The following courses must be taken for a letter grade:

1. General Chemistry (CHEM 6A or 6AH, 6B or 6BH, and 6C or 6CH)
2. General Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 7L or 7LM)
3. Physics (PHYS 1A, 1B, AND 1C)*
4. Physics Labs (1AL, 1BL, AND 1CL)*
5. Calculus (MATH 10A, 10B, and 10C)
6. Calculus Based Introductory Probability and Statistics (MATH 11)**
   1. If students complete the MATH 20 series (MATH 20A, 20B, 20C), they have the option of taking MATH 20D OR MATH 11 to complete their calculus requirement. 
7. General Cell Biology (BILD 1 and 2)
8. Organic Chemistry (CHEM 41A, 41B and 41C)***
9. Organic Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 43A or 43AM)

*The PHYS 2 series (PHYS 2A, 2B, 2C and 2BL or 2CL or 2DL) is also accepted.

**The MATH 20 series (MATH 20A, 20B, and 20C) is also accepted. 

***If you have questions about the new organic chemistry restructuring or the honors sequence, please see our FAQ page. 

The following courses must be taken for a letter grade: 

1. Physical Biochemistry (CHEM 126A and 126B)
2. Biochemistry (CHEM 114A*, 114B*, and 114C*)
3. Three laboratory courses:

   1. Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 100A)
   2. Organic Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 143B)
   3. Protein Biochemistry Laboratory (CHEM 108*) or Recombinant DNA Laboratory (CHEM 109*) or Advanced Organic Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 143C)
4.  One PHARM Restricted Elective, chosen from:

   1. Pharmacology and Toxicology (CHEM118)
   2. Medicinal Chemistry (CHEM167)
   3. Drug Synthesis and Design ( CHEM168)
5. Two Restricted Electives, chosen from: 

   1. Pharmacology and Toxicology (CHEM118)#
   2. Medicinal Chemistry (CHEM167)#
   3. Drug Synthesis and Design (CHEM168)#
   4. Human Physiology I (BIPN100)
   5. Human Physiology II (BIPN102)
   6. Microbiology (BIMM120)
   7. Microbiology Lab (BIMM121)
      

   #If not taken to fulfill the PHARM Restricted Elective.

6. One open elective chosen from the following options:
   1. A four-unit (minimum) upper division undergraduate course (numbered 100-191) offered by the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and taken for a letter grade
   2. A four-unit (minimum) upper division undergraduate course (numbered 100-191) in the topics of Physiology, Anatomy, Microbiology, or Human Behavior from the Division of Biology (except non-letter graded courses).
   3. 4 Units of CHEM 199 may be petitioned.

*These courses marked with an asterisk are duplications of credit with select Biology courses. This means that students can only receive units for one course in each respective pair. If you are a Pharmacological Chemistry major, you are advised to not complete the following Biology courses, and complete the CHEM versions instead:

• BIBC 100 = CHEM 114A
• BIBC 102= CHEM 114B
• BIMM 100= CHEM 114C
• BIBC 103 = CHEM 108
• BIMM 101= CHEM 109

Non-chemistry majors: please reach out to us if you have credit for these courses already, and are interested in a minor, major, or double major in our department.

In the cases where you want to take a Biology course that requires any of the above courses as a prerequisite, WebReg is coded to accept the duplicate course and you should still plan to take the Chemistry versions as required by your major. Please reach out to us in the Virtual Advising Center (VAC) if you have further questions.

• All courses for the major, lower-division and upper-division, must be taken for a letter grade.
  
  • This excludes Special Studies courses, like CHEM 199, which only allow P/NP grading option
• All lower division coursework for the major must be completed with a "D" grade or higher 
• A minimum 2.0 major GPA is required for graduation
• No more than one (1) "D" grade is allowed in upper-division coursework. You may graduate with only one "D" in upper division coursework so long as your GPA remains in good standing. Given extenuating circumstances, a petition may be submitted to graduate with 2 Ds if one of them occurs in your graduating quarter. You will need to include details of why the exception should be granted
• To receive a Bachelor of Science from UC San Diego, all students must complete 48 or more units of upper-division course work within the major
• All Chemistry/Biochemistry majors are required to complete at least six (6) upper-division courses within the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department

It is the students' responsibility to read and understand all policies listed here.

