Undergraduate Program

Please see the 2003-2004 Course Catalog (PDF) for course descriptions.

The Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology offers two curricula leading to the B.S. in Chemistry. One has a general chemistry focus; the other provides more emphasis in biochemistry. Both meet the standards of the American Chemical Society Committee on Professional Training for a professional level degree in chemistry. Both provide ample opportunity for students to select electives that permit them to specialize in particular fields, to explore areas of potential interest, or to take unusual combinations of courses that will suit nontypical career goals. Besides allowing students to prepare for careers that demand a good background in science and mathematics, the curriculum also offers a sound basis for careers in other fields such as law, health professions, management, and technical communication. The program emphasizes hands-on laboratory experience and provides extensive opportunities to participate in research.

With 17 faculty and Chemistry major class sizes typically 12-15, students have opportunity for personal interaction with faculty, including becoming part of their research groups along with graduate students and post-doctoral fellows.

Students are encouraged to participate in research. Undergraduate Research CHEM-2950 may be taken at any time, and satisfies electives. Students may also elect to take five credits of CHEM-4990 Thesis during their senior year.

Freshman and sophomore Chemistry laboratory courses and some classes are held in the recently renovated Walker Laboratory, while upper-class laboratory courses meet in Cogswell Laboratory, the main Chemistry research building.

Undergraduate student activities include the Rensselaer Chemistry Society RCS, a local student affiliate of the American Chemical Society. Also, RPI's chapter of Phi Lambda Upsilon, an honor society for chemistry students, has recently been re-activated.

Transfer Students

For students transferring from other universities, two-year colleges, or from other curricula at Rensselaer, previous chemistry courses will be evaluated on an individual basis, but normally these will count toward our program. The content of laboratory courses can be adjusted to allow for prior experience. Every attempt is made to accommodate transfer students whose backgrounds do not permit them to follow the normal course sequence.

Students interested in both chemistry and another field may use the elective courses in one program to take the required courses from another discipline to qualify for a dual degree. Examples are a B.S. in Chemistry and Biology, or Chemistry and Physics, or Chemistry and Economics, but combinations with any other science or H&SS discipline are usually not difficult to arrange. Students should speak to advisors in both areas.

Please see the 2003-2004 Course Catalog (PDF) for course descriptions.

* Includes two laboratory periods per week.

** Senior Year is a great time to take research credits. Talk to your advisor about this.

¹ CHEM-1500 or ENGR-1500 may be substituted for CHEM-1100 by students transferring into chemistry.

² CHEM-1600 or ENGR-1600 may be substituted for CHEM-1200 by students transferring into chemistry.

³ Any combination of courses totaling 24 credits and meeting the H&SS distribution requirements is satisfactory.

At least one of the elective courses must be in science.

A total of 128 credit hours are required for graduation. Thirty-two of these are completely free electives. Students should select electives in consultation with their adviser to give a balanced program totaling 128 credit hours.

All chemistry majors are strongly recommended to take:
CHEM-4520 Chemical Information.

Also recommended is:
CHEM-2950 Undergraduate Research (at least three credits)

Students planning to pursue graduate studies in chemistry are recommended to take at least 12 credits in chemistry courses beyond those required. In addition, CHEM-4990 Senior Thesis is particularly valuable.

Please see the 2003-2004 Course Catalog (PDF) for course descriptions.

Students can take any electives that they wish, but some suggested combinations of electives that provide a focus in specific fields are given below. They provide a rational combination of courses to give a sound program for each area. Students need not follow any of these recommendations, but they should discuss their plans with their advisors in order to have the information necessary to make intelligent choices that will be useful in fulfilling their goals.

Environmental Chemistry

For students who wish to pursue chemistry coupled with specialization in the environment.

and three or more selections from:

Polymers/Materials Chemistry

For students who wish to specialize in the preparation and characterization of materials such as semiconductors and engineering plastics used in high technology industries, or who are interested in graduate programs in materials science and engineering.

Medicinal Chemistry

For students who plan a career in the pharmaceutical industry or in organic synthesis related to pharmaceuticals.

Courses from the premedical recommendations may also be useful.

Premedical and Predental Studies

For students who plan to apply to medical or dental school. The following courses are recommended before the senior year as preparation for the qualifying exams required for admission to medical school.

Two Communications courses should be included among H&SS options.

Prelaw

A degree in chemistry is an excellent preparation for certain law careers, especially patent or environmental law. The following courses are recommended as a background:

Management

Students can prepare for careers in technologically based industry by combining a chemistry degree with appropriate management courses. Below are suggestions for courses.

Engineering Chemistry

For students who want to bridge the disciplines of chemistry and chemical engineering for industrial employment that requires competence in both fields or for the option of graduate school in either.

and the following:

* All of these courses are needed for admission to graduate school in chemical engineering.

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Some students may wish to obtain their B.S. degrees in less than the normal four years. While this has disadvantages, such as requiring heavier work loads and limiting the time available for participating in undergraduate research and other activities, it may have financial advantages. Completion of the B.S. requirements in three years can be achieved by taking courses in the summers, and additional electives in some semesters. Students with Advanced Placement standing in some courses can do this most easily. It is also possible for those who do not wish to stay in Troy over the summer to take equivalent courses elsewhere and receive transfer credit.

Completion of the requirements in 31/2 years is another option. Advanced Placement and additional courses in some academic semesters may permit this to be done with minimal summer work.

Any student contemplating an accelerated program should discuss the matter with his or her adviser to avoid problems with selection of electives and prerequisites.

Please see the 2003-2004 Course Catalog (PDF) for course descriptions.

Students majoring in chemistry may obtain a minor in many disciplines through minor programs offered by other departments. For students in chemistry who wish to pursue scientific careers in research, in medicine, or at the interface of biology and chemistry, special minors are available in biochemistry and in biophysics.
**from BCBP section

Biochemistry Minor for Chemistry Majors

Students must complete BIOL-2120 Intro. Cell & Molecular Biology, BCBP-4770 Molecular Biochemistry II, and two of the following:

Biochemistry Minor for Chemistry Majors

CHEM-4770 Molecular Biochemistry II and three courses from the following:

Biophysics Minor for Chemistry Majors

CHEM-4770 Molecular Biochemistry II and two courses from the following :

Minors for Non-Chemistry Majors

Students not majoring in chemistry may receive a minor in this discipline by accumulating a total of 20 credit hours in chemistry courses that include all of the following: eight credit hours of general chemistry or chemistry of materials and four credit hours each of courses in three of analytical, organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry, one of which must include laboratory.