Chemistry Majors
Robert M. Whitnell, Professor, Chair
Anne G. Glenn, Professor
Gail Webster, Associate Professor
Michael Bruno, Assistant Professor
David Millican, Visiting Assistant Professor
As the science of matter and change, chemistry is rapidly emerging as the discipline at the base of many interdisciplinary subjects such as biotechnology, materials science, molecular biology and environmental science. The Guilford Chemistry major explores the fundamental principles of chemistry and examines how those principles are applied to the observable world. Chemistry majors will develop chemical reasoning and experimental skills, as well as an understanding of the science’s interdisciplinary nature.
Students with a major in Chemistry will be prepared to work in the chemical industry; pursue graduate research in chemistry (or a related field); or attend medical, dental or pharmacy school. A Chemistry major can lead to many different careers outside chemical or biochemical research. These include teaching, medicine, patent law, business or interdisciplinary areas such as environmental science, molecular biology, pharmacology, toxicology, materials science, geochemistry and chemical physics.
Key features of the Guilford Chemistry program are the emphasis on research and direct student access to computers and instrumentation. Students in Chemistry at all levels are encouraged to participate in research, whether integrated into courses, through collaboration with faculty during the semester, or through summer research experiences at Guilford or other institutions. In addition, students are encouraged to pursue the practical applications of chemistry through internships. State-of-the-art facilities are available in the Frank Family Science Center for student/faculty research.
Degrees Offered
The Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees are offered in Chemistry.
Major Requirements
Requirements for the major include the completion of a sequence of introductory and advanced courses in chemistry that introduce students to the main areas of study in chemistry. Course work in the related fields of mathematics and physics is also required to prepare students for upper-level courses in chemistry. For the Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry, students must complete at least 36 credit hours in chemistry, among which must be included the courses listed below. For the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, students must complete 45 credit hours in chemistry, among which must be included the courses listed below.
The following courses are required for both the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Chemistry:
- CHEM 111 Chemical Principles I – 4 credits
- CHEM 112 Chemical Principles II – 4 credits
- CHEM 231 Organic Chemistry I – 4 credits
- CHEM 232 Organic Chemistry II – 4 credits
- CHEM 235 Integrated Laboratory for Organic Chemistry – 1 credits
- CHEM 331 Physical Chemistry I – 4 credits
- CHEM 341 Instrumental Analysis – 4 credits
- CHEM 342 Inorganic and Materials Chemistry – 4 credits
- CHEM 345 Integrated Laboratory for Inorganic Chemistry – 1 credits
- CHEM 400 Chemistry Seminar – 2 credits
- One course from:4 credits
- CHEM/GEOL 412 Geochemistry
- CHEM 420 Polymer Chemistry
- CHEM 430 Medicinal Chemistry
- CHEM/BIOL 434 Biochemistry: Metabolism, Energy and Information Flow
NOTE: An internship (at the 390 level) or independent study approved by the department can substitute for an upper-level chemistry course. With the approval of the department, students can also take 400 level (and above) courses at consortium colleges to fulfill this requirement.
Total credits required for A.B. degree in Chemistry – 36 credits
For the Bachelor of Science major in Chemistry, additional required chemistry and physics or math courses are:
- CHEM 332 Physical Chemistry II – 4 credits
- CHEM 336 Integrated Laboratory for Physical Chemistry – 1 credits
- One course from:4 credits
- MATH/PHYS 320 Mathematical Physics
- MATH 225 Multivariable Calculus
- PHYS 223 Classical and Modern Physics III
Total credits required for B.S. degree in Chemistry – 45 credits
For both the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science majors in Chemistry, the prerequisite courses for required courses for the major are:
- MATH 121 and MATH 122 or MATH 123. Must be completed with a grade of C- or better before taking CHEM 331 or CHEM 332.
- PHYS 121 and PHYS 122 or PHYS 211 and PHYS 212. Must be completed with a grade of C- or better before taking CHEM 331 or CHEM 332
Majors who intend to pursue graduate study are strongly encouraged to obtain experience in computer programming at the level of Introduction to Computer Programming (CTIS 140).
Majors are strongly encouraged to participate in an industrial or governmental internship, pursue undergraduate research during the semester or summer, and/or study abroad as part of their experience at Guilford.
Scholarships
To recognize superior work in chemistry, the department annually offers a prize for outstanding achievement to a first-year student in Chemical Principles and the Harvey Ljung Scholarship to a rising senior Chemistry major. In addition, the department selects a senior for the Outstanding Student Award. Chemistry majors are also eligible for the Glaxo-Wellcome Women in Science Scholarship, awarded annually to an outstanding rising junior woman science major.
