Chemistry and Biochemistry - undergraduate program

Chemistry and Biochemistry

[ undergraduate program | graduate program | faculty ]

All courses, faculty listings, and curricular and degree requirements described herein are subject to change or deletion without notice.

Courses

For course descriptions not found in the UC San Diego General Catalog 2019–20, please contact the department for more information.

Lower Division

CHEM 1. The Scope of Chemistry and Biochemistry (1)

This seminar connects first-year students with the chemistry community (peers, staff, faculty, and other researchers) as they explore learning resources, study strategies, professional development, and current areas of active research. With an emphasis on academic and career planning, the series will feature guest lectures by UC San Diego faculty and staff, as well as industrial scientists and representatives from professional organizations such as the American Chemical Society (ACS). P/NP grades only.

CHEM 4. Basic Chemistry (4)

Offers less well-prepared science majors the fundamental skills necessary to succeed in CHEM 6. Emphasizes quantitative problems. Topics include nomenclature, stoichiometry, basic reactions, bonding, and the periodic table. May not receive credit for both CHEM 4 and CHEM 11. Includes a laboratory/discussion each week. Recommended: concurrent enrollment in MATH 3C, 4C or 10A or higher.

CHEM 6A. General Chemistry I (4)

First quarter of a three-quarter sequence intended for science and engineering majors. Topics include: atomic theory, bonding, molecular geometry, stoichiometry, types of reactions, and thermochemistry. May not be taken for credit after CHEM 6AH. Recommended: proficiency in high school chemistry and/or physics. Corequisite: MATH 10A or 20A or prior enrollment.

CHEM 6AH. Honors General Chemistry I (4)

First quarter of a three-quarter honors sequence intended for well-prepared science and engineering majors. Topics include quantum mechanics, molecular orbital theory, and bonding. An understanding of nomenclature, stoichiometry, and other fundamentals is assumed. Students completing 6AH may not subsequently take 6A for credit. Recommended: completion of a high school physics course strongly recommended. Concurrent enrollment in MATH 20A or higher.

CHEM 6B. General Chemistry II (4)

Second quarter of a three-quarter sequence intended for science and engineering majors. Topics include: covalent bonding, gases, liquids, and solids, colligative properties, physical and chemical equilibria, acids and bases, solubility. May not be taken for credit after CHEM 6BH. Prerequisites: CHEM 6A or 6AH and MATH 10A or 20A. Recommended: concurrent or prior enrollment in MATH 10B or 20B.

CHEM 6BH. Honors General Chemistry II (4)

Second quarter of a three-quarter honors sequence intended for well-prepared science and engineering majors. Topics include: colligative properties, bulk material properties, chemical equilibrium, acids and bases, and thermodynamics. Three hour lecture and one hour recitation. Students completing 6BH may not subsequently take 6B for credit. Prerequisites: CHEM 6AH and MATH 20A. Recommended: concurrent or prior enrollment in MATH 20B.

CHEM 6C. General Chemistry III (4)

Third quarter of a three-quarter sequence intended for science and engineering majors. Topics include: thermodynamics, kinetics, electrochemistry, coordination chemistry, and introductions to nuclear, main group organic, and biochemistry. May not be taken for credit after CHEM 6CH. Prerequisites: CHEM 6B or 6BH. Recommended: completion of MATH 10B or 20B.

CHEM 6CH. Honors General Chemistry III (4)

Third quarter of a three-quarter honors sequence intended for well-prepared science and engineering majors. Topics are similar to those in 6C but are taught at a higher level and faster pace. Students completing 6CH may not subsequently take 6C for credit. Prerequisites: CHEM 6BH and MATH 20B.

CHEM 7L. General Chemistry Laboratory (4)

Condenses a year of introductory training in analytical, inorganic, physical, and synthetic techniques into one intensive quarter. A materials fee is required. A mandatory safety exam must be passed. Students may not receive credit for both CHEM 7L and CHEM 7LM. Prerequisites: CHEM 6B or CHEM 6BH.

