Inside Chemistry

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University


Welcome to the Lawrence

Chemistry Department

 

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.

 

 

Last updated July, 2008

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