| Undergraduate
Program - Majoring
& Minoring |
Our
department offers undergraduates a first-class program of courses
leading to either a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in chemistry, a Bachelor of Science
(B.S.) in chemistry, or a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in biochemistry. A minor in chemistry also is offerred.
Majoring
in Chemistry
- A
major in Chemistry leads one to a trail head at graduation from
which many career paths may be taken. One path leads to medical
school, or veterinary school or nursing; that is, to a career
in the health sciences. Another path leads to graduate studies
in chemistry or biochemistry, fore-shadowing a life of teaching
and research. Most environmental problems have a fundamental chemical
basis. The chemistry major is well prepared to attack such problems,
both technically and politically. Chemical analysis underlies
many specialties. Criminal forensics, medical tests, and impurity
testing come to mind. The chemistry major may choose a path in
one of these directions. Synthesis of new materials and drugs
is often the goal of the chemical and pharmaceutical industries.
Many of our chemistry majors choose paths leading to careers in
these areas. Large numbers of our former chemistry majors follow
non-chemistry career paths. They tell us that their chemistry
major provided excellent grounding in analytical thinking and
an understanding of the basics of nature that helped make them
successful in their chosen line of business.
- At
UCSB the freshman student planning a degree in chemistry begins
with a three quarter course in General Chemistry with Laboratory.
Courses in Physics and Mathematics also are taken to provide the
tools and understanding needed for later chemistry courses. In
the second year, the student takes a three quarter course in Organic
Chemistry with Laboratory. More required courses in Physics and,
in the case of the B.S. degree Mathematics, also are taken. The
student takes Analytical and Physical Chemistry with Laboratories
in the junior year. The first opportunity to take upper division
electives in chemistry occurs in this year. Electives allow you
to place an emphasis on one of the subfields of chemistry. The
student takes Inorganic Chemistry and more electives in the senior
year. In addition to advanced courses in organic, inorganic and
physical chemistry, electives exist in biochemistry, biophysics,
quantum mechanics, photochemistry, and statistical mechanics.
We urge qualified chemistry majors to do some real research too
by encouraging independent study and research with individual
professors.
- The
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers two degrees in
Chemistry, the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree, and the Bachelor
of Arts (B.A.) degree. The B.A. degree is intended for those who
want more time for courses outside chemistry itself, and who intend
to branch farther afield after graduation. The B.S. degree includes
more electives chosen in chemistry, and is intended for those
who expect to pursue more studies of a chemical nature.
Majoring
in Biochemistry
- Biochemistry
is an interdisciplinary science that links biological sciences
like molecular biology and genetics to physical sciences like
chemistry and physics. We offer a separate major in biochemistry
because biochemistry is a very large, dynamic subdiscipline of
chemistry that requires a broad training program. The successful
graduate will have the ability to communicate across different
scientific fields while still being expert in an important specialty.
The biotechnology revolution ensures that many employment opportunities
in industry and government await the holder of the B.S. degree
in Biochemistry.
- A
Biochemistry degree is also excellent preparation for advanced
graduate and professional training in many fields. Skills in analytical
and critical thinking developed by the major are broadly applicable
to careers in medicine, pharmacology, environmental fields, technical
management, teaching, business and law.
- The
Biochemistry curriculum in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
emphasizes a distinctly chemical perspective and quantitative
training and hands-on experience with state-of-the-art instrumentation.
Every effort has been made to ensure the best possible laboratory
experience. Honors sections are available in the freshman and
sophomore years. The laboratory courses form an excellent foundation
for undergraduate research. While such an apprenticeship is not
a requirement for the B.S. degree, it is looked upon very favorably
by employers and educational institutions.
- As
befitting its interdisciplinary nature, the course of study leading
to the B.S. in Biochemistry in the Department of Chemistry and
Biochemistry requires a broad range of introductory science and
mathematics courses. These include courses in biology, physics,
calculus and differential equations. General and organic chemistry
also are required and normally completed in the first two years.
- The
first course in biochemistry normally is taken in the third year.
It begins with the structures of important biological molecules
and the properties of enzymes. The course continues with metabolic
pathways and finishes with gene expression and inheritance. Courses
in physical and biophysical chemistry with laboratory are taken,
and the first opportunity to take upper division electives occurs
this year. Electives allow the student to place an emphasis on
one of the subfields of biochemistry. The student takes Inorganic
Chemistry and more electives in the senior year. In addition to
advanced courses in biochemistry and biophysics, electives exist
in advanced organic, inorganic and physical chemistry, quantum
mechanics, photochemistry, and statistical mechanics.
- Well-qualified
undergraduates also can work closely with specific faculty members
on research projects. Quite differently from structured laboratory
courses, involvement in undergraduate research represents a commitment
to explore the possibility of undertaking a career in scientific
research. The projects often involve 15-25 hours per week of work,
extended research during the summers, and the opportunity to be
directly involved with some of the most groundbreaking work in
the field.
Minoring
in Chemistry
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