Chemistry (CHEM)
See Course Description Symbols and Terms for an explanation of course description terminology and symbols, the course numbering system, and course credit units.
CHEM 100 Chemistry and Current Issues 3 Units GE
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
Designed for non-science majors, this course will introduces students to some of the fundamental concepts of chemistry and illustrates how they apply to important contemporary issues, including nuclear power, water purification, alternative energy, climate change, and foods and drugs. 2 hours activity, 2 hours lecture. (001819)
General Education: Laboratory Activity (B3); Physical Science (B1)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Lower Division
CHEM 107 General Chemistry for Applied Sciences 4 Units GE
Prerequisite: GE Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning Ready, Intermediate Algebra.
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
A survey of the principles of chemistry, primarily for students in agriculture, industry and technology, and pre-nursing. 3 hours laboratory, 3 hours lecture. (001826)
General Education: Laboratory Activity (B3); Physical Science (B1)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 4 units
Course Attributes: Lower Division
CHEM 108 Organic Chemistry for Applied Sciences 4 Units GE
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
A survey of organic chemistry emphasizing the structure, properties, and reactions of all major functional groups of organic molecules. Not applicable towards a degree in chemistry or biochemistry. 3 hours laboratory, 3 hours lecture. (001828)
General Education: Laboratory Activity (B3); Physical Science (B1)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 4 units
Course Attributes: Lower Division
CHEM 111 General Chemistry I 4 Units GE
Prerequisite: GE Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning Ready; second-year high school algebra; one year high school chemistry. (One year of high school physics and one year of high school mathematics past Algebra II are recommended.)
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
Principles of chemistry for students in science and engineering programs. Topics include atoms, molecules and ions, reactions, stoichiometry, the periodic table, bonding, chemical energy, gases, and solution chemistry. The laboratory sequence supports the above topics including both qualitative and quantitative experiments, analysis of data, and error propagation. 3 hours laboratory, 3 hours lecture. (001816)
General Education: Laboratory Activity (B3); Physical Science (B1)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 4 units
Course Attributes: Lower Division
CHEM 111X General Chemistry Fundamentals 1 Unit
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
Designed to give students a fundamental knowledge of chemistry to supplement prior chemistry knowledge in preparation for or in conjunction with CHEM 111. Provides students with the opportunity for additional assistance in developing chemistry knowledge and problem-solving abilities. 2 hours activity. (001830)
Grade Basis: Credit/No Credit
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 2 units
Course Attributes: Lower Division
CHEM 112 General Chemistry II 4 Units
Prerequisite: CHEM 111 with a grade of C- or higher.
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
A continuation of CHEM 111. Topics include kinetics, equilibrium, acid-base chemistry, electrochemistry, chemical thermodynamics, coordination chemistry, and nuclear chemistry. The laboratory sequence supports the above topics including both qualitative and quantitative experiments, analysis of data, and error propagation. 3 hours laboratory, 3 hours lecture. (001817)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 4 units
Course Attributes: Lower Division
CHEM 189 Internship in Chemistry 1-3 Units
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
9 hours supervision. (001844)
Grade Basis: Credit/No Credit
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 15 units
Course Attributes: Lower Division
CHEM 198 Special Topics 1-3 Units
Prerequisite: Department permission.
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
This course is for special topics offered for 1.0-3.0 units. Typically the topic is offered on a one-time-only basis and may vary from term to term and be different for different sections. See the Class Schedule for the specific topic being offered. 3 hours lecture. (001846)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course more than once
Course Attributes: Lower Division
CHEM 270 Organic Chemistry I 4 Units
Prerequisite: CHEM 112.
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
A study of the fundamental principles of organic chemistry: the chemistry of carbon compounds. Lecture topics include structure, bonding, nomenclature, physical properties of organic compounds, stereochemistry, basic spectroscopy, and basic chemical reactions and their mechanisms. Laboratory topics include the discussion and application of organic laboratory techniques, reactions, and an introduction to organic synthesis. 3 hours laboratory, 3 hours lecture. (001840)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 4 units
Course Attributes: Lower Division
CHEM 320 Quantitative Analysis 4 Units
Prerequisite: CHEM 112 with a grade of C- or higher.
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
Precision and accuracy in measurements, interpretation of data by statistical analysis, and development of good quantitative techniques. Analysis by gravimetry, titrimetry, potentiometry, chromatography, and spectrometry. 2 hours discussion, 6 hours laboratory. (001847)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 4 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division
CHEM 331 Physical Chemistry I 3 Units
Typically Offered: Fall only
Overview of fundamental principles of time-independent quantum mechanics and spectroscopy, statistical thermodynamics, and chemical kinetics. 3 hours discussion. (001882)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division
CHEM 332 Physical Chemistry II 3 Units
Prerequisite: CHEM 331 with a grade C- or higher.
