I. Majors

Students can elect to major in chemistry, biochemistry, environmental chemistry (joint major), or molecular biology and biochemistry.

II. Course Requirements

Chemistry

MATH 0121*, MATH 0122*, PHYS 0108 or PHYS 0109*, PHYS 0110 or PHYS 0111, CHEM 0103*, CHEM 0104 (or CHEM 0107), CHEM 0203 (or CHEM 0241), CHEM 0204 (or CHEM 0242), CHEM 0311, and either CHEM 0351 or CHEM 0355, and two electives chosen, with an advisor’s approval, from 0200-, 0300- or 0400- courses the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department or GEOL 0323. Independent study courses (CHEM 0400, CHEM 0500, CHEM 0700, or CHEM 0701) cannot count as electives.

Honors in Chemistry

MATH 0121*, MATH 0122*, PHYS 0108 or PHYS 0109*, PHYS 0110 or PHYS 0111, CHEM 0103*, CHEM 0104 (or CHEM 0107), CHEM 0203 (or CHEM 0241), CHEM 204 (or CHEM 0242), CHEM 0311, CHEM 0312, CHEM 0351, CHEM 0355, CHEM 0431, CHEM 0400, CHEM 0701.

Biochemistry

MATH 0121*, MATH 0122*, PHYS 0108 or PHYS 0109*, PHYS 0110 or PHYS 0111, CHEM 0103*,CHEM 0104 (or CHEM 0107), CHEM 0203 (or CHEM 0241), CHEM 204 (or CHEM 0242), CHEM 0313, CHEM 0322, and two electives chosen, with an advisor’s approval, from 0200-,0300- or 0400-level courses in the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department or BIOL 0314. Independent study courses (CHEM 0400, CHEM 0500, CHEM 0700, or CHEM 0701) cannot count as electives.

Honors in Biochemistry

MATH 0121*, MATH 0122*, PHYS 0108 or PHYS 0109*, PHYS 0110 or PHYS 0111, CHEM 0103*, CHEM 0104 (or CHEM 0107), CHEM 0203 (or CHEM 0241), CHEM 204 (or CHEM 0242), CHEM 0311, CHEM 0313, CHEM 0322, CHEM 0355, CHEM 0425, CHEM 0400, CHEM 0701.

Environmental Chemistry

See the listing for the Environmental Chemistry focus under the Program in Environmental Studies. 

Molecular Biology and Biochemistry

See Program in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry

*Students may receive credit for courses indicated by an asterisk with a satisfactory score on the advanced placement examination for that subject. Students who have scored a 4 or 5 on the advanced placement examination in chemistry are awarded a course credit for CHEM 0103 and may enroll in CHEM 0107 (strongly encouraged) or CHEM 0104. Students who do not have an AP score of 4 or 5, but have a strong background in chemistry should take the department’s online placement examination to determine if they are prepared for CHEM 0104 or CHEM 0107. Those students who achieve a satisfactory score on the placement examination will be encouraged to register for CHEM 0104 or CHEM 0107, but will not receive credit for CHEM 0103.

III. Independent Research and Senior Thesis Program

Many students participate in independent research (CHEM 0500 or CHEM 0700) or complete senior thesis projects (CHEM 0400 and CHEM 0701). Students who are interested in completing a senior thesis project should meet with their academic advisor for guidance in seeking a research advisor no later than winter term of their junior year. Although required for departmental honors, students may also participate the senior thesis program without pursuing honors and the associated coursework.

IV. Eligibility for Honors in Chemistry or Biochemistry

Students who successfully complete the honors coursework—including the senior thesis program—with a minimum grade point average of 3.20 are awarded departmental honors.  High Honors may be awarded at the discretion of the department and the thesis committee to students who demonstrate exceptional achievement in both the thesis program and departmental course work.

V. Recommended Programs of Study

Several coursework options for students considering chemistry or biochemistry as a major are shown below. Although students may deviate from these guides, it is strongly recommended that all prospective majors complete CHEM 0104 or CHEM 0107 by the end of their first year and the calculus (MATH 0121 and 0122) and physics (PHYS 0108 or PHYS 0109 and 0110 or 0111) courses by the end of their second year. Completing CHEM 0203 as early as possible provides the maximum flexibility both within the major and for other academic interests, including study abroad.

Chemistry 

First Year:
  Fall: CHEM 0103, MATH 0121
  Spring: CHEM 0104, MATH 0122 
  OR
  Fall: CHEM 0104 or CHEM 0107, MATH 0121
  Spring: MATH 0122 (consider CHEM 0203)

Sophomore Year:
  Fall: CHEM 0203, PHYS 0108 or PHYS 0109
  Spring: CHEM 0204, PHYS 0110 or PHYS 0111

Junior Year:
  Fall: CHEM 0311, CHEM 0351*
  Spring: *(OR CHEM 0355)

Senior Year:
  Fall: elective
  Spring: elective

Biochemistry 

First Year:
  Fall: CHEM 0103, MATH 0121
  Spring: CHEM 0104, MATH 0122
  OR
  Fall: CHEM 0104 or CHEM 0107, MATH 0121
  Spring: MATH 0122 (consider CHEM 0203)

Sophomore Year:
  Fall: CHEM 0203, PHYS 0108 or PHYS 0109
  Spring: CHEM 0204, PHYS 0110 or PHYS 0111

Junior Year:
  Fall: CHEM 0322
  Spring: CHEM 0313

Senior Year:
  Fall: elective
  Spring: elective

Chemistry with Honors 

First Year:
  Fall: CHEM 0103, MATH 0121
  Spring: CHEM 0104, MATH 0122
  OR
  Fall: CHEM 0104 or CHEM 0107, MATH 0121
  Spring: MATH 0122 (consider CHEM 0203)

Sophomore Year:
  Fall: CHEM 0203, PHYS 0108 or PHYS 0109
  Spring: CHEM 0204, PHYS 0110 or PHYS 0111

Junior Year:
  Fall: CHEM 0311, CHEM 0351
  Spring: CHEM 0312, CHEM 0355

Senior Year:
  Fall: CHEM 0400, CHEM 0431
  Spring: CHEM 0701

Biochemistry with Honors

First Year:
  Fall: CHEM 0103, MATH 0121
  Spring: CHEM 0104, MATH 0122
  OR
  Fall: CHEM 0104 or CHEM 0107, MATH 0121
  Spring: MATH 0122 (consider CHEM 0203)

Sophomore Year:
  Fall: CHEM 0203, PHYS 0108 or PHYS 0109
  Spring: CHEM 0204, PHYS 0110 or PHYS 0111

Junior Year: 
  Fall: CHEM 0311, CHEM 0322
  Spring: CHEM 0313, CHEM 0355

Senior Year:
  Fall: CHEM 0400, CHEM 0425
  Spring: CHEM 0701