Chemical Sciences Major Chemistry is often known as the central science because of the key position it occupies in modern science and engineering. Most phenomena in the biological and Earth sciences can be described in terms of the chemical and physical behavior of atoms and molecules, and chemical principles also underlie much progress in medicine and engineering. In addition, chemical systems are fascinating and often beautiful in their own right. Recent developments in the chemical sciences are increasingly directed toward the study of phenomena at the nanoscale, the size range intermediate between individual molecules and macroscopic matter. The ability to measure, understand and control the properties of matter on these size scales allows us to draw conceptual and practical connections between the submicroscopic world of atoms and molecules, and the macroscopic world with which we interact. UC Merced offers an undergraduate major leading to a B.S. degree in the Chemical Sciences. All of our programs are planned to meet the requirements for approval by the American Chemical Society. The curriculum is designed to meet the needs of students who plan to end their formal education with a bachelor s degree as well as those who wish to go on for an advanced degree. We offer both a basic chemistry program and three emphasis tracks in biological chemistry, environmental chemistry and materials chemistry, which allow students to pursue interdisciplinary areas within a degree program that is still focused on chemistry. Chemical Sciences majors are strongly encouraged to undertake independent research projects under faculty supervision (CHEM 095 or CHEM 195) and all emphasis tracks require at least two units of research. A degree in the chemical sciences opens the door to a wide variety of careers in industry or government service, forensic chemistry in crime laboratories, commercial fields such as patent law and scientific writing, and high school science teaching. Many chemistry majors go on to graduate study to prepare for careers in teaching and/or research at the college or university level, or research positions in the chemical, pharmaceutical, electronics or other high-tech industries. A major in chemistry is also an excellent foundation for medical school or other careers in the health sciences. Requirements for the Chemical Sciences Major (CHEM) Students majoring in Chemical Sciences must adhere to all UC Merced and School of Natural Sciences requirements. For the Math/Science Preparatory Curricula, students majoring in Chemical Sciences must take: MATH 021: Calculus of a Single Variable I*................. 4 units MATH 032: Probability and Statistics...................... 4 units CSE 020: Introduction to Computing I**.................. 2 units CHEM 002: General Chemistry I......................... 4 units PHYS 008: Introductory Physics I*........................ 4 units *ICP 001: Integrated Calculus and Physics (8 units) may be taken in place of MATH 021 and PHYS 008. **MATH 015: Introduction to Scientific Data Analysis (2 units) or CSE 005: Introduction to Computer Applications (4 units) may be taken in place of CSE 020. The additional requirements that must be met to receive the B.S. in Chemical Sciences at UC Merced are: CHEMICAL SCIENCES REQUIREMENTS [61-71 UNITS] The Chemical Sciences major consists of 18-20 courses (7 lower division and 11-13 upper division, depending on emphasis track) designed to give all students a common foundation of core knowledge specific to the discipline. LOWER DIVISION MAJOR REQUIREMENTS [28 UNITS] BIO 001: Contemporary Biology*........................ 4 units CHEM 008: Principles of Organic Chemistry................ 4 units CHEM 010: General Chemistry II......................... 4 units MATH 022: Calculus of a Single Variable II................. 4 units MATH 023: Multi-Variable Calculus....................... 4 units MATH 024: Linear Algebra and Differential Equations......... 4 units PHYS 009: Introductory Physics II........................ 4 units *BIO 001L (1 unit) is recommended but not required. UPPER DIVISION MAJOR REQUIREMENTS [23 UNITS] CHEM 100: Organic Synthesis and Mechanism.............. 3 units CHEM 101L: Advanced Synthetic Laboratory................ 2 units CHEM 111/BIO 101: Biochemistry I....................... 4 units CHEM 112: Quantum Chemistry and Spectroscopy........... 3 units CHEM 113: Chemical Thermodynamics and Kinetics.......... 3 units CHEM 114L: Physical Chemistry and Instrumental Analysis Laboratory......................... 2 units CHEM 115: Instrumental Analysis and Bioanalytical Chemistry.. 3 units CHEM 120: Inorganic Chemistry......................... 3 units EMPHASIS TRACK REQUIREMENTS Requirements for Chemistry Emphasis Track CHEM 095/195: Research.................... at least 4 units total Any two of the following in-depth course electives: BO 102/CHEM 122: Biochemistry & Molecular Biology........ 4 units CHEM 130: Organic Spectroscopy and Computation......... 3 units CHEM 131: Molecular Spectroscopy...................... 3 units CHEM 133: Biophysical Chemistry........................ 3 units CHEM 140: Nanoscale Materials Chemistry................. 3 units Any 200-level CHEM course (instructor approval required)..... 3 units ESS 100: Environmental Chemistry....................... 4 units MSE 110: Solid State Materials Properties.................. 4 units MSE 118: Introduction to Nanotechnology and Nanoscience.... 3 units
