Chemistry - Undergraduate
Chair: I. Aprahamian
Professors: R. S. Cantor, D. S. Glueck, F. J. Kull, J. E. G. Lipson, G. C. Micalizio, D. F. Mierke, E. V. Pletneva, D. E. Wilcox, J. Wu; Associate Professor: C. Ke, K. A. Mirica, M. J. Ragusa; Assistant Professors: P. J. Robustelli, C. Sandford, M. Sneha, W. Zhang; Senior Lecturer: W. S. Epps, C. O. Welder; Research Professors: J. J. BelBruno, R. Ditchfield, G. W. Gribble, R. P. Hughes, P. A. Jacobi, M. Pellegrini, T. A. Spencer, J. W. Winn; Research Assistant Professors: C. R. Midgett, X. Qi, J. A. Read; Adjunct Professors: M. E. Ackerman, P. Kuppusamy, D. R. Madden, H. M. Swartz; Adjunct Associate Professors: G. Grigoryan, K. E. Griswold, C. Ramanathan, D. W. Van Citters; Adjunct Assistant Professors: W. D. Leavitt, W. Li, J. D. Whitfield; Adjunct Research Professor: B. P. Jackson;
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Requirements for the Chemistry Major
The Chemistry Department offers five major programs. All major programs require an average GPA of 2.0 in all courses counted toward the major, including prerequisites taken in Chemistry. Normally, all courses that would serve as prerequisites to, or count toward, a major in Chemistry, and that are presented at the time the student declares a major must individually have a GPA of 2.0 or higher. Three of the major programs are offered as majors in chemistry: Plan A, for those who wish a broad and thorough training in chemistry; Plan B, for those whose scientific interests are only partially based in chemistry; and a modified major, which is similar to Plan B, but also includes a second program involving another college department.
Plan A should be chosen by students who plan to do graduate work in chemistry or a closely allied science. Such students should normally take additional courses in chemistry, physics and mathematics to augment the plan’s minimum requirements. Plan A is also a suitable choice for premedical students.
Plan B is less structured and is suitable for students planning to engage in chemically-related careers, such as medicine, environmental science, life science or industrial science, or professions for which the study of chemistry may prove desirable, such as teaching, law or business.
The fourth program offered by the Chemistry Department is a major in biophysical chemistry. This is a relatively structured major designed for students interested in biophysical chemistry and associated methodologies for studying life processes. It provides a strong background for graduate work in biophysical chemistry, structural biology, biochemistry or biomedical science, and is suitable for premedical students. Students are encouraged to take additional courses in chemistry, biochemistry, biological sciences, mathematics and physics to augment the plan’s minimum requirements.
The fifth program is a major in biological chemistry. This major is designed for students interested in applications of chemistry to fundamental biological processes, similar to the biophysical chemistry option, but with less emphasis on the physical chemical underpinnings. In addition to being suitable for premedical students, it provides the framework for further graduate study in all areas of biological chemistry and biomedicine.
Dartmouth College requires that all majors must complete a substantial, graded culminating or integrating activity in their major. Many chemistry majors will satisfy this requirement by participating in undergraduate research by registering for CHEM 80, Independent Study in Chemistry, or for one or two terms of CHEM 87, Undergraduate Investigation in Chemistry; such students will often be enrolled in the Chemistry Honors Program as well.
Other chemistry majors will satisfy the requirement for a culminating or integrating experience by including in their major programs one of the three-course groups listed below. The course groups, each of which provides an integrated presentation of an important area of modern chemical sciences, are: Biophysical Chemistry CHEM 75, CHEM 76 and CHEM 95; Biological Chemistry CHEM 40, CHEM 41, and CHEM 42; Physical Chemistry CHEM 75, CHEM 76 and CHEM 96; Chemical Applications, Synthesis and Characterization CHEM 63, CHEM 64, and one additional course from among CHEM 91, CHEM 92, CHEM 93.
Students must indicate their preliminary plans for satisfying the requirement for the culminating or integrating experience when they declare a major in the sophomore year. Since a student may not enroll in CHEM 87 until they have been approved to do so (see later), the initial declaration of a major must show how the culminating experience requirement will be satisfied using one of the three-course groups mentioned above. Students must confirm their final plans for satisfying the culminating experience at the beginning of the fall term of the senior year. Modified majors with Chemistry as the primary department must define a culminating or integrating experience as part of the coherent and unified whole of their modified major, and must provide a statement to the Department’s Undergraduate Advisory Committee at chemistry@dartmouth.edu and to the Registrar, explaining their rationale for the courses selected for the modified major. This is required as they submit their modified major plans in DartWorks.
1. Plan A Major
Prerequisite: CHEM 5-6, or CHEM 10; MATH 3, MATH 8, and MATH 13 (or equivalents); and PHYS 13-14 (strongly recommended) or PHYS 3-4 or PHYS 15-16.
Required Courses: CHEM 51 or CHEM 57, CHEM 52 or CHEM 58, CHEM 64, CHEM 75, CHEM 76 and CHEM 96.
