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 Membership
The Department of Chemistry is approved by the American Chemical Society for the professional education of chemists. Completion of the suggested graduate school option admits students to full membership in the American Chemical Society upon graduation. Outlines of suggested four-year programs with emphasis in environmental chemistry, biochemistry, chemical physics, engineering, pre-medicine, and teaching may be obtained from the department chair.
Major Requirements
COURSEWORK
Chemistry Foundation
| CHEM 120 | Foundations of General Chemistry | 4 units |
| And | | |
| CHEM 150 | Molecular Symmetry and Structure | 1 unit |
| | | |
| Or | | |
| CHEM 130 | Advanced Placement General Chemistry | 4 units |
| | | |
| CHEM 201 | Biochemical and Environmental Analysis | 4 units |
| CHEM 220 | Organic Chemistry I | 4 units |
| CHEM 221 | Organic Chemistry II | 4 units |
| CHEM 240 | Integrated Concepts in General Chemistry | 4 units |
| CHEM 300 | Physical Chemistry I | 4 units |
| CHEM 305 | Physical Chemistry II | 4 units |
| CHEM 340 | Inorganic Chemistry | 4 units |
Directed Research
Students pursuing the Chemistry major must complete a minimum of four units of directed research.
Choose one additional CHEM course
Mathematics Component
Physics Component
Students must select one option as indicated below:
Option 1 -
| PHYS 110 | Introductory Mechanics | 4 units |
| PHYS 230 | Introductory Electricity and Magnetism | 4 units |
Option 2 -
Second-Stage Writing Requirement
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.
College 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.
Minor Requirements
Introduction to Chemistry:
Option 1:
| CHEM 130 | Advanced Placement General Chemistry | 4 units |
Option 2:
| CHEM 120 | Foundations of General Chemistry | 4 units |
| And | | |
| CHEM 150 | Molecular Symmetry and Structure | 1 unit |
Organic Chemistry:
| CHEM 220 | Organic Chemistry I | 4 units |
| CHEM 221 | Organic Chemistry II | 4 units |
| CHEM 240 | Integrated Concepts in General Chemistry | 4 units |
Electives:
Students must enroll in a minimum of eight units of Chemistry electives in order to complete the minor. CHEM 100, CHEM 104, CHEM 195, CHEM 295, CHEM 395 and CHEM 397 may not be included as electives.
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
Courses
Chemistry Courses
Faculty
Regular Faculty
Michael Hill, chair
Fletcher Jones Foundation Professor of Chemistry
B.A., Macalester College; Ph.D., University of Minnesota
Jeffrey Cannon
Associate Professor
A.B., Occidental College; Ph.D., University of California, Irvine
Chris Craney
Professor
B.S., University of Puget Sound; M.S., D.A., Washington State University
Emmanuelle Despagnet-Ayoub
Associate Professor
B.S., Ecole Normale Superieure; M.S., Ph.D., Paul Sabatier University
Raul Navarro
Assistant Professor
B.S., Yale University; Ph.D., California Institute of Technology
Eileen Spain
Carl F. Braun Professor of Chemistry
B.S., Sonoma State University; Ph.D., University of Utah; H.B.Sc., University of Toronto; Ph.D., California Institute of Technology
Andrew K. Udit
Associate Professor
H.B.Sc., University of Toronto; Ph.D., California Institute of Technology
On Special Appointment
Douglas Duquette
Non-Tenure Track Assistant Professor
B.A., M.A., Harvard University; Ph.D., California Institute of Technology
Sierra Hunter
Non-Tenure Track Instructor
A.B., Occidental College
Natalie Muren
Non-Tenure Track Assistant Professor
B.A., Willamette University; Ph.D., California Institute of Technology
John Phillips
Non-Tenure Track Assistant Professor
B.S., University of California, Berkeley; Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, Madison
Weidong Wang
Non-Tenure Track Assistant Professor
B.S., Jilin University; Ph.D., Rochester University
Anne Yu
Non-Tenure Track Instructor
B.A., Pomona College; M.S., University of California, Los Angeles