The chemistry major---The following one-semester
courses are required for the chemistry major: CHEM 211L,
212L, 309L,
310, 311L,
312L, 313,
314L, and one 400-level chemistry course;
PHYS 231L; and MATH 132.
A grade of at least C- must be obtained in all required courses. The
Writing Intensive Part II requirement is fulfilled by one of the following
courses: CHEM 309L or CHEM 311L.
The senior exercise for the chemistry major is CHEM 309L.
The major as outlined above covers four of the five
principal divisions of chemistry. The Chemistry Department, however, strongly urges
those students who wish to prepare for graduate study in chemistry to take at least
two 400-level chemistry courses. Students who wish to be certified by the American
Chemical Society must complete two 400-level courses. These courses must be
CHEM 404. Biological Chemistry and
CHEM 425. Research (Laboratory) (minimum 1 credit).
Study away---Chemistry or biochemistry majors wishing to
study away should plan well in advance of the semester or year they intend to go
abroad. There are a variety of programs available and students should review the
information provided by the Office of International Programs and schedule a
meeting with Professor Parr, the study abroad adviser in the Chemistry Department.
In recent years, our majors have studied in Australia and the British Isles.
In addition, students planning to study abroad who
wish to have a course or courses counted towards partial fulfillment of the
requirements for the chemistry or biochemistry major must present in writing a
complete description of such courses for prior approval by the chair of the
department. If approved, credit will be granted only after a satisfactory
demonstration of completed work has been presented to the chair of the department.
This must include a certified transcript from the institution.
Advanced Placement---Students with an AP Chemistry exam
score of 4 or better will receive one course credit. This credit can be used to
fulfill graduation requirements, but it cannot be used to fulfill any Chemistry
Department prerequisite.
Teaching assistantships---Students wishing to serve as
teaching assistants for chemistry courses must complete the appropriate form
available from the registrar. All teaching assistantships will be graded on the
pass/low pass/fail basis.
Honors---Honors will be awarded to students with a B+
average (3.33 or better) in all courses required for the major. A student must
also complete at least one course credit of laboratory research
(CHEM 425) approved by the Chemistry Department and
earn a grade of at least B+.
Senior thesis---A senior thesis requires a substantial
amount of laboratory work. Students contemplating writing a thesis should
therefore consult with their research advisers in their junior year. A Chemistry
Department thesis application form (available from the chemistry secretary) must
be submitted to the chair of the department by the end of the first week of
classes of the fall semester of their senior year. Chemistry faculty members
will evaluate applications. Students whose thesis applications are approved will
enroll in CHEM 499. Senior Thesis for 1 credit in the
spring semester of their senior year and participate in the departmental seminar
series. Students who enroll in
CHEM 498. Senior Thesis Part I in the fall will be
required to enroll in Thesis Part II in the spring.