Major Requirements

Tthe information below is current as of January 2009. It is also presented in the Handbook for Chemistry Majors (PDF), or from the Undergraduate Secretary. In case of a discrepancy, the print (and then PDF) version take precedence over this one.

In preparing for a prospective major in the Department, and satisfying prerequisites for required upper-level chemistry courses, the student must take Chem 111A, 112A, 151, 152, 261, 262, Phys 117A, 118A or 197, 198 (Physics 197 and 198 are recommended), and Math 131, 132, and 233. Further physics (e.g. Phys 217 and 218) and mathematics courses (e.g. Math 308) are encouraged. Chem 181, a seminar to introduce freshmen to the research activities of the Chemistry department, is recommended.

A major may follow either of two paths: the regular chemistry major or the chemistry major with a concentration in biochemistry. Each path has an honors-eligibility program of coursework, which makes the student eligible for Latin honors. The honors programs are strongly recommended for students planning to continue their interests in graduate school. A working knowledge of a foreign language is encouraged of majors, but not required. A working knowledge of computer programming (and applications to problems in chemistry) is strongly encouraged.

Regular Chemistry Major
Departmental requirements for the regular major specify a minimum of 18 units in advanced courses in chemistry, among which must be included Physical Chemistry (Chem 401 and 402), Inorganic Chemistry (Chem 461), an advanced laboratory course (chosen from Chem 358, 435, 445 or 470), plus 6 additional units of chemistry elective courses at the 300 level or above. Neither Chem 490 nor Chem 495 can be used to satisfy the advanced laboratory or elective credits.

Regular Chemistry Major with Honors Eligibility
In order to be eligible for Latin honors, a student must take a minimum of 21 units in advanced courses in chemistry. The advanced courses must include Physical Chemistry (Chem 401 and 402), Inorganic Chemistry (Chem 461), one synthetic chemistry laboratory course (either Chem 358 or 470), one physical-based chemistry laboratory course (either Chem 435 or 445), and 6 additional units in chemistry elective courses at the 300 level or above. Chem 490 cannot be used to satisfy the advanced laboratory or elective requirements. Chem 495 can be used to satisfy the advanced elective but can not replace an advanced laboratory course.

Chemistry Major: Concentration in Biochemistry
Departmental requirements for the chemistry major with concentration in biochemistry add Bio 2960 and 2970 as prerequisites to the major and specify a minimum of 18 units in advanced courses in chemistry and biology. The advanced courses must include Physical Chemistry (Chem 401 and Chem 402), Inorganic Chemistry (Chem 461), Biochemistry (Chem 481), Cell Biology or Microbiology (Bio 334 or 349), and an advanced laboratory course (chosen from Chem 358, 435, 445, 470 or Bio 437 or 4522). Neither Chem 490 nor 495 satisfy the advanced laboratory requirement. The second semester of Biochemistry (Chem 482) is strongly recommended.

Chemistry Major with Honors Eligibility: Concentration in Biochemistry
Departmental requirements for eligibility for the degree with Latin honors raises the minimum units to 21 units of advanced courses along with adding Bio 2960 and, 2970 as prerequisites. The advanced courses must include Physical Chemistry (Chem 401 and 402), Inorganic Chemistry (Chem 461), Biochemistry (Chem 481 and 482), Cell or Microbiology (Bio 334 or 349), an advanced laboratory course (chosen from Chem 358, 435, 445, 470 or Bio 437 or 4522). Neither Chem 490 nor 495 satisfy the advanced laboratory requirement.

Chemistry Major with ACS Certification
In addition to completing the core courses in Chemistry, those seeking an ACS certified degree must complete Chem 401, 402, 461, 470, 481, either Chem 435 or 445, and Chem 495.

Writing Intensive Courses
Students may complete the College's requirement of a writing intensive course in any one of three advanced laboratory courses in Chemistry (Chem 358, 445, or 470), or in a writing-intensive course in another department.

Study Abroad
Study Abroad programs are available both for chemistry and pre-medical studies.  Details of these programs can be found at the Overseas Programs web site: http://www.artsci.wustl.edu/~overseas/.  For chemistry programs, it is highly unlikely that you will receive credit for required chemistry classes taken overseas.  It is more likely that you will receive elective chemistry class and research (chem. 490) credit.  If you are interested in study abroad, it is strongly advised that you contact the Department of Chemistry Study Abroad Advisor, Prof. Richard Mabbs (mabbs@wustl.edu) as soon as possible after you declare your major to discuss study abroad plans.

