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Choosing a Graduate Program |
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Information for Planning a Major in Chemistry
- You should carefully read the section in the University Bulletin regarding requirements for chemistry majors. The description includes a discussion of four separate tracks that a chemistry major can elect. The first track, Major I, while providing considerable concentration in chemistry, permits a wider selection of electives. It should meet the needs of students preparing to enter the fields of medicine, law, dentistry, business, etc. Major II is intended primarily for students preparing for graduate study in chemistry or those students planning to enter the chemical profession and wishing certification by the American Chemical Society as having met the minimum requirements for professional training. Major III is a program in forensic chemistry and prepares students to meet the needs of federal and state forensic sciences laboratories. Major IV includes additional courses in biochemistry and fulfills the American Chemical Society requirement for a certified degree program in chemistry with a biochemistry option.
- Ordinarily, general chemistry is taken during the freshman year, organic, quantitative analysis and physics as a sophomore, physical chemistry and quant lab in the junior year, and the remaining courses in the senior year as your program permits. A course in a structured computer programming language or computational techniques is recommended. Since many courses have prerequisites, some caution is necessary in the preparation of your program so that the prerequisites are fulfilled before signing up for a particular course.
- In order to declare a major, you must turn in a completed “Declaration of Major” form to the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences. The form is obtained from the College Office and is completed with your departmental advisor. The signed form is then turned in to the CCAS office. Only after the form has been recorded will the School and the Registrar consider you as having declared a major. Any time you elect to add a minor or second major or drop a minor or second major, a new form must be completed, even though your original major remains the same. Cross-school minors are handled by a different form called a “Secondary Field of Study.”
- All students in the Columbian College are responsible for meeting the General Curriculum Requirements described in the University Bulletin. There are seven categories of requirements, each of which is fulfilled within a specified group of departments or courses. These requirements should be completed on a scheduled basis in consultation with your academic advisor. Postponement of this requirement may lead to schedule conflicts or undesirable delays in graduation.
- Majors who receive a grade lower than C- in a required course for the major numbered “100” or above must take an additional chemistry course or relevant course in another discipline with the same number of credit hours and earn a grade of C- or better to fulfill graduation requirements.
- During the pre-registration process each semester, approval is given for a program of study that is prepared on the basis of successful completion of a current program. If for any reason, you are unable to satisfy all the prerequisites for a course registered in advance, it’s your responsibility to consult with an academic advisor immediately. Similarly, if it is necessary to adjust a schedule via the “Drop/Add” process at any point after receiving approval for a program of study, you should notify your academic advisor and obtain approval for the changes.
- In the first semester of the junior year, students are urged to request a “Balance Sheet” from the Columbian College. This form will list all remaining courses needed to qualify for graduation. It is important to have this information at hand when arranging programs for the spring semester of the junior year and the senior year in order to ensure that all graduation requirements will have been met in due course.
- Undergraduate Research is required for Major II, but all majors are invited to participate in this valuable experience. Registration for the Undergraduate Research, Chemistry 195, requires prior approval from the faculty member under whose direction the work is to be done. The department recommends taking Chemistry 195 for 1 credit in the fall of the senior year and for 2 credits in the spring, but many students elect to begin a research project much sooner.
- Columbian College rules limit the number of semester hours taken outside of the College (e.g., SEAS or SBPM) that can count toward the degree. Electing such courses or selecting a Secondary Field of Study should be done in consultation with your academic advisor.
- Chemistry majors who are pre-medical or pre-dental students, should see the Pre-Medical Advisor, in the Columbian College each semester. This consultation is done to make certain that information regarding the MCAT exam and application procedures is current.
- When in doubt about your program, CCAS or Departmental requirements, or if you are having difficulty with a class or have a personal matter of concern, or if you just want to talk about things in general, please feel free to visit your advisor during scheduled hours or make a special appointment. Oftentimes, such visits can provide advice to avoid the same or other problems in the future. Likewise, just talking things out can help identify solutions or raise a comfort level.
Sample Programs of Study for each of the Major tracks are attached:
Summary: Required courses for Chemistry Majors
If you wish to receive information from the department, please send your name, a phone number, and electronic mail address in a message to gwchem@gwu.edu.
8/4/2008
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