Academic Catalog 2024-2025

Chemistry

College of Natural and Behavioral Sciences
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Department Mission Statement

California State University Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) Department of Chemistry provides world-class academic excellence – across the chemical society – by engaging a diverse student body and faculty in a dynamic learning environment. Our department provides cutting-edge research and is shaping the next generation of critical thinkers, scientists, and industry leaders.

Program Description

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers majors leading to a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts Degree. The B.A. degree also has a Biochemistry Option. The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry is designed primarily for students who plan to enter graduate programs in chemistry or other closely related sciences. This program is approved by the American Chemical Society, meeting its guidelines and standards for undergraduate chemistry education. Students graduating with this degree will receive a certificate from the American Chemical Society. The Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry fulfills the need of those students who are pursuing pre-medical or pre-dental programs as well as those who plan to enter fields such as business, environmental or patent law, where a background in chemistry can be of great utility.  Our department webpage link is https://www.csudh.edu/chemistry/

Features

The department is housed in well-equipped offices and laboratories on the third floor of the Science and Innovation Building. The faculty consists of full-time members who represent all the major areas of chemistry.   Students generally benefit from the smaller class sizes and the individualized attention, which is seldom available at large universities.  Students are introduced to modern instrumental techniques and are given many "hands-on" experience opportunities.

Academic Advising

Students who are majoring in chemistry should be advised once each semester, prior to registration. For a list of advisors in the department of chemistry and biochemistry, please visit our website https://www.csudh.edu/chemistry/

Preparation

High school students should include two years of algebra, one year of geometry and a one-year course in chemistry in their high school preparation. A course in high school physics also is recommended. Students who enter without this preparation must expect to delay their graduation beyond the minimum time-period of four years.  Either student take our introduction to chemistry of CHE108 and earn Credit or take the Chemistry placement exam and pass to be placed in the CHE110 General Chemistry I.

Community college transfers should have completed one year of general chemistry, one year of calculus and one year of physics.  They MUST transfer their entire sequence to earn transfer credit/be articulated for our CHE110 and CHE112 general chemistry series in our department.  Please refer to www.assist.org for all agreed and approved articulation requests from Community Colleges, CSUs, and UCs.

Pre-Medical Professions Training in Biochemistry

Students who wish to apply to professional schools of medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, or other medical areas following graduation should consider completing the requirement for a B.S. degree in Chemistry in Biochemistry.  In addition, students should complete the elective course that was not selected to fulfill the degree requirements. The following courses are not usually required for admission to medical school, but it is recommended that students consider them when planning their academic program.  Many former students have found them to be a valuable introduction to courses that must be taken in many professional programs.  Please note: BIO220 Molecular Biology is a pre-requisite for BIO320 and BIO340.  Biochemistry students do not need to take BIO124 & BIO125.  6 Units in the C Elective area is required for BS Biochemistry majors listed below. 

BIO 314Developmental Biology3
BIO 315Developmental Biology Lab1
BIO 320Cell Biology3
BIO 340Genetics3

Student Organizations

Membership in the Chemistry & Biochemistry Club of CSU Dominguez Hills is open to all students (https://torolink.csudh.edu/organization/chem_biochem).  CSUDH Chemistry & Biochemistry Club

The purpose of this organization is to expand the perception and appreciation of Chemistry & Biochemistry. The mission of the club serves as a valuable medium for information, opportunities, and networking that would assist the academic and professional career goals of students and faculty. All CSUDH students, faculty, and alumni who are interested in chemistry and biochemistry are welcome to join the CSUDH Chemistry & Biochemistry Club.

Graduation With Honors

An undergraduate student may be a candidate for graduation with Honors in Chemistry provided he or she meets the following criteria:

  1. A minimum of 36 units in residence at CSU Dominguez Hills;
  2. A minimum grade point average of at least 3.5 in all courses used to satisfy the upper-division requirements in the major;