CHEM 7LM. General Chemistry Laboratory for Majors (4)

Condenses a year of introductory training in analytical, inorganic, physical, and synthetic techniques into one intensive quarter. Students may not receive credit for both CHEM 7L and CHEM 7LM. A materials fee is required. A safety exam must be passed. Enrollment preference given to chemistry and biochemistry majors, followed by other science/engineering majors. Prerequisites: CHEM 6B or CHEM 6BH. Restricted to the following major codes: CH25, CH32, CH31, CH33, CH34, CH35, CH36, CH37.

CHEM 11. The Periodic Table (4)

Introduction to the material world of atoms and small inorganic molecules. Intended for nonscience majors. Students may not receive credit for both CHEM 4 and CHEM 11.

CHEM 12. Molecules and Reactions (4)

Introduction to molecular bonding and structure and chemical reactions, including organic molecules and synthetic polymers. Intended for nonscience majors. Cannot be taken for credit after any organic chemistry course. Prerequisites: CHEM 11 or good knowledge of high school chemistry.

CHEM 13. Chemistry of Life (4)

Introduction to biochemistry for nonscience majors. Topics include carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids and proteins, with an introduction to metabolic pathways in human physiology.

CHEM 40A. Organic Chemistry I (4)

Renumbered from CHEM 140A. Introduction to organic chemistry with applications to biochemistry. Bonding theory, isomerism, stereochemistry, chemical and physical properties. Introduction to substitution, addition, and elimination reactions. Students may only receive credit for one of the following: CHEM 40A, 40AH, 140A, or 140AH. Prerequisites: CHEM 6B or CHEM 6BH.

CHEM 40AH. Honors Organic Chemistry I (4)

Renumbered from CHEM 140AH. Rigorous introduction to organic chemistry, with preview of biochemistry. Bonding theory, isomerism, stereochemistry, physical properties, chemical reactivity. Students may only receive credit for one of the following: CHEM 40A, 40AH, 140A, or 140AH. Prerequisites: B+ or higher grade in CHEM 6C or CHEM 6CH.

CHEM 40B. Organic Chemistry II (4)

Renumbered from CHEM 140B. Continuation of CHEM 40A, Organic Chemistry I. Methods of analysis, chemistry of hydrocarbons, chemistry of the carbonyl group. Introduction to the reactions of biologically important molecules. Students may only receive credit for one of the following: CHEM 40B, 40BH, 140B, or 140BH. Prerequisites: CHEM 40A or 140A (a grade of C or higher in CHEM 140A or 40A is strongly recommended).

CHEM 40BH. Honors Organic Chemistry II (4)

Renumbered from CHEM 140BH. Organic chemistry course for honors-level students with a strong background in chemistry. Similar to CHEM 40B, but emphasizes mechanistic aspects of reactions and effects of molecular structure on reactivity. Students may only receive credit for one of the following: CHEM 40B, 140B, 40BH, or 140BH. Prerequisites: grade of B or higher in CHEM 40A, 40AH, 140A, or 140AH.

CHEM 40C. Organic Chemistry III (4)

Renumbered from CHEM 140C. Continuation of CHEM 40A, Organic Chemistry I and CHEM 40B, Organic Chemistry II. Organic chemistry of biologically important molecules: carboxylic acids, carbohydrates, proteins, fatty acids, biopolymers, natural products. Students may only receive credit for one of the following: CHEM 40C, 40CH, 140C, or 140CH. Prerequisites: CHEM 40B or 140B (a grade of C or higher in CHEM 40B or 140B is strongly recommended).

CHEM 40CH. Honors Organic Chemistry (4)

Renumbered from CHEM 140CH. Continuation of Organic Chemistry 40B or 40BH, at honors level. Chemistry of carboxylic acids, carbohydrates, proteins, lipids biopolymers, natural products. Emphasis on mechanistic aspects and structure reactivity relationships. Students may only receive credit for one of the following: CHEM 40C, 40CH, 140C, or 140CH. Prerequisites: grade of B+ or higher in CHEM 40B or 140B, or B– or higher in CHEM 40BH or 140BH.

CHEM 43A. Organic Chemistry Laboratory (4)

Renumbered from CHEM 143A. Introduction to organic laboratory techniques. Separation, purification, spectroscopy, product analysis, and effects of reaction conditions. A materials fee is required. Students must pass a safety exam. Students may only receive credit for one of the following: CHEM 43A, 43AM, 143A, or 143AM. Prerequisites: CHEM 7L or 7LM and 40A, 40AH, 140A, or 140AH.

