Departmental Requirements

Major Requirements Checklist (as of 2/09)

CHEMISTRY MAJOR (14 units)
To prepare for graduate school in chemistry or related science or for those who plan to work in a chemically-related profession.

Ten departmental units
a. General Chemistry (117)

___ Chemistry 117 Chemistry (W) (1 unit)

b. Eight units with at least one unit from each of the five branches of chemistry:

Analytical Chemistry
___ Chemistry 220 Environmental, Analytical, and Geochemistry (1 unit)
___ Chemistry 225 Topics in Instrumental Analysis (1/2 unit, may be taken more than once)
Organic Chemistry
___ Chemistry 230 Organic Chemistry I (1 unit)
___ Chemistry 235 Organic Chemistry II (1 unit)
Physical Chemistry
___ Chemistry 240 Thermodynamics and Kinetics (1 unit)
___ Chemistry 245 Molecular Modeling, Visualization, and Computational Chemistry (1 unit)
Inorganic Chemistry
___ Chemistry 150 Nanochemistry (1 unit)
___ Chemistry 250 Solid State Chemistry (1 unit)
Biochemistry
___ Chemistry 260 Biochemistry of Metabolism (1 unit)
___ Chemistry 300 DNA & Protein Biochemistry (1 unit)

c. Seminars and Thesis

___ Chemistry 280 Professional Tools for Scientific Careers(1/4 unit)
___ Chemistry 380 Chemistry Seminar (1/4 unit)
___ Chemistry 385 Senior Thesis (W) (1/2 unit)

Four supporting units

___ Mathematics 110 Calculus I (1 unit)
___ Physics 101 General Physics I (1 unit)
___ Two units selected from Mathematics 106, 115, 175; Physics 102, 206, 210; Biology 247; or Computer Science

_____________________________________________________(1 unit)
_____________________________________________________(1 unit)

In preparation for graduate study in chemistry, as much mathematics, physics and additional chemistry as possible and at least one summer or semester of full-time research experience are strongly recommended. The department also encourages and supports participation in an international experience.

APPLIED CHEMISTRY MAJOR (14 units)
To prepare for interdisciplinary fields or professional school, combining chemistry with another discipline of your choice.

Eight departmental units
a. General Chemistry (117)

___ Chemistry 117 Chemistry (W) (1 unit)

b. Six units with at least one 1 unit each from four of the five branches of chemistry

Analytical Chemistry
___ Chemistry 220 Environmental, Analytical, and Geochemistry (1 unit)
___ Chemistry 225 Topics in Instrumental Analysis (1/2 unit, may be taken more than once)
Organic Chemistry
___ Chemistry 230 Organic Chemistry I (1 unit)
___ Chemistry 235 Organic Chemistry II (1 unit)
Physical Chemistry
___ Chemistry 240 Thermodynamics and Kinetics (1 unit)
___ Chemistry 245 Molecular Modeling, Visualization, and Computational Chemistry (1 unit)
Inorganic Chemistry
___ Chemistry 150 Nanochemistry (1 unit)
___ Chemistry 250 Solid State Chemistry (1 unit)
Biochemistry
___ Chemistry 260 Biochemistry of Metabolism (1 unit)
___ Chemistry 300 DNA & Protein Biochemistry (1 unit)

c. Seminars and Thesis

___ Chemistry 280 Professional Tools for Scientific Careers(1/4 unit)
___ Chemistry 380 Chemistry Seminar (1/4 unit)
___ Chemistry 385 Senior Thesis (W) (1/2 unit)

Six supporting units:

___ Mathematics 110 Calculus I (1 unit)
___ Physics 101 General Physics I (1 unit)
___ Four units in a complementary discipline as approved by petition to the department chair. The petition should list the four units and provide a rationale of how those units complement the departmental units with respect to the students future plans:

_____________________________________________________(1 unit)
_____________________________________________________(1 unit)
_____________________________________________________(1 unit)
_____________________________________________________(1 unit)

At least one summer or semester of full-time experience in a chemistry-related internship or program is strongly recommended. The department also encourages and supports participation in an international experience.

ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY MAJOR(14 units)
To prepare for interdisciplinary fields or professional school. This strongly interdisciplinary major is intended for students who want to use a background in chemistry to prepare for work or study in environmental science or environmental policy or related fields.

Seven departmental units
a. General Chemistry (117)

___ Chemistry 117 Chemistry (W) (1 unit)

b. Five units that include at least 1 unit each from four of the five branches of chemistry

Analytical Chemistry
___ Chemistry 220 Environmental, Analytical, and Geochemistry (1 unit)
___ Chemistry 225 Topics in Instrumental Analysis (1/2 unit, may be taken more than once)
Organic Chemistry
___ Chemistry 230 Organic Chemistry I (1 unit)
___ Chemistry 235 Organic Chemistry II (1 unit)
Physical Chemistry
___ Chemistry 240 Thermodynamics and Kinetics (1 unit)
___ Chemistry 245 Molecular Modeling, Visualization, and Computational Chemistry (1 unit)
Inorganic Chemistry
___ Chemistry 150 Nanochemistry (1 unit)
___ Chemistry 250 Solid State Chemistry (1 unit)
Biochemistry
___ Chemistry 260 Biochemistry of Metabolism (1 unit)
___ Chemistry 300 DNA & Protein Biochemistry (1 unit)

c. Seminars and Thesis

___ Chemistry 280 Professional Tools for Scientific Careers(1/4 unit)
___ Chemistry 380 Chemistry Seminar (1/4 unit)
___ Chemistry 385 Senior Thesis (W) (1/2 unit)

Seven supporting units:

___ Mathematics 110 Calculus I (1 unit)
___ Physics 101 General Physics I (1 unit)
___ Biology 206 Environmental Biology (1 unit) or Biology 372 Ecology (1 unit)
___ Geology 100 Principles of Geology (1 unit) or Geology 110 Environmental Geology (1 unit)
___ Three additional units from Interdisciplinary Studies, Economics, or Political Science approved by petition to the department chair. The petition should list the three units and provide a rationale of how those units apply with respect to the students future plans:

_____________________________________________________(1 unit)

_____________________________________________________(1 unit)

_____________________________________________________(1 unit)

In preparation for graduate study or employment in environmental science, additional science, mathematics, and social science courses and at least one summer or semester of experience in an environmental internship or program are strongly recommended. The department also encourages and supports participation in an international experience.

BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY MAJOR (15 units)
To prepare for graduate school in biochemical disciplines, medical school, and careers based in chemical aspects of biochemistry.

Nine departmental units
a. Chemistry

General Chemistry
___ Chemistry 117 Chemistry (W) (1 unit)
Analytical Chemistry
___ Chemistry 220 Environmental, Analytical, and Geochemistry (1 unit)
Organic Chemistry
___ Chemistry 230 Organic Chemistry I (1 unit)
___ Chemistry 235 Organic Chemistry II (1 unit)
Biochemistry
___ Chemistry 260 Biochemistry of Metabolism (1 unit)
___ Chemistry 300 DNA & Protein Biochemistry (1 unit)

b. Two additional units with 1 unit in each of the remaining branches of chemistry:

Physical Chemistry
___ Chemistry 240 Thermodynamics and Kinetics (1 unit)
___ Chemistry 245 Molecular Modeling, Visualization, and Computational Chemistry (1 unit)
Inorganic Chemistry
___ Chemistry 150 Nanochemistry (1 unit)
___ Chemistry 250 Solid State Chemistry (1 unit)

c. Seminars and Thesis

___ Chemistry 280 Professional Tools for Scientific Careers(1/4 unit)
___ Chemistry 380 Chemistry Seminar (1/4 unit)
___ Chemistry 385 Senior Thesis (W) (1/2 unit) or Bio 385 (1/2 unit) or Bio 387 (1/2 unit)

Six supporting units

___ Mathematics 110 Calculus I (1 unit)
___ Mathematics 115 Calculus II (1 unit) spring
___ Physics 101 General Physics I (1 unit)
___ Physics 102 General Physics II (1 unit) or Physics 210 Modern (1 unit)
___ Biology 110 Human Biology, 111 Zoology, 121 Botany, 141 Microbiology, or 151 Marine Biology (1 unit)
___ Biology 237 Cell Biology, 248 Cell and Developmental, 289 Genetics, or 345 Molecular Biology (1 unit)

In preparation for graduate study in chemistry, as much mathematics, physics and additional chemistry as possible and at least one summer or semester of full-time research experience are strongly recommended. Students intent on graduate school are strongly encouraged to take Chem 240. The department also encourages and supports participation in an international experience.