Replace the elective listed above (#6) with the following 3 courses:

1. Inorganic Chemistry I (CHEM 120A)
2. Physical Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 105A)
3. Select 1 of the following labs:

• • Instrumental Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 100B)
  • Advanced Physical Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 105B)
  • Advanced Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 123)
  • Molecular Design and Synthesis (CHEM 143D)
  • Protein Biochemistry Lab (CHEM 108)*
  • Recombinant DNA Laboratory (CHEM 109)* or
  • Advanced Organic Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 143C)*

*If not already being taken to complete lab elective requirement for CH35.

Pharmacological Chemistry Major 4-Year Plan (Printer Friendly PDF)

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS THAT MATRICULATED

FALL 2017-FALL 2020

The following courses must be taken for a letter grade, unless that is not permitted:

Lower-Division Requirements

1. General Chemistry (CHEM 6A, 6B & 6C or 6AH, 6BH & 6CH)
2. General Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 7L or 7LM)
3. Physics  (PHYS 2A, 2B & 2C or 2D)
4. Physics Laboratory (PHYS 2BL, 2CL or 2DL)
5. Calculus (MATH 20A, 20B, 20C & 20D)
6. Organic Chemistry  (CHEM 40A, 40B & 40C or 40AH, 40BH & 40CH)
7. Organic Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 43A or 43AM)
8. Biology (BILD 1 & 2)

Upper-Division Requirements

1. Physical Chemistry (CHEM 126A & 126B recommended; CHEM 130, 131 & 132 acceptable)
2. Biochemistry (CHEM 114A, 114B, & 114C)   
3. Pharmacology and Toxicology (CHEM 118)
4. Medicinal Chemistry (CHEM 167)
5. Drug Synthesis and Design (CHEM 168)
6. Required Laboratory Courses:  
   • Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 100A)
   • Organic Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 143B)
   • Choose One:  Protein Biochemistry Lab (CHEM 108), Recombinant DNA Laboratory (CHEM 109), or Advanced Organic Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 143C)
7. Elective: This elective is defined as a four-unit (minimum) upper division undergraduate course offered by the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and taken for a letter grade.  4 units of a non-letter graded courses such as CHEM 199, may be petitioned to fulfill this elective. See details here.

For ACS Certification

Replace the elective listed above (#7) with the following 3 courses:

1. Inorganic Chemistry I (CHEM 120A)
2. Physical Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 105A)
3. Select 1 of the following labs:

• • Instrumental Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 100B)
  • Advanced Physical Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 105B)
  • Advanced Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 123)
  • Molecular Design and Synthesis (CHEM 143D)
  • Protein Biochemistry Lab (CHEM 108), Recombinant DNA Laboratory (CHEM 109), or Advanced Organic Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 143C) (if not already taken as the Biochemistry Laboratory)

IMPORTANT NOTES:

• The plan below does not include classes required for ACS certification. To receive ACS certification, you must follow the instructions in the "For ACS Certification" section.
• Most California pharmacy schools require additional coursework that is not part of the Pharmacological Chemistry B.S. for admission to pharmacy school. Students planning to apply to pharmacy school should review the common pharmacy school prerequisite coursework listed on the Career Center's website and meet with a pre-pharm advisor for advice on how to fit these courses into their 4 year plan (if applicable).
• The best time to study abroad is generally fall quarter of Sophomore or Junior year. 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.
• It is your responsibility to ensure that you meet the 48 upper-division unit requirement for your major. Check your degree audit to ensure you will meet this requirement. Transfer students should be especially careful with checking for completion of this requirement.
• Many courses have enforced prerequisites or are offered once per year. It is your responsibility to know which prerequisites are needed for each course. https://www.ucsd.edu/catalog/courses/CHEM.html

