Academic Bulletin Chemistry - 2006-07

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Faculty: S. Feller (chair), R. Dallinger, P. LePlae, R. Olsen**, L. Porter, A. Taylor,

** Sabbatical leave, fall semester

The Wabash College Chemistry Department believes in a challenging curriculum which thoroughly investigates all areas of modern chemistry and in a significant hands-on investigative 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 directly to graduate school in chemistry/ biochemistry or to medical school immediately following graduation. Others have chosen to take jobs as chemists 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 — Chemistry 101 and 102. We attempt to teach all chemistry students about the relationship between chemistry and the world around them.

Requirements for the Major: A chemistry major requires completion of the following core courses (eight credits): 111, 221, 222, 231(1/2 credit), 241 (1/2 credit), 331, 351, 361, and 441. Students may complete the nine-course requirement by selecting among the following electives: 421, 431, 451, 452, 461, 471, 487, 488. Chemistry 421, 452, 461 and 471 may be repeated when the topics change. No more than one-half course credit of independent study (Chemistry 487 or 488) may be used to construct the minimum nine-course major. Chemistry 101 and 102 do not count toward the major.

The following courses are also required for chemistry majors‚ Mathematics 111 and 112, Physics 111 and Physics 112 (Chemistry/Physics double majors and Physics minors will take Physics 111, 113 and 114). 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.

The written comprehensive examination for senior majors emphasizes both knowledge of basic chemical concepts and the ability to apply these concepts to new problems. One part of the exam involves reading and answering questions over several articles from the recent chemical literature; the second part of the exam involves answering questions from the core chemistry courses the student has taken.

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

Chemistry Major with Biochemistry Emphasis: Students with a special interest in Biochemistry may complete a Chemistry major with an emphasis on Biochemistry (the Biochemistry Track). Students pursuing the Biochemistry Track will take the eight-course core Chemistry curriculum described above, and will complete the minimum nine-course major by taking two half-credit special topics courses which have a biochemistry emphasis. Research in biochemistry is also encouraged, although this will take the student beyond the nine course minimum Chemistry major. Additionally, the Biochemistry Track student will be required to take the following courses in the Biology Department—Bio 111 and Bio 112 (General Biology), Bio 211 (Genetics), Bio 212 (Cell Biology) and one approved Molecular Biology elective, such as Bio 311 (Molecular Genetics), Bio 314 (Developmental Biology), Bio 371 (Special Topics courses with suitable topics) or other approved courses. Students and their academic advisors should consult with the Chemistry Department Chair as they plan the course work for the Biochemistry Track Chemistry major.

Requirement for the Minor: The following courses are required for the chemistry minor-Chemistry 111, 221, and 231 (1/2 course credit). The student may select any other 2-course credits from the departmental offerings (except Chemistry 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 (Chemistry 487, 488) may be used to construct the minimum five-course minor.

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

Requirements for Premeds: Premedical students are required to take four 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 premed chemistry requirement—Chemistry 111, 221, 222, 231, (1/2 course credit) and 241 (1/2 course credit).

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 Chemistry 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. The requirements formulated by the CPT include: (1) the equivalent of year-long courses in analytical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry; three-fourths of a year of advanced work which is based upon a physical chemistry prerequisite; (2) a year of physics; (3) calculus through partial derivatives and simple differential equations; (4) 500 laboratory hours (which can include research). Advanced courses in physics and in differential equations are recommended. The satisfaction of the graduation requirements of the College will meet the CPT requirements in English and the Humanities.

Suggested order of courses for the chemistry major:

Freshman:
  Chemistry 111, 221 (required for major)
  Mathematics 111, 112 (prerequisite for Chemistry 231)

Sophomore:
  Chemistry 222, 231, 241 (required for major)
  Physics 111 and 112 (prerequisite for Chemistry 351)

Junior:
  Chemistry 331, 351, 361 (required for major)
  Chemistry 421*, 487*, 488* (electives)

Senior:
  Chemistry 441 (required for major)
  Chemistry 421*, 431*, 451*, 452*, 461*, 471*, 487*, 488* (electives)

Strongly Recommended Electives:
  Biology 111, 112
  More Mathematics, particularly 223, 224, 225
  More Physics, particularly 210 and 310
  More Biology, for students interested in biochemistry and medicine
  Computer Science 111

*May be included in the nine major courses required for graduation and may be needed for ACS certification.