Chemistry

To effectively plan for studying off-campus as a chemistry major, the Chemistry Department recommends the following steps:

1. First-Year Students:
   • Talk to a chemistry faculty member about your plans to major in chemistry and
     your interest in studying off-campus. This should be done as soon as possible,
     preferably before registering for sophomore courses. 
   • Enroll in the regular General Chemistry sequence (CHEM 125, 126, 135, and
     136) or Advanced General Chemistry (CHEM 140), and take Calculus (MATH
     125, 126, or 225) at the appropriate level.
2. Sophomore-Year Students: 
   • Enroll in the Organic Chemistry sequence (CHEM 245, 246, 251, and 252) and
     complete any required mathematics and physics (required for ACS certification)
     courses.
3. Planning for Junior Year Study Abroad:
   • Typical Course Load for Chemistry majors:
     • Fall: Quantitative Analysis (CHEM 310) and Physical Chemistry I (CHEM 345).
     • Spring: Instrumental Methods of Analysis (CHEM 320), Physical Chemistry II Lecture (CHEM 346), and Physical Chemistry Lab (CHEM 352).
4.  Specific Recommendations for Students Planning to Study Off-Campus:
   •  Fall of Junior Year:
     • Take Physical Chemistry I (CHEM 345) in the Fall of sophomore year.
       This is a prerequisite for Inorganic Chemistry (CHEM 360), which must
       be taken in the Fall of senior year. Quantitative Analysis (CHEM 310) can
       be taken either in the Fall of sophomore year or postponed until the Fall of
       senior year.
     • Spring of Junior Year: Take Physical Chemistry II (CHEM 346) in the Spring of sophomore year. If studying off-campus, this course is designed to be taken before Physical Chemistry I (CHEM 345). Alternatively, CHEM 346 & CHEM 352 can also be taken in the Spring of senior year.
5. Recommendation for Off-campus studies: Students are strongly encouraged to plan their off-campus study for the Spring of their junior year based on the above course
   planning options.

Which requirements can Chemistry majors fulfill while off campus?

• Elective major credit
• General Studies distribution credit
• General degree credit

Major Credit Limitations

• The maximum number of credits that can be applied to the Chemistry major from off campus studies (including AP credit, IB credit and credits from other U.S. institutions) is 12 credits with the approval of your major adviser.

Minor Credit Limitations

• A minimum of three-fifths of the specific course and credit requirements for the minor must be completed in the on-campus program of the college.

What are the types of OCS programs recommended by the Chemistry department?

• Direct enrollment at a foreign university
• Field-based programs that offer cultural immersion, foreign language study, and exposure to chemistry through primary research in the field, such as examining environmental issues abroad

Students interested in Off-Campus Studies should attend an OCS First Step meeting in the fall of their second year, discuss their interests with their major adviser, and schedule an appointment with an OCS adviser.