Chemistry Major

Chemistry Overview

Undergraduate Program

Chemistry is a central science that is important to the intellectual and technological advances in society and many of the sciences.  The boundaries between chemistry and other science fields are continually blurring and thus chemistry remains an important part of a liberal arts education.

The Chemistry Department offers an undergraduate program with the following goals in mind:

• to provide a variety of course offerings that are consistent with the accreditation requirements of the American Chemical Society (ACS);
• to offer a program that will prepare students for graduate work in chemistry and related fields;
• to provide a strong scientific background for students planning careers in health-related professions;
• to provide students not majoring in science an overview of the impact of science on society

The department offers two tracks leading to a B.A. in chemistry. The requirements for the two tracks are designed to allow students to choose their course work depending upon their ultimate career goals.  The Standard Track offers a flexible yet comprehensive chemistry major that is appropriate for those students with an interest in chemistry, but who plan to go into a field in which chemistry is not the major focus such as the health professions (medical, dental or veterinary school), high school teaching, technical sales, etc.  The ACS-certified track meets the entrance requirements for graduate study in chemistry and is recommended for those students with a strong interest in chemistry and a desire for a profession in the chemical sciences.  Students are encouraged to consult early with a faculty member in the department to determine the appropriate course plan based on career or post-graduate goals.

For more information, please visit the Chemistry Department’s website.

Major Requirements

Students pursuing either track are required to take a minimum of eight chemistry courses beyond the Introductory Chemistry course sequence.  Three of the eight chemistry courses must be Organic Chemistry I (CHEM 131), Analytical Chemistry (CHEM 140), and a physical chemistry course (CHEM 260 or BCMB 264).  At least four of the remaining five courses must be at the 200-level and three of those five courses must have a laboratory component.  All students must complete a capstone experience, which can be met through a variety of 200-level courses.  Students pursuing the ACS-certified track must complete an additional 200-level course with a laboratory component.  For ACS-certified track majors, one of the remaining two 200-level courses must be a directed research course (CHEM 297 or CHEM 299).  Students who participate in a summer research project and provide an acceptable final report do not need to take CHEM 299 as one of the remaining 200-level courses.  All students must complete two mathematics courses and two science courses outside chemistry or biochemistry.  Students must also demonstrate competence in communicating chemical concepts (through reports based on research in the chemical literature, Academic Spree Day presentations, Directed Study papers, Honors theses, or publications).  All majors are required to take a standardized undergraduate chemistry knowledge diagnostic exam before graduation.  All courses for the major must be taken for a letter grade.

All majors are encouraged to undertake independent research projects as a candidate for Honors, through Directed Study or through one of the department’s summer research fellowships.  Students are encouraged to begin the research experience by taking CHEM 199 Introduction to Research  with one of the department faculty prior to CHEM 299 Directed Study  or CHEM 297 Honors .

Capstone Requirement (Both Tracks)

A capstone experience, taken during the student’s senior year, is required for the chemistry major.  Capstone experiences allow students to acquire knowledge and professional skills through research experiences, course work, or internships.  A capstone experience in chemistry will involve either participation in evaluative research or creation of a research proposal.

The capstone requirement can be fulfilled in one of four ways:

1. Participation in the CHEM Honors Program (CHEM 297 )
2. Completing a minimum of one unit of directed research (CHEM 299 )
3. Completing one unit of an internship for academic credit (CHEM 298 )
4. Completing one 200-level CHEM elective identified as eligible for the capstone experience

Students must register for the appropriate course section and submit the capstone declaration form with the instructor’s signature to the Chemistry Department by the end of the first week of the semester that the capstone will be completed.  Students must submit a written report or written proposal to the relevant capstone instructor in partial fulfillment of the capstone experience.  Students are responsible for completing all non-departmental requirements (e.g. obtaining credit for internships, establishing off-campus research experiences, etc.).

Courses eligible for fulfillment of the capstone requirement:

• BCMB 275 Protein Chemistry  
• BCMB 276 Chemical Biology - Techniques and Applications in Research  
• BCMB 277 - Enzyme Reaction Mechanisms  
• BCMB 279 Computers in Biochemistry  
• CHEM 283 Polymeric Biomaterials  
• CHEM 250 Inorganic Chemistry  

Honors

An Honors Program is offered for highly qualified and motivated majors.  Students who want to enter this program must apply in writing to the department chair prior to the beginning of their senior year.  Applicants must have a minimum B+ GPA in science and math courses.  Participants are required to engage in an independent research project, participate in the department seminar program, present the research project results in a public seminar, submit an honors thesis (or a journal publication based on the research project) at least one week before the public seminar, and pass a set of comprehensive examinations.  Further information about the program is provided on our undergraduate research website or can be obtained from the department chairperson, Professor Luis Smith (Room S212, Sackler Sciences Center; lusmith@clarku.edu).

Chemistry and Biochemistry Faculty

Chemistry Courses

Courses offered within the last 2 Academic Years

• CHEM 010 - Topics in Contemporary Chemistry
• CHEM 030 - Kitchen Chemistry
• CHEM 101 - Introductory Chemistry I
• CHEM 102 - Introductory Chemistry II
• CHEM 103 - Accelerated Introductory Chemistry
• CHEM 131 - Organic Chemistry Principles
• CHEM 132 - Organic Chemistry in Depth
• CHEM 140 - Analytical Chemistry
• CHEM 199 - Introduction to Research
• CHEM 236 - Organometallic Chemistry
• BCMB 237 - Chemistry and Biology of Medicine
• CHEM 250 - Inorganic Chemistry
• CHEM 256 - Inorganic Materials
• CHEM 258 - Crystallography, Diffraction, and Scattering Methods
• CHEM 260 - Physical Chemistry I
• CHEM 262 - Physical Chemistry II
• BCMB 264 - Biophysical Chemistry
• BCMB 266 - Biomolecular NMR
• BCMB 271 - Biochemistry I
• BCMB 272 - Biochemistry II
• BCMB 275 - Protein Chemistry
• BCMB 276 - Chemical Biology - Techniques and Applications in Research
• BCMB 277 - Enzyme Reaction Mechanisms
• BCMB 279 - Computers in Biochemistry
• CHEM 281 - Polymer Science
• CHEM 283 - Polymeric Biomaterials
• CHEM 285 - The Chemistry of Materials that Store Energy
• CHEM 287 - Applied Electrochemistry:Experimental Techniques for our Energy-Hungry World
• CHEM 289 - Research Methods
• CHEM 297 - Honors
• CHEM 298 - Internship
• CHEM 299 - Directed Study