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Requirements for a Major in Chemistry
The chemistry major has four components:
- an introductory sequence in chemistry,
- supporting introductory-level coursework in mathematics and physics,
- eight of the core chemistry courses, selected from three clusters,
and
- a chemistry seminar series.
The details are indicated in the table below.
| THE CHEMISTRY MAJOR |
Introductory and Supporting Courses:
1. Complete One Sequence (or equivalent) |
| CHEM 115, 116: Principles of Chemistry |
OR |
CHEM 119: Accelerated General Chemistry |
| 2. Complete: |
Mathematics 140, 150, 160: Calculus I - III;
or equivalent |
AND |
Physics 150: Principles of Classical Physics;
Physics 160: Principles of Modern Physics;
or equivalent |
| 3. Complete Additional Chemistry Courses by
Cluster: |
CLUSTER I:
STRUCTURE, PROPERTIES, & SYNTHESIS
(Complete THREE Courses) |
CLUSTER II:
QUANTITATIVE CHEMISTRY
(Complete THREE Courses) |
CLUSTER III:
TOPICS, APPLICATIONS, AND ADDITIONAL SUBDISCIPLINES
(Complete TWO Courses, at least one of which must have an associated laboratory) |
| 250: Organic Chemistry I (Lab) |
210: Analytical Chemistry (Lab) |
Any course colored GREEN in column 1
or 2, or |
| 252: Organic Chemistry II (Lab) |
370: Chemical Dynamics |
440: Advanced Biochemistry |
| 320: Inorganic Chemistry (Lab) |
470: Quantum Chemistry and Statistical Mechanics |
450: Topics in Advanced Organic Chemistry |
| 340: Biochemistry (Lab) |
410: Instrumental Analysis (Lab) |
|
| 247: The Elements of Life |
475: Spectroscopy (Lab) |
|
| 4. Complete at least one course credit (a total
of 6 units) from courses in the Chemistry Seminar Series, CHEM
380, 480, 680. |
NOTES:
(1) There are two separate introductory sequences, and decisions about where
a particular student should enter the CHEM 111-115-116 sequence, whether
CHEM 119 (not offered in 2008-09) would be a better choice, or whether advanced placement is appropriate,
are based on the student's high school record, any available AP exam scores,
and/or a placement examination administered online. (See Advanced Placement).
(2)Some courses in the first two clusters ("Structure, Properties, and Synthesis" and "Quantitative
Chemistry") can also be used to satisfy the requirement for cluster III (those
are coded in green above). Students may count such a course in either cluster
in which it appears, but may not use a single course to satisfy the requirements
of two different clusters.
Flexibility:
The major, structured in this way, can be tailored to suit a variety
of student interests. Thus a student whose interests lean very strongly
toward the chemistry of biological systems, or a student headed for medical
school, might choose to satisfy the cluster requirements as follows:
- Cluster I: Organic Chemistry I and II, (CHEM 250,252) and Biochemistry
(CHEM 340)
- Cluster II: Analytical Chemistry (CHEM 210), Chemical Dynamics (CHEM
370) and Biophysical Chemistry (CHEM 270)
- Cluster III: Advanced Organic (CHEM 450) and Advanced Biochemistry
(CHEM 440).
On the other hand, a student with very strong interests in analytical
or physical chemistry, or perhaps materials science, could choose something
like the following set of courses:
- Cluster I: Inorganic Chemistry (CHEM 320), Organic Chemistry I & II (CHEM
250, 252)
- Cluster II: Analytical Chemistry (CHEM 210), Chemical Dynamics (CHEM
370) and Quantum Chemistry and Statistical Mechanics (CHEM 470)
- Cluster III: Instrumental Analysis (CHEM 410) and Spectroscopy (CHEM
475).
These choices are atypical, but indicate the extent to which programs
can be tailored to individual interests.
American Chemical Society Certification: The
American Chemical Society approves the curricula of undergraduate chemistry
departments, including Lawrence's program, and will certify chemistry
majors whose undergraduate programs meet the society's criteria. The ACS Committee on Professional Training has recently changed its guidelines; the department is considering its response to those changes, but for the present, students
wishing ACS Certification should plan to complete the following courses: Chemistry
210, 250, 252, 320, 340, 370, 470, 410, and 475, plus at least one additional
intermediate or advanced course in chemistry, biology, mathematics, or
physics. ACS Certification is not a Lawrence graduation requirement,
but an "ACS major" does provide a strong foundation for students planning
graduate work in areas related to chemistry.
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