CHEM 43AM. Organic Chemistry Laboratory for Majors (4)

Organic chemistry laboratory for chemistry majors; nonmajors with strong background in CHEM 40A or 140A may also enroll, though preference will be given to majors. Similar to CHEM 43A, but emphasizes instrumental methods of product identification, separation, and analysis. A materials fee is required. Students must pass a safety exam. CHEM 43AM is renumbered from CHEM 143AH. Students may only receive credit for one of the following: CHEM 43AM, 143AM, 43A, or 143A. Prerequisites: CHEM 7L or 7LM and CHEM 40A, 40AH, 140A, or 140AH.

CHEM 87. Freshman Seminar in Chemistry and Biochemistry (1)

This seminar will present topics in chemistry at a level appropriate for first-year students.

CHEM 96. Introduction to Teaching Science (2)

(Cross-listed with EDS 31.) Explores routine challenges and exceptional difficulties students often have in learning science. Prepares students to make meaningful observations of how K–12 teachers deal with difficulties. Explores strategies that teachers may use to pose problems that stimulate students’ intellectual curiosity.

CHEM 99. Independent Study (2 or 4)

Independent literature or laboratory research by arrangement with and under the direction of a member of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry faculty. Students must register on a P/NP basis. Prerequisites: lower-division standing, 3.0 minimum UC San Diego GPA, consent of instructor and department, completion of thirty units of undergraduate study at UC San Diego, completed and approved Special Studies form.

CHEM 99R. Independent Study (1)

Independent study or research under the direction of a member of the faculty. Prerequisites: student must be of first-year standing and a Regent’s Scholar; approved Special Studies form.

Upper Division

CHEM 100A. Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (4)

Laboratory course emphasizing classical quantitative chemical analysis techniques, including separation and gravimetric methods, as well as an introduction to instrumental analysis. Program or materials fees may apply. Prerequisites: CHEM 6C or 6CH and CHEM 6BL, 7L, or 7LM. Recommended: PHYS 2CL or 2BL.

CHEM 100B. Instrumental Chemistry Laboratory (5)

Hands-on laboratory course focuses on development of correct laboratory work habits and methodologies for the operation of modern analytical instrumentation. Gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, high performance liquid chromatography, ion chromatography, atomic absorption spectroscopy, fluorescence spectrometry, infrared spectrometry. Lecture focuses on fundamental theoretical principles, applications, and limitations of instrumentation used for qualitative and quantitative analysis. Program or materials fees may apply. Students may not receive credit for both CHEM 100B and 10. Prerequisites: CHEM 100A and PHYS 2C or 2D and PHYS 2BL or 2CL or 2DL.

CHEM 105A. Physical Chemistry Laboratory (4)

Laboratory course in experimental physical chemistry. Program or materials fees may apply. Prerequisites: CHEM 6CL or 100A, PHYS 2BL or 2CL or 2DL, CHEM 126 or 126A or 126B or 127 or 130 or 131 or 133.

CHEM 105B. Physical Chemistry Laboratory (4)

Laboratory course in experimental physical chemistry. Program or materials fees may apply. Prerequisites: CHEM 105A.

CHEM 108. Protein Biochemistry Laboratory (6)

The application of techniques to study protein structure and function, including electrophoresis, protein purification, column chromatography, enzyme kinetics, and immunochemistry. Students may not receive credit for CHEM 108 and BIBC 103. A materials fee may be required for this course. Prerequisites: CHEM 43A, 143A, 43AM or 143AM, and CHEM 114A.

CHEM 109. Recombinant DNA Laboratory (6)

This laboratory will introduce students to the tools of molecular biology and will involve experiments with recombinant DNA techniques. Students may not receive credit for both CHEM 109 and BIMM 101. A materials fee may be required for this course. Prerequisites: CHEM 43A, 143A, 43AM, or 143AM and CHEM 114A.

CHEM 111. Origins of Life and the Universe (4)

A chemical perspective of the origin and evolution of the biogeochemical systems of stars, elements, and planets through time. The chemical evolution of the earth, its atmosphere, and oceans, and their historical records leading to early life are discussed. The content includes search techniques for chemical traces of life on other planets. Prerequisites: CHEM 6C or 6CH.

