), and an oral defense of the research project.
Advancement to Candidacy
In order to advance to candidacy, students must:
- Pass any three of the American Chemical Society (ACS) graduate entrance examinations: analytical, biochemistry, inorganic, organic, or physical chemistry. These examinations cover mainly undergraduate level material.
- Satisfy Level One of the written English proficiency requirement.
- Satisfy all course deficiencies stipulated upon entrance into the program.
- File an Advancement to Candidacy (ATC) form.
Note: 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 9 units of CHEM 897 may be included on the Advancement to Candidacy.
Master of Science in Chemistry
See general information for Graduate Programs in Chemistry and Biochemistry above.
Chemistry (M.S.) — minimum 30 units
Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.
Program (9 units)
One of the following courses selected on advisement of advisor:
Research Requirements (6 - 9 units)
Research project in organic, analytical, physical, environmental, inorganic or chemical education subdiscipline required.
- CHEM 897 Research (1 - 3)
Culminating Experience (3 units)
One of the following culminating experience courses selected with prior consultation with culminating experience committee:
and Oral Defense of Culminating Experience
Related Study (9 - 12 units)
Graduate courses in biochemistry, chemistry, physics, mathematics or biology on advisement of graduate major advisor. Upper division courses may be used with permission of graduate major advisor.
Master of Science in Chemistry: Concentration in Biochemistry
See general information for Graduate Programs in Chemistry and Biochemistry above.
Chemistry (M.S.): Concentration Biochemistry — minimum 30 units
Courses are 3 units unless otherwise indicated.
Program (9 units)
One of the following courses selected on advisement of advisor:
Research Requirements (6 - 9 units)
Research project in biochemistry, bioorganic, bioanalytical, biophysical, bioinorganic, biomedical or biochemical education subdiscipline required.
- CHEM 897 Research (1 - 3)
Culminating Experience (3 units)
One of the following culminating experience courses selected with prior consultation with culminating experience committee:
and Oral Defense of Culminating Experience
Related Study (9 - 12 units)
Graduate courses in biochemistry, chemistry, physics, mathematics or biology on advisement of graduate major advisor. Upper division courses may be used with permission of graduate major advisor.
Footnotes
- CHEM 351 may be substituted for CHEM 300 and CHEM 353 may be substituted for CHEM 301 if prerequisites for CHEM 351 and CHEM 353 are met.
- CHEM 338 may be substituted for CHEM 336.
- By petition only. CHEM 699 and CHEM 470 may not both be used to fulfill the elective requirements.
- Students may substitute CHEM 343 for CHEM 426 or CHEM 451 upon prior approval of advisor. If CHEM 343 is used as a substitute, it can not also be used as an elective.
