The department’s curriculum can be described in terms of the traditional areas of chemistry. While every major should know something about all those areas, we have chosen to state the specific requirements for the chemistry major or minor in a different — we think more flexible — way that emphasizes the various ways chemists approach chemical systems and the broad range of skills that chemists use.

Thus, a chemistry major or minor starts in the introductory sequences in chemistry, physics, and mathematics. These courses lay the groundwork of facts and skills on which the rest of the major builds: practice in thinking and problem-solving, an introduction to laboratory methods, the mathematical reasoning necessary for interpretation of laboratory results, and some important physical and chemical models.

Students then are required to take several intermediate-level courses. To round out the major, students choose from a group of more topical or advanced courses. These courses draw upon the skills and background acquired in previous courses, and encourage students to achieve an integrated view of the discipline. Finally, chemistry majors and minors also participate in a series of three partial-credit seminars that provide a capstone for the program.

The Chemistry Minor provides an opportunity for students with major interests in other disciplines to complete a broad but flexible program in chemistry as well. The requirements for the minor are built on the same framework as those for the major, but fewer courses are required, and there is not an explicit requirement for as much supporting work in mathematics and physics.