51³Ô¹ÏÍø

A major in chemistry or biochemistry is suitable for students who wish to prepare for careers in the chemical profession or in the related fields of life, health, or earth sciences. Many graduates go on to advanced programs in biochemistry, chemistry, environmental sciences, chemical physics, pharmacology, medicine, dentistry, or veterinary medicine. Recent chemistry and biochemistry students have also pursued careers in law, business, teaching, and other fields.

Teacher Certification

The Department of Educational Studies offers a teacher education program for majors in chemistry who are interested in pursuing a career in elementary or secondary school teaching. Please refer to Educational Studies.

Awards

The Haskell Schiff Memorial Prize — given to the member of the first-year class who seems to show the most promise for a career in physical chemistry.

The Edwin Foster Kingsbury Prizes — established as an annual award to those students whose performance and promise is judged by the department to be the most outstanding during the year of the award.

The Lawrence Chemical Prizes — established in honor of G.O. Lawrence of Buenos Aires by Dr. Joseph Frank McGregory, professor of chemistry 1883–1929, and awarded to two students for excellence in chemistry. The Elmer R. Trumbull Endowment, established in 1985 through the generosity of Elmer R. Trumbull, Professor of Chemistry at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø, supports the Lawrence Prize.

The McGregory Fellowship in Chemistry —awarded annually to a member of the graduating class or to an alumÌýof not more than two years' standing, who is considered most worthy. The holder of this fellowship shall continue the study of chemistry for the doctoral degree and may be reappointed annually until receiving the degree; but ordinarilyÌýnot for more than three years.

The Roy Burnett Smith Prize in Chemistry — established in 1959 in honor of the late Professor Roy B. Smith, a member of the Department of Chemistry 1899–1940. The award is made annually at the discretion of the department to a student majoring in chemistry.

The Thurner Prize — established by Professor Emeritus Joseph J. Thurner to encourage research by chemistry students, and awarded annually for the best honors thesis or equivalent paper based on laboratory or other research, written by a senior major in chemistry and/or biochemistry.

The American Chemical Society's Division of Biological Chemistry Undergraduate Award in Biochemistry or Chemical Biology — established by the American Chemical Society's Division of Biological Chemistry to recognize a graduating senior who displays a significant aptitude for biochemistry or chemical biology and to encourage further interest in the field.

The American Chemical Society's Division of Inorganic Chemistry Undergraduate Award in Inorganic Chemistry — established by the American Chemical Society's Division of Inorganic Chemistry to recognize achievement by undergraduate students in the field of inorganic chemistry and to encourage further study in the field.

The American Chemical Society's Division of Organic Chemistry Undergraduate Award in Organic Chemistry — established by the American Chemical Society's Division of Organic Chemistry to recognize a senior student who displays a significant aptitude for organic chemistry and to encourage further interest in the field.

The American Chemical Society's Division of Analytical Chemistry Undergraduate Award in Analytical Chemistry — established by the American Chemical Society's Division of Analytical Chemistry to encourage student interest in analytical chemistry and to recognize students who display an aptitude for a career in the field.

The American Chemical Society's Division of Physical Chemistry Undergraduate Award in Physical Chemistry — established by the American Chemical Society's Division of Physical Chemistry to recognize outstanding achievement in physical chemistry, and to encourage further pursuits in the field.

Advanced Placement

Students may replace the normal, two-semester, introductory chemistry sequence (CHEM 101Ìý²¹²Ô»å CHEM 102) with a one-semester course (CHEM 111) if they meet one of the following minimum criteria: a score of 4 on the Advanced Placement (AP) chemistry exam, a score of 6 or 7 on the higher level international baccalaureate (IB) chemistry exam, a score of 650 on the SAT II chemistry exam, or a grade of A or B on the British A-level exam. Students choosing this course are encouraged to take CHEM 212Ìýin the spring of their first year, providing an early start into the chemistry major. Exceptionally well-prepared students from other pre-matriculation programs should consult with the department chair regarding advanced standing.

Students may also receive course credit (CHEM 100) for an AP score of 4 or 5 or British A-level grade of A or B.

Honors and High Honors

Honors and High Honors in Biochemistry

Honors in biochemistry may be awarded on the same basis as honors in chemistry (see below), except that a student must have at least an overall GPA of 3.00 and a combined GPA of at least 3.00 in all chemistry, biology, physics, and mathematics courses taken.

Honors and High Honors in Chemistry

Honors in chemistry may be awarded to majors who accumulate an overall GPA of at least 3.00 and a combined GPA of at least 3.00 in all chemistry, mathematics, and physics courses taken; complete approved honors projects; and present the results of their projects in both a written thesis and an oral defense to the department. The decision to award honors, high honors, or neither is based on the quality of the honors project, the quality of its presentation and defense, and other evidence of distinction.

Transfer Credit

Transfer students generally receive credit for satisfactorily completed chemistry courses taken at other institutions that correspond to courses at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø. The department considers such transfer credits individually, and students should provide information about the courses (syllabi, catalogÌýstatements, lab notebooks, textbooks, etc.) to the department chair for consideration. These arrangements should be made well before beginning classes at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø.

