Chemistry

Distribution Requirements

The following chemistry courses satisfy the distribution requirement in laboratory science: 105, 106, 107, 115, 201, and 215.  Chemistry 103 and Chemistry 110 also satisfy a distribution requirement in Natural Science and Mathematics, but not the laboratory science component of that requirement.

Introductory Chemistry Program

Students who have earned AP credit for Chemistry 115 may begin their study of chemistry with Chemistry 201. Other students should begin with either Chemistry 110 or 115. Chemistry 110 is designed for those students who have not completed at least one year of high school chemistry or who have had high school chemistry but need a more thorough introduction to the subject matter. Chemistry 115 is recommended for students who have a good background from high school chemistry. A student may elect to take either Chemistry 110 or 115 as the first chemistry course at Davidson.

Major Requirements

Prospective majors are encouraged to discuss their programs with a department representative as soon as they begin considering a chemistry major. The prerequisites for advanced courses require careful planning to obtain a feasible schedule.

Minor Requirements

The minor consists of Chemistry 115, 201, 202, 215, and two additional courses numbered 300 or higher. In addition, students must attend six sessions of the chemistry colloquium during their junior and senior years. At least five courses counted toward the minor must be taken at Davidson. Only Chemistry 490 or 496 may be taken Pass/Fail.

Honors Requirements

Candidates for honors must take:

1. Chemistry courses:
   1. 201 (115 is a prerequisite for this course), 202, 215, 351, 352, and 371
   2. one course selected from 381 or 391
   3. two courses selected from 401, 410, 420, 430, or 450
   4. 496 and 497
2. Supporting and prerequisite courses:
   1. Mathematics 135 or 137
   2. Physics 220 or 230
3. Students must attend ten sessions of the chemistry colloquium during their junior and senior years.

American Chemical Society Attainments Program

The following program is certified by the American Chemical Society as a nationally approved undergraduate major in chemistry. This program is strongly recommended to all majors who plan to study chemistry in graduate school or to seek employment as professional chemists.

1. Chemistry courses:
   1. 201 (115 is a prerequisite for this course), 202, 215, 351, 352, 371, 381, 391, 401, and 450
   2. one course selected from 410, 420, or 430
   3. 496
2. Supporting and prerequisite courses:
   1. Mathematics 135 or 137
   2. Physics 220 or 230
3. Students must attend ten sessions of the chemistry colloquium during their junior and senior years.
4. Mathematics 150 and 235 or Physics 201 are strongly recommended.
5. Approved mathematics or physics courses may be substituted for one of the seminar courses numbered 410-430.

Chemistry Courses

Chemistry courses at the 100 level may be taken with no prerequisites.  These include various lab and non-lab courses that fulfill distribution requirements as well as introductory courses for science majors.  Courses offered at the 200 level all have one or two chemistry prerequisites, while courses at the 300 level are designed for majors and minors who have completed (or are taking concurrently) Chemistry 115, 201, 202, and 215.  The 400 level courses are primarily advanced, senior level courses for chemistry majors (Chemistry 490 and 496 may be taken earlier in the chemistry curriculum and/or by non-majors with permission).

• CHE 103 - Topics in Chemistry
• CHE 105 - Chemistry and Society
• CHE 106 - Chemistry of Art and Artifacts
• CHE 107 - Chemistry of the Environment
• CHE 110 - Introduction to Chemistry
• CHE 115 - Principles of Chemistry
• CHE 201 - Introductory Organic Chemistry I
• CHE 202 - Introductory Organic Chemistry II
• CHE 215 - Chemical Equilibrium
• CHE 301 - Chemistry of Natural Products
• CHE 303 - Bioorganic Chemistry
• CHE 304 - Topics in Environmental and Green Chemistry
• CHE 305 - Forensic Chemistry
• CHE 306 - Biophysical Chemistry
• CHE 308 - Chemistry of Biomedical Polymers
• CHE 309 - Medicinal Chemistry
• CHE 351 - Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics
• CHE 352 - Physical Chemistry: Kinetics and Quantum Mechanics
• CHE 361 - Biological Chemistry
• CHE 371 - Instrumental Analysis
• CHE 381 - Chemical Synthesis and Characterization
• CHE 391 - Experimental Physical Chemistry
• CHE 401 - Inorganic Chemistry
• CHE 410 - Advanced Organic Chemistry
• CHE 450 - Advanced Biochemistry
• CHE 490 - Individual Investigation
• CHE 496 - Introduction to Research
• CHE 497 - Thesis Research