Chemistry (Major, Minor)
Jocelyn McKeon, Ph.D., Chair
Angela R. Sherman, Ph.D.
Zulma Jimenez, Ph. D.
Degrees offered
Minor
Campuses
The Program of Study in Chemistry at Notre Dame is designed to give students a broad view and deep understanding of the chemical sciences. Introductory courses offer the student a solid foundation in chemical principles, while laboratory experiences introduce her to the techniques and practices of modern chemistry. Advanced courses focus on important areas and methods of chemistry such as chemical identification and analyses, data reduction and interpretation, experiment design, synthesis, physicochemical measurements, instrumentation, quantum mechanics, computational chemistry, simulation and modeling, technical writing, and the chemical literature.
Summary
The Chemistry Department of the School of Arts, Sciences, and Business offers a Major and Minor in Chemistry to students in the Women's College. It also offers Women's College students preparation for pharmacy, medical, dental, veterinary, and graduate schools, as well as for secondary teaching certification. Chemistry, the study of matter and energy, is a challenging discipline that prepares students for many careers including but not limited to: research, pharmaceutical sciences, biotechnology, medicine, engineering and education. Interdisciplinary opportunities may be created by using the Chemistry degree in the context of other fields (including law, business, technical and science writing, and information science).
Juniors and seniors are encouraged to integrate their course experiences by conducting original research under the supervision of one of the faculty. In addition, students are advised to explore chemical work experience through an internship in a government, industrial or medical laboratory in the area.
Students may be invited to be inducted into the Gamma Theta chapter of the Gamma Sigma Epsilon Chemistry Honor Society, or they may join the Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society. The activities available to students include pursuing internships at institutions in the region, contributing to professional conferences and symposia, attending meetings of the Maryland Section of the American Chemical Society (held on campus and locally), participating in chemistry department seminars and other events, and sponsoring social events. Special opportunities exist for students to work as student lab assistants and in the Department’s preparation and stockrooms. Scholarships and awards include the Sister Denise Dooley Scholarship, Anne Dulea Award, CRC Press Chemistry Achievement student award, and the Maryland Section of the American Chemical Society student award.
Students interested in the Chemistry Major, including those who would like to transfer from another institution, should contact a department representative prior to arrival on campus. Students should declare the Major and indicate choice of Program by the beginning of their second semester of study.
For students interested in a career in pharmacy, Notre Dame's School of Pharmacy offers the Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) program and a 3-4 (B.A./Pharm.D.) program for Chemistry majors. A 3-2 dual degree program in engineering is also available. Chemistry majors may pursue the B.A. or B.A./M.A.T. program in secondary education as well.
Chemistry Majors and Minors must complete all courses required for the Major/Minor with a minimum grade of C.
Required Courses for a Major in Chemistry
CHM-110 and CHM-111 General Chemistry I and II (8)
CHM-210 and CHM-211 Organic Chemistry I and II (8)
CHM-301 and CHM-302 Physical Chemistry I and II (8)
CHM-303 Analytical Chemistry (4)
CHM-305 Instrumental Analysis (4)
CHM-325 Survey of Biochemistry OR CHM-425 Biochemistry I (4)
CHM-350 Chemical Literature (1)
CHM-450 Chemistry Seminar (2)
MAT-211 and MAT-212 Mathematics through Calculus II (8)
PHY-101 and PHY-102 General Physics I and II (8)
ONE course chosen from:
CHM-401 Advanced Topics in Chemistry (4)
CHM-407, CHM-408 Chemical Research I, II (8)
CHM-426 Biochemistry II (4)
CHM-463 Independent Study in Chemistry (4)
Special advanced courses offered at cooperating colleges/universities may be allowed with permission of department advisor and chair. No more than two 300- and/or 400-level chemistry courses (with a minimum grade of C) from a cooperating institution may be used to fulfill requirements for the major.
One course chosen from:
MAT-213 Calculus III (3)
MAT-315 Differential Equations (3)
PHY-201 Modern Physics (3)
CST-295 C++ Object-oriented Programming (3)
Another advanced math/physics or computer course may be substituted with permission of the Chair.
Minor in Chemistry
CHM-110 and 111 General Chemistry I and II (8)
CHM-210 and 211 Organic Chemistry I and II (8)
Choice of two courses with laboratory (with prerequisite) from the following:
CHM-301 Physical Chemistry I
CHM-302 Physical Chemistry II
CHM-303 Analytical Chemistry
CHM-305 Instrumental Analysis
CHM-325 Survey of Biochemistry
CHM-401 Advanced Topics in Chemistry
CHM-425 Biochemistry I or CHM-426 Biochemistry II.
All 300-level and 400-level courses must be taken at Notre Dame.
Pre-Medical, Pre-Dental and Pre-Veterinary Programs
Students complete all chemistry courses listed under the Chemistry Major. Students may substitute one advanced science course (approved by the faculty advisor and program coordinator) for CHM-302, CHM-305 or one of the four credit option courses.
