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Pre-Professional Programs in Chemistry

Pre-Dentistry: 34 units recommended

Entrance into dental school requires from two to four years of pre-dental training. Ordinarily a pre-dental student should plan on pursuing a bachelor's degree program. It is not necessary that this degree be in one of the sciences.

Details about entrance requirements differ considerably from one dental school to another. Further information should be sought from one of the pre-dental advisors and from the booklet entitled, Entrance Requirements of American Dental Schools.

The following list represents the California State University equivalent of the requirements and recommendations common to practically all of the American Dental Schools.

Recommended Courses

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
BIOL 151 Principles of Cellular and Molecular Biology Green Leaf Representing that this course is Sustainable 4.0 FS  GE
Prerequisites: Recommend CHEM 111 or concurrent enrollment.
Introduction to biological molecules, bioenergetics, cellular structure and function, elements of molecular biology and genetics, and mechanisms of macroevolution and systematics. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. This is an approved General Education course. (001122)
BIOL 152 Principles of Ecological, Evolutionary, and Organismal Biology Green Leaf Representing that this course is Sustainable 4.0 SP  GE
Prerequisites: BIOL 151 or faculty permission; recommend CHEM 112 or concurrent enrollment.
Introduction to evolutionary history and biological diversity, microbes and protists, invertebrates, vertebrates, and plants. Form and function of plants and animals. Ecological principles. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. This is an approved General Education course. (001123)
CHEM 111 General Chemistry   4.0 FS  GE
Prerequisites: Second-year high school algebra; one year high school chemistry. (One year of high school physics and one year of high school mathematics past Algebra II are recommended.)
Principles of chemistry for students in science, medical, and related professions. Atomic structure, chemical bonding, stoichiometry, periodic table, gases, solids, liquids, solutions, and equilibrium. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. This is an approved General Education course. (001816)
CHEM 112 General Chemistry   4.0 FS  
Prerequisites: CHEM 111 with a grade of C- or better.
A continuation of CHEM 111. Chemical energetics, rates of reaction, acids and bases, solubility, oxidation-reduction, and nuclear chemistry. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (001817)
CHEM 270 Organic Chemistry   4.0 FS  
Prerequisites: CHEM 112.
An introduction to the theory and mechanism of organic reactions. To be followed by CHEM 370, which completes the two-semester sequence for science majors. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (001840)
CHEM 370 Organic Chemistry   3.0 FS  
Prerequisites: CHEM 270 with a grade of C- or higher.
Lecture continuation of the theory and mechanisms of organic reaction. 3 hours discussion. (001852)
ENGL 130I Academic Writing   3.0 FS  GE  WI
Prerequisites: English Placement Test.
Instruction and practice in writing university-level expository prose. 3 hours discussion.This is an approved Writing Intensive course. This is an approved General Education course. (003383)
PHYS 202A General Physics   4.0 FS  
Prerequisites: High school physics or faculty permission. High school trigonometry and second-year high school algebra or equivalent (MATH 051 and MATH 118 at CSU, Chico).
Mechanics, properties of matter, wave motion, sound, heat. Science majors are encouraged to take PHYS 204A instead of this course. 3 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. (007394)
PHYS 202B General Physics   4.0 FS  
Prerequisites: PHYS 202A with a grade of C- or higher.
Light, electricity, magnetism, selected topics in modern physics. Science majors are encouraged to take PHYS 204B instead of this course. Algebra and trigonometry are used. 3 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. (007395)

Pre-Medicine

It is recommended that pre-medical students plan to obtain a degree in a field of science, such as chemistry or biology. While students may apply for admission to medical school any time after their junior year, the majority of those admitted have completed a four-year degree, and a sizable number are admitted only after additional graduate work. The bachelors degree in Chemistry or Biochemistry, therefore, is also appropriate for those seeking advanced training in graduate schools or employment in fields related to medicine. See also the Pre-Medicine program under Biological Sciences.