Matriculated 51³Ô¹ÏÍø students may receive credit for chemistry courses taken at other colleges/universities. Summer courses must meet several criteria established by the department concerning the course content, the length of the course, and the number and length of class and laboratory meetings. Students considering transferring credit to 51³Ô¹ÏÍø for a summer chemistry course should obtain a copy of the department's criteria for an acceptable course, discuss the course with the department chair, and receive approval before taking the summer course. Final acceptance of the transfer credit is contingent upon satisfactory performance on a competencyÌýexam; the department administers this exam prior to the drop/add period for the fall term immediately following the summer course.

Other International Exam Transfer Credit

Transfer credit and/or placement appropriate to academic development of a student may be granted to incoming first year students who have achieved a score on an international exam (e.g., International Baccalaureate, Abitur) that indicates a level of competence equivalent to the completion of a specific course in the department. Requests should be directed to the department chair.

Summer Research Opportunities

51³Ô¹ÏÍø's chemistry department has a rich summer research program and there are numerous summer research opportunities at university, government, and private labs around the country. It is recommended that chemistry and biochemistry majors participate in a full-time research experience before they graduate, in addition to the required year of senior research (CHEM 481/CHEM 482). Students receive stipends, and campus housing is available at reduced rates.

Recommendations

Students wishing to earn an American Chemical Society certified bachelor's degree in chemistry are required to take CHEM 212/CHEM 212L, CHEM 353, and two 400-level courses.

MATH 163Ìý²¹²Ô»å MATH 214Ìýare recommended for students considering graduate study in physical or theoretical chemistry, physical or theoretical biochemistry, or biophysics.

Study Groups

51³Ô¹ÏÍø sponsors several off-campus study groups especially appropriate for majors in chemistry and biochemistry, including the following:

• Australia II Study Group at the University of Wollongong
• Bethesda Biomedical Research in Bethesda, Maryland
• Singapore Exchange at the National University of Singapore
• Wales Study Group at Cardiff University

For more information, consult with the department chair and see Off-Campus Study.

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Majors and Minors

Major

• Biochemistry Major
• Chemistry Major

Minor

• Chemistry Minor

Courses

• CHEM 100Ìý-ÌýThe Chemistry of Altered and Natural Environments
• CHEM 101LÌý-ÌýGeneral Chemistry I Lab
• CHEM 101Ìý-ÌýGeneral Chemistry I
• CHEM 102LÌý-ÌýGeneral Chemistry II Lab
• CHEM 102Ìý-ÌýGeneral Chemistry II
• CHEM 111LÌý-ÌýChemical Principles Lab
• CHEM 111Ìý-ÌýChemical Principles
• CHEM 212LÌý-ÌýInorganic Chemistry Lab
• CHEM 212Ìý-ÌýInorganic Chemistry
• CHEM 214Ìý-ÌýInorganic Chemistry
• CHEM 263LÌý-ÌýOrganic Chemistry I Lab
• CHEM 263Ìý-ÌýOrganic Chemistry I
• CHEM 264LÌý-ÌýOrganic Chemistry II Lab
• CHEM 264Ìý-ÌýOrganic Chemistry II
• CHEM 291Ìý-ÌýIndependent Study
• CHEM 333Ìý-ÌýPhysical Chemistry I
• CHEM 334Ìý-ÌýPhysical Chemistry II
• CHEM 336Ìý-ÌýPhysical Chemistry for the Life Sciences
• CHEM 353Ìý-ÌýProteins and Nucleic Acids
• CHEM 371Ìý-ÌýInstrumental Methods
• CHEM 381Ìý-ÌýPractical Quantitative Analysis
• CHEM 382Ìý-ÌýMolecular Spectroscopy
• CHEM 384Ìý-ÌýMolecular Dynamics
• CHEM 385Ìý-ÌýBiophysical Chemistry Methods
• CHEM 387Ìý-ÌýSpecial Topics: Structure and Analysis
• CHEM 391Ìý-ÌýIndependent Study
• CHEM 413Ìý-ÌýMolecular Symmetry
• CHEM 415Ìý-ÌýOrganometallic Chemistry
• CHEM 431Ìý-ÌýMolecular Modeling and Simulation
• CHEM 440Ìý-ÌýMaterials Chemistry
• CHEM 452Ìý-ÌýMetabolic Chemistry
• CHEM 454Ìý-ÌýBioenergetics
• CHEM 456Ìý-ÌýBioinorganic Chemistry
• CHEM 461Ìý-ÌýOrganic Reaction Mechanisms
• CHEM 464Ìý-ÌýOrganic Synthesis
• CHEM 468Ìý-ÌýMedicinal Chemistry
• CHEM 477Ìý-ÌýEnvironmental Chemistry
• CHEM 481Ìý-ÌýAdvanced Chemistry Research
• CHEM 482Ìý-ÌýAdvanced Chemistry Research
• CHEM 491Ìý-ÌýIndependent Study