Department of Chemistry
Academic Requirements
The program in chemistry at Washington College strives to integrate classroom instruction with laboratory experimentation and faculty-student collaborative research. Our program is approved by the American Chemical Society. The program is designed to prepare students for graduate work in pure chemistry, for professional work in other scientific fields such as environmental science, engineering, medicine, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, neuroscience and veterinary science, for teaching at the secondary school level, and for work in industrial or governmental laboratories. Chemistry graduates have established diverse career paths that range from a dedication to pure or applied scientific research, to management of scientific and business concerns, to consultantships with industries and governments on scientific, environmental, legal, and business issues, and to service as medical personnel and elected public officials.
Freshman Courses
- CHE 111, 112. General Chemistry I, II
- MAT 201, 202. Differential and Integral Calculus
Sophomore courses
- CHE 201, 202. Organic Chemistry I, II
- PHY 111, 112. General Physics I, II
Premedical students are advised to take CHE 111, 112 and BIO 111, and 112 during their first year. Students intending to teach at the secondary school level should consult with the Chair of the Department of Education and the Chair of Chemistry about planning a full-course schedule as early as possible in their college career. Such students need to be aware that NASDTEC Certification in Chemistry requires BIO 111, 112 and at least one course in computer science.
Programs in Chemistry
The Department offers two programs leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry. Each program involves a core chemistry curriculum, four auxiliary courses in math and physics, and chemistry electives. The auxiliary courses should be completed in the first two years.
Requirements for the Non-ACS Certified Chemistry Major
Non-ACS Core Curriculum -(offered annually)
- CHE 111, 112. General Chemistry I, II
- CHE 201, 202. Organic Chemistry I, II
- CHE 301. Analytical Chemistry
- CHE 305. Physical Chemistry I
- CHE 353, 354, 453, 454. Chemistry Seminar (Equivalent to 1 course or 4 credit hours)
- CHE SCE. Senior Capstone Experience in Chemistry
Four Auxiliary Courses in Math and Physics
- MAT 201, 202. Differential and Integral Calculus
- PHY 111, 112. General Physics I, II
In addition to the above, students who elect this program take four elective courses at the 200 level or above. A maximum of three of these four courses can be certain upper level biology or physics courses provided that these biology or physics courses are not counted towards that major. These courses include but are not limited to:
Substitute Biology and Physics Courses
- BIO 207. Biotechnology and Molecular Biology
- BIO 305. Genetics
- BIO 308 Plant Physiology
- BIO 404. Immunology
- PHY 201. Electronics
- PHY 204. Fundamentals of Modern Physics
- PHY 301. Electromagnetism
- PHY 304. Classical Mechanics
- PHY 414. Quantum Physics
Requirements for the ACS Certified Chemistry Major
ACS Core Curriculum -(offered annually)
- CHE 111, 112. General Chemistry I, II
- CHE 201, 202. Organic Chemistry I, II
- CHE 301. Analytical Chemistry
- CHE 305. 306. Physical Chemistry I, II
- CHE 309. Biochemistry
- CHE 311. Inorganic Chemistry
- CHE 314. Instrumental Methods of Analysis
- CHE 353, 354, 453, 454. Chemistry Seminar (Equivalent to 1 course or 4 credit hours)
- CHE SCE. Senior Capstone Experience in Chemistry
Four Auxiliary Courses in Math and Physics
- MAT 201, 202. Differential and Integral Calculus
- PHY 111, 112. General Physics I, II
Students who elect this program must take at least one advanced course at the 400-level.
Advanced Chemistry Courses
- CHE 403. Advanced Organic Chemistry
- CHE 407. Bioinorganic Chemistry
- CHE 494. Special Topics in Chemistry
- CHE 495, 496. Independent Research (Equivalent to 1 course or 4 credit hours)
Chemistry Seminar
All junior and senior majors participate in a four-semester Chemistry Seminar which constitutes one course equivalent. Each junior and each senior gives one seminar each semester on a topic of his or her choice that has been approved by a department member.
Requirements for the Chemistry Minor
Students intending to minor in Chemistry should meet with the Department Chair early in their career to insure that they are able to complete the following:
- Six chemistry courses are required for the chemistry minor.
- CHE 111, 112. General Chemistry I and II
- CHE 201, 202. Organic Chemistry I and II
- Two courses at the 200 level or above.
Internship and Research Opportunities
A number of stipend-bearing internships and research opportunities exist for chemistry majors and minors. Summer on-campus research projects as well as summer and semester-long off-campus internships not only provide additional laboratory experience, but also allow students the opportunity to explore, in depth, areas of chemistry not covered in the core curriculum. Off-campus internships may or may not bear credit. On-campus summer internships are credit bearing.
Honors Courses
The Department of Chemistry offers Honors sections of General Chemistry I and General Chemistry II.
Distribution Courses
For distribution credit in Natural Sciences, the Chemistry department offers CHE 111, 112. General Chemistry I, II, CHE 110. Chemistry of the Environment, and CHE 100. Introduction to Contemporary Chemistry.
Advanced Placement Credit
Students scoring 4 or 5 on the chemistry advanced placement examination may, with the approval of the department, receive credit for General Chemistry I, II.