Chemistry
Undergraduate Programs
The Department of Chemistry offers BA and BS degrees in chemistry, both of which are liberal arts degrees. The BS degree is generally recognized as preparation for a career in chemistry at the bachelor’s level and hence offers a greater concentration in the field, whereas the BA program provides a greater flexibility in designing a plan of study. Both degrees provide a background in chemistry for graduate and professional study. The department also offers degrees with emphasis in materials or emphasis in biophysical chemistry, as well as a minor in chemistry.
The department requires a GPA of 2.0 or better in courses presented to satisfy either BA or BS major requirements. Among these courses, no more than two with a grade of P may be included.
BA Degree Program
The major in chemistry leading to the BA degree requires the following courses: CHEM 111,* 221, 231, 332, 341, 351, 496; MATH 221 and 222; PHYS 121 (or 131) and 122 (or 132); one and one-half additional courses** from among CHEM 335, 422, 445, 455, 462 and 497/498; two additional courses in chemistry; one additional course* within the Division of Science and Mathematics.
* CHEM 107-108 may be substituted for CHEM 111. If this substitution is made, the additional course in the Division of Science and Mathematics is not required.
** Subject to approval of the department, laboratory courses from other departments may be substituted.
No more than 12 credits of CHEM 397 and 497/498 may be used to satisfy the major, and no more than four of these credits may be CHEM 397.
These requirements afford students considerable flexibility in designing courses of study suited to their particular needs and interests. To take full advantage of that flexibility, it is important to plan carefully the sequence of courses in the first two years of study. The student is encouraged to seek early advice from a faculty member.
The following sample sequences are offered as a general guide.
Sequence with CHEM 111
Fall Spring
|
Freshman |
|
|
|
CHEM 111 |
CHEM 231 |
|
|
MATH 221 |
MATH 222 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sophomore |
||
|
CHEM 332 |
CHEM 221 |
|
|
PHYS 131* |
PHYS 132* |
|
|
Junior |
|
|
|
CHEM 341 |
CHEM elective |
|
|
CHEM 351 |
CHEM elective |
|
|
Senior |
|
|
|
CHEM 496 |
CHEM elective |
|
|
CHEM elective |
Science elective |
|
Sequence with CHEM 107-108 |
|
|
|
|
Fall |
Spring |
|
Freshman |
||
|
CHEM 107 |
CHEM 108 |
|
|
MATH 221 |
MATH 222 |
|
|
Sophomore |
||
|
CHEM 231 |
CHEM 332 |
|
|
PHYS 131* |
CHEM 221** |
|
|
PHYS 132* |
||
|
Junior |
||
|
CHEM 341 |
CHEM elective |
|
|
CHEM 351 |
CHEM elective |
|
|
Senior |
||
|
CHEM 496 |
CHEM elective |
|
|
CHEM elective |
* Physics with calculus is strongly recommended but not required.
** Pre-health students may prefer to defer CHEM 221 to the junior year.
These sequences allow the student to explore the various upper-division chemistry course offerings in the junior and senior years.
It is possible to begin specialization within the major early, by choosing a group of electives concentrated on one particular area of chemistry, such as organic, analytical, inorganic or physical chemistry. Students may also design a program interdisciplinary in nature, by choosing complementary electives in other disciplines such as biology, geology or physics. Especially in the case of tailored programs, students should obtain advice from Chemistry Department faculty as early as possible in their careers.
For those students desiring a broad background in chemistry, the following general track of chemistry electives is suggested:
• CHEM 335
• CHEM 422
• CHEM 442, 443, 444, 445 or 484
• CHEM 451, 452 or 455.
BS Degree Program
The major in chemistry leading to the BS degree requires the following courses: CHEM 111,* 221, 231, 332, 335, 341, 351, 422; MATH 221, 222, PHYS 121 (or 131) and 122 (or 132); one course from among CHEM 442, 443, 444, 445, 484; either CHEM 451 or 452; CHEM 455 (four credits) and CHEM 496; and four courses in the Division of Science and Mathematics, or professionally related courses.
* CHEM 107-108 may be substituted for CHEM 111 in any program. The following sample sequences are offered as a general guide.
These courses provide the student with a broader and more intense course of study than the BA degree.
Sequence with CHEM 111
|
|
Fall |
Spring |
|
Freshman |
|
|
|
CHEM 111 |
CHEM 231 |
|
|
MATH 221 |
MATH 222 |
|
|
Sophomore |
|
|
|
CHEM 332 |
CHEM 221 |
|
|
CHEM 335 |
Science elective |
|
|
PHYS 131* |
PHYS 132* |
|
|
Junior |
|
|
|
CHEM 351 |
Phys. Chem. II** |
|
|
CHEM 341 |
Inorganic II*** |
|
|
CHEM 422 |
Science elective |
|
|
Senior |
|
|
|
CHEM 455 |
Science elective |
|
|
CHEM 496 |
Science elective |
Sequence with CHEM 107-108
|
|
Fall |
Spring |
|
Freshman |
|
|
|
CHEM 107 |
CHEM 108 |
|
|
MATH 221 |
MATH 222 |
Sequence with CHEM 107-108
|
|
Fall |
Spring |
|
Sophomore |
|
|
|
CHEM 231 |
CHEM 332 |
|
|
PHYS 131* |
CHEM 335 |
|
|
CHEM 221 |
||
|
PHYS 132* |
||
|
Junior |
|
|
|
CHEM 351 |
Phys Chem. II** |
|
|
CHEM 341 |
Inorganic II*** |
|
|
CHEM 422 |
Science elective |
|
|
Senior |
|
|
|
CHEM 455 |
Science elective |
|
|
CHEM 496 |
Science elective |
|
|
Science elective |
* Physics with calculus is strongly recommended but not required.
