Chemical Sciences, Biological Chemistry Emphasis, B.S.

Requirements for the Chemical Sciences Major (CHEM)

Chemical Sciences Requirements (80-91 units): To receive the B.S. in Chemical Sciences students must adhere to all UC Merced and School of Natural Sciences General Education and Courses Required Outside of Natural Sciences and Engineering. The Chemical Sciences major consists of 25-27 courses (12 lower division and 13-15 upper division, depending on emphasis track) designed to give all students a common foundation of core knowledge specific to the discipline.

Emphasis Track [6-17 units]

Details on the Emphasis Track are given below.

• Biological Chemistry Emphasis 
• Chemistry Emphasis 
• Environmental Chemistry Emphasis 
• Materials Chemistry Emphasis 

Biological Chemistry Emphasis Requirements

• BIO 102: Advanced Biochemistry and Molecular Biology [4 units] or
• CHEM 122: Advanced Biochemistry and Molecular Biology [4 units]

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• Two other upper division biology courses [7-8 units]

Transfer Students

To be admitted to the Chemical Sciences major transfer students must meet the following requirements:

Applicants will, at the time of admission have completed at minimum each of the following courses (or their equivalent) with a “C-” or better:

• CHEM 002: General Chemistry I [4 units]
• CHEM 010: General Chemistry II [4 units]
• MATH 021: Calculus I for Physical Sciences and Engineering [4 units]
• MATH 022: Calculus II for Physical Sciences and Engineering [4 units]
• PHYS 008: Introductory Physics I for Physical Sciences [4 units]
• PHYS 009: Introductory Physics II for Physical Sciences [4 units]

Chemical Sciences Program Learning Outcomes

1. Fundamental knowledge and skills: Students are able to describe the major concepts and theoretical principles in chemistry. They can identify the central ideas underlying the principal subfields of chemistry— analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry—as well as the broader interdisciplinary subfields of biological, environmental and materials chemistry. Students are able to operate modern chemical instrumentation, perform chemical syntheses and carry out other essential chemical experiments with strict adherence to sound laboratory techniques as well as good safety and hygiene practices. They know how to use modern web-based methods to effectively search the scientific literature.
2. Scientific methodology: Students have developed the ability to integrate the aforementioned fundamental knowledge and skills into scientific inquiries. They can formulate well-defined and quantitative questions, develop testable hypotheses, design and execute experiments, analyze and interpret the results and reach appropriate conclusions. They are also able to critically analyze the work of other scientists and assess its correctness, importance, and relevance.
3. Communication and teamwork skills: Students are able to write organized and concise reports and present technical information using electronic media, posters and oral presentations. They have developed the communication and teamwork skills that allow them to work effectively both as leaders and as team members in a group.
4. Citizenship, ethics, role of chemistry in society: Students have an appreciation for the role of chemistry in the global society as well as the central role chemistry plays in other scientific disciplines such as biology, medicine, environmental science, and engineering sciences. They conduct themselves ethically and responsibly in science-related professions.

Sample plans of study for the Chemical Sciences degree may be found in the School of Natural Sciences website naturalsciences.ucmerced.edu.