Mar 28, 2024  
2014-2015 
    
2014-2015 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Chemistry


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Academic Departments and Interdisciplinary Minors

Professors: Beeston, Blauch, Carroll, Stevens, Striplin
Associate Professors: Hauser (Chair), Myers (on leave Fall/Spring)
Assistant Professor: N. Snyder
Visiting Assistant Professors: Franklin, Staff
 

Introductory Chemistry Program


Students who have earned AP credit for Chemistry 115 may begin their study of chemistry with Chemistry 220, 240, or 250. Students with AP credit for both Chemistry 115 and Mathematics 111 or 112 may begin their study with Chemistry 260. Other students should begin with either Chemistry 110 or 115. Chemistry 110 is designed for students who have not completed at least one year of high school chemistry, or who have taken high school chemistry but need a more thorough introduction to the subject. Chemistry 115 is recommended for students who have a good background from high school chemistry.

Major Requirements


Prospective majors are encouraged to discuss their interest and course planning with a faculty member as soon as they begin considering a chemistry major. The prerequisites for advanced courses require careful planning to obtain a feasible schedule.  Required courses for the chemistry major are the following:
For Class of 2015

  • Chemistry courses: 201 (115 is prerequisite), 202, 215, 261/361, 351, 352, 371, 391, and 401/440; one additional 300- or 400-level course.
  • Supporting and prerequisite courses:  Chemistry 115 or AP equivalent; Mathematics 113, 140, or AP equivalent; Physics 220 or 230
  • Attendance at 10 sessions of the chemistry colloquium during junior and senior years

For Classes 2016 and later

  • All five foundation courses:  220/215, 230/261, 240/401, 250/201, and 260/351
  • Five in-depth courses at the 300-level or higher
    Two must have a laboratory
    One must be a 400-level seminar
    Chemistry 496 may count as a non-laboratory in-depth course
    One science course taken outside the chemistry department may count as a non-laboratory in-depth course with prior approval from the department chair
  • Supporting and prerequisite courses:  Chemistry 115 or AP equivalent; Mathematics 113, 140, or AP equivalent; Physics 220 or 230
  • Attendance at 10 sessions of the chemistry colloquium during junior and senior years

EMPHASIS IN BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY

Students primarily interested in biological chemistry are advised to take the following courses, which fully satisfy the requirements for a chemistry major:

  • All five foundation chemistry courses:  220/215, 230/261, 240/401, 250/201, and 260/351
  • Five in-depth courses at the 300-level or higher
    Chemistry 330 and 430
    Biology 201 or 208 (accepted in place of a non-laboratory in-depth chemistry course with prior approval from the department chair)
    Two additional in-depth electives, one of which must have a laboratory
  • Supporting and prerequisite courses:  Chemistry 115 or AP equivalent; Mathematics 113, 140, or AP equivalent; Physics 220 or 230
  • Attendance at 10 sessions of the chemistry colloquium during junior and senior years

Honors Requirements


Graduation with honors requires fulfillment of the basic major plus the completion of a Chemistry 497 research experience.

American Chemical Society Undergraduate Chemistry Program


The American Chemical Society recommends a specific program for all chemistry majors who plan to study chemistry in graduate school or to seek employment as professional chemists. Students who complete the basic major with five in-depth chemistry courses, including at least one semester or summer of independent research, fulfill the American Chemical Society requirements. Students who use summer research to fulfill this requirement must submit a written report of their work to the department chair.

Minor Requirements


The chemistry minor requires the completion of five chemistry courses at the 200 level or higher. Only one course may be taken at an institution other than Davidson and requires prior approval from the department chair. None of the courses counted toward the minor may be taken Pass/Fail. Students must attend at least six sessions of the chemistry colloquium during junior and senior years.

Chemistry Courses


Chemistry courses at the 100 level may be taken with no prerequisites. The 200-level courses provide an introduction to the five divisions of chemistry and have at least one chemistry prerequisite. Laboratory fees are charged in all 100- and 200-level courses. In-depth courses in the five divisions are designated with 300-level numbers, and all have 200-level prerequisites. Courses numbered in the 400’s are senior-level seminar courses and research experiences intended for chemistry majors.


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Academic Departments and Interdisciplinary Minors