CHEM 113. Biophysical Chemistry of Macromolecules (4)

A discussion of the physical principles governing biomolecular structure and function. Experimental and theoretical approaches to understand protein dynamics, enzyme kinetics, and mechanisms will be covered. May be coscheduled with CHEM 213B. Prerequisites: CHEM 40C or 40CH or 140C or 140CH and CHEM 126A or 127 or 131.

CHEM 114A. Biochemical Structure and Function (4)

Introduction to biochemistry from a structural and functional viewpoint. Emphasis will be placed on the structure-functions relationships of nucleic acids, proteins, enzymes, carbohydrates, and lipids. Students may not receive credit for both CHEM 114A and BIBC 100. Prerequisites: CHEM 40A or 140A.

CHEM 114B. Biochemical Energetics and Metabolism (4)

This course is an introduction to the metabolic reactions in the cell which produce and utilize energy. The course material will include energy-producing pathways: glycolysis, Krebs cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, fatty-acid oxidation. Biosynthesis of amino acids, lipids, carbohydrates, purines, pyrimidines, proteins, nucleic acids. Students may not receive credit for both CHEM 114B and BIBC 102. Prerequisites: CHEM 40B, 140B, 40BH, or 140BH.

CHEM 114C. Biosynthesis of Macromolecules (4)

Mechanisms of biosynthesis of macromolecules—particularly proteins and nucleic acids. Emphasis is on how these processes are controlled and integrated with metabolism of the cell. Students may not receive credit for both CHEM 114C and BIMM 100. Prerequisites: CHEM 114A or BIBC 100.

CHEM 114D. Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry (4)

This course represents a continuation of 114C, or an introductory course for first- and second-year graduate students and covers topics in molecular and cellular biochemistry. Emphasis will be placed on contemporary approaches to the isolation and characterization of mammalian genes and proteins, and molecular genetic approaches to understanding eukaryotic development and human disease. May be coscheduled with CHEM 214. Prerequisites: CHEM 114A, 114B, and 114C.

CHEM 116. Chemical Biology (4)

A discussion of current topics in chemical biology including mechanistic aspects of enzymes and cofactors, use of modified enzymes to alter biochemical pathways, chemical intervention in cellular processes, and natural product discovery. Prerequisites: CHEM 40C, 40CH, 140C, or 140CH, and CHEM 114A. (May not be offered every year.)

CHEM 118. Pharmacology and Toxicology (4)

A survey of the biochemical action of drugs and toxins as well as their absorption and excretion. Prerequisites: CHEM 114A.

CHEM 120A. Inorganic Chemistry I (4)

The chemistry of the main group elements in terms of atomic structure, ionic and covalent bonding. Structural theory involving s, p, and unfilled d orbitals. Thermodynamic and spectroscopic criteria for structure and stability of compounds and chemical reactions of main group elements in terms of molecular structure and reactivity. Prerequisites: CHEM 6C or 6CH and CHEM 40A or 140A.

CHEM 120B. Inorganic Chemistry II (4)

A continuation of the discussion of structure, bonding, and reactivity with emphasis on transition metals and other elements using filled d orbitals to form bonds. Coordination chemistry in terms of valence bond, crystal field, and molecular orbital theory. The properties and reactivities of transition metal complexes including organometallic compounds. Prerequisites: CHEM 120A.

CHEM 123. Advanced Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory (4)

Synthesis, analysis, and physical characterization of inorganic chemical compounds. Program or materials fees may apply. Recommended preparation: concurrent or prior enrollment in CHEM 120B. Prerequisites: CHEM 120A and 43A, 143A, 43AM or 143AM.

CHEM 125. Bioinorganic Chemistry (4)

The roles of metal ions in biological systems, with emphasis on transition metal ions in enzymes that transfer electrons, bind oxygen, and fix nitrogen. Also included are metal complexes in medicine, toxicity, and metal ion storage and transport. May be coscheduled with CHEM 225. Prerequisites: CHEM 114A or 120A.

CHEM 126A. Physical Biochemistry I: Thermodynamics and Kinetics of Biomolecules (4)

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Renumbered from CHEM 127. This course covers thermodynamics and kinetics of biomolecules from fundamental principles to biomolecular applications form (UC San Diego Application for...