Chemistry Major

Summary of Requirements

• Two General Chemistry Courses
• Four Core Chemistry Courses
• Additional 2.5 Full Courses in Advanced Chemistry
• Three Mathematics and Physics Courses

Entry-Level Course Sequence Suggestions and Recommended Pathways

Transfer of Credit

Prior approval is required for chemistry course work taken away from Oberlin.

Please note that, except for classes transferred in at the time of entry by transfer students, we cannot accept courses taken at community colleges.

Without explicit approval from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, no major may complete more than half of the full courses (or equivalent) 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 the biochemistry major.

View the detailed procedure and required forms for the transfer of credit process.

Honors

Students with outstanding records are invited to apply to participate in the Honors Program. Selection of honors students occurs in the spring semester for the following fall.

Seniors in the program elect a minimum of 1.5 full courses of CHEM 525/526 (with at least one half course in the first semester) and work year-long (including Winter Term) on a research project.

Honors students write a thesis based on their research, give two presentations, and take an oral examination. Students majoring in both chemistry and biochemistry must choose which major will be applied to any honors conferred.

View the Majors Handbook for additional details.  

Chemistry Major Course Lists