Program Requirements: Chemistry
All students in either track (Standard and ACS-Certified) must complete two courses in calculus (either MATH120 or 124, and MATH121 or 125) and two courses in physics (either PHYS110 or 120 and PHYS111 or 121). Students must also demonstrate competence in communicating chemical concepts (e.g., through reports based on research in the chemical literature, Academic Spree Day presentations, Directed Study papers, Honors theses, or publications), and take at least four of the five ACS standardized exams (either as part of the Honors program, or as a separate assessment of their understanding of a body of knowledge in chemistry).
In addition:
ACS-Certified Track
Students must complete 11 courses in chemistry, including:
CHEM101# Introductory Chemistry I
CHEM102# Introductory Chemistry II
CHEM131 Organic Chemistry I
CHEM132* Organic Chemistry II, or
CHEM134* Biological Organic Chemistry
CHEM142* Environmental Chemistry, or
CHEM244* Bioanalytical Chemistry
CHEM250 Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM260 Physical Chemistry I
CHEM262 Physical Chemistry II
CHEM271 Biochemistry
Two additional courses at the 200-level or above to total a minimum of eleven courses in chemistry. One must be Honors (CHEM297), or Directed Study (CHEM299).
Standard Track
Students must complete 10 courses in chemistry including:
CHEM101# Introductory Chemistry I
CHEM102# Introductory Chemistry II
CHEM131 Organic Chemistry I
CHEM132* Organic Chemistry II, or
CHEM134* Biological Organic Chemistry
CHEM142* Environmental Chemistry, or
CHEM244* Bioanalytical Chemistry
CHEM260 Physical Chemistry I, or
CHEM264 Biophysical Chemistry
Four additional advanced chemistry courses (200-level or above). Two of these must have laboratory sections. One may be CHEM299 (Directed Study), but is not required.
#CHEM103 (Accelerated Introductory Chemistry) may be taken instead of CHEM101 and CHEM102.
*Students may receive credit for one towards their major.
The ACS-certified track meets the entrance requirements for graduate study in chemistry and is recommended for those students with a strong interest in chemistry and a desire for a profession in the chemical sciences. The Standard track offers more latitude in course selection and is appropriate for those students with an interest in chemistry, but who plan to continue in one of the health professions (medical, dental or veterinary school), public school teaching, technical sales, etc.
The requirements for the first two years are identical, so students do not need to make a final decision on which track to follow until the end of their sophomore year, but are encouraged to discuss career plans with members of the department early to make the most appropriate choice.
A student may elect as his or her first course in chemistry: CHEM010, 101, 102, 103 or 131. Science majors normally begin with CHEM101. The decision to begin with CHEM102, 103 or 131 must be made in consultation with the department and may require taking a placement examination offered at the beginning of each semester. The department encourages students with two or more years of high school chemistry to consider this option as it allows time for additional electives in the junior and senior years. The department publishes an undergraduate handbook, Majoring in Chemistry, Biochemistry or Molecular Biology at Clark University, which provides additional information. Copies are available in the department office.
Students planning graduate study in chemistry are strongly urged to take CHEM270 (Quantum Chemistry) CHEM231 (Advanced Organic Chemistry) and/or additional advanced courses in mathematics, physics and biochemistry. All majors are encouraged to undertake independent research projects as a candidate for Honors, Directed Study or through one of the department's summer research fellowships, and are eligible to do so following completion of CHEM102.