** Phys. Chem. II may be CHEM 451 or CHEM 452.
*** Inorganic II may be CHEM 442, 443, 444, 445 or 484.
BS Program with Emphasis in Materials
The major in chemistry with emphasis in materials leading to the BS degree requires the following courses: CHEM 111 (or 107/108), 221, 231, 332, 335, 341, 351, 422, 444, 455, 496; MATH 221, 222; PHYS 121 (or 131) and 122 (or 132); one course in the Division of Science and Mathematics; advanced CHEM course from 451 or 452; one course from 445, 397, 497 or other materials laboratory course; and two materials course electives at any level.
BS Program with Emphasis in Biophysical Chemistry
The major in chemistry with emphasis in biophysical chemistry leading to the BS degree requires the following courses: CHEM 111 (or 107/108), 221, 231, 332, 335, 341, 351, 422, 462, 496; MATH 221, 222; PHYS 121 (or 131), 122 (or 132); one course from among CHEM 442, 443, 444, 445, 484; three biophysical chemistry course electives from among CHEM 434, 496, BCHM 301, 302 and Independent Study (CHEM 397, 497, 498 or BCHM 497) in the area of biophysical chemistry; one-half course of chemistry laboratory elective; and one course in the Division of Science and Mathematics, or professionally related course.
Chemistry Minor
Requirements for the minor are:
• CHEM 107 and 108;
• four CHEM courses numbered 200 or above. At least two of these courses must be numbered 300 or above.
CHEM 111 may be substituted for CHEM 107-108. If this substitution is made, an additional chemistry course numbered 200 or above is required. Only courses that fulfill the chemistry major requirements may be used to fulfill the chemistry minor requirements. Keep in mind that at least four of the chemistry courses used for the chemistry minor requirement must be in addition to chemistry courses used to fulfill a student’s major requirement. Among the courses for the chemistry minor, no more than one with a grade of Pass may be included.
American Chemical Society Certification
The Committee on Professional Training of the American Chemical Society sponsors a program to ensure minimum standards of competence for chemists at the bachelor’s degree level. In addition to the BS requirement specified by course number above, ACS certification requires additional laboratory work in inorganic chemistry, which may be fulfilled either by taking CHEM 445 or by taking at least two credits of Advanced Independent Study (CHEM 497 or 498) involving laboratory work in inorganic chemistry, and at least two additional credits of independent study (CHEM 397, 497 or 498) involving laboratory work. For students taking CHEM 111, at least two additional credits of laboratory work beyond those mentioned above must be completed. In both of these cases, the courses used to fulfill these requirements may also serve to fulfill part of the four-elective requirement for the BS degree. Two credits of independent study involve four to eight hours of laboratory work. In 2005 and subsequently, students must complete BCHM 302 (Biochemistry) to gain ACS certification.
Honors Program
Graduation with honors in chemistry is granted for superior independent work. To qualify for admission to the honors program, a student must have demonstrated academic accomplishment of high quality and must have prior enrollment in CHEM 497, Advanced Independent Study, and current enrollment in CHEM 498, Advanced Independent Research — Honors. The results of the honors project, presented in a thesis, are defended before an examining committee. Successful completion of the program earns the recognition of distinguished independent work in chemistry. Detailed guidelines for the program are available from the department office, and should be consulted by majors in their junior year.
Five-Year Program in Chemistry and Materials Science
The five-year program leading to a BS in chemistry and an MS in materials science in five years gives all students a strong research background combined with a strong foundation in chemistry and materials science. It requires completion of all components of the BS in chemistry with emphasis in materials. Participation in three semesters of laboratory/research work from 397, 445, 497 or 598 must be included within the existing BS requirements. In order to complete the five-year option, students are also required to complete all requirements of the MS degree in materials science, including a thesis. Twelve credits taken in the fourth year at the graduate level may be applied to both degree programs. Students in the combined program receive the BS degree after completing their undergraduate requirements.
Students are admitted to the combined program at any time up to the beginning of their senior year. Admission to the combined program is limited to students who have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 in both the major and overall. Students will need to maintain this GPA to stay in the program. In order for students to complete this program within five years, three of the courses required for the BS in chemistry (with materials emphasis) are replaced by the more rigorous graduate course equivalents — e.g. CHEM 411, 444 and 498
by 511, 544 and 598 — and count toward both degree requirements. The BS in chemistry in the combined program meets the certification requirements of the American Chemical Society for a BS chemistry degree.