Major Requirements

COURSEWORK

Chemistry Foundation

CHEM 120	Foundations of General Chemistry	4
	And
CHEM 150	Molecular Symmetry and Structure	1
	Or
CHEM 130	Advanced Placement General Chemistry	4
CHEM 220	Organic Chemistry I	4
CHEM 221	Organic Chemistry II	4
CHEM 240	Integrated Concepts in General Chemistry	4
CHEM 300	Physical Chemistry I	4
CHEM 305	Physical Chemistry II	4
CHEM 340	Inorganic Chemistry	4

Directed Research

Students pursuing the Chemistry major must complete a minimum of four units of directed research.

CHEM 295	Directed Research	2
CHEM 395	Directed Research	4

Choose one additional CHEM course (must include a lab component)

CHEM 280	Instrumental and Separation Techiniques in Organic Chemistry	2
CHEM 330	Biocatalysis and Biotechnology	2
CHEM 332	Instrumental Chemistry	4
CHEM 340	Inorganic Chemistry	4
CHEM 350	Biochemistry	4
CHEM 355	Bioinformatics	2
CHEM 360	Physical Organic Chemistry	2
CHEM 370	Organometallic Chemistry	2
CHEM 380	Organic Synthesis	2
PHYS 368	Nanoscience and Nanotechnology	4

Mathematics Component

All chemistry majors must also complete Calculus 2 (MATH 120 or MATH 128).

Physics Component

Students must select one option as indicated below:

Option 1 - 

PHYS 110	Introductory Mechanics	4
PHYS 120	Introductory Electricity and Magnetism	4

Option 2 -

PHYS 115	General Physics I	4
PHYS 125	General Physics II	4

WRITING REQUIREMENT

Students majoring in Chemistry will satisfy the final component of Occidental College's campus-wide writing requirement by submitting a portfolio of four special reports, drawn from CHEM 240, CHEM 300L, CHEM 305L, CHEM 340 (or appropriate course work) in the fall semester of their senior year. Students should familiarize themselves with the departmental requirement at the time of declaring the major. See the Writing Program and consult the department chair for additional information.

COMPREHENSIVE REQUIREMENT

The student will satisfactorily present a seminar during the senior year on an area of current research in the field of chemistry to an audience of Occidental students, faculty, and guests. The student will also take a comprehensive examination in Chemistry. A student with an overall grade point average of 3.25 can earn distinction with a 75th percentile rank on the examination.

HONORS

Senior chemistry students with an overall grade point average of 3.25 are permitted to present a written thesis on their research for College Honors consideration at graduation. See the Honors Program and consult the department chair for additional information.