2023-2024 Cal Poly Humboldt Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2023-2024 Cal Poly Humboldt Catalog

Chemistry, Biochemistry Concentration, B.S.


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This Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry or the concentration in Biochemistry are rigorous programs that fulfills the requirements for professional training established by the American Chemical Society, a national certifying agency. The degrees are designed for students who will seek research positions in industry and governmental agencies and also prepares students who intend to continue study into the graduate level.

Hands-on learning forms the basis of our Chemistry program. In our close-knit classrooms, you’ll get to know your professors and get real-world experience and first class instruction. And you’ll connect with your fellow students in ways you wouldn’t at other universities. Our modern instrumentation, including, FT-NMR, FT-IR, HPLC, GCMS, and a computational laboratory, are all available to undergraduate students. Our program provides a sense of care, support and belonging, and better prepares students to approach their chosen fields through close faculty contact and hands-on experience.

With a strong foundation in chemistry, you’ll be highly prepared for your future. Our degrees offer excellent preparation for job placement and graduate or professional school. Nearly all of our students go where they want to go after graduation. The Chemistry major will work closely with their advisor to determine what coursework will prepare them best for the employment or academic opportunities that they are most interested in. Chemistry students with additional skills or a highly specialized emphasis have special advantages in the job market. By looking into what course work, skills, and experiences an employer looks for, students can better prepare for forthcoming position openings.

We have active undergraduate research programs where you have the opportunity to specialize in a particular area of chemistry. The research areas include: biochemistry, physical chemistry, molecular modeling, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, organometallic chemistry, floral-scents, molecular electronics, marine chemistry, aqueous chemistry, trace metal analysis, and atmospheric chemistry.

Preparation: High school students should take chemistry, English, and mathematics.  

Requirements for the Bachelor’s Degree


A bachelor’s degree requires a total of 120 units. Students must fulfill General Education & All-University Requirements , residency, unit, and GPA requirements as outlined in the Bachelor’s Degree Requirements . This major does not include a Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) certified course. Students must take a GWAR certified writing intensive course to fulfill the requirement. 

Biochemistry Concentration Courses (26 Units)


Complete the following courses to fulfill the requirements of the chemistry major with a concentration in biochemistry.

Program Learning Outcomes


Students completing the program will:

  1. attain sufficient breadth, depth, and rigor in chemistry,
  2. apply chemical and mathematical models to interpret and explain concepts in chemistry,
  3. locate, evaluate, cite and interpret chemistry literature,
  4. demonstrate proficiency in designing, performing, and interpreting laboratory experiments,
  5. demonstrate proficiency in written communication sufficient to convey an appropriate level of understanding about chemical phenomena to a diverse audience, and
  6. demonstrate proficiency in oral communication to convey an appropriate level of understanding about chemical phenomena to a diverse audience. 

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