The quarter in which a course is offered is subject to change based on space and instructor availability.  Please check the department website course offerings each academic year to see a projection of classes offered by quarter. Many courses have enforced prerequisites or are offered once per year. It is your responsibility to know which pre-requisites are needed for each course. https://www.ucsd.edu/catalog/courses/CHEM.html

*CHEM 118, 167, and 168 may not be offered in the quarter listed. They are each generally offered once per year, in either Winter or Spring Quarter. Please check course offering page or ask a CHEM advisor for the most up-to-date information. 

**CHEM 108 and 109 are 6 units each. CHEM 143C has changed to a 4 unit course (effective S119).

#These courses are duplications of credit with select Biology courses. This means that students can only receive units for one course in each respective pair. If you are a Pharmacological Chemistry major, you are advised to not complete the following Biology courses, and complete the CHEM versions instead:

• BIBC 100 = CHEM 114A
• BIBC 102= CHEM 114B
• BIMM 100= CHEM 114C
• BIBC 103 = CHEM 108
• BIMM 101= CHEM 109

Non-chemistry majors: please reach out to us if you have credit for these courses already, and are interested in a minor, major, or double major in our department.

In the cases where you want to take a Biology course that requires any of the above courses as a prerequisite, WebReg is coded to accept the duplicate course and you should still plan to take the Chemistry versions as required by your major. Please reach out to us in the Virtual Advising Center (VAC) if you have further questions.

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS THAT MATRICULATED

FALL 2016 OR EARLIER.

The following courses must be taken for a letter grade, unless that is not permitted:

Lower-Division Requirements***

1. General Chemistry (6A, 6B & 6C or 6AH, 6BH & 6CH)
2. General Chemistry Laboratory (7L or CHEM 7LM)
3. Physics  (2A, 2B & 2C or 2D)
4. Physics Laboratory (2CL or 2DL)
5. Calculus (20A, 20B, 20C & 20D)
6. Biology (BILD 1, 2, & 3)
7. 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. Organic Chemistry (CHEM 140A or AH, 140B or BH, 140C or CH)
2. Physical Chemistry (CHEM 126 & 127 Recommended, CHEM 130, 131, & 132 Acceptable)
3. Biochemistry (CHEM 114A, 114B, & 114C)   
4. Pharmacology and Toxicology (CHEM 118)
5. Required Laboratory Courses:  
   • Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 100A)
   • Organic Chemistry Laboratory I (CHEM 143A)
   • Organic Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 143B)
   • Choose One:  Protein Biochemistry Lab (CHEM 108), Recombinant DNA Laboratory (CHEM 109), or Advanced Organic Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 143C)
6. Elective: This elective is defined as a four-unit (minimum) upper division or graduate course offered by the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and taken for a letter grade.  4 units of a non-letter graded courses such as CHEM 199, may be petitioned to fulfill this elective.

For ACS Certification

Replace the 1 elective listed above (#6) with the following 3 courses:

1. Inorganic Chemistry I (CHEM 120A)
2. Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 105A)
3. Select 1 of the following labs:Instrumental Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 100B)

• • Advanced Physical Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 105B)
  • Advanced Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 123)
  • Protein Biochemistry Lab (CHEM 108), Recombinant DNA Laboratory (CHEM 109), or Advanced Organic Chemistry Laboratory (CHEM 143C) (if not already taken as the Biochemistry Laboratory)

Suggested Program for Pharmacological Chemistry B.S. Major who began at UCSD After Fall 2012

• Talk to your college for planning general education courses   
• ACS Certification requires additional courses not included below
• 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.
• Best time to study abroad is Fall quarter of Sophomore or Junior year. 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.

The quarter in which a course is offered is subject to change based on space and instructor availability.  Please check the department website each academic year to see a projection of classes offered by quarter. Many courses have enforced prerequisites or are offered once per year. 

** CHEM 108 or 109 or 143C.