Course Catalog 2010-2011 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Chemistry and Biochemistry
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Manish A. Mehta, Associate Professor of Chemistry, Department Chair
Jason M. Belitsky, Assistant Professor of Chemistry
Sean M. Decatur, Professor of Chemistry, Dean of Arts and Sciences
Matthew J. Elrod, Associate Professor of Chemistry
William H. Fuchsman, Professor of Chemistry
Cortland S. Hill, Lecturer in Chemistry; Laboratory Instructor and Manager
Albert R. Matlin, Donald R. Longman Professor of Chemistry
Drew Meyer, Visiting Assistant Professor of Chemistry
Michael W. Nee, Associate Professor of Chemistry
Catherine M. Oertel, Assistant Professor of Chemistry
Jesse L. C. Rowsell, Visiting Assistant Professor of Chemistry
Robert Q. Thompson, Professor of Chemistry
Rebecca J. Whelan, Assistant Professor of Chemistry
Modern chemistry is an interdisciplinary subject with roots in physics and mathematics and with applications in biology, geology, neuroscience, environmental science,and a wide range of technology. The courses for chemistry and biochemistry majors are designed to emphasize the fundamental principles of the science and their application to observed phenomena. These courses develop chemical reasoning and experimental skills, reflect chemistry’s interdisciplinary nature, and prepare students for success in graduate or professional programs.
Chemistry is an experimental science. Graduate study in chemistry is centered on the research thesis, and most chemists engage in research themselves or make use of the results of research. Physicians and others who use chemical material should have some experience in research in order to evaluate the results of research. Accordingly, opportunities are provided, and students are strongly encouraged to gain research experience through an in-term research project, summer research, a Winter Term project, or a combination of these.
A major in chemistry or biochemistry can lead to a variety of careers besides chemical or biochemical research. Among these are medicine, teaching, patent law, business, and interdisciplinary sciences such as molecular biology, environmental science, pharmacology, toxicology, materials science, geochemistry, and chemical physics.
ACS Approved.
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry is approved by the American Chemical Society and certifies graduates who satisfy the ACS guidelines. For certification, chemistry majors must take, in addition to the minimum major requirements: Chemistry 254, and 4 credits of Chemistry 525/526. For certification, biochemistry majors must take, in addition to the minimum major requirements, 4 credits of any combination of any 300 level or above Chemistry courses and 4 credits of Chemistry 525/526.
Advanced Placement.
Students with good preparation in chemistry should apply for admission to Chemistry 103, a one-semester course that takes the place of Chemistry 101, 102. Entering students who have scored 3 on the Chemistry Advanced Placement examination of the Educational Testing Service can receive four hours of transfer credit (equivalent to 101) and can begin college chemistry with 102 or 103. Students entering with Chemistry AP scores of 4 or 5 can receive eight hours of transfer credit (equivalent to 101, 102). Entering students who have scored 5 on the International Baccalaureate (IB) Chemistry Exam can receive four hours of transfer credit (equivalent to 101) and can begin college chemistry with 102 or 103. Students entering with IB Chemistry Exam scores of 6 or 7 can receive eight hours of transfer credit (equivalent to 101, 102).
Entry-Level Course Sequence Suggestions.
Chemistry 045 and 050 are courses of general interest which do not presume any prior knowledge of chemistry and are aimed at non-science majors. Chemistry 045 and 050 may serve as a bridge to 101 for students who have not had high-school chemistry. Most students who major in a science and most premedical students begin their study of college chemistry in the first year with 101, 102 (or 103), which are open also to other students who want a thorough introduction to the subject.
Students who are considering a major in either chemistry or biochemistry should consult the Majors Handbook (http://new.oberlin.edu/dotAsset/1604923.pdf) for detailed information on planning an appropriate sequence of courses. All potential majors are strongly advised to complete 101, 102 (or 103) and at least Mathematics 133 in the first year. Potential chemistry majors should take Physics 110, 111 (or 103, 104) in the sophomore year and should complete Mathematics 134 by the end of the sophomore year. Potential biochemistry majors should take Biology 100/101 or 102 no later than the sophomore year and should complete the mathematics and physics requirements as early as possible.
All majors should take careful note of prerequisites for later courses. For example, physical chemistry depends upon prior work in mathematics and physics as well as a background in general chemistry. Majors who plan to take advanced courses in chemistry or in other sciences, including research courses, find their senior-year schedules most manageable if they take physical chemistry in the junior year.
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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: 259, 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. No D grades may be counted towards courses used as prerequisites.
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. No D grades may be counted towards courses used as prerequisites.
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. In the course of fulfilling the biochemistry major, students also simultaneously complete all science coursework typically required by medical schools.
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. Honors
Students with outstanding records are invited to participate in the Honors Program. Seniors in the program elect a minimum of five hours of Chemistry 525, 526 (with at least two hours in the first semester) and work year-long (including Winter Term) on a research project. Honors students write a thesis based on their research and take an oral examination.
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. Transfer of Credit
Prior approval is required for major course work taken away from Oberlin. Without explicit approval from the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, no major may earn more than half of the hours required for the major while away from Oberlin. Normally, transfer credit for chemistry courses numbered 300 and above will not count toward the requirements of chemistry or biochemistry majors. The detailed procedure and required forms for the transfer of credit process can be found at http://new.oberlin.edu/chemistry under the Transfer of Credit link. Winter Term
Each chemistry faculty member is willing to sponsor Winter Term projects as indicated. J. Belitsky: Laboratory projects in bioorganic chemistry. M. Elrod: Laboratory projects in atmospheric chemistry. W. Fuchsman: Laboratory projects in biochemistry. Off-campus projects involving experience in health-care delivery, medical research or biochemical research, Guatemala human rights project. C. 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). A. Matlin: Laboratory projects in organic chemistry. Readings in the history and philosophy of science. M. Mehta: Laboratory and computer projects in biophysics, biomolecular structure and NMR spectroscopy. R. Thompson: Laboratory and reading projects dealing with chemical analysis and forensic science, beginning chess. R. Whelan: Laboratory projects in bioanalytical chemistry. Breakage Charge
Students are held responsible for apparatus issued to them in laboratories.
Each student has a breakage allowance that covers normal breakage of common glassware and
the like. Breakage costs exceeding that allowance are charged at the end of the semester. Courses of General Interest
Advanced Courses, Category I
Advanced Courses, Category II
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