Chemistry & Biochemistry

ADVISEMENT INFORMATION
FOR UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS

GENERAL INFORMATION

Degrees offered

The department offers three undergraduate degrees, the B.S. in Chemistry (PDF), the BS in Biochemistry (PDF) and the B.A. in Chemistry (PDF). The Bachelor of Science degrees are designed for those who plan to obtain positions in scientific and industrial laboratories, or attend graduate or professional schools. The BS degree in chemistry is accredited by the American Chemical Society. The Bachelor of Arts degree provides a liberal education with a major in chemistry and is designed to suit the needs of those who plan to go into primary or secondary school teaching, the fields of chemical literature or patents, technical sales, or professional schools. When choosing between these degree options, students should discuss the career implications with their advisor.

A description of what knowledge, skills, and abilities students will have after graduating with a degree in chemistry or biochemistry can be found here.

See also the Undergraduate Handbook for detailed information (PDF)

Resource materials

All students should either buy a copy of the General Catalog and the current Schedule of Classes or use the on-line General Catalog or the on-line Schedule of classes for all classes. Virtually all policies, procedures and requirements of the University are explained in the catalog. Study the catalog sections relating to General Requirements for the Bachelor's Degree, General Education requirements and major requirements. Also, examine the section in the quarterly Schedule of Classes entitled "Future Course Offerings" that provides useful information for long range planning of individual programs.

Advisors

Initially all new chemistry and biochemistry majors are advised by the principal undergraduate advisor. After one or two quarters, each student will be assigned to a faculty member who will, from then on, serve as that student's advisor. Students should consult with their advisor each quarter.

Add/Drop procedures and incomplete

Pay close attention to the Program Change Procedures and deadlines for adding/dropping classes published each quarter in the Schedule of Classes. Students who are new to CSLA often are unaware of the short deadlines and the consequences of not following the proper procedures. Just because you stop attending class does not mean that you will automatically be dropped from the class roster. Failure to follow the procedures for dropping a class can lead to a grade of (U) or (F). Typically, students may withdraw from any class through the sixth day of instruction simply by using STAR by telephone. In such cases, no record of the withdrawal appears on the permanent academic record. As a courtesy, particularly in laboratory courses, students should notify their instructors so that other students may be admitted. In all cases of drops, the responsibility for the drop rests with the student (do not assume your instructor will drop you). After the above deadline, students who withdraw from a class receive a grade of (W) on their permanent academic record. Withdrawals are not permitted during the final three weeks of the quarter except under extraordinary situations with written documentation, and often involve withdrawal from all classes in the student's program. Since the Spring Quarter of 1993 in the School of Natural and Social Sciences, all withdrawals after the sixth day of instruction are subjected to the strict requirements given above for withdrawal during the final three weeks of instruction.

An Incomplete (IN) grade may, at the discretion of the instructor, be assigned in circumstances where a student is passing the course, but because of extenuating circumstances is not able to complete all or part of the work during the last four weeks of the course. The (IN) grade is an interim grade only, and the student must complete the outstanding work within one year following the quarter in which it was assigned. Extensions of the one year time limit may be obtained by petitioning the University Undergraduate Studies Subcommittee in writing (using the University General Petition Form). Once the work is completed, the (IN) grade is changed to a final letter grade, although the permanent record still shows the original (IN) grade, along with the date that the Incomplete was removed. An Incomplete that is not removed during the time allowed will remain on the student's permanent record -as an (I) and will be counted as an (F) in GPA calculations.

Repeat Course Forms

The University permits students to repeat a course in which the student received a (C-) or less. If a student files a repeat course form, the first grade remains on the transcript, but only the second grade is counted in the overall GPA. There is an upper limit of 20 units total for which a student may use this procedure, so the student should check with their advisor before filing a form. The form may be filed retroactively, so it is wise to make sure that the second grade is in fact better than the first before filing the form since the procedure can only be done once for a particular course. In general, it is a good idea to reserve this practice for courses in the major.

Prerequisites

Most courses in science and mathematics build directly on subject matter presented in earlier courses. It is therefore essential to take classes in the proper sequence and observe all prerequisites listed in a course description. Prerequisites are established for solid academic reasons and are not designed simply to be roadblocks to a student's progress. On the contrary, prerequisites are designed to protect students by making sure that they do not take classes for which they are unprepared.

The chart below shows the sequence in which some of the major courses must be taken. A word of advice: because of the critical importance of mathematics in all of chemistry and physics, students should be sure to start taking mathematics courses at the earliest opportunity in their program. It is advisable that students complete at least one quarter of calculus before starting the physics 200-level sequence (two quarters are better).

SUGGESTED COURSE SEQUENCES FOR CHEMISTRY &
BIOCHEMISTRY MAJOR PROGRAMS

BS CHEMISTRY PROGRAM (SAMPLE 4-YEAR PLAN)

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BS BIOCHEMISTRY PROGRAM (SAMPLE 4-YEAR PLAN)

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Important Information for Transfer Students

The CSULA Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry will grant subject credit as described below (but the units will count as lower division units in your program):

-for CHEM 301A (3 units) and CHEM 302A (2 units) if a “C” grade or better is earned for the first semester of Community College Organic Chemistry

-for CHEM 301B (3 units) and CHEM 302B (2 units) if a “C” grade or better is earned for the second semester of Community College Organic Chemistry

All community college transfer students must take CHEM 301C, as this is where biological molecules are introduced into the curriculum

BS CHEMISTRY PROGRAM (SAMPLE 2-YEAR PLAN FOR TRANSFER STUDENTS)

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BS BIOCHEMISTRY PROGRAM (SAMPLE 2-YEAR PLAN FOR TRANSFER STUDENTS)

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PDF (printable version)