Two additional courses selected from among CHEM 41, CHEM 42, CHEM 63, CHEM 80 or CHEM 87.01, CHEM 91, CHEM 92, CHEM 93, CHEM 95 (two different offerings of CHEM 95 are acceptable) and another offering of Chem 96; graduate-level courses in Chemistry; BIOL 40; MATH 20, MATH 22 or MATH 24, MATH 23 and MATH 46; PHYS 19 and, with prior written permission, relevant major credit (or graduate-level) courses in other departments in the Division of the Sciences. BIOL 40 cannot be taken in conjunction with CHEM 41.
2. Plan B Major
Prerequisite: CHEM 5-6, or CHEM 10; MATH 3 and MATH 8 (or equivalent); and PHYS 13-14 (strongly recommended) or PHYS 3-4 or PHYS 15-16.
Required Courses: Of the eight courses, a minimum of six must be in chemistry to include a) CHEM 51 or CHEM 57, CHEM 75 and CHEM 76, and CHEM 64; b) two additional courses from the following group: CHEM 41, CHEM 42, CHEM 52 or CHEM 58, CHEM 63, CHEM 80 or CHEM 87.01, CHEM 91, CHEM 92, CHEM 93, CHEM 95 (two different offerings of CHEM 95 are acceptable) CHEM 96 (two different offerings of CHEM 96 are acceptable) and graduate-level courses in chemistry. Note that CHEM 76 is a prerequisite to some offerings of CHEM 96.
The remaining two courses may be additional chemistry courses from group b) above or may be chosen from the following: BIOL 40; MATH 20, MATH 22 or MATH 24, MATH 23 and MATH 46; PHYS 19 and, with prior written permission, relevant major credit (or graduate-level) courses in other departments in the Division of the Sciences. BIOL 40 cannot be taken in conjunction with CHEM 41.
3. Modified Major
Modified Major with Chemistry as the primary department
Prerequisite: As required by courses elected.
Required Courses: Six in total, which must include CHEM 51 or CHEM 57, CHEM 64, and CHEM 75. The other three courses must be Chemistry Department courses.
Four additional courses from the secondary department selected with the approval of any member of the Undergraduate Advisory Committee (and under certain circumstances by the secondary department; see the Regulations under Department Major).
Modified Major with Chemistry as the secondary department
Prerequisite: As required by courses elected.
Required Courses: Four courses, which must be chemistry offerings, suitable (beyond prerequisites to the major) for completion of the Plan A or Plan B major.
4. Biophysical Chemistry Major
Prerequisite: CHEM 5-6, or CHEM 10; MATH 3 and MATH 8 (or equivalent); PHYS 13-14 (strongly recommended) or PHYS 3-4 or PHYS 15-16. (BIOL 12 or BIOL 19 and BIOL 13 are recommended but not required).
Required Courses: CHEM 41, CHEM 51 or CHEM 57, CHEM 52 or CHEM 58, CHEM 75, CHEM 76, CHEM 64, and CHEM 95.
One additional course selected from among CHEM 42, CHEM 63, CHEM 80, CHEM 87.01, CHEM 91, CHEM 92, CHEM 93, CHEM 95 (this must be a different offering of CHEM 95 from the one that is used as the required course), or CHEM 96; graduate-level courses in chemistry; ENGS 35; MATH 20, MATH 22 or MATH 24, MATH 23, or MATH 46; PHYS 19; and with prior written permission, relevant major credit (or graduate-level) courses in other departments in the Division of the Sciences.
5. Biological Chemistry Major
Prerequisite: CHEM 5-6, or CHEM 10; BIOL 12 or BIOL 19, and BIOL 13; MATH 3 and MATH 8 (or equivalent); PHYS 13-14 (strongly recommended) or PHYS 3-4 or PHYS 15-16.
Required Courses: CHEM 51 or CHEM 57, CHEM 52 or CHEM 58, CHEM 64, CHEM 40, CHEM 41 and CHEM 42.
Two additional courses selected from CHEM 63, CHEM 80 or CHEM 87.01, CHEM 91, CHEM 92, CHEM 93, CHEM 95 (two different offerings of CHEM 95 are acceptable), CHEM 96 (two different offerings of CHEM 96 are acceptable), graduate courses in chemistry, or with prior written permission, relevant major credit (or graduate level) courses in other departments in the Division of the Sciences. If CHEM 80 or CHEM 87.01 is selected as one of the two courses, the research project must have a biochemical focus.
There are many different ways to complete a major in Chemistry. To better inform your decision, the Department has prepared a document, Planning for a Chemistry Major, showing various paths that students can take through the major; not only does this emphasize that the major is more flexible than it might appear at first glance, but it also shows that there are several major plans that do not require taking two major courses in a term. This document is available at http://chemistry.dartmouth.edu/undergraduate/major.
Students considering a Chemistry Department major are strongly encouraged to take CHEM 5-6 (or CHEM 10) in their first year. Students with credit-on-entrance in a foreign language or in chemistry are urged to consider taking PHYS 13-14 during the first year. This is also advisable for those students who delay completion of the language requirement until sophomore year in Language Study Abroad. Students who plan to participate in Language Study Abroad should give early attention to the need for careful curriculum planning. In some cases it may be advisable to postpone the LSA term to the fall term of the junior year. If so, it is necessary to obtain (routine) approval from the Registrar for deferral of completion of the Language requirement.