Lower-Division Courses

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
BIOL 151 Principles of Cellular and Molecular Biology Green Leaf Representing that this course is Sustainable 4.0 FS  GE
Prerequisites: Recommend CHEM 111 or concurrent enrollment.
Introduction to biological molecules, bioenergetics, cellular structure and function, elements of molecular biology and genetics, and mechanisms of macroevolution and systematics. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. This is an approved General Education course. (001122)
BIOL 152 Principles of Ecological, Evolutionary, and Organismal Biology Green Leaf Representing that this course is Sustainable 4.0 SP  GE
Prerequisites: BIOL 151 or faculty permission; recommend CHEM 112 or concurrent enrollment.
Introduction to evolutionary history and biological diversity, microbes and protists, invertebrates, vertebrates, and plants. Form and function of plants and animals. Ecological principles. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. This is an approved General Education course. (001123)
CHEM 111 General Chemistry   4.0 FS  GE
Prerequisites: Second-year high school algebra; one year high school chemistry. (One year of high school physics and one year of high school mathematics past Algebra II are recommended.)
Principles of chemistry for students in science, medical, and related professions. Atomic structure, chemical bonding, stoichiometry, periodic table, gases, solids, liquids, solutions, and equilibrium. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. This is an approved General Education course. (001816)
CHEM 112 General Chemistry   4.0 FS  
Prerequisites: CHEM 111 with a grade of C- or better.
A continuation of CHEM 111. Chemical energetics, rates of reaction, acids and bases, solubility, oxidation-reduction, and nuclear chemistry. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (001817)
CHEM 270 Organic Chemistry   4.0 FS  
Prerequisites: CHEM 112.
An introduction to the theory and mechanism of organic reactions. To be followed by CHEM 370, which completes the two-semester sequence for science majors. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. (001840)
MATH 120 Analytic Geometry and Calculus   4.0 FS  GE
Prerequisites: Completion of ELM requirement; both MATH 118 and MATH 119 (or high school equivalent); a score that meets department guidelines on a department administered calculus readiness exam.
Limits and continuity. The derivative and applications to related rates, maxma and minima, and curve sketching. Transcendental functions. An introduction to the definite integral and area. A grade of C- or higher is required for GE credit. 4 hours discussion. This is an approved General Education course. (005506)
MATH 121 Analytic Geometry and Calculus   4.0 FS  
Prerequisites: MATH 120.
The definite integral and applications to area, volume, work, differential equations, etc. Sequences and series, vectors and analytic geometry in 2 and 3-space, polar coordinates, and parametric equations. 4 hours discussion. (005507)
PHYS 202A General Physics   4.0 FS  
Prerequisites: High school physics or faculty permission. High school trigonometry and second-year high school algebra or equivalent (MATH 051 and MATH 118 at CSU, Chico).
Mechanics, properties of matter, wave motion, sound, heat. Science majors are encouraged to take PHYS 204A instead of this course. 3 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. (007394)
PHYS 202B General Physics   4.0 FS  
Prerequisites: PHYS 202A with a grade of C- or higher.
Light, electricity, magnetism, selected topics in modern physics. Science majors are encouraged to take PHYS 204B instead of this course. Algebra and trigonometry are used. 3 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. (007395)

Upper-Division Courses

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
CHEM 320 Quantitative Analysis   4.0 FS  
Prerequisites: CHEM 112 with a grade of C- or higher.
Precision and accuracy in measurements, interpretation of data by statistical analysis, and development of good quantitative techniques. Analysis by gravimetry, titrimetry, potentiometry, chromatography, and spectrometry. 2 hours discussion, 6 hours laboratory. (001847)
CHEM 370 Organic Chemistry   3.0 FS  
Prerequisites: CHEM 270 with a grade of C- or higher.
Lecture continuation of the theory and mechanisms of organic reaction. 3 hours discussion. (001852)
CHEM 370L Organic Chemistry Laboratory   1.0 FS  
Prerequisites: CHEM 370 may be taken as a prerequisite or concurrently with CHEM 370L.
Laboratory continuation of the theory and mechanisms of organic reactions. Completes the two-semester sequence for science majors. 3 hours laboratory. (001856)
CHEM 451 Biochemistry   3.0 FS  
Prerequisites: CHEM 370 with a grade of C- or higher.
A general study of the chemistry of biomolecules. Conformation and function of enzymes and other proteins; metabolism, energy generation, and storage; brief discussion of chemistry of DNA replication, transcription and translation, and of important physiological processes. 3 hours discussion. (001900)

Recommended Upper-Division Electives

SUBJ NUM Title Sustainable Units Semester Offered Course Flags
BIOL 360 Genetics   4.0 FS  
Prerequisites: BIOL 153 or permission of instructor.
A detailed study of the principles of classical, molecular, and population/evolutionary genetics. Activities will include computer simulations of segregation, linkage, and population genetics, internet-based database searches for genetic diseases and cloned genes, and searches of the current genetic literature. 3 hours lecture, 1 hour discussion. (001173)
BIOL 416 Vertebrate Physiology   4.0 FS  
Prerequisites: BIOL 152, BIOL 153; CHEM 108 or CHEM 270.
General features of vertebrate physiology. Function of muscular, nervous, respiratory, circulatory, excretory, and endocrine systems. 2 hours discussion, 6 hours laboratory. (001180)
BIOL 426 Embryology   4.0 SP  
Prerequisites: BIOL 152, BIOL 153, or faculty permission.
Principles and theories of animal development, emphasizing the vertebrate. 3 hours discussion, 3 hours laboratory. (001188)
BIOL 430 Comparative Anatomy of the Vertebrates   4.0 FA  
Prerequisites: BIOL 152, BIOL 153.
Explanation of the anatomical similarities and differences of selected vertebrates. The evolution and adaptive significance of various systems are considered. 2 hours discussion, 6 hours laboratory. (001171)

Pre-Optometry

The requirements for optometry schools vary widely. The student should see the pre-optometry advisor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the catalog of the school of his/her choice. The prospective student is encouraged to consult the Department Chair for further information.

Pre-Pharmacy

The requirements for pharmacy schools vary widely. The student should see the pre-pharmacy advisor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the catalog of the school of his/her choice. The prospective student is encouraged to consult the Department Chair for further information.

Pre-Physical Therapy

See the listings under Biological Sciences.

Forensic Science and Graduate Programs in Criminalistics

Entry-level employment and graduate programs in criminalistics commonly require a major in one of the physical or biological sciences, including a year of general chemistry and a course in quantitative analysis. Please see the Anthropology section for a program in Forensic Identification.

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