Chemistry, B.A.

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Chemistry

Member of the Division of Science

Chair(s):

Mark Levandoski

Faculty:

Andrew Graham
Heriberto Hernandez-Soto
Erick Leggans
Leslie Lyons
Elaine Marzluff
Martin Minelli
Andrew Mobley
Lee Sharpe
Stephen Sieck
James Swartz
Elizabeth Trimmer

Chemistry, as pure science, seeks to describe and make comprehensible the nature and transformations of matter. As applied science, it provides society with knowledge and tools to achieve its material purposes. By coupling creative thought with experimentation, the study of chemistry contributes to a liberal education.

The Department of Chemistry recommends that students considering chemistry as a major begin coursework as first-year students. The starting point for those with no more than a year of secondary school chemistry is CHM 129 . (For students with AP/IB credit, starting with CHM 210 may be appropriate.)

The department emphasizes laboratory investigation in its curriculum. Students have excellent facilities for independent projects and study, and majors will get hands-on experience with modern instrumentation in several areas of chemistry. A variety of computers are used for data acquisition, simulation, and analysis in all courses. An active summer program provides further opportunities for intensive research.

A major in chemistry may lead to a career in chemical research or education. It also serves those who seek to enter the medical or engineering professions and those wishing to pursue graduate work in fields such as biochemistry, molecular biology, physiology, pharmacology, geology, environmental science, nutrition, and materials science, or for others, as a focus for liberal education.

To complete the major, mathematics through MAT 133 and physics through PHY 132 are needed and should be taken as early as possible. Students contemplating graduate work in science should consider taking two additional semesters of mathematics (MAT 215 and MAT 220 ) as well as related coursework in biology and physics, depending on personal interests and goals. The department recommends the study of a foreign language, because chemistry is an international discipline.

Major Requirements: A minimum of 32 credits

ACS Certification: The department’s program is approved by the American Chemical Society through its Committee on Professional Training and offers a certification program to students who meet requirements of both breadth and depth in their chemistry studies. The graduates who complete the following program meet the ACS certification standards:

Five courses to achieve breadth across the subfields of Chemistry: CHM 210 , CHM 221 , CHM 363 , CHM 423 , and BCM 262 .
Four additional courses to achieve depth chosen from CHM 222 , CHM 325 , CHM 330 , CHM 332 , CHM 358 , CHM 364 , and CHM 499 (note: 2 of these are already required for the major at Grinnell).

Core Requirements: 24 credits

CHM 129 - General Chemistry 4 credits
CHM 210 - Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry 4 credits
CHM 221 - Organic Chemistry I 4 credits
CHM 222 - Organic Chemistry II 4 credits
CHM 363 - Physical Chemistry I 4 credits
CHM 499 Mentored Advanced Project 4 credits (Participation in the Chemistry Colloquium required for 499 projects) MAP’s

Advanced Electives: 8 credits

Eight additional credits must be included from these courses:

CHM 325 - Advanced Organic Chemistry 4 credits
CHM 330 - Enzyme Mechanisms 4 credits
CHM 332 - Biophysical Chemistry 4 credits
CHM 358 - Instrumental Analysis 4 credits
CHM 364 - Physical Chemistry II 4 credits
CHM 423 - Advanced Inorganic Chemistry 4 credits
With permission, up to four of the minimum of 32 credits may be taken in related studies outside the department.

Also Required:

Honors

To be considered for honors in chemistry, graduating seniors, in addition to meeting the College’s general requirements for honors, must be selected by the chemistry faculty. The criteria used to decide which students have achieved sufficient distinction and academic excellence to qualify for honors in chemistry are both objective and subjective in nature. Honors signifies an underlying commitment to the discipline as evidenced by participation in departmental affairs and activities (such as serving as a mentor), attendance at co-curricular activities such as departmental seminars and poster presentations both on and off campus, and other indications of strong interest above and beyond normal classroom participation and achievement. The faculty believes that honors signifies both academic excellence and an unusually high commitment and dedication to the discipline. Graduating with honors in chemistry should not be regarded solely as the culmination of previous accomplishments, but rather an expectation of future accomplishments in the discipline in the years ahead.

Chemistry Courses

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Chemistry Course Descriptions

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