Typically Offered: Spring only
In-depth exploration of quantum mechanics and spectroscopy, classical thermodynamics, and chemical and phase equilibria. 3 hours discussion. (001883)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division
CHEM 350 Introductory Biochemistry 3 Units
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
A survey of biochemistry, principally for nutrition and exercise physiology majors. 3 hours lecture. (001849)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division
CHEM 350L Introductory Biochemistry Laboratory 1 Unit
Prerequisite: CHEM 350 (may be taken concurrently).
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
Fundamental laboratory studies and examination of the major classes of biological compounds. Principally for agriculture, child development, and nursing students. Normally not open to chemistry or biological sciences majors. 3 hours laboratory. (001850)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 1 unit
Course Attributes: Upper Division
CHEM 361 Inorganic Chemistry 3 Units
Typically Offered: Spring only
Emphasis on description and theory of inorganic substances: atomic structure; ionic and covalent bonding; acid-base concepts of inorganic substances; structure, bonding, thermodynamics, and reaction mechanisms of transition metal complexes; organometallic chemistry and catalysis; and bioinorganic chemistry. 3 hours lecture. (001887)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division
CHEM 370 Organic Chemistry II 3 Units
Prerequisite: CHEM 270 with a grade of C- or higher.
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
A continuation of CHEM 270. Topics include properties and reactions of ethers, conjugated systems, aromatic compounds, aldehydes and ketones, amines, carboxylic acids and derivatives, and biologically relevant molecules. 3 hours lecture. (001852)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division
CHEM 370L Organic Chemistry Laboratory 1 Unit
Prerequisite: CHEM 370 (may be taken concurrently).
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
Laboratory continuation of CHEM 270. Laboratory experiments in organic chemistry focused on topics discussed in CHEM 370. Not applicable towards a degree in chemistry or biochemistry. 3 hours laboratory. (001856)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 1 unit
Course Attributes: Upper Division
CHEM 370M Organic Chemistry Laboratory 2 Units
Prerequisite: CHEM 370 (may be taken concurrently).
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
An in-depth laboratory experience in organic chemistry for chemistry and biochemistry majors. Students are introduced to and become competent in modern laboratory techniques, including handling air-sensitive reagents and column chromatography. Students also get hands-on experience with advanced instrumentation. Completes the two-semester organic lab sequence for chemistry majors. 6 hours laboratory. (001853)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 2 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division
CHEM 381 Integrated Chemistry Laboratory I 2 Units
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
Integrated application of concepts and techniques in analytical, inorganic, and physical chemistry with supervised studies in individual literature searches, including the use of Chemical Abstracts, Patent Indexes, and other reference compilations. 6 hours laboratory. (001885)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 2 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division
CHEM 382 Integrated Chemistry Laboratory II 2 Units
Typically Offered: Fall only
A continuation of CHEM 381. 6 hours laboratory. (001886)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 2 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division
CHEM 389 Internship in Chemistry 1-3 Units
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
9 hours supervision. (001865)
Grade Basis: Credit/No Credit
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 15 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division
CHEM 398 Special Topics 1-3 Units
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
This course is for special topics offered for 1.0-3.0 units. Typically the topic is offered on a one-time-only basis and may vary from term to term and be different for different sections. See the Class Schedule for the specific topic being offered. 0 hours lecture. (001872)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course more than once
Course Attributes: Upper Division
CHEM 399 Special Problems 1-3 Units
Prerequisite: CHEM 112, faculty permission.
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
This course is an independent study of special problems and is offered for 1.0-3.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. 9 hours supervision. (001873)
Grade Basis: Credit/No Credit
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 6 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division
CHEM 401W Communicating Chemistry (W) 3 Units W, GW
Prerequisite: GE Written Communication (A2) requirement, CHEM 320, CHEM 370; either CHEM 331, CHEM 361, or CHEM 451.
Typically Offered: Fall only
This course helps students improve their skills in written communication and oral communication of chemical and biochemical information. The course centers on one particular topic within chemistry and biochemistry (chosen by the instructor) and students are asked to prepare short papers, long papers, and oral presentations focused on that topic. 2 hours activity, 2 hours discussion. (021609)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division; Writing Course; Graduation Writing Assessment
CHEM 420 Instrumental Analysis 3 Units
Prerequisite: CHEM 332.