Additional requirements:
BIO-111 Fundamentals of Biology (4)
Three 4-credit courses from the following list:
BIO-415 Developmental Biology
BIO-340 Microbiology
BIO-341 Vertebrate Anatomy
BIO-431 Animal Physiology
CHM-425 Biochemistry I and/or CHM-426 Biochemistry II
Students following this program of study should consider the Minor in Biology.
Students should consult the American Medical Association Bulletin, the admission requirements of American dental schools, and individual medical, dental and veterinary school bulletins or admission officers for more specific requirements. Students also should contact the Pre-Professional Program Advisor early in their course of studies.
Secondary Education Certification—Approved Program in Chemistry
Students who wish to prepare for teaching in secondary schools complete the courses listed under the Chemistry Major along with BIO-111 Fundamentals of Biology and PHY-155 Introduction to Astronomy. In their senior year, pre-service teachers are encouraged to complete CHM-407 Chemical Research I as one of the option courses. One other course substitution may be made when appropriate. In addition, students complete professional education courses offered by the School of Education for the B.A. or B.A./M.A.T. Program.
Dual Degree Program in Chemistry and Engineering
Qualified students with an interest in one of the engineering disciplines, especially chemical engineering or materials science, may obtain a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Chemistry from Notre Dame and a Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from one of our partner schools. Students complete their first three years of study at Notre Dame taking general and advanced courses toward the Chemistry degree. See the Engineering section for specific program information.
Liberal Arts
The student follows the Program of Study outlined in the Liberal Arts section of the catalog
B.A. Chemistry — Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) Options
Students may wish to complete a degree in Chemistry prior to entering a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) program. This option allows the student to present a strong application and provides a second degree. Many applicants to Pharm.D. programs already hold an undergraduate degree. Students may improve their prospects for admission by using this option and it provides additional career paths. To do so, students complete required courses for the Chemistry Major as indicated (including Calculus II and Physics II). Students prepare for applying to a School of Pharmacy by completing necessary additional prerequisites in sciences (e.g. biology courses) and other specific courses in the liberal arts. Students take these courses based on the admission requirements of the Pharmacy School to which they will apply.
Students wishing to apply to the Notre Dame of Maryland University School of Pharmacy must complete additional courses as indicated in the Pharmacy Studies section. The student consults with their academic advisor or the Pre-pharmacy Coordinator no later than junior year to assess academic readiness to take the Pharmacy College Admission Test (PCAT) exam. The student should then follow the appropriate School of Pharmacy application procedure.
Accelerated B.A./Pharm.D. Program (3 + 4)
The Department of Chemistry offers Women's College students an opportunity to earn a bachelor's degree on an accelerated basis in combination with their pursuit of the Doctor of Pharmacy degree at the School of Pharmacy. Consult the Pharmacy Studies section of the Catalog for more information.
Four-Year Plan
Below is a sample Program of Study for the Chemistry Major.
Students should select courses with the assistance of a faculty advisor.
See Course Descriptions for a list of required courses and description of course and program options.
|
Fall |
|
Spring |
|
|
First year |
|
|
|
|
NDMU-100 Perspectives in Education |
4 |
ENG-101 College Writing |
3 |
|
BIO-111 Fundamentals of Biology |
4 |
RST-105 Introduction to Biblical Studies |
3 |
|
CHM-110 General Chemistry |
4 |
CHM-111 General Chemistry II |
4 |
|
MAT-211 Calculus I |
4 |
MAT-212 Calculus II |
4 |
|
[16 credits] |
|
[14 credits] |
|
|
Second year |
|
|
|
|
CHM-210 Organic Chemistry |
4 |
CHM-211 Organic Chemistry II |
4 |
|
PHY-101 Physics I |
4 |
PHY-102 Physics II |
4 |
|
COM-106 Fundamentals of Oral Communication |
3 |
Religious Studies (300/400) |
3 |
|
History |
3 |
Philosophy (200) |
3 |
|
Foreign Language |
3 |
Physical Education |
1 |
|
[17 credits] |
|
[15 credits] |
|
|
Third year |
|
|
|
|
CHM-301 Physical Chemistry I |
4 |
CHM-302 Physical Chemistry II |
4 |
|
CHM-350 Chemical Literature |
1 |
CHM-401/408/325/426 Advanced Topics/Research/Biochemistry I II |
4 |
|
4 |
Literature |
3 |
|
|
Philosophy (300/400) |
3 |
Fine Arts |
3 |
|
General Education/Electives |
6 |
General Education/Electives |
3 |
|
[18 credits] |
|
[17 credits] |
|
|
Fourth year |
|
|
|
|
CHM-303 Analytical Chemistry |
4 |
CHM-305 Instrumental Analysis |
4 |
|
3 |
CHM-450 Chemistry Seminar |
2 |
|
|
Social Science |
3 |
Electives/Internship |
9 |
|
General Education/Electives |
6 |
[15 credits] |
|
|
[16 credits] |
|