Chemistry and Chemical Biology

Faculty
The Major
Admission To The Major
The Standard Major

The Alternative Major
Honors
Program For Science Teachers
Laboratory Course Regulations

The Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology offers a full range of courses in physical, organic, inorganic, analytical, theoretical, bioorganic, and biophysical chemistry. In addition to their teaching interests, chemistry and chemical biology faculty members have active research programs. The link between teaching and research is a vital one in a continuously evolving scientific subject; it ensures that students will be provided with the most advanced information and perspectives and affords opportunities for students to participate in research. For additional information about the department and course offerings, see the department course web site.

Website: www.chem.cornell.edu

Faculty

B. A. Baird, chair (122 Baker Laboratory, (607) 255-4175); D. B. Collum, associate chair; R. F. Loring, director of undergraduate studies; B. R. Crane, director of graduate studies; H. D. Abruña, R. A. Cerione, G. Chan, P. Chen, G. W. Coates, H. F. Davis, S. DeBeer, W. R. Dichtel, F. J. DiSalvo, S. E. Ealick, G. S. Ezra, J. H. Freed, B. Ganem, M. A. Hines, S. Lee, C. Lewis, H. Lin, D. R. Lorey, J. A. Marohn, J. Park, P. Peterson, T. Ruttledge, D. Y. Sogah, J. Terry, D. A. Usher, P. T. Wolczanski, D. B. Zax

The Major:

To fit the widely varying needs of our undergraduate majors, the department offers two different tracks that both lead to the same undergraduate degree:

Standard Major—The standard major provides a comprehensive background in all fields of chemistry. Most students who complete the standard major go on to graduate study in chemistry or to medical school, although some students proceed directly to a position in the chemical industry.

Alternative Major—The alternative major offers a flexible program of study that is primarily designed for students who intend to double major in another field. For example, students majoring in biology can complete the alternative major with little additional class work. This program might also be attractive for students interested in law (especially patent law), as a double major in government or economics plus chemistry is quite feasible. This program is not suited to further graduate work in chemistry. With few exceptions, students in the alternative major are not chosen to participate in the honors program in chemistry.

Either version of the major can be completed in three years of study. Most students, however, complete all of the requirements in their first three years with the exception of CHEM 4100 - Inorganic Chemistry , which is usually taken in the fall semester of the senior year. The typical chemistry course sequence is:

first year: general chemistry and mathematics

second year: organic chemistry, analytical and organic laboratories, and physics

third year: physical chemistry lectures and laboratories

fourth year: inorganic chemistry

Admission to the Major:

Admission to the chemistry major requires the satisfactory completion of a number of introductory courses which, when taken together, demonstrate an ability to complete the major. These courses include (1) CHEM 2150 –CHEM 2160 or CHEM 2070 –CHEM 2080 (CHEM 2090 or CHEM 1560 may be substituted for CHEM 2070 but CHEM 1560 is not recommended); (2) CHEM 3000 ; (3) PHYS 2207 or PHYS 1112 or PHYS 1116 ; and (4) MATH 1110 or MATH 1910 . Second-semester sophomores (or beyond) who have completed all but one of these requirements may be admitted to the major provided that they have a plan for completing the major on schedule.

The Standard Major:

The following courses must be completed for the standard major:

General chemistry:

CHEM 2070 - General Chemistry
(CHEM 2090 may be substituted for CHEM 2070 )
CHEM 2080 - General Chemistry
or
CHEM 2150 - Honors General and Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM 2160 - Honors General and Inorganic Chemistry

Organic chemistry:

Physical chemistry:

Inorganic chemistry:

CHEM 4100 - Inorganic Chemistry

Laboratory chemistry:

Physics:

Mathematics:

Additional Information:

Most standard majors also perform independent research at some point in their academic career, either during the semester or in the summer. Many students take advanced courses to complement this program.

The Alternative Major:

The following courses must be completed for the alternative major:

Physics:

Mathematics:

Additional Requirements:

One additional 3- or 4-credit advanced chemistry course at the 3000-level or above. (CHEM 3580 , CHEM 3600 or CHEM 3900 can be used to satisfy this requirement.)

Three additional courses, of 3 or more credits each, that form a cohesive unit and are not at the introductory level. These three courses must be approved by the director of undergraduate studies.

The three additional courses may be in another field of study, such as biochemistry, physics, biology, materials science, economics, government, or education. Many students who double major use courses from their second major to satisfy this requirement.

Like the standard majors, many alternative majors perform independent research, either in the chemistry department or with a member of the Chemistry field.

Honors:

Any student who completes the requirements for a standard major in chemistry with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher shall be awarded a degree with honors (cum laude).

In addition, senior chemistry majors who have superior grades in chemistry and related subjects and who have had good performance in at least 8 credits of undergraduate research (or the equivalent) in chemistry or a related field (e.g., biochemistry) may be nominated for the honors program. To ensure that the nomination process runs smoothly, all students who are interested in the honors program should discuss this possibility with their advisor early in the Fall semester of the senior year. Admission to the honors program is by invitation only. Students completing the alternative major are only eligible for the honors program in exceptional cases.

Students in the honors program participate in the honors seminar (CHEM 4980 ) and write a senior thesis. The successful completion of the honors program leads to the degree of bachelor of arts with honors or high honors in chemistry.

Program for Science Teachers:

Chemistry majors who wish to become teachers will be interested to know that Cornell University offers a certification program for teachers of secondary (grades 7–12) science. Interested students apply to the program during their sophomore or junior years. If accepted, students integrate some course work in education with the rest of their undergraduate studies. All chemistry majors who enter this program will remain in the College of Arts and Sciences to complete the major.

After earning the bachelor’s degree, certification students enter the graduate field of education to complete a fifth year of study at Cornell. Following this fifth year, students are eligible for a master’s degree from Cornell and a teaching certificate from New York State. For additional information, see education.cornell.edu.

Laboratory Course Regulations:

Students and members of the teaching staff are required to wear safety goggles and lab aprons in all chemistry laboratories. Closed-toed footwear is required (no sandals). Students are reminded to take their goggles and lab aprons to the first laboratory session. Those who fail to cooperate with the safety program will be asked to leave the laboratories.

Students in organic and analytical labs are required to pay for glassware and any other items broken or missing from their laboratory desks at the close of each semester. Students who fail to inventory their desks at the appointed time in the presence of their instructor are charged a $20 fee in addition to charges for any breakage.