Chemistry lies at the heart of modern science. Advances in fields such as molecular biology, environmental science, materials science, and medicinal chemistry are built upon an understanding of chemistry. At Sweet Briar students may earn either a B.A. or B.S. degree in chemistry. We also offer a B.S. degree in biochemistry & molecular biology (BIOC) jointly with the Biology Department. Chemistry courses provide a sound background in chemical principles, and open-ended investigative laboratories teach students to become chemists. These labs present opportunities for students to design their own experiments and experience the excitement of discovery. Beginning in introductory courses, students gain experience with sophisticated, research-quality equipment.
As students progress, projects deal with more complex chemical questions and require hands-on problem-solving and extensive data analysis. Chemistry and BIOC students learn to present their results in both written and oral form. Students are challenged to develop excellent problem-solving skills, both in their coursework and in the laboratory, and to become adept at using professional instrumentation and computer software. The culmination of both the chemistry and the BIOC major is the completion of a semester-long independent project. It is strongly recommended that a student considering a major in chemistry or biochemistry/molecular biology complete CHEM 131, CHEM 141, CHEM 252, CHEM 253, MATH 123, and MATH 124 by the end of her first year. Prospective majors should consult with the department before registering for sophomore courses.
The Chemistry Major (B.A.)
The Chemistry Major (B.S.)
The Chemistry Minor
Teacher Licensure
Course Descriptions
The Chemistry Major (B.A.)
(51 semester hours)
Required prerequisites (or exemption by placement):
CHEM 131 (3) General Chemistry
CHEM 141 (1) General Chemistry Laboratory
Required:
CHEM 216 (3) Analytical Chemistry
CHEM 226 (1) Environmental Analytical Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 231 (3) Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 232 (4) Organic Chemistry II
CHEM 233 (1) Organic Chemistry I Laboratory
CHEM 234 (1) Organic Chemistry II Laboratory
CHEM 252 (4) Introduction to Quantitative and Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM 253 (1) Introduction to Quantitative and Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 341 (3) Intermediate Laboratory I
MATH 123 (4) Calculus I
MATH 124 (4) Calculus II
MATH 223 (3) Calculus III
Senior Exercise:
CHEM 451 (3) Senior Research
Choose 3 of the following courses: (at least one must be a physical chemistry course)
CHEM 202 (3) The Biochemistry of Human Nutrition
CHEM 321 (3) Biochemistry I
CHEM 322 (3) Biochemistry II
CHEM 331 (3) Physical Chemistry: Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy
CHEM 332 (3) Physical Chemistry: Kinetics and Thermodynamics
CHEM 431 (3) Instrumental Analysis
CHEM 432 (3) Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM 450 (3) Advanced Organic Chemistry
Choose 1 of the following physics sequences:
Sequence A
PHYS 171 (4) General Physics I
PHYS 172 (3) General Physics II
Sequence B
PHYS 171 (4) General Physics I
PHYS 122 (3) Algebra-based Electromagnetism and Optics
NOTE: With permission of the department, one course in physics at the 200, 300, or 400 level or one course in molecular biology at the 300 or 400 level may be used in place of one course in chemistry.
The Chemistry Major (B.S.)
(58 semester hours)
Required prerequisites (or exemption by placement):
CHEM 131 (3) General Chemistry
CHEM 141 (1) General Chemistry Laboratory
Required:
CHEM 216 (3) Analytical Chemistry
CHEM 226 (1) Environmental Analytical Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 231 (3) Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 232 (4) Organic Chemistry II
CHEM 233 (1) Organic Chemistry I Laboratory
CHEM 234 (1) Organic Chemistry II Laboratory
CHEM 252 (4) Introduction to Quantitative and Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM 253 (1) Introduction to Quantitative and Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 331 (3) Physical Chemistry: Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy
CHEM 332 (3) Physical Chemistry: Kinetics and Thermodynamics
CHEM 341 (3) Intermediate Laboratory I
CHEM 342 (3) Intermediate Laboratory
CHEM 441 (1) Advanced Laboratory
MATH 123 (4) Calculus I
MATH 124 (4) Calculus II
MATH 223 (3) Calculus III
PHYS 171 (4) General Physics I
PHYS 172 (3) General Physics II
Senior Exercise:
CHEM 451 (3) Senior Research
Choose 2 of the following courses:
CHEM 315 (3) Molecular Modeling
CHEM 321 (3) Biochemistry I
CHEM 322 (3) Biochemistry II
CHEM 431 (3) Instrumental Analysis
CHEM 432 (3) Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM 450 (3) Advanced Organic Chemistry
Recommended:
MATH 328 (3) Ordinary Differential Equations
PHYS 132 (1) General Physics II Laboratory
The Chemistry Minor
(21-22 semester hours)
Required:
CHEM 131 (3) General Chemistry
CHEM 141 (1) General Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 231 (3) Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 232 (4) Organic Chemistry II
CHEM 233 (1) Organic Chemistry I Laboratory
CHEM 234 (1) Organic Chemistry II Laboratory
CHEM 252 (4) Introduction to Quantitative and Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM 253 (1) Introduction to Quantitative and Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory
Choose either:
CHEM 216 (3) Analytical Chemistry
AND
CHEM 226 (1) Environmental Analytical Chemistry Laboratory
OR 1 of the following:
CHEM 321 (3) Biochemistry I
CHEM 322 (3) Biochemistry II
CHEM 331 (3) Physical Chemistry: Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy
CHEM 332 (3) Physical Chemistry: Kinetics and Thermodynamics
Teacher Licensure
(61 semester hours)
Required:
1. A bachelor of arts degree in chemistry including two courses in physics and courses in mathematics as required by the degree.
2. A minimum of 10 credit hours in non-chemistry science courses which must include at least three credit hours in biology and three credit hours in earth science (ENVR 143 or PHYS 113)
Students who seek endorsement in more than one area of science need to complete an additional 18 credit hours in the second field which must include any specific requirements in that field.
Course Descriptions
