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.
We also offer a "4+1" program that students can apply to in their sophomore or junior years; this allows BS Chemistry-Chemistry Concentration students to count some of their upper division coursework toward the MS degree, resulting a BS plus MS degree in as little as 5 years.
For more information about our program and to apply, see: https://www.csusb.edu/ms-materials-science
Program Learning Outcomes
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Program Learning Outcomes for BA and BS in Chemistry (both Chemistry and Biochemistry Concentrations)
PLO 1 – Learn and apply core chemistry concepts and theory to problem solving.
Students will gain an understanding of a range of fundamental chemistry theory and
concepts from organic, inorganic, analytical, physical, and biochemistry. They will also learn
to critically apply foundational concepts from these areas to interpret chemical
phenomena, analyze various types of scientific data, and to solve unfamiliar problems.
PLO 2 - Learn and apply core chemistry concepts and theory to problem solve in a
laboratory setting. Students will critically apply foundational concepts and standard
laboratory techniques to solve problems in the laboratory. This includes lab safety and
technique, experimental design, scientific instrumentation and other methods of scientific
measurement, and data analysis.
PLO 3 – Learn to communicate complex chemistry concepts. Students will communicate
chemical reasoning clearly and persuasively in written, oral, and visual formats. They will
learn to articulate scientific arguments and to explain experimental data and conclusions.
They should collaborate effectively by communicating their ideas, evaluating peer
contributions, and justifying collective decisions.
PLO 4 – Larger contributions as a scientist and citizen.Students from all backgrounds will graduate in an appropriate time and be prepared to transition into a career in their chosen field. Students will be prepared to succeed in chemistry, progress through the program at an equitable and satisfactory rate,
demonstrate ethical scientific and interpersonal behavior, and appreciate the role of
themselves and major in a multicultural society. They will be ready to contribute positively to their communities.