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Chemistry and Biochemistry

Professors Austin, Lawson, and Wenzel; Associate Professors Côté, Koviach-Côté (chair), and Schlax; Visiting Assistant Professors Henry and Jokiel

Chemistry deals with phenomena that affect nearly every aspect of our lives and environment. A liberal education in this scientific and technological age should include some exposure to the theories, laws, applications, and potential of this science.

The chemistry curriculum is sufficiently flexible to allow students with career interests in areas such as the health professions, law, business, and education to design a major program suitable to their goals. Students interested in careers in chemistry or biochemistry will find chemistry electives that provide a strong background for work in graduate school, industry, or other positions requiring a strong foundation in chemistry. A major in biological chemistry has been developed in conjunction with the biology department, and is described in a separate section of the Catalog. The department and its curriculum are approved by the American Chemical Society (ACS), and an ACS-certified major is offered. More information on the chemistry department and the major is available on the website (www.bates.edu/CHEM.xml).

Major Requirements

The requirements for chemistry majors include core courses, elective courses, and senior research and seminar.

Core Courses

All of the following: 107A or 107B or FYS 398, 108A or 108B, 212, 215, 217, 218, 301.

302 or 310.

s37 or s42.

Elective Courses

When satisfying the following elective requirements, two restrictions apply. First, students may not use one course to serve as both a core course and an elective. Second, independent study courses (360 or s50) cannot be used to satisfy elective requirements. The selection of electives depends on whether s37 or s42 is taken as a core course:

If s37 is taken as a core course, then the elective requirements are:
a) either 321 or s42
or
b) two 200-level or 300-level chemistry courses, at least one of which must be 223, 313, 316, or 325.

If s42 is taken as a core course, then the elective requirements are:
a) either 321 or s37
or
b) two 200-level or 300-level chemistry courses, at least one of which must be 223, 302, 310, or 316.

Course selections depend upon the goals and interests of the student. All students preparing for graduate study or for a position in the chemical industry should take CHEM 223, 316, and any other advanced courses in their specific area of interest. Courses in mathematics and physics are prerequisites for some of the advanced courses in chemistry.

Senior Research and Seminar

The written thesis required of all majors may be either a laboratory thesis or a library thesis. Students doing a laboratory thesis may register for CHEM 457, 458, or both, while students doing a library project may register for CHEM 457 or 458. Students pursuing honors register for both 457 and 458. The senior research and seminar courses include participation in the department's seminar program. Each major is required to deliver two presentations during the senior year.

Pass/Fail Grading Option

Pass/fail grading may not be elected for courses applied toward the major.

Minor

Students may complete a minor in chemistry by taking seven chemistry courses that include 107A, 107B, or FYS 398; 108A or 108B; and five upper-level chemistry courses or departmentally designated courses, at least one of which must be a 300-level course, s37, or s42. Independent study courses (360 or s50) cannot be used to satisfy minor requirements.

Students majoring in biological chemistry may not apply the upper-level chemistry courses taken to fulfill that major (217, 218, 302, 310, 321, 322) toward the minor in chemistry.

Only departmentally designated cross-listed courses may be applied toward the minor.

Pass/Fail Grading Option

Pass/fail grading may not be elected for courses counting toward the minor.

General Education

Students may satisfy the [W2] requirement by completing any three of the following courses: Chemistry 212, 215, 301, 310, 321, 325, 327, s37, or s42.

Courses
Short Term Courses