Chemistry Concentration
Coordinator:
Anne Glenn, Chemistry Department
Through a Chemistry concentration, students can select chemistry courses that best complement their major and career goals and gain an understanding of why chemistry is often called "the central science." For example, biology, geology and physics majors and students interested in the health professions (pre-med, pre-vet and pre-dental) could deepen their knowledge of how chemistry is applied in their field. The most rapidly growing areas in science are those that appear on the boundaries of traditional scientific disciplines, such as materials science (physics, chemistry and geology), molecular biology (chemistry and biology) and biophysics (chemistry, biology and physics).
The concentration is not limited to science majors, however. Pre-law students interested in patent law would benefit from this concentration, as would management or accounting majors seeking to work in the area of pharmaceutical or chemical manufacturing or sales. Language or international studies majors wishing to work for multinational scientific companies or deal with global environmental issues would find the concentration useful, as would art majors seeking a detailed knowledge of the properties and safety hazards of the materials they use.
The concentration in Chemistry is not available to chemistry majors.
Requirements
Students must complete at least 18 credits in chemistry, which must include the following:
- CHEM 111 and CHEM 112: Chemical Principles I and II
- CHEM 400: Chemistry Seminar
- Two upper-level chemistry courses depending on the specific needs and interests of the student. These should be chosen in consultation with the concentration coordinator and the student's major advisor. Examples include but are not limited to: CHEM 231: Organic Chemistry I, CHEM 232: Organic Chemistry II, CHEM 331: Physical Chemistry I, CHEM 341: Instrumental Analysis, CHEM 342: Inorganic and Materials Chemistry, CHEM 430: Medicinal Chemistry, CHEM 420: Polymer Chemistry, CHEM 434: Biochemistry, CHEM 412: Geochemistry.
An internship or independent study approved by the concentration coordinator can substitute for the 400-level chemistry course.
With approval of the concentration coordinator, students may take advanced courses at consortium colleges to fulfill the concentration requirements.