Major
The Chemistry and Biochemistry Department offers two majors, chemistry and biochemistry.
Chemistry. The minimum major in chemistry requires Chemistry 101, 102 (103 may replace 101, 102), 205, 211, 213, and 339. Nine hours of advanced courses from the following list also are required, including at least two hours from each of the two categories and one advanced laboratory course (327, 341 or 349). Category I: 254, 325, 326, 327, 405; Category II: 323, 341, 343, 349, 361, 409. The major also requires Mathematics 134 and Physics 110, 111 (or 103, 104). Students may not count toward the major more than one chemistry course in which they received a D.
Biochemistry. The minimum major in biochemistry requires Chemistry 101, 102 (103 may replace 101, 102), 205, 211, 213, 254, 339 (or 349), and 374; Biology 213/214; Mathematics 134; Physics 110, 111 (or 103, 104). Students may not count toward the major more than one chemistry course in which they received a D.
The minimum major in chemistry or biochemistry will prepare students for graduate study. However, the best preparation for competitive graduate programs involves additional advanced courses and laboratory work, related courses in other departments, and research experience. The latter may be accomplished through a summer research experience, a semester or two of research (Chemistry 525, 526), or an on-campus or off-campus Winter Term project.
Chemistry and biochemistry majors are encouraged to take additional mathematics courses such as multivariable calculus, linear algebra, differential equations, and statistics. Majors planning to pursue graduate studies in biochemistry or molecular biology should consider upper level biology courses such as immunology and microbiology. The specific courses chosen will depend in part on the intended area of specialization.
Each semester the department sponsors a program of Wednesday afternoon research talks by visiting chemists and biochemists. Majors are expected to attend.
Minor
Majors in other departments or programs (but not chemistry or biochemistry majors) may earn a minor in chemistry by completing general chemistry (101 and 102, or 103) and at least 10 credit hours from chemistry courses at the 200 through 400 level. Students must earn at least a C– in each of these courses. Two of the elective courses must be taken at Oberlin. A formal chemistry minor may be helpful to non-chemistry majors seeking entry-level jobs in chemical industry, secondary-school teaching, or science journalism, as well as those students who plan further education in technological aspects of law, art, or other disciplines.
Related Programs
Pre-Medical. Pre-medical students planning to major in chemistry or biochemistry should arrange a conference with the pre-medical advisor in chemistry or Mr. Fuchsman no later than their fourth semester. See the pre-medical statement earlier in this catalog.
3-2 Engineering. Students who are interested in a career in chemical engineering should consider the Combined Liberal Arts and Engineering Program. This five-year program is described in this catalog under the heading Engineering. The department chair can provide advice on courses that lead to both the Combined Program and a chemistry major. Students interested in academic careers in chemical engineering should discuss appropriate undergraduate schedules with the chair.
Winter Term
Each chemistry faculty member is willing to sponsor Winter Term projects as indicated. Mr. Belitsky: Laboratory projects in bioorganic chemistry. Mr. Elrod: Laboratory projects in atmospheric chemistry. Mr. Fuchsman: Laboratory projects in biochemistry. Off-campus projects involving experience in health-care delivery, medical research or biochemical research, Guatemala human rights project. Mr. Hill: Laboratory projects in general chemistry. Off campus projects involving experience in social service, medical research (UNC Chapel Hill), fire ant research (Florida), and environmental remediation (Florida). Mr. Matlin: Laboratory projects in organic chemistry. Readings in the history and philosophy of science. Mr. Mehta: Laboratory and computer projects in biophysics, biomolecular structure and NMR spectroscopy. Mr. Nee: Laboratory projects in introductory and organic chemistry. Consumer, food and polymer chemistry. Ms. Oertel: Laboratory Projects in inorganic materials chemistry. Mr. Thompson: Laboratory and reading projects dealing with chemical analysis and forensic science, beginning chess. Ms. Whelan: Laboratory projects in bioanalytical chemistry.
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