2016-2017 Catalog

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Major Requirements

COURSEWORK

Chemistry Foundation

CHEM 120Foundations of General Chemistry

4
And
CHEM 150Molecular Symmetry and Structure

1
Or
CHEM 130Advanced Placement General Chemistry

4
 
CHEM 220Organic Chemistry I

4
CHEM 221Organic Chemistry II

4
CHEM 240Integrated Concepts in General Chemistry

4
CHEM 300Physical Chemistry I

4
CHEM 305Physical Chemistry II

4
CHEM 340Inorganic Chemistry

4

Directed Research

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

CHEM 295Directed Research

2
CHEM 395Directed Research

4

Choose one additional CHEM course (must include a lab component)

CHEM 280Instrumental and Separation Techiniques in Organic Chemistry

2
CHEM 330Biocatalysis and Biotechnology

2
CHEM 332Instrumental Chemistry

4
CHEM 340Inorganic Chemistry

4
CHEM 350Biochemistry

4
CHEM 355Bioinformatics

2
CHEM 360Physical Organic Chemistry

2
CHEM 370Organometallic Chemistry

2
CHEM 380Organic Synthesis

2
PHYS 368Nanoscience and Nanotechnology

4

Mathematics Component

All chemistry majors must also complete Calculus 2 (MATH 120 or MATH 128).

Physics Component

Students must select one option as indicated below:

Option 1 - 

PHYS 110Introductory Mechanics

4
PHYS 120Introductory Electricity and Magnetism

4

Option 2 -

PHYS 115General Physics I

4
PHYS 125General Physics II

4

WRITING REQUIREMENT

Students majoring in Chemistry will satisfy the final component of Occidental College's campus-wide writing requirement 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. 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.

HONORS

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

In order to graduate with American Chemical Society certification, it is necessary to take both CHEM 332 and CHEM 350.

CHEM 120 (or CHEM 130), CHEM 220, CHEM 221, and CHEM 240 satisfy the general and organic chemistry distribution requirements for the health professions.