Requirements for Materials Chemistry Emphasis Track ENGR 045: Introduction to Materials...................... 4 units CHEM 095/195: Research.................... at least 2 units total CHEM 147: Materials Chemistry Laboratory................ 3 units One of the following materials electives: CHEM 140: Nanoscale Materials Chemistry................. 3 units ENGR 170: Introduction to Electron Microscopy............. 3 units MSE 110: Solid State Materials Properties.................. 4 units MSE 113: Materials Characterization...................... 4 units MSE 114: Polymeric Materials........................... 4 units MSE 115: Ceramic Materials............................ 3 units MSE 116: Composites................................. 3 units MSE 118: Introduction to Nanotechnology and Nanoscience.... 3 units MSE 119: Materials Modeling........................... 3 units Requirements for Biological Chemistry Emphasis Track BIO 140: Genetics.................................... 4 units BIO 102/CHEM 122: Adv Biochemistry and Molecular Biology... 4 units CHEM 095/195: Research.................... at least 4 units total One other upper division biology course selected from the following: BIO 110: The Cell.................................... 4 units BIO 120: General Microbiology.......................... 4 units BIO 127: General Virology.............................. 4 units BIO 141: Evolution................................... 4 units BIO 151: Molecular Immunology......................... 4 units One of the following in-depth course electives: CHEM 130: Organic Spectroscopy and Computation......... 3 units CHEM 131: Molecular Spectroscopy...................... 3 units CHEM 133: Biophysical Chemistry........................ 3 units Any 200-level CHEM course (requires instructor approval)...... 3 units ESS 100: Environmental Chemistry....................... 4 units MSE 118: Introduction to Nanotechnology and Nanoscience.... 3 units Requirements for Environmental Chemistry Emphasis Track ESS 100: Environmental Chemistry....................... 4 units CHEM 095/195: Research.................... at least 3 units total Two of the following environmental course electives: ESS 102: Chemical Processes in the Soil Environment......... 3 units ESS 103: Geochemistry of Earth Systems................... 3 units ESS 106: Spectroscopic and Microscopic Methods............ 3 units ESS 108: Surface and Colloid Chemistry of Earth Materials..... 3 units ENVE 171: Environmental Organic Chemistry............... 3 units Transfer Students Transfer students who wish to major in Chemical Sciences should complete two semesters of general chemistry with laboratory, two semesters of organic chemistry with laboratory, one year of calculus-based physics with laboratory and mathematics through multivariable calculus. Students should consult the online student-transfer information system at www.assist.org. Students should also consult the Information for Prospective Students link on the School of Natural Sciences web site naturalsciences.ucmerced.edu for more information. Program Learning Outcomes for Chemical Sciences 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 PLAN OF STUDY FOR CHEMICAL SCIENCES DEGREE - CHEMISTRY EMPHASIS
SEMESTER 1 MATH 021 Calculus I 4 MATH 022 Calculus II 4 CHEM 008 Principles of Organic Chemistry 4 General Education Elective (Social Science) 4 In-Depth Course Elective 4 CHEM 120 Inorganic Chemistry 3 CHEM 115 Instrumental Analysis and Bioanalytical Chemistry 3 In-Depth Course Elective 4 Total Program Units 122 SAMPLE PLAN OF STUDY FOR CHEMICAL SCIENCES DEGREE - MATERIALS EMPHASIS SEMESTER 1
MATH 021 Calculus I 4 MATH 022 Calculus II 4 CHEM 008 Principles of Organic Chemistry 4 General Education Elective (Social Science) 4 ENGR 045 Introduction to Materials 4 CHEM 1200 Inorganic Chemistry 3 CHEM 115 Instrumental Analysis and Bioanalytical Chemistry 3 Materials elective 3 CHEM 147 Materials Chemistry Lab 3 Total Program Units 120 SAMPLE PLAN OF STUDY FOR CHEMICAL SCIENCES DEGREE - BIOLOGICAL EMPHASIS SEMESTER 1 MATH 021 Calculus I 4 General Education Elective (Social Sciences) 4 MATH 022 Calculus II 4
CHEM 008 Principles of Organic Chemistry 4 BIO 140 Genetics 4 CHEM 115 Instrumental Analysis and Bioanalytical Chemistry 3 CHEM 120 Inorganic Chemistry 3 In-Depth Course Elective 3 CHEM 122 Biochemistry & Molecular Biology 4 Upper division biology course 4 Total Program Units 121 SAMPLE PLAN OF STUDY FOR CHEMICAL SCIENCES DEGREE - ENVIRONMENTAL EMPHASIS SEMESTER 1 MATH 021 Calculus I 4 MATH 022 Calculus of a Single Variable II 4 CHEM 008 Principles of Organic Chemistry 4
General Education Elective (Social Science) 4 ESS 100 Environmental Chemistry 4 CHEM 120 Inorganic Chemistry 3 Environmental Course Elective 3 CHEM 115 Instrumental Analysis and Bioanalytical Chemistry 3 Environmental Course Elective 3 Total Program Units 120