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Degrees and Program Learning Outcomes

Undergraduate

Student Information

The Chemistry & Biochemistry program at CSUSB emphasizes high-quality teaching and undergraduate research. You will receive an excellent education and the preparation you need to go on to industry, government, or academia including graduate programs in chemistry and biochemistry, and professional programs in pharmacy and medicine.  Our students have access to modern instrumentation as undergraduate students, and most subjects have accompanying practical (laboratory) experience. Chemistry graduates from CSUSB have earned PhD degrees from the California Institute of Technology, Johns Hopkins University, UC San Francisco, UC Irvine, Texas A& M University, and Vanderbilt among others; have earned MD degrees from UCLA, Harvard University, USC, and UC Davis: have become teachers and college professors, or heads of companies; and others are successfully applying their chemistry knowledge in areas such as environmental health, pharmaceuticals, criminalistics, and medical technology.  Each of the degree options below provide a broad, foundational chemical education that can be further developed into specific, technical careers.

Bachelor of Arts   Chemistry Concentration

This program allows the greatest number of free elective units and is for someone who desires to combine chemistry with another area such as business, law, or criminal justice in pursuing a minor or perhaps a double major. Those that wish to teach high school chemistry may select this option, graduate, and then pursue a single-subject credential in education.

Bachelor of Arts ­ Biochemistry Concentration

This program incorporates courses in biology while still leaving room for elective courses in other areas. It is particularly appropriate for students desiring to pursue a career in pharmacy or other health professions.

Bachelor of Science ­ Chemistry Concentration

This American Chemical Society certified program is designed for the student who plans a career in chemistry upon graduation or plans to go on to graduate school, and desires more math and upper-division chemistry coursework.  It does not have the additional biology and biochemistry requirements of the Biochemistry Concentration. Every student in this program has at least one laboratory research experience either in classroom or faculty lab settings (or both). 

Bachelor of Science ­ Biochemistry Concentration

This American Chemical Society certified program incorporates additional course work in biology and biochemistry and is particularly suited for the student desiring a career in more biologically-applied fields of chemistry, including graduate or professional work. Every student in this program has at least one laboratory research experience either in classroom or faculty lab settings (or both). 

Graduate

Master of Science in Environmental Sciences

This degree is part of a multidisciplinary program. In addition to courses in chemistry and geology, there are required courses in public administration, health sciences, geography, and either economics or information science. Electives are available in these departments as well as biology and management. Students are admitted from numerous backgrounds, but generally with bachelor's degrees in some scientific field such as chemistry, biology, or environmental science. The PSM degree is meant to combine non-science "professional" courses with science courses and is considered a terminal, non-thesis degree. In lieu of a thesis, a combination of an internship and a project is required for graduation.

Master of Science in Environmental Sciences


Master of Science in Materials Science

The interdisciplinary Master of Science in Materials Science program will be offered jointly by the Departments of Chemistry & Biochemistry and Physics & Astronomy. The program will be partnered with our Center for Advanced Functional Materials, and will employ state-of-the-art scientific equipment across both participating departments, as well as the College of Natural Sciences.

Our M.S. Materials Science degree program is now accepting applications for Fall 2024. To apply, please go to "CalState Apply" and look for either the "MS Materials Science Entreprenurial Concentration" or "MS Materials Science Interdisciplinary Materials Investigation Concentration". 

A catalog description of the program is available: https://catalog.csusb.edu/colleges-schools-departments/natural-sciences/mat-sci-ms/

Master of Science in Materials Science Fact Sheet

Program Learning Outcomes

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Program Learning Outcomes and Assessment Plan for B.A. Chemistry both Chemistry and Biochemistry Concentrations

Program Learning Outcome #1:  Students will be prepared to succeed in their chemistry coursework by having the prerequisite knowledge necessary.  They will have sufficient mathematical and chemical skills to succeed.

Program Learning Outcome #2: Students will know the general principles of chemistry.  They will be able to compare and contrast physical properties and chemical reactivity based on molecular structure.  They will be able to perform standard stoichiometric, solution, kinetic and thermodynamic calculations.

Program Learning Outcome #3:  Students will know the common reactions of elements and compounds, including oxidation-reduction, neutralization, and precipitation reactions.  They will know the common methods of functional group inter-conversions, be able to perform retro-synthetic analysis, propose multistep syntheses, and evaluate synthetic schemes.

Program Learning Outcome #4Students will practice and demonstrate accurate quantitative measurements, analyze and interpret experimental results, and draw reasonable conclusions.

Program Learning Outcome #5: Students will prepare compounds using common functional group conversions and multi-step syntheses, followed by separation, purification, and identification using modern chemical and spectroscopic analysis.

Program Learning Outcome #6:  Students will anticipate, recognize, and respond properly to the hazards of handling chemicals.

Program Learning Outcome #7: Students will be proficient at using computer software to learn, gather, display and analyze chemical information.

Program Learning Outcome #8: Students will communicate scientific information effectively through written reports.

Program Learning Outcome #9Students will communicate scientific information effectively through oral presentations.

Additionally:

BA Chem Concentration:  BA Chem student will be expected to select a non-biochemistry topic for their oral presentation.  Oral presentations will be evaluated on their knowledge of a chemistry topic.

BA Biochem Concentration:  BA Biochem students will be expected to select a biochemistry topic for their oral presentation. Oral presentations will be evaluated on their knowledge of a biochemistry topic.

Program Outcome #10:  Students will progress through their chosen chemistry degree program and concentration in a timely manner.  Graduation within four years for “first-time” CSUSB freshman and within two years for transfer students that have completed an associate degree for transfer to a bachelor’s degree will be possible and will likely succeed in six years or four years, respectively. 

Program Outcome #11Chemistry graduates will be educationally prepared to work and succeed in a scientific field related to chemistry.

Additional Program Learning Outcomes and Assessment Plan for B.S. Chemistry-Biochemistry Concentration

Program Learning Outcome # 12: Students will be able to correlate structure and function of biomolecules, particularly proteins. 

Additional Program Learning Outcomes and Assessment Plan for B.S. Chemistry-Biochemistry Concentration

Program Learning Outcome #12:  Students will be able to operate and explain the theoretical basis of modern chemical instrumentation.