Chemistry and Biochemistry

PHARMACOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY (CH35)

Requirements for the PHARMACOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY B.S. Degree

The Pharmacological Chemistry major provides a strong background in chemistry and includes most courses required by California pharmacy schools. The major is intended primarily to prepare students for pharmacy school (Pharm.D.). Students fulfilling their elective requirements with appropriate courses would be prepared for graduate school to obtain a Ph.D. in pharmacology, biochemistry or other areas of science. Degree recipients would also be prepared for most jobs in the biotechnology and chemical industries.

Pharmacological chemistry students are strongly encouraged to complete a full year of general chemistry and a full year of lower-division biology. As with some medical programs, some pharmacy programs may require a full year of these courses and may not accept tests such as the Advanced Placement exam to satisfy these requirements.



The following courses must be taken for a letter grade:

Lower-Division Requirements

  1. Biology (BILD 1, 2 and 3 and either BICD 101, 111, 131, or BIPN 105 or BIMM 121).   Alternatively, a year of biology with laboratory at a community college may be petitioned.
  2. General chemistry including laboratory (CHEM 6A-6C or 6AH-6CH, and 7L, or equivalent).
  3. Calculus-based physics including laboratory (PHYS 2A-2B and 2D or equivalent, and either 2BL, 2CL or 2DL.  PHYS 2CL is recommended and is usually the course required by pharmacy schools. It is accessible without PHYS 2C.  PHYS 2CL is the prerequisite for CHEM 105A).
  4. Calculus (MATH 20A–20D, or equivalent).
  5. Economics (ECON 1 or 3 or equivalent).
  6. Pharmacology seminar (CHEM 92).

Most California pharmacy schools require a course in public speaking for admission to the school. Students planning to apply to these programs should take Introduction to Speech, Theatre TDGE 25, or an appropriate course at a community college.

Upper-Division Requirements

  1. Two quarters of physical chemistry (CHEM 126-127 recommended, or the equivalent).
  2. Three quarters of organic chemistry (CHEM 140A-C).
  3. Three quarters of biochemistry (CHEM 114A-B-C).
  4. Four laboratory courses (CHEM 100A, 143AH or 143A, 143B and either 108, 109 or 143C).
  5. One quarter of pharmacology and toxicology (CHEM 118).
  6. One chemistry elective course chosen from among all the upper-division and graduate courses offered by the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry (except non-letter graded courses).

For ACS Certification

If ACS certification is desired, CHEM 120A, plus two additional laboratory courses (CHEM 105A and any one other upper division chemistry lab), are required. Any of these courses would satisfy #6 above.



Suggested Program for Pharmacological Chemistry B.S. Major

(ACS Certification requires additional cources)

(Talk to your college for planning general education courses)

Many courses have enforced prerequisites or are offered once per year.

FALL

WINTER

SPRING
FRESHMAN YEAR
CHEM 6A CHEM 6B CHEM 6C
MATH 20A MATH 20B CHEM 7L

BILD 1
 MATH 20C


CHEM 92
SOPHOMORE YEAR
CHEM 100A*
 CHEM 140B CHEM 143B
CHEM 140A
 CHEM 143AH CHEM 140C
MATH 20D PHYS 2A PHYS 2B



JUNIOR YEAR
CHEM 114A* ECON 1/3
 CHEM 114C
PHYS 2D CHEM 114B BILD 3

BILD 2
 PHYS 2CL



SENIOR YEAR
CHEM 127
 CHEM 126 CHEM 118
Lab**
 Bio Lab ***

* Best time to study abroad. Education Abroad Program deadlines for upcoming year vary by country. See EAP website. See the Chemistry & Biochemistry Undergraduate Advisor for assistance in planning to study abroad.
** CHEM 108 or 109 or 143C.
*** BICD 101, 111, 131, or BIPN 105 or BIMM 121 (some have prerequisites that must be taken in an earlier quarter)


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