Required Units

Total number of units required for major, excluding any required Intensive(s): 10

Required Intensive units, if any: 1

Total units required: 11

Total Number of Specific Courses Required

• CHEM 125 - Chemical Principles
• CHEM 244 - Organic Chemistry: Structure and Properties
• CHEM 245 - Organic Chemistry: Reactions and Mechanisms
• CHEM 350 - Thermodynamics and Chemical Kinetics
• CHEM 352 - Physical Chemistry: Molecular Structure
• CHEM 362 - Instrumental Analysis
• CHEM 372 - Integrated Chemistry Laboratory I
• CHEM 373 - Integrated Chemistry Laboratory II

Electives

• Two units of electives at the 300-level in addition to other required 300-level courses
• When offered, 0.5 unit 300-level electives can count towards the two-unit 300-level elective requirement

Intensives

At all levels of the curriculum, students have the opportunity to work closely with faculty and to become proficient in the use of modern instrumentation and chemical methodologies. As early as the first year, students are encouraged to participate in original research for Intensive credit. Intensive credit may be obtained by completing CHEM 198 , CHEM 298 , CHEM 399  or CHEM 300 . CHEM 300 is required for Chemistry majors. Students are invited to consult the department about Intensive opportunities by completing the interest form linked on the Department website (https://chemistry.vassar.edu/research/) during the preregistration period. 

Additional Information

Ungraded work does not count towards the 11 required units. No courses required for a concentration in chemistry may be elected as NRO. CHEM 272  may be substituted for a 300-level elective and one 300-level classroom (CLS) course must be taken in the senior year. Chemistry courses taken outside of the college require pre-approval from the Department in order to count towards the major. Ordinarily, majors take one unit of CHEM 399  in the fall of their senior year in order to obtain credit for the first semester of a yearlong thesis research project.

Recommendations

It is strongly recommended that students have a foundational understanding of single variable calculus, classical mechanics, and electromagnetism. Students considering majoring in chemistry should consult the department about electing the appropriate calculus and physics courses during the first and sophomore year. Basic knowledge of linear algebra and multivariable calculus are also recommended. 

Teaching Certification

Students who wish to obtain secondary certification in Chemistry should consult both the Chemistry and Education Departments for appropriate course requirements.

American Chemical Society Certified Degree

Students considering pursuing a career in the chemical sciences or an allied field, whether directly after graduation or following a graduate program, may wish to pursue a course of study leading to professional certification by the American Chemical Society. Students who wish to obtain a certified degree should complete the major requirements and elect CHEM 327  and CHEM 328 , CHEM 272  or CHEM 325 , and the equivalent of two semesters of calculus and two semesters of physics with laboratory.