Ucsd chem major requirements

The Chemistry major provides a broad introduction for the biochemistry, organic, physical, or inorganic student as well as those who prefer not to specialize. This major will enable a student to pursue further studies in chemistry or in related fields of science, medicine, or engineering. Click here to read more about the Learning Objectives for the 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 CHEM 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 see our FAQ page.

Upper-Division Requirements

The following courses must be taken for a letter grade:

1. Physical Chemistry (CHEM 130, 131 & 132)
2. Inorganic Chemistry (CHEM 120A & B)
3. Biochemical Structure and Function (CHEM 114A)
4. Required Laboratory Courses (must take all 3):
   1. Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM100A)
   2. Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (CHEM143B)
   3. Physical Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM105A)
   • Instrumental Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 100B)
   • Advanced Physical Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 105B)
   • Protein Biochemistry Laboratory (CHEM 108)
   • Recombinant DNA Laboratory (CHEM 109)
   • Advanced Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 123)
     • Please note that this lab is reserved primarily for our Molecular Synthesis students. If there are any seats left after those students enroll, we can offer them to our other majors. Students who are interested are encouraged to contact us during enrollment but also to plan a back-up lab as there are often no seats available.
     1. These electives are defined as a four-unit (minimum) upper division undergraduate course (numbered 100-191) offered by the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and taken for a letter grade. 4 units of non-letter graded courses such as CHEM 199, may be petitioned to fulfill 1 Elective.
        NOTE: Neither CHEM 126A nor 126B are allowed to fulfill an elective for CH25 majors. You will not receive credit for CHEM 126A or 126B once you have completed the CHEM 130 series.

     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

       It is the students' responsibility to read and understand all policies listed here.

       Example Academic Plan

       • 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.
       • Elective labs chosen from CHEM 100B, 105B, 108, 109, 123, 143C or 143D. Units vary by lab chosen.
       • It is unlikely to obtain a seat in CHEM 123, as we reserve seats in this course for Molecular Synthesis graduating seniors. Please have a back-up lab elective planned, but get in contact with Student Affairs before enrollment if you are interested.
       • The quarter in which a course is offered is subject to change based on space and instructor availability. Please check our course offerings page 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.

       FALL

       WINTER

       SPRING

       Major Requirements for FA23 and Earlier Admits

       All courses must be taken for 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 CHEM 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 see our FAQ page.

       Upper-Division Requirements

       1. Physical Chemistry (CHEM 130, 131 & 132)
       2. Inorganic Chemistry (CHEM 120A & B)
       3. Biochemical Structure and Function (CHEM 114A)
       4. Required Laboratory Courses (must take all 3):
          1. Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM100A)
          2. Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (CHEM143B)
          3. Physical Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM105A)
          • Instrumental Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 100B)
          • Advanced Physical Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 105B)
          • Protein Biochemistry Laboratory (CHEM 108)
          • Recombinant DNA Laboratory (CHEM 109)
          • Advanced Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 123)
            • Please note that this lab is reserved primarily for our Molecular Synthesis students. If there are any seats left after those students enroll, we can offer them to our other majors. Students who are interested are encouraged to contact us during enrollment but also to plan a back-up lab as there are often no seats available.
            1. These electives are defined as a four-unit (minimum) upper division undergraduate course (numbered 100-191) offered by the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and taken for a letter grade. 4 units of non-letter graded courses such as CHEM 199, may be petitioned to fulfill 1 Elective.
               NOTE: Neither CHEM 126A nor 126B are allowed to fulfill an elective for CH25 majors. You will not receive credit for CHEM 126A or 126B once you have completed the CHEM 130 series.

            Sample Academic Plan for the CH25 Major

            FALL

            WINTER

            SPRING

            Majors & Minor

            • Chemistry Minor
            • Chemistry
            • Environmental Chemistry
            • Pharmacological Chemistry
            • Molecular Synthesis
            • Biochemistry
            • Academic Honors

            

            
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