Undergraduate Program

Chemistry is the science of molecules. Scientific, medical, and technological phenomena ultimately are understood in terms of molecular structure and interactions. Understanding chemistry is essential to effective work in all sciences, and some knowledge of chemistry is useful in such fields as law, government, business, and art. Many aspects of our high-technology society can be understood better from the viewpoint of chemistry.

The following are typical important chemical problems: the structure of DNA, the molecular details of the resistance of bacteria to penicillin, the chemistry of air pollution, the synthesis of new molecules that might be expected to have medical applications, the consequences of putting electrons and photons into molecules, the details of what happens as two molecules collide, the fundamental basis of the energies of molecules, and the role of metallic elements in organic chemistry and biochemistry. These are all areas of research by Wesleyan faculty and their undergraduate and graduate coworkers.

The Chemistry Department at Wesleyan University meets the needs of nonscience majors, chemistry majors, and other science majors with the following programs:

1. Nonscientists are encouraged to consider CHEM114, 117, 119, 120, 148, 160, 202, or CHEM141/142 as part of their program to meet NSM requirements. CHEM114 is a survey course that deals with environmental and social chemical issues. CHEM117 covers basic aspects of human chemistry and molecular biology. CHEM119 studies the basic chemistry of several diseases, including AIDS, cancer, bacterial infections, and the drugs used to treat them, as well as psychotherapeutic drugs. CHEM120 covers ethical questions about scientific research. CHEM148 explores perspectives of science and art. CHEM160 teaches historical ideas of natural sciences and mathematics in a context of associated ideas in art, music, and literature. CHEM202 examines the relatively simple mechanisms behind the intricate patterns we find in nature.  These courses are essentially qualitative in nature. CHEM141/142 is an introduction to chemistry that includes quantitative material. CHEM141 can be taken as a single-semester course toward the NSM requirements and can be taken by students who have had no high school chemistry.
2. Scientists majoring in areas other than chemistry can prepare themselves better for work in their discipline by having a grounding in chemistry, which will enable them to understand molecular phenomena. The Chemistry Department offers two yearlong tracks of Introductory Chemistry, CHEM141/142 or 143/144. The CHEM143/144 sequence, requiring some prior chemistry and calculus, provides a more sophisticated introduction and represents a better preparation for science majors. The CHEM141/142 sequence requires no previous exposure to chemistry or calculus and emphasizes environmental and biological applications. CHEM152 Introductory Chemistry Laboratory is taken concurrently with CHEM142 or 144 in the spring semester. Principles of Organic Chemistry I/II (CHEM251/252) normally follow Introductory Chemistry. The laboratory courses, CHEM257 General Chemistry Laboratory and CHEM258 Organic Chemistry Laboratory are usually taken concurrently with CHEM251/252. The two courses, Introductory Chemistry and Organic Chemistry, plus the laboratory sequence, CHEM152, 257, 258, are required for admission to medical, dental, and veterinary schools.
3. Chemistry majors. Students who anticipate the possibility of majoring in chemistry should, if possible, take CHEM143/144 as first-year students. The program for majors is described in detail below. Students who have scores of 4 or 5 in the chemistry Advanced Placement examination should consult with the department about the possibility of advanced placement in organic chemistry or, in exceptional circumstances, in physical chemistry. A student whose interest in biochemistry arises from a desire to understand biological systems at the molecular level may choose to study biochemistry as a chemistry major. (See Biological Chemistry Track below.)

Major requirements. To major in chemistry, a student should complete a year of Introductory Chemistry (CHEM141/142, or, preferably, CHEM143/144 and the associated lab, CHEM152), unless the student has been given Advanced Placement credit. In addition, a year of organic chemistry (CHEM251/252), the concurrent laboratories (CHEM257/258), and a year of physical chemistry (CHEM337/338) are required. One year of advanced laboratory is required (CHEM375/376), the Integrated Chemistry Laboratory. Chemistry majors are also required to register for and attend two semesters of Chemistry Symposia (CHEM521/522). The major is completed by electing a total of at least three credits from 300-level courses (other than CHEM337/338 or CHEM348). All courses other than seminars that are required for the chemistry major must be taken under a letter-grading mode (A-F). One of the three 300-level electives may be replaced by two semesters of research (CHEM409/410 or 421/422). All chemistry majors are encouraged to do research with a faculty member, including during one or more summers. Financial support for summer research is generally available.

