Program: Roadmap: Chemistry, Biochemistry Concentration, BS - San José State University

Jul 10, 2025

2025-2026 Academic Catalog

The following roadmap is a sample advising map to complete the degree program in four years. Please consult your MyPlanner and major advisor as you develop your individualized academic plan. Students must have completed 60+ units in order to enroll in SJSU Studies courses.

*Courses marked with an asterisk may be taken in a different semester than listed.

Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4

Year 1

Fall Semester (15 units)

CHEM 1A - General Chemistry - General Chemistry 5 unit(s) (GE Area 5A + 5C)
MATH 30 - Calculus I - Calculus I 3 unit(s) (GE Area 2)
GE Area 1A (Recommended ENGL 1A ) 3 unit(s)
GE Area 3A 3 unit(s)*
Physical Education 1 unit*

Spring Semester (16 units)

CHEM 1B - General Chemistry 5 unit(s) (GE Areas 5A + 5C)
MATH 31 - Calculus II 4 unit(s) (GE Area 2)
BIOL 30 - Principles of Biology I 4 unit(s) (GE Areas 5A + 5C)
ENGL 1B - Argument and Analysis 3 unit(s) (GE Area 3B)*

Year 2

Fall Semester (15 units)

BIOL 31 - Principles of Biology II 4 unit(s) (GE Areas 5A + 5C)
CHEM 55 - Quantitative Analysis 3 unit(s)
CHEM 55L - Quantitative Analysis Laboratory 2 unit(s)
CHEM 112A - Organic Chemistry 3 unit(s)
CHEM 120S - Chemical Safety Seminar 1 unit
GE Area 1C + US123 3 unit(s)*
Complete the Upper Division Writing - Directed Self Placement

Spring Semester (15 units)

CHEM 112B - Organic Chemistry 3 unit(s)
CHEM 113A - Organic Chemistry Lab 2 unit(s)
CHEM 100W - Writing Workshop: Chemical Communications 3 unit(s) (WID)
PHYS 2A - Fundamentals of Physics 4 unit(s) (GE Areas 5A + 5C)
GE Area 4 + US123 3 unit(s)*

Year 3

Fall Semester (15 units)

CHEM 113B - Organic Chemistry Lab 3 unit(s)
CHEM 130A - Biochemistry 4 unit(s)
BIOL 115 - General Genetics 4 unit(s)
PHYS 2B - Fundamentals of Physics 4 unit(s) (GE Areas 5A + 5C)

Spring Semester (16 units)

CHEM 130B - Biochemistry 4 unit(s)
Note: Offered in Spring only.
CHEM 131A - Biochemistry Lab 2 unit(s)
CHEM 160 - Physical Chemistry 4 unit(s)
GE Area 4 + US 123 3 unit(s)*
GE Area 6 3 unit(s)*
Apply to Graduate

Year 4

Fall Semester (14 units)

CHEM 130C - Biochemistry 3 unit(s)
Note: Offered in Fall only.
CHEM 191 - Undergraduate Seminar 1 unit
PHIL 133 - Ethics in Science 3 unit(s) (GE UD Area 3)
Science Upper Division Elective 4 unit(s)
Science Upper Division Elective 3 unit(s)

Spring Semester (14 units)

CHEM 131B - Biochemistry Lab II 3 unit(s) (GE UD Area 2/5)
Science Upper Division Electives 3 unit(s)
Science Upper Division Elective 4 unit(s)
GE UD Area 4 3 unit(s)*
Physical Education 1 unit*

Roadmap Notes

*Courses marked with an asterisk may be taken in a different semester than listed.

Lower division courses should generally be taken in years 1-2, and upper division courses in years 3-4. Students must have completed 60+ units in order to enroll in Upper Division GE courses. Students should work with an academic advisor to create an individual roadmap using the MyPlanner tool.

BS Chemistry majors are exempt from GE Area 1B. GE Area 5B will be satisfied upon completion of degree.

Choose GE courses that also fulfill (double count) for US123:

HIST 15 (4+US1) and POLS 15 (4+US23)
AAS 33A (4) and AAS 33B (4+US123)
AFAM 2A (4) and AFAM 2B (4+US123)
CCS 10A (4) and CCS 10B (4+US123)

A minimum of 120 units is required for this degree.