Academic Bulletin Department of Chemistry - 2015-16

THE WABASH COLLEGE CHEMISTRY DEPARTMENT believes in a challenging curriculum, which thoroughly investigates all areas of modern chemistry and in a significant hands-on laboratory experience in which students become progressively more independent as they proceed through the curriculum. We believe that such an education will prepare chemistry majors for a variety of career outcomes, including those in research, medicine, teaching, and industry. In recent years, three-fourths of our majors have gone to graduate school in chemistry/ biochemistry or to medical school following graduation. Others have chosen to take jobs as chemists or high school teachers or to attend other professional schools (business, law, and physical therapy). We strive to provide chemistry minors and pre-medical students with the knowledge base they need to succeed in their chosen fields. We seek to involve all Wabash students in the study of chemistry through non-majors courses‚ CHE 101 and 102. We attempt to teach all chemistry students about the relationship between chemistry and the world around them. Faculty Advisors: Majors are strongly urged to select an advisor from the Chemistry Department when they declare their major.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CHEMISTRY MAJOR: The chemistry major requires completion of the following core courses (eight credits): 111, 211, 221, 321, 331, 351, 361, and 441. Students may complete the nine-course requirement by selecting among the following electives: 421, 431, 451, 452, 461, 462, 471, 487, 488. CHE 421, 452, 461, and 471 may be repeated when the topics change. No more than one-half course credit of independent study (CHE 487 or 488) may be used to construct the minimum nine-course major. CHE 101 and 102 do not count toward the major.

The following courses are also required for chemistry majors: MAT 110 or 111 and 112, PHY 111 and 112. The mathematics courses are best taken in the freshman year, and the physics sequence should be taken in the sophomore year, because physical chemistry (taken by all junior chemistry majors) has a two-course physics prerequisite.  A student who places into MAT 010 should complete the MAT 010/110 sequence in the freshman year, and then begin CHE 111 in the sophomore year.  Alternatively, students who place in MAT 010 can take MAT 010 and CHE 101 concurrently, then proceed to MAT 110 and CHE 201 (which complements CHE 101 to allow students to proceed to CHE 221 the next fall).

SUGGESTED ORDER OF COURSES FOR THE CHEMISTRY MAJOR FOR FRESHMAN W/MAT 111 PLACEMENT:

            Plus one additional elective taken in the junior or senior year

               Plus one additional electrive taken in the junior or senior year.

Strongly Recommended Supporting Coursework:

            BIO 111 and BIO 112
            More Mathematics, particularly MAT 223, MAT 224, and MAT 225
            More Physics, particularly PHY 210 and PHY 310
            CSC 111

BIOCHEMISTRY

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE BIOCHEMISTRY MAJOR: The biochemistry major requires completion of the following core courses (seven credits): 111, 211, 221, 321, 351, 361, 461, and 462. Students complete the nine-course requirement by choosing one from CHE 331 or CHE 441 and selecting one of the following courses from the Biology Department:  BIO 225, 311, 314, and approved 37X courses (this course may not be counted towards a Biology minor).

The following courses are also required for biochemistry majors: MAT 110 or 111 and 112, PHY 111 and 112; BIO 111, 112, 211, and 212. The mathematics courses are best taken in the freshman year, and the physics sequence is best in the sophomore year, because physical chemistry has a two-course physics prerequisite.  A student who places into MAT 010 should complete the MAT 010/110 and BIO 111/112 sequences in the freshman year, and then begin CHE 111 in the sophomore year.

There are many possible routes through the Biochemistry major; please consult with the department chair for special circumstances:

OR

Chemistry and Biochemistry majors who wish to transfer chemistry credits from another institution as part of their major must have prior approval of the Department Chair to do so.

The written comprehensive examination for senior majors emphasizes both knowledge of basic chemical concepts and the ability to apply these concepts to new problems. The exam includes written questions over material from courses, a laboratory practical, a literature component, and an experimental design essay. Students who fail to complete their courses by the time of the written examination must petition the Department Chair for a special exam no later that the fall prior to their comprehensive examination.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE CHEMISTRY MINOR: The following courses are required for the chemistry minor: CHE 111, 211, and 221. The student may select any other two course credits from the departmental offerings (except CHE 101 and 102) to complete the minor, provided the prerequisites for the courses are met. No more than one-half course credit of independent study (CHE 487, 488) may be used to construct the minimum five-course minor. Chemistry minors who wish to transfer a chemistry course credit from another institution as part of their minor must have prior approval of the Department Chair to do so; no more than one course credit of transfer credit from another institution may count as part of their minor.

REQUIREMENTS FOR PRE-MEDS: Pre-medical students are required to take five courses in chemistry before the end of their junior year (when the MCAT examination is generally taken). Wabash pre-med students should take the following courses to meet the pre-med chemistry requirement‚ CHE 111, 211, 221, 321 and 361.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT: Please refer to the College Advanced Placement guidelines under Credit by Examination. Potential chemistry majors and minors who wish to claim advanced placement credit should discuss placement options with the Department Chair. If the Chair and the student decide that it is in the student’s best interest to take CHE 111, the advanced placement chemistry credit must be forfeited.

ACS CERTIFIED DEGREE: To meet the certification requirements formulated by the American Chemical Society Committee on Professional Training (CPT) as a chemist and for adequate preparation for graduate school, additional classroom and laboratory work beyond the minimum nine-course major is required. The student should consult with the Chair of the Chemistry Department concerning ways in which the remaining requirements may be fulfilled.

SECONDARY LICENSURE PROGRAM: The Department of Education Studies offers a minor in Education Studies, and an additional licensure preparation program for students interested in becoming licensed to teach at the secondary level (middle and high school grades 5-12). With a major in this department and a minor in Education Studies, students may also choose to complete the licensure preparation program by applying in the spring of the junior year. For more information about the licensure program, students are advised to meet with faculty in the Department of Education Studies. Requirements for the minor and licensure preparation program are outlined in the Department of Education Studies section of the Academic Bulletin.