Calculus (MATH117, 122; or MATH121, 122; or Advanced Placement credit) is also required for the major. Students who do not study inorganic chemistry in CHEM144, either through exemption or because they have satisfied the introductory chemistry requirement with CHEM141/142, must select CHEM361 or CHEM363 as one of their 300-level electives.

Before or during the second semester of the sophomore year, a student interested in majoring in chemistry should consult with the chair of the Chemistry Department or the departmental advisors for specific areas of chemistry (analytical, biochemistry, inorganic, organic, and physical) concerning a suitable program of study. If the student does opt for a chemistry major, these people may also assist in the choice of a major advisor for the student.

A chemistry major planning graduate work in chemistry ordinarily takes at least one additional 300-level chemistry course (excluding 337/338) and two semesters of undergraduate research, CHEM409/410 or 421/422. When feasible, an intensive continuation of research during at least one summer is encouraged. The preparation of a senior thesis based on this research (CHEM409/410) provides extremely valuable experience and is strongly recommended. Graduate courses may be elected with permission. A chemistry major planning to attend medical school, teach in a secondary school, or do graduate work in such fields as biochemistry, geochemistry, environmental science, or chemical physics may request permission from the departmental curriculum committee to replace one of the elective credits in the concentration program with an appropriate course offered by another science or mathematics department. A similar substitution may be requested when appropriate as part of an interdepartmental major. Independent research is encouraged.

A solid mathematical background is important to those students who plan to do graduate work in chemistry. Such students should also try to take PHYS113 and 116 prior to their junior year. MATH221 and 222 are recommended to those whose interests lie in physical chemistry.

The biological chemistry track. The Chemistry Department recognizes that a number of students each year are interested in a major program containing both a strong biology or biochemistry component and somewhat less emphasis on chemistry than the standard chemistry major. In response to this interest, the Chemistry Department now offers a biological chemistry track. This track would, for example, be an excellent preparation for medical school or graduate school in biochemistry. (Students interested in chemistry as a profession are advised to take the standard chemistry major track, which provides a better preparation for graduate school in chemistry.)

To begin a major in this track, a student should complete a year of Introductory Chemistry (CHEM141/142, or, preferably, CHEM143/144, and the associated laboratory, CHEM152), unless the student has been given Advanced Placement credit. In addition, one year of organic chemistry (CHEM251/252), the concurrent laboratories (CHEM257/258), and a semester of biology (BIOL/MB&B181 or 195) are required. One year of advanced laboratory (CHEM375/376, Integrated Chemistry Laboratory) and two semesters of the Chemistry Symposia (CHEM521/522) are also required. MB&B395/CHEM395, Structural Biology Laboratory, may be substituted for one semester of CHEM375/376 by petition. The major is completed with Biochemistry (CHEM383) and Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences (CHEM381). The two-semester physical chemistry sequence, CHEM337/338, can be substituted for CHEM381 and one of the three electives. The three electives normally required for chemistry majors should be taken from the following: CHEM301 Foundations of Molecular Biophysics, or CHEM/MB&B321 Biomedicinal Chemistry, CHEM/MB&B325 Introduction to Biomolecular Structure; CHEM355 Special Topics in Chemical Biology; CHEM385,Enzyme Kinetics; CHEM/MB&B386 Biological Thermodynamics; or CHEM390/MB&B340 Physical Principles of Biological Techniques; CHEM387 Enzyme Mechanisms, any other chemistry courses, 300-level or higher, or BIOL/MB&B182 Principles of Biology II. One upper-level MB&B course can be used as an elective upon prior approval by the faculty advisor. Also recommended: one year of physics. One of the electives may be replaced by two semesters of research (CHEM409/410 or 421/422). Participation in the weekly biochemistry evening seminar (CHEM587/588) and in research, both during the academic year and over at least one summer, are strongly recommended.

Undergraduate research: Research is an important part of the program for most majors. Wesleyan's small but excellent graduate program makes it possible for majors to work at the cutting edge of discovery in chemistry. Every full-time faculty member is involved in significant research. Undergraduates participating in the departmental research program normally attend a research seminar in their area, and most research groups have weekly meetings to discuss new results.

Seminars: Seminars are a vital part of the intellectual life of the Chemistry Department. Weekly departmental seminars on Friday afternoons (CHEM521/522) are followed by refreshments and discussions in the chemistry lounge. Important scientists from other universities and research laboratories are the speakers. In addition, chemistry students and faculty speak at weekly research seminars in chemical physics, organic/inorganic chemistry, and biochemistry. Programs for each semester are available from the chemistry office.