DEPARTMENTAL OBJECTIVES

Chemistry is the central natural science interfacing physics and mathematics with the life sciences. Knowledge of chemistry has always been fundamental to the investigation of the physical world, as well as to an in-depth understanding of living systems. The range of modern chemistry spans chemical physics, materials science, and molecular biology, merging the traditional divisions of analytical, organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry. In its recent development, the department is focusing its interest on physical, biophysical, and bioorganic chemistry, exploiting interdisciplinary areas of theory, materials science, and biological chemistry. The department has a large and active theoretical group in the areas of chemical physics and biomolecular modeling. Active research areas in the department include cancer research, nanotechnology, spectroscopy, materials science, and chemical biology. Graduates of the department have found rewarding careers and achieved distinction in all phases of scientific life, from basic research to commercial product development. The late Gertrude Elion, a 1941 M.S. in chemistry from New York University, shared the 1988 Nobel Prize in Medicine or Physiology for her research in pharmaceutical chemistry.

The department offers the major in chemistry and in biochemistry. A selection of elective advanced courses, undergraduate and graduate, can be combined to provide a broad, varied program of study in chemistry. The department also offers a number of courses for nonscience students and service courses for students in the other schools. The programs of study in chemistry prepare students for graduate work toward the master’s degree or the doctorate for careers in research, development, and teaching and/or for further study in areas such as medicine, dentistry, basic medical sciences, and allied health fields including forensic science. In addition, both majors leave students well prepared to pursue patent law or, with a minor in economics, to enter the field of technology investment as well as management in the chemical industry.

The department offers special honors courses that satisfy the first two years of chemistry required for majors and for the prehealth curriculum in medicine, dentistry, and basic medical sciences. Students need permission from the department to register for these courses, which are limited to small classes. Permission is based on several factors, including background in both mathematics and physics; performance in high school chemistry courses; and, if offered, a placement examination. Students may be eligible to enter the second-year honors course (organic) based on exceptional performance in the regular General Chemistry course. A special Honors Organic II lab is available for a select few students from the Organic Chemistry lecture course.

MAJORS

Students thinking of majoring in chemistry or biochemistry are strongly urged to seek course advisement from the Department of Chemistry as early in their academic careers as possible. Chemistry is a sequential subject with courses building on earlier courses. Delay in taking certain key prerequisite courses can make it impossible to complete a major in four years without summer attendance.

A grade of C or better in chemistry and the other mandated courses is required for the fulfillment of the chemistry or biochemistry major in the department. Students who do not have an average of 2.0 in departmentally required courses by the time they have completed 64 points in all courses may be asked to change their major.

The major in chemistry builds on a core of required courses in chemistry, physics, and mathematics. The required core courses in chemistry are V25.0101, V25.0102, V25.0103, V25.0104, V25.0243, V25.0244, V25.0245, V25.0246, V25.0651, and V25.0652. The honors courses, V25.0109, V25.0110, V25.0111, V25.0112, V25.0341, V25.0342, and V25.0352 substitute for V25.0101, V25.0102, V25.0103, V25.0104, V25.0243, V25.0244, and V25.0246, respectively. In addition to these courses, two semesters of calculus and two semesters of general physics are required. A third semester of calculus or a course in linear algebra is strongly recommended as preparation for V25.0651. For students interested in pursuing chemistry on the graduate level or with an interest in theoretical chemistry, the additional courses in mathematics are highly recommended. These include Calculus III (V63.0123) and Linear Algebra (V63.0140). One year of intensive calculus (V63.0221 and V63.0222) may be substituted for calculus V63.0121 and V63.0122, plus V63.0123.

The core, described above, provides a basic background in chemistry. Students normally are encouraged to complete the courses in general chemistry, organic chemistry, physics, and calculus prior to entry into physical chemistry in the third year. Alternative programs are also possible. It is strongly advised, however, that an advanced-level chemistry course be taken in the third year of study, allowing at least three more semesters to complete all major requirements.

Undergraduate specialization in organic, biochemical, physical, or theoretical chemistry may be accomplished through combinations of advanced elective undergraduate and graduate courses open to undergraduates. These courses should be chosen in consultation with the Department of Chemistry.

For students interested in preparation for careers in the chemical industry or business studies, there are several alternatives available. The major in chemistry with a minor in economics gives the student training in chemistry with a business background.

Students interested in careers in medicine, dentistry, or basic medical sciences may wish to consider the major in biochemistry. Additional courses in biology may be desirable for such students. The appropriate preprofessional adviser should be consulted for details.

