Chemistry, B.A.

Charles Liberko, Collin O’Leary, Cindy Strong (chair), Craig Teague, Catherine Volle

The Department of Chemistry’s offerings are designed to give students a significant laboratory and theoretical foundation in preparation for a variety of majors leading to various careers, graduate school in chemistry or a related field, or a number of professional schools (e.g., medical school). In addition, the department’s offerings for non-science majors emphasize the applicability of science to a liberal arts training. The Department of Chemistry has been approved by the American Chemical Society (ACS) for the professional training of chemists at the undergraduate level.

Requirements

A minimum of 10.25 course credits in Chemistry (9.25 courses if CHE 161 is taken), which include the following:

CHE 121 - Chemical Principles I (1)
CHE 122 - Chemical Principles II (1)
CHE 202 - Analytical Chemistry (1)
CHE 225 - Organic Chemistry I Lecture (1)
CHE 323 - Physical Chemistry: Kinetics and Thermodynamics (1)
CHE 324 - Physical Chemistry II (1)
CHE 326 - Organic Chemistry II Lecture (1)
CHE 327 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory (1)
Two additional courses at the 300 level, excluding CHE 380
CHE 515 - Chemistry Capstone Portfolio (1/4)
Mathematics through MAT 122 - Calculus of Several Variables (1)
Physics courses: either the preferred three-course sequence PHY 225 , PHY 245 , and PHY 275 , OR the two course sequence PHY 141 and PHY 142

Chemistry: Education Concentration

In addition to the foregoing requirements for the subject major, prospective teachers must also apply for admission to the Teacher Education Program and complete a second major in Secondary Education described under Education. Prospective teachers should request a current list of the specific teaching major course requirements from the Education office.

A minimum of 8 courses in chemistry (7 courses if CHE 161 is taken), to include the following:

CHE 121 - Chemical Principles I (1)
CHE 122 - Chemical Principles II (1)
CHE 202 - Analytical Chemistry (1)
CHE 225 - Organic Chemistry I Lecture (1)
CHE 326 - Organic Chemistry II Lecture (1)
CHE 327 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory (1)
One course in physical chemistry (either CHE 323 or CHE 324 )
One of the following advanced chemistry courses: CHE 323 (if not counted for the previous requirement), CHE 324 (if not counted for the previous requirement), CHE 328 , CHE 333 , CHE 334 (note: this course has biology prerequisites), or CHE 335
Either ENV 202 (The Chemistry of Natural Waters) or PHY 245 (Laboratory Physics; note: this course has a prerequisites of PHY 225 )
Mathematics through MAT 122 (Calculus of Several Variables)
Either PHY 225 and PHY 275 (General Physics I and II; note: PHY 275 has a prerequisite of PHY 245 ); OR PHY 141 and PHY 142 (Introductory Physics I and II)

Note:

The Department of Chemistry participates in the Cornell Summer Research Institute, which provides an opportunity to spend a summer at Cornell College working on a research project with a member of the Chemistry faculty. Interested students should consult a faculty member in the Department.