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CURRICULA |
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MAJOR REQUIREMENTS: The Department of
Chemistry offers programs that introduce students to the study of the
properties, composition, and structure of matter; the changes that alter the
identity of substances; and the energy changes that take place during such
transformations. The Department is approved by the American Chemical Society
for the professional training of chemists and offers sound training in
principles and techniques for students who plan careers in chemistry and
closely allied fields. For those without definite career aims, the major
provides an excellent background for understanding the nature of the physical
world and the problems that face a technological society, and gives insight
into the philosophy, methods, and limitations of science. Lafayette offers
the A.B. and B.S. degrees with majors in chemistry or biochemistry. The B.S.
in chemistry degree is the most highly structured and rigorous and meets the
certification standards of the American Chemical Society. The B.S. degrees
include a required research component, and are often preferred by those
graduate schools and government and industry employers who seek maximum
professional capability at the undergraduate level. Because it
requires fewer and sometimes less rigorous courses in chemistry, the A.B.
Chemistry program offers a wider choice for the student than is possible in
the B.S. curriculum. The A.B. Chemistry program is the most flexible; it can
involve minimum work in chemistry and more study in other fields, or courses
can be selected to achieve a high degree of specialization in chemistry. The
A.B. Biochemistry degree requires a core of chemistry and biology courses,
but it retains the flexibility inherent in the A B. Chemistry program. Many students
who plan health service careers or other careers in which a practicing
knowledge of chemistry is not important choose to meet only the minimum major
requirements through the A. B. programs. Prospective majors who are uncertain
about the degree program best suited to their purposes should consult with
the Head of the Department prior to their enrollment or early in their career
at Lafayette. Major
Requirements
The program leading to the A.B. Chemistry degree
meets the general objectives of a liberal arts education and offers superior
preparation for the study of medicine or dentistry. Combined with work in the
education department, it may also be used to obtain instruction, practical
experience and guidance for teacher certification at the graduate level. With
proper selection of courses, the A.B. degree can provide sufficient
professional training to meet ACS requirements for certification, and to
serve as proper background for graduate study or employment in chemistry. A.B. degree requirements in chemistry include a year
of mathematics and physics, and required courses in organic, analytical,
inorganic, and physical chemistry. The student must also elect at least three
other chemistry courses. Courses to satisfy the physics and physical
chemistry requirements for this program may be less rigorous than those
needed for the B.S. degree. Required courses in the A.B. program provide for
maximum opportunity for scheduling electives. The B.S. Chemistry program requires two years of
mathematics; a year of physics; basic and advanced courses in analytical,
inorganic, organic, physical, and biochemistry. About one-fourth of the
program is elective, allowing students latitude to design programs to meet
specific needs and/or interests. The program leading to the A.B. Biochemistry degree
meets the objectives of a liberal arts education, and provides the major with
a thorough background in biochemistry built upon the fundamentals of both
chemistry and biology. The degree requirements include a year each of
mathematics, physics, general chemistry, general biology, and organic
chemistry, three semesters of biochemistry, and at least one course in
analytical chemistry, physical chemistry, and molecular biology. In addition,
the major must complete at least one additional chemistry course and three
other biology courses, as well as other College graduation requirements. The B.S. Biochemistry option offers a structured
approach to the study of the chemistry of biological molecules and systems,
based on a rigorous fundamental preparation in mathematics and the physical
and biological sciences. The B.S. Biochemistry major differs from the A.B.
Biochemistry major by requiring more rigorous calculus and physics courses,
an additional semester of calculus, several additional advanced chemistry
courses, and two advanced elective biology courses. General chemistry laboratories are taught by paid student teaching assistants working closely with a full-time General Chemistry Laboratory Coordinator. Student TAs attend training sessions, give pre-laboratory lectures, teach the laboratories, grade experiments, hold help sessions, and assign final laboratory grades. Upper class chemistry majors are accepted into the program on the basis of their academic record and a competitive interview. Students also serve as paid assistants in the Chemistry Department stockrooms. |
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