Program Overview

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Introduction to the Chemistry Program

The major in Chemistry is designed for students planning careers in the chemical sciences and related disciplines such as biology, medicine, public health, earth sciences, ecology, secondary education, business, and law. The curriculum is structured to satisfy the diverse needs of these students, providing a thorough introduction to the fundamentals of general and analytical chemistry.

Overview of the Program

The Chemistry program at the University of California, Irvine, is committed to providing students with a comprehensive education in chemistry, emphasizing close contact with research and encouraging undergraduate research opportunities. The program is designed to prepare students for careers in chemistry and related fields, as well as for graduate studies.

Admission Requirements

Students may be admitted to the Chemistry major upon entering the University as freshmen, via change of major, or as transfer students from other colleges and universities. For transfer student admission, preference will be given to junior-level applicants with the highest grades overall and who have satisfactorily completed the required courses, including one year of general chemistry with laboratory and one year of approved calculus.

Departmental Requirements

The Department of Chemistry has established the following requirements for the major:

• Core Requirements:
  • MATH 2A, 2B, 2D: Single-Variable Calculus I, II, and Multivariable Calculus I
  • PHYSICS 7C, 7D, 7E: Classical Physics and accompanying laboratories
  • CHEM M2A, M2B, M2C: Majors General Chemistry Lecture, or CHEM H2A, H2B, H2C: Honors General Chemistry
  • CHEM M2LA, M2LB: Majors General Chemistry Laboratory, or CHEM H2LA, H2LB: Honors General Chemistry Laboratory
  • CHEM M3LC: Majors Quantitative Analytical Chemistry Laboratory
  • CHEM 51A, 51B, 51C: Organic Chemistry, and accompanying laboratories
  • CHEM 5: Scientific Mathematical and Computing Skills
  • CHEM 107, 107L: Inorganic Chemistry and laboratory
  • CHEM 152: Advanced Analytical Chemistry, or CHEM 153: Physical Chemistry Laboratory
  • CHEM 132A, 132B, 132C: Chemical Thermodynamics, Kinetics, and Dynamics; Quantum Principles, Spectroscopy, and Bonding; Molecular Structure and Elementary Statistical Mechanics
• Elective Requirements:
  • Select at least five electives from the approved list, including at least two lecture courses and two laboratory courses.

Optional American Chemical Society Certification

For ACS Certification, students must complete additional requirements, including specific courses in chemical biology, advanced analytical chemistry, and physical chemistry laboratory, as well as independent research with a written thesis.

Optional Concentrations and Specializations

The Department offers several optional concentrations and specializations, including:

• Chemical Biology
• Environmental Chemistry
• Medicinal Chemistry
• Nuclear and Radiochemistry
• Synthetic Chemistry
• Theoretical and Computational Chemistry and Quantum Science
• Chemistry Education

Each concentration or specialization has specific course requirements and recommendations for undergraduate research.

Sample Programs

Sample programs are provided for Chemistry majors, including those pursuing concentrations in Theoretical and Computational Chemistry, Chemistry Education, and transfer students entering at the junior level.

Honors Program in Chemistry

The Honors Program in Chemistry is a research-based program offered to selected Chemistry majors during their final year. Students must have completed their junior year with a grade point average of at least 3.3 overall and in their Chemistry courses and demonstrated the potential to carry out research of honors quality.

Departmental Honors

Students who complete the Honors Program requirements, maintain a grade point average above 3.3, and whose research is judged to be of honors quality will graduate with Departmental Honors in Chemistry.

Additional Information

Additional information about the Chemistry program, including admission requirements, course descriptions, and research opportunities, is available from the Chemistry Undergraduate Program Office.