The Department of Chemistry offers the following majors:

Major in chemistry: The minimum requirements, in addition to the core courses cited above, are completion of Experimental Methods (V25.0661) and two advanced elective courses.

Major in biochemistry: The minimum requirements, in addition to the core courses cited above, are Biochemistry I and II (G25.1881,1882), Experimental Biochemistry (G25.1885), and Biophysical Chemistry (G25.1814). Students in this major are reminded that these courses must be taken in the proper order. Careful course planning is required to ensure that this can be done within a normal four-year program.

In addition to these majors, the department offers several programs and options that may be of interest to students:

American Chemical Society certification: Students majoring in either chemistry or biochemistry may be certified by the American Chemical Society on graduation. Interested students should consult with the director of undergraduate studies regarding the additional course requirements for this certification.

Program in Chemistry and Engineering: The College of Arts and Science offers a joint B.S./B.E. program with Stevens Institute of Technology. For students interested in chemistry, the program leads to the B.S. degree from New York University and the B.E. in biomedical, chemical, or environmental engineering from Stevens. Further information is available from Joseph Hemmes in the College Advising Center, Silver Center, 100 Washington Square East, Room 905; 212-998-8130.

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree: Students who complete the required core courses plus Experi-mental Methods (V25.0661); three advanced electives in chemistry; The Contemporary Chemist (V25.0942); at least two semesters of Advanced Individual Study (V25.0997,0998) or Senior Honors in Chemistry (V25.0995,0996); and one course in computer science approved by the Department of Chemistry may elect to graduate with the degree of Bachelor of Science (B.S.) instead of the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.). Students should note that the B.S. program is very difficult to complete within a normal four-year academic program and that it confers no particular advantage to students in premedical or predental programs.

MINOR

Completion of any four 4-point courses numbered V25.0101 or higher constitutes a minor in chemistry. Only three of the four courses may also be used to satisfy another department’s major. No grade lower than C will count, and an average of 2.0 or better in all chemistry courses is required.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Laboratory courses in chemistry: Due to the potential hazard of any chemical experimentation, safety goggles must be worn at all times in the laboratories. Laboratory equipment, which is lent to the student for the duration of the course, must be replaced by the student if it is damaged or broken. Purchase cards must be acquired for this purpose and cost $25. Purchase cards may be obtained from the stockroom during the first week of the term. Unused portions of the deposit are redeemable.

Students who do not return borrowed laboratory equipment at the end of a course are charged an additional fee, and their grade may be recorded as incomplete and not released until “checkout” is completed.

Advanced standing: Students who have taken college-level courses in secondary schools and who have achieved a grade of 4 or 5 on the College Entrance Examination Board Advanced Placement Test will be granted advanced placement. For details, see the section on the Advanced Placement Program in the Admission section of this bulletin. However, unless prior laboratory work is extensive, General Chemistry II Laboratory (V25.0104) or, in exceptional cases, the Freshman Honors Laboratory (V25.0112) must be taken before taking advanced chemistry courses such as Organic Chemistry I (V25.0243) and its laboratory. Advice about the appropriate course should be obtained from the director of undergraduate studies in the department.

Research: The department endeavors to make research opportunities available during the summer and the academic year to well-qualified students at all levels. In order to participate in research in the department, students must both meet the prerequisites and register for the research courses Advanced Individual Study and Research (V25.0997,0998) or, if eligible, Senior Honors in Chemistry (V25.0995,0996). In either case, permission of the director of undergraduate studies is required before registering in these courses.

HONORS PROGRAM

The honors program in chemistry is composed of several elements, starting with the Honors General Chemistry course (V25.0109) and culminating with two semesters of Senior Honors Research (V25.0995,0996). Students may graduate with honors without having Honors General or Honors Organic Chemistry courses. However, by the time the student is in the sophomore year, he or she is encouraged to engage in experimental or theoretical research. Depending on the number of credits the student is registered for, the initial exposure to research may or may not be for credit. But there must be, at minimum, one semester of registered research Independent Study (V25.0997,0998) before entering the senior year and senior honors research. Please contact Professor Henry Brenner, director of the Senior Honors Research course, for more detailed information. Candidates for a degree with honors in chemistry must have an overall GPA of 3.65 and a GPA of 3.65 in required courses for the chemistry or biochemistry degree. They must take two semesters of Senior Honors in Chemistry (V25.0995,0996). A senior thesis based on this work must be prepared, approved by the adviser, and presented at a special seminar in the spring term of the senior year. Students desiring entry into the honors program must obtain the approval of the director of undergraduate studies prior to the end of their junior year. For general requirements, please see the section Honors and Awards in this bulletin.