BIOCHEMISTRY MAJOR (14 units)
This major is intended for students who want a strong background in both biology and chemistry, either in preparation for graduate school, medical school or professional school.

Ten departmental units
a. Chemistry

___ Chemistry 117 Chemistry (W) (1 unit)
___ Chemistry 220 Environmental, Analytical, and Geochemistry (1 unit)
___ Chemistry 230 Organic Chemistry I (1 unit)
___ Chemistry 235 Organic Chemistry II (1 unit)

b. Biology

___ Biology 110 Human Biology, 111 Zoology, 121 Botany, 141 Microbiology, or 151 Marine Biology (1 unit)
___ Biology 247 Biometrics (1 unit)
___ Biology 289 Genetics (1 unit)

c. Biochemistry

___ Chemistry 260 Biochemistry of Metabolism (1 unit)
___ Chemistry 300 DNA & Protein Biochemistry (1 unit)

d. Thesis and Seminars

___ Chemistry 280 Professional Tools for Scientific Careers(1/4 unit)
___ Chemistry 380 Chemistry Seminar (1/4 unit)
___ Chemistry 385 Senior Thesis (W) (1/2 unit) or Biology 385 (1/2 unit) or Biology 387 (1/2 unit)

Four supporting units

___ Mathematics 110 Calculus I (1 unit)
___ Physics 101 General Physics I (1 unit)
___ Two units selected from Chemistry 225, 240, 245, 250 or Biology 237, 248, 345, 357 or Physics 102, 210 or Mathematics 115. (Students intent on graduate school are strongly encouraged to take Chemistry 240)

_____________________________________________________(1 unit)
_____________________________________________________(1 unit)

In preparation for graduate study in biochemistry, as much mathematics, physics and additional chemistry as possible and at least one summer or semester of full-time research experience are strongly recommended. The department also encourages and supports participation in an international experience.

CHEMISTRY MINOR (5.25 units)
Minor Requirements Checklist

REQUIRED: 5.25 departmental units
a. General Chemistry (117)

___ Chemistry 117 General Chemistry (W) (1 unit)

b. Four units selected from the five branches of chemistry

Analytical Chemistry
___ Chemistry 220 Environmental, Analytical, and Geochemistry (1 unit)
___ Chemistry 225 Topics in Instrumental Analysis (1/2 unit, may be taken more than once)
Organic Chemistry
___ Chemistry 230 Organic Chemistry I (1 unit)
___ Chemistry 235 Organic Chemistry II (1 unit)
Physical Chemistry
___ Chemistry 240 Thermodynamics and Kinetics (1 unit)
___ Chemistry 245 Molecular Modeling, Visualization, and Computational Chemistry (1 unit)
Inorganic Chemistry
___ Chemistry 150 Nanochemistry (1 unit)
___ Chemistry 250 Solid State Chemistry (1 unit)
Biochemistry
___ Chemistry 260 Biochemistry of Metabolism (1 unit)
___ Chemistry 300 DNA & Protein Biochemistry (1 unit)

c. Chemistry 280 (1/4)

___ Chemistry 280 Professional Tools for Scientific Careers(1/4 unit)

For examples of what recent and current students have done, see the Chemistry Department Newsletter.

Experiences that we strongly encourage for all majors:

Research experience with faculty at Beloit or in a wide variety of off-campus placements if you are considering graduate school or scientific employment.
Relevant internship or mentorship experience if you are considering a career outside of a laboratory setting (e.g., medicine, law, business).
Participation in off-campus academic year programs such as overseas seminars, Oak Ridge Science Semester, Department of Energy Science and Engineering Research Semester, U.S. Study programs such as Urban Studies or the Washington Semester.
Participation in a range of campus and community activities such as community government, tutoring, teaching assistant, athletics, Model UN, debate, and volunteer work.
Participation in an international experience.