Chemistry and Biochemistry

www.csupomona.edu/~chemistry

Lisa Alex, Chair

Samir Anz	Xiao-Chuan Liu
Philip Beauchamp	Yan Liu
Fredrick Bet-Pera	Rakesh Mogul
Joe Casalnuovo	Michael Page
Timothy Corcoran	James Rego
Francis Flores	Laurie S. Starkey
George Gutnikov	Peng Sun
Michael Keith	Edward D. Walton
Floyd Klavetter

The Chemistry and Biochemistry Department offers a flexible program of studies designed to prepare students for careers in private industry and government or for highly diverse graduate study. Students may direct their efforts into all the major areas of chemistry and into certain interdisciplinary areas. This is accomplished by choosing one of four rigorous subplans of study leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry.

The Chemistry subplan emphasizes the chemistry-physics interface. The curriculum of this subplan leads to the more traditional careers and graduate training in chemistry.

The Biochemistry subplan stresses the growing body of knowledge at the chemistry-life sciences interface. Beyond the core curriculum students may pursue programs in the chemistry of plants, animals or human beings (biochemistry, clinical chemistry, marine biochemistry, pre-medicine, pre-dentistry, etc.). Upon consultation with a departmental advisor, the student may select courses from a list of restricted electives thereby achieving a program meeting that individual’s career goals.

The Industrial Chemistry subplan is designed for those students who plan a career in the chemical industries and businesses. Subplan courses have been chosen to provide some background in material sciences as well as industrial chemistry. Restricted elective packages create a flexible program which will meet a variety of career goals.

The Molecular Modeling and Simulation subplan provides chemistry students the opportunity of exploring novel applications of computational chemistry in fields ranging from the life sciences to chemical physics. New enrollment in the Molecular Modeling and Simulation subplan has been temporarily suspended.

The Chemistry program is approved by the American Chemical Society, and the baccalaureate degree earned by following the Chemistry Subplan is certified by the A.C.S. as having met its standards for professionalism at the undergraduate level. Students following the Industrial Chemistry Subplan may also earn A.C.S. certification for their degree, provided that a suitable pattern of electives is chosen. Students should consult with departmental advisors to determine which courses are required in their subplan for certification of their degree.

Chemistry majors following either the Chemistry or Biochemistry Subplan can earn up to 16 units of credit for approved work experience under the heading of Cooperative Education. This work experience is an integral part of the Industrial Chemistry Subplan. Additional details will be found listed at the beginning of the “College of Science” section of this catalog.

The department also offers a minor in chemistry to students from other majors. This should be of special interest to non-chemistry majors whose curriculum already involves substantial chemistry requirements, such as chemical engineering, microbiology and pre-professional majors.

For those planning a career as a secondary school teacher, a Single Subject Credential in Science is required. This credential is obtained by completing coursework in Education and passing the National Teacher Examination. The latter can be waived by taking the courses listed in the Single Subject Matter Preparation Program for Prospective Teachers of Science with a concentration in Chemistry (http://www.csupomona.edu/~cemast). Prospective teachers are encouraged to contact the Center for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (CEMaST) early in their academic programs at cemast@csupomona.edu or 909-869-4063.

The department is equipped with state-of-the-art instruments such as FT-NMR, GCs, LCs, GC-MS, LC-MS, FT-IR, stopped flow spectrophotometer, atomic absorption spectrometer, general electrochemical work stations, etc.

Students interested in becoming members of the American Chemical Society may join the Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society. Additional information can be obtained from the Chemistry Department.

ONE YEAR MASTER OF SCIENCE PROGRAM: The department offers a Master’s degree which can be completed in five years of combined undergraduate and graduate study. Should a student decide to pursue this program, a decision should be made in the beginning of the junior year so that a departmental petition may be initiated. The petition will outline the tentative program for the 4th and 5th years and should be planned together with completion of appropriate petitions to the Office of Academic Programs. Interested students should contact the department’s graduate advisor.

Two notable features are associated with the program. (1) Students will be eligible to take selected graduate courses in their senior year and (2) the senior project which is required of all Chemistry majors can be extended into an appropriate research problem which would be the subject of the student’s master’s thesis.

Programs

Major

Minor

Chemistry Minor

Master

Chemistry, M.S.

Courses

Chemistry

The notations F, W, Sp, Su, and even or odd indicate which quarter(s) of even or odd numbered calendar years the course is normally offered. Courses not designated “even” or “odd” are offered each year. Some courses may be taken with the consent of the instructor.