Typically Offered: Fall only
Theory and procedures used in separations and instrumental analysis. Emphasis on rational design of instrumental conditions based on experiment goals. Topics include atomic and molecular spectroscopies, separation methods, and electroanalytical chemistry. 3 hours discussion. (001892)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division
CHEM 451 Biochemistry I 3 Units
Prerequisite: CHEM 370 with a grade of C- or higher.
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
A general study of the chemistry of biomolecules. Conformation and function of enzymes and other proteins; metabolism, energy generation, and storage; brief discussion of important physiological processes. 3 hours lecture. (001900)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division
CHEM 452 Biochemistry II 3 Units
Prerequisite: CHEM 451.
Typically Offered: Spring only
Advanced topics in biochemistry. Biosynthesis of lipids, steroids, amino acids, and nucleotides. Comprehensive study of the chemical role of DNA and RNA in replication, transcription, protein synthesis, and viral activity. 3 hours discussion. (001901)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division
CHEM 453L Biochemistry Laboratory 1 Unit
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
Separation, identification, and/or analysis of biological materials by modern procedures, such as spectrophotometry, chromatography (gas, TLC, column, ion exchange), electrophoresis, enzymology, fluorimetry, and high-speed centrifugation. Fulfills laboratory requirement for certain biological science majors. Does not fulfill requirement for biochemistry major. 3 hours laboratory. (021067)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 1 unit
Course Attributes: Upper Division
CHEM 453MW Biochemistry Laboratory (W) 3 Units W
Prerequisite: CHEM 370M.
Corequisites: CHEM 451.
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
Separation, identification, and/or analysis of biological materials by modern procedures, such as spectrophotometry, chromatography (gas, TLC, column, ion exchange), electrophoresis, enzymology, fluorimetry, and high-speed centrifugation. This course fulfills laboratory requirements for biochemistry majors. 1 hour discussion, 6 hours laboratory. (021068)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 3 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division; Writing Course
CHEM 477 Seminar in Organic Spectroscopy 1 Unit
Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in or prior completion of CHEM 370.
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
A course whose objectives is to help students become experts at the structural determination of organic compounds using modern spectroscopic methods, including IR, UV-Vis, mass spectra, and 1D and 2D NMR techniques. 1 hour seminar. (001905)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 1 unit
Course Attributes: Upper Division
CHEM 483W Integrated Chemistry Laboratory III (W) 2 Units W
Typically Offered: Spring only
A continuation of CHEM 382, with a specific emphasis on independent experimental design and use of instruments. Students design, carry out, and orally present their findings for 2-3 major projects. 6 hours laboratory. (001889)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 2 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division; Writing Course
CHEM 489 Internship in Chemistry 1-3 Units
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
9 hours supervision. (001923)
Grade Basis: Credit/No Credit
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 15 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division
CHEM 490 Research in Chemistry 1-2 Units
Prerequisite: Faculty permission.
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
This course is an independent study. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. Original laboratory or library investigation under individual faculty supervision. 6 hours supervision. (001875)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 4 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division
CHEM 491 Research Project 3 Units
Prerequisite: Open by invitation to chemistry majors with a GPA of 3.0 or higher; faculty permission.
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
A research project within chemistry or an interdisciplinary project which involves chemistry. Students will be involved with design, library, laboratory, and data analysis aspects of a research problem. 9 hours supervision. (001921)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 6 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division
CHEM 498 Special Topics 1-3 Units
Prerequisite: Department permission.
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
This course is for special topics offered for 1.0-3.0 units. Typically the topic is offered on a one-time-only basis and may vary from term to term and be different for different sections. See the Class Schedule for the specific topic being offered. 3 hours lecture. (001925)
Grade Basis: Graded
Repeatability: You may take this course more than once
Course Attributes: Upper Division
CHEM 499 Special Problems 1-3 Units
Prerequisite: Faculty permission.
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
This course is an independent study of special problems offered for 1.0-3.0 units. You must register directly with a supervising faculty member. 3 hours supervision. (001926)
Grade Basis: Credit/No Credit
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 6 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division
CHEM 499HW Honors Research Project (W) 3 Units W, GW
Prerequisite: GE Written Communication (A2) requirement, senior standing, faculty permission.
Typically Offered: Fall and spring
Open by invitation to chemistry or biochemistry majors who have a GPA of 3.5 or higher. Not open to students who have credit for CHEM 491. This is an "Honors in the Major" course. 9 hours supervision. (001927)
Grade Basis: ABC/No Credit
Repeatability: You may take this course for a maximum of 6 units
Course Attributes: Upper Division; Writing Course; Graduation Writing Assessment