Capstone Experience
At the present time, two capstone experiences are available to students through the Department of Chemistry. One is Chem 495, Advanced Undergraduate Research in Chemistry, and the other is Chem 500, Independent Work. Proposals for alternate capstone experiences will be accepted but must be submitted in writing to the Undergraduate Work Committee a full semester in advance of registration. The proposal must address the objective of the experience, the breadth of the experience, and describe a method of faculty evaluation. A form describing the plan for the completion of Chem 495 is available for download.

Program Assessment
In an effort to develop an annual program evaluation in cooperation with the North Central Accreditation Commission, the Department of Chemistry has decided to offer an exit exam to all graduating seniors as part of that assessment. At the present time, the exam that has been selected is the ETS Major Field Exam in Chemistry, two hours in length, that includes questions with multiple choice answers in four key areas of chemistry: physical, organic, analytical, and inorganic chemistry. Beginning with the graduating class of 2006, this exam has been mandatory. The performance on this exam does not affect the student's transcript or GPA. The exam is tentatively scheduled during Commencement Week.

Typical Program for Regular Chemistry Major

		Units
First Year:		Fall	Spring
General Chemistry	111A,112A	3	3
General Chemistry Lab	151,152	2	2
Mathematics (Calculus)	131,132	3	3
Physics (or Elective)	117A,118A or 197,198	4	4
English Composition	100	3
Freshman Chemistry Seminar	181	1
Elective			3
		16	15
Second Year:
Organic Chemistry	261,262	4	4
Mathematics	233	4
Elective (or Physics)		4	4
Electives		3	6
		15	14

Math and Physics requirements should be completed prior to the third year, since they are prerequisites for Physical Chemistry.

(*) Chemistry courses 300 and above including courses listed above not used to fulfill previous requirements. Neither Chem 490 nor Chem 495 may be used as an elective.

(*) Chemistry courses 300 and above including courses listed above not used to fulfill previous requirements. Chem 495 but not Chem 490 may be used as an elective.

Typical Program for Chemistry Major with Concentration in Biochemistry

		Units
First Year:		Fall	Spring
General Chemistry	111A,112A	3	3
General Chemistry Lab	151,152	2	2
Mathematics (Calc.)	131,132	3	3
Biology	2960		4
English Composition	100	3
Freshman Chemistry Seminar	181	1
Elective		3	3
		15	15
Second Year:
Organic Chemistry	261,262	4	4
Biology	2970	4	(*)
Mathematics	233	4
Physics	117A,118A or 197,198	4	4
Electives			6
		16	14

Math and Physics requirements should be completed prior to the third year, since they are prerequisites for Physical Chemistry.

(*)Students may consider taking Cell Biology (Bio 334) as an elective this semester, after consultation with your advisor.

Minor in Chemistry
A student planning to complete a minor in chemistry must enroll in the prerequisite courses for the major: Chem 111A, 112A, 151, 152, 261, 262, Phys 117A, 118A (or 197, 198), and Math 131, 132, and 233. Nine units of chemistry encompassing three courses in at least two subdisciplines are required at the advanced level. These can be chosen from the following group: Chem 358, 401, 402, 435, 436, 445, 451, 453, 459, 461, 464, 470, 481, 482 and chemistry courses at the graduate (500) level. Chem 490 and 495 are specifically excluded from the minor. Deviations from these requirements will be handled on an individual basis.

Double Major with Teaching Certification
For those students who are interested in pursuing careers as chemistry instructors, a curriculum has been developed in cooperation with the Department of Education. These students complete the degree requirements for a B.A. in both Chemistry and Education. In addition to degrees in both disciplines, they receive State of Missouri Teaching Certification in Chemistry. The science requirements for this major include completion of the chemistry core sequence of Chem 111A, 112A, 151, 152, 261, and 262; Math 131, 132, and 233; Physics 117A and 118A (or 197, 198); in addition to Bio 2960. The students are also required to take two semesters of Physical Chemistry (Chem 401 and 402), Inorganic Chemistry (Chem 461), at least one semester of Biochemistry (Chem 481), one advanced laboratory (selected from Chem 358, 435, 445, 470), and one additional elective course in order to complete the minimum of 18 units in advanced courses. The elective course may be any 400- or 500-level Chemistry course, as well as Bio 334, 337, 3371, 349, 4522, or 5325, plus any of the courses listed above not used to fulfill other requirements.