All Chemistry majors have required courses, some of which must be taken in a particular order. While many sequences are possible, and the Department’s Undergraduate Advisory Committee can give advice on this, it is essential to complete prerequisite courses before taking certain major courses. As a general guideline, it is recommended for majors that the physics and mathematics prerequisites for Physical Chemistry (CHEM 75 and CHEM 76, or CHEM 40), as well as CHEM 51 or CHEM 57, be completed by the end of the sophomore spring term. Specifically, majors must complete PHYS 13 (or PHYS 15, or PHYS 3 and PHYS 4) and MATH 8 before they take CHEM 75 or CHEM 40. Any change of courses from those listed in the approved major must be discussed with a member of the Undergraduate Advising Committee before the course is taken for credit.
Many Chemistry Department majors do research projects. This research is usually done during the senior (and sometimes junior) year and often for credit (see CHEM 80 and CHEM 87), though occasionally a stipend is available to allow a student to do full-time research during a leave term. All majors are urged to investigate the numerous possible research projects offered by chemistry faculty members. A brochure describing faculty research interests and the CHEM 87 application form are available at http://www.dartmouth.edu/~chem and from the Department staff (102 Burke). The brochure enables a student to identify research areas of particular interest. A final choice of research project is made after consultation with the faculty member(s) concerned. The completed application form is submitted to the Chair for approval.
Requirements for the Chemistry Minor
The Chemistry Department offers a single minor program. All minor programs require an average GPA of at least 2.0 in all courses counted toward the minor, including prerequisites taken in Chemistry. Any student wishing to enroll in the minor program must obtain approval from a member of the Chemistry Department's Undergraduate Advisory Committee by no later than the end of the first week of the last term in residence prior to graduation.
Prerequisite: CHEM 5-6, or CHEM 10 and MATH 3.
Required Courses: CHEM 51 or CHEM 57 and CHEM 64.
Two additional courses selected from among CHEM 40, CHEM 41, CHEM 42, CHEM 52 or CHEM 58, CHEM 63, CHEM 75, CHEM 76, CHEM 80 or CHEM 87.01, CHEM 91, CHEM 92, and CHEM 93; or graduate-level courses in chemistry. The NRO option is not allowed for any course taken to fulfill the chemistry minor. Students should note that many of the courses listed above have prerequisites in addition to CHEM 6 and MATH 3.
Requirements for the Materials Science Minor
The minor in Materials Science is sponsored by faculty in Chemistry, Physics and Engineering with an interest in interdisciplinary education and research in materials science.
Chemistry Department Honors Program
A student whose grades meet the minimum College requirement for honors work may apply to be admitted to the Honors Program. An honors major follows the basic pattern outlined in the requirements for the chemistry major but is very strongly urged to elect additional courses in chemistry and allied sciences.
An honors student carries out one of two individual projects. Usually an original experimental or theoretical investigation is undertaken in a well-defined area of interest under the guidance and supervision of a member of the faculty. A student with a strong interest in teaching may, however, formulate and carry out under the direction of a member of the faculty a program combining the development of instructional materials with actual experience in classroom or laboratory teaching. In either case, on completion of the work the student will write a thesis and take an oral examination.
A student electing an original experimental or theoretical investigation may conduct it by electing CHEM 87 up to a maximum of two times (counting as two courses toward graduation, but only once toward the minimum group of major courses) or during a leave term of full-time effort. He or she may also request consideration of any appropriate combination of CHEM 87 and noncredit research. A project concerned with the development of educational materials and experience in teaching will be similar in extent.
Ordinarily, the Honors Program will be undertaken by seniors, but juniors who have progressed sufficiently far in satisfying the normal requirements may be permitted to participate. A student who wishes to participate in the Honors Program must apply for admission to the Program by submitting a form, available at http://chemistry.dartmouth.edu/undergraduate/undergraduate-research-credit, or from the Department staff, before beginning work on an honors project, unless special permission has been obtained from the Chair. Before or at the time of application the student must arrange for the supervision of the work, normally by a member of the faculty of the Department. The deadline for applications is the third day of the winter term of the senior year. Additional information is available at chemistry@dartmouth.edu and from the Department administrative office.
Those students who satisfactorily complete the Honors Program with a ‘B+’ average or better in the grade(s) assigned to their honors work at the time of examination will earn Honors recognition in the major or, in appropriate cases, High Honors. High Honors will be granted only by vote of the Department on the basis of outstanding independent work and outstanding performance in the major. An interim evaluation of honors students will be made after one term and continuation will be recommended for those students whose work demonstrates the capacity for satisfactory (B+) work. Students who satisfactorily complete the Honors Program will have Honors in Chemistry or Biophysical Chemistry or Biological Chemistry, or, when appropriate, High Honors in Chemistry or Biophysical Chemistry or Biological Chemistry, entered on their permanent record.