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IMPORTANT NOTE

The requirements below apply to those students with a year. Students are required by to follow the major (and minor) requirements found in the catalog in effect at the time they declared their first major. To find your catalog year, please visit your Grades and Academic Records found in and access the that matches your catalog year.

Chemistry

Overview

The curriculum of the Chemistry Department is designed to provide the student with a deep and comprehensive understanding of the principles of chemistry, including the laboratory experience necessary for basic research, teaching, and industrial research and development. Each student is expected to carry out laboratory research, working side-by-side with a faculty member on a novel problem at the vanguard of the chemical sciences. Research facilities and instrumentation are excellent and qualified students may begin research as early as their first year. Faculty research grants augmented with support from major corporations and foundations have enabled the department to offer research stipends to qualified students each summer.

To the student preparing for medicine or related professions, training is offered in the fundamental and applied branches of chemistry. In addition, chemistry offers to the liberal arts student an appreciation and understanding of the discoveries, methods, and place of this subject in our society.

The program for majors also prepares students for entrance into the School of Engineering at Columbia University and the Applied Chemistry Program of the California Institute of Technology under the Combined Plan Program. Students interested in engineering should consult the Combined Plan Program for details.

American Chemical Society Accreditation

Discover the excellence of our chemistry programs at 色界吧, where we are proud to hold accreditation from the American Chemical Society (ACS). Our commitment to maintaining the highest standards in chemical education is reflected in our rigorous curriculum. With the ACS approval program, we ensure that our students receive an education of the utmost quality, empowering them to excel in the dynamic and ever-evolving field of chemistry. In order to earn ACS accreditation upon graduation, students are required to complete the essential courses for their Major along with an additional BioChem Class (Chem 350).

Requirements

Major

Chemistry Foundation

CHEM 120Foundations of General Chemistry

4 units

And

CHEM 150Molecular Symmetry and Structure

1 unit

Or

CHEM 130Advanced Placement General Chemistry

4 units

CHEM 201Analytical and Instrumental Chemistry

4 units

CHEM 220Organic Chemistry I

4 units

CHEM 221Organic Chemistry II

4 units

CHEM 240Integrated Concepts in General Chemistry

4 units

CHEM 300Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics - Kinetics

4 units

CHEM 305Physical Chemistry: Quantum Mechanics

4 units

CHEM 340Inorganic Chemistry

4 units

Directed Research

Students pursuing the Chemistry major must complete a minimum of four units of directed research.

CHEM 295Directed Research

2 units

CHEM 395Directed Research

4 units

Additional Elective

Students must complete one additional elective selected from:

CHEM 315Physical Chemistry: Spectroscopy, Photochemistry, and Electron Transfer

2 units

CHEM 330Biocatalysis and Biotechnology

2 units

CHEM 350Biochemistry

4 units

CHEM 355Bioinformatics

2 units

CHEM 360Physical Organic Chemistry

2 units

PHYS 368Nanoscience and Nanotechnology

4 units

CHEM 370Organometallic Chemistry

2 units

CHEM 380Organic Synthesis

2 units

Mathematics Component

Calculus 2

4 units

Physics Component

Students must select:

One course from:

PHYS 110Introductory Mechanics

4 units

PHYS 115General Physics I

4 units

And one course from:

PHYS 125General Physics II

4 units

PHYS 230Introductory Electricity and Magnetism

4 units

Honors in the Major

Senior chemistry students with an overall grade point average of 3.25 are permitted to present a written thesis on their research for Honors consideration at graduation. Consult the department chair for additional information.

Minor

Introduction to Chemistry

CHEM 130Advanced Placement General Chemistry

4 units

Or

CHEM 120Foundations of General Chemistry

4 units

And

CHEM 150Molecular Symmetry and Structure

1 unit

Organic Chemistry:

CHEM 240Integrated Concepts in General Chemistry

4 units

CHEM 220Organic Chemistry I

4 units

CHEM 221Organic Chemistry II

4 units

Electives:

Students must enroll in a minimum of eight units of Chemistry electives in order to complete the minor. Four of these units must be at the 300-level or above. No more than four units can be directed research (CHEM 195, CHEM 295, CHEM 395).

CHEM 100 and CHEM 104 may not be included as electives.

Second-Stage Writing

Students majoring in Chemistry will satisfy the second-stage writing requirement either by submitting a portfolio of four special reports, drawn from CHEM 240, CHEM 300L, CHEM 305L, CHEM 340 (or appropriate course work) in the fall semester of their senior year, or successfully completing CHEM 204 with a grade of C or better. Students should familiarize themselves with the departmental requirement at the time of declaring the major. See the Writing Program and consult the department chair for additional information.

Comprehensive Requirement

The student will satisfactorily present a seminar during the senior year on an area of current research in the field of chemistry to an audience of Occidental students, faculty, and guests. The student will also take a comprehensive examination in Chemistry. A student with an overall grade point average of 3.25 can earn distinction with a 75th percentile rank on the examination.

Transfer Credit Policies

The Chemistry Department policy on transfer credit conforms to College policy. AP, IB or A-level examinations in chemistry will not substitute for an Occidental course, place students into advanced courses, or allow a wider opportunity for choice of electives in the department. Students with a score of 4 or 5 on the AP Chemistry examination, or with a score of 6 or 7 on the IB Chemistry examination should enroll in CHEM 130. Students should reference the Transfer Credit section for more details.

Information that can be included in this section include:
  • specific policies for majors/minors
  • AP/IB Exam credit - course equivalencies?
  • Online courses
  • Policies specifically for matriculating frosh, transfer students, returning students after a leave of absence
Information that can be included in this section include:
  • specific policies for majors/minors
  • AP/IB Exam credit - course equivalencies?
  • Online courses
  • Policies specifically for matriculating frosh, transfer students, returning students after a leave of absence
Contact Chemistry
Norris Hall 302