Chemistry

Chemistry is involved in everything that makes up our world. The life processes of all organisms involve chemical changes. Chemists play a key role in the development of drugs, which are helping to cure and alleviate diseases and prolong life. Chemists are involved in biochemistry and genetic engineering. They are actively involved in environmental issues, and are helping to tap new sources of energy to replace the earth’s finite reserves of petroleum.

The Department of Chemistry offers a wide range of courses from the introductory level to the doctoral level. Undergraduate courses are designed for students planning careers in chemistry, medicine, business, and other professions, and for students taking chemistry as part of the foundation for another discipline. Faculty members serve as both scientists and teachers, bringing to the classroom the results and excitement of their research. Because of this dual emphasis, students are made aware of the latest developments in the field.

The curriculum is approved by the American Chemical Society for the training of professional chemists. For advanced students, there are University fellowships available to provide a stipend while doing research during the summer. Many of our undergraduates have had their research published in world-renowned chemistry journals. Vanderbilt offers exciting state of the art research facilities to students interested in chemistry. The department is fully equipped with modern chemical instrumentation, including NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, x-ray diffractometry, microscopy, chromatography, and computational facilities.

The chemistry program is organized into four parts. The first part is a general chemistry course sequence (CHEM 1601-1602 and 1601L-1602L or AP credit) to serve as an entry point into the major.

The second part consists of foundation courses in the five major disciplines of chemistry: analytical (2100), biochemistry (BSCI 2520), inorganic (3010), organic (2221-2222 or 2211-2212), and physical (3300 or 3310).

The third part of the chemistry major consists of completing 8 credit hours of laboratory past 1601L-1602L. 4 hours will come from laboratory courses (2221L-2222L, 2100L, and 3315) associated with foundation courses. There are also 6 credit hours of a capstone laboratory (4965-4966) designed to provide advanced laboratory experience.

The fourth part of the major consists of completing a minimum of 6 credit hours of in-depth chemistry courses. These in-depth courses build upon the content of foundation courses or integrate concepts from these foundational disciplines.

Concentration in Chemistry

Required Non-chemistry Courses

One year of calculus (MATH 1300-1301 is preferred)

PHYS: Both 1501-1502 and 1501L-1502L, or both 1601-1602 and 1601L-1602L, or 1901-1902

* In-depth chemistry courses include all 2000-level chemistry and higher courses not explicitly required, except for Chem 3600 and 3980-4980-4999. Other in-depth chemistry courses are Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering  3200 and  3250, and Earth and Environmental Sciences 4600, and any 5000-level chemistry lecture courses. (Qualified seniors interested in 5000-level courses must obtain approval from the course instructor, their adviser, and the director of graduate studies in chemistry. Further details are found in the Academic Policies for the College of Arts and Science.) A maximum of 3 credit hours of chemistry research (3860) may be counted as in-depth chemistry course hours.

Additional math courses, such as Math 2300 and Math 2820, are highly recommended for the chemistry major.

Options for Concentration in Chemistry

In-depth chemistry courses can be chosen so as to define a focus area within chemistry. Students should consult with their major adviser about focus area options, or to formulate an individualized focus area option. Further descriptions of these options and other recommended courses can be found in the chemistry major handbook on the chemistry department homepage.

Chemical Biology Focus. The role of chemical processes in biological systems is fundamental to chemical biology. The journal Nature Chemical Biology defines chemical biology as “the use of chemistry to advance a molecular understanding of biology and the harnessing of biology to advance chemistry.” Chemical biology builds upon the disciplines of medicinal chemistry, biochemistry, pharmacology, genetics, bioorganic and organic chemistry. Suggested in-depth chemistry electives: 3020, 3710, 3860, 4210, 4720.

Chemical Sciences Focus. This option provides a broad foundation of chemistry, permitting flexibility in future career pathways and providing an excellent preparation for positions in chemical industry and for graduate programs in chemistry. Suggested in-depth chemistry electives: 3120, 3300, 3310, 3860.

Environmental Chemistry Focus. Environmental chemistry concerns the chemical phenomena that occur in nature. Environmental chemistry spans atmospheric, aquatic, and soil chemistry with a reliance on analytical chemistry for methods of analysis. Environmental chemistry can be applied to the understanding of issues such as ground water pollution, wastewater treatment, ozone depletion, and greenhouse gas emissions. Suggested in-depth chemistry electives:  3120, 3300, 3310, 3860, EES 4600.

Materials Chemistry Focus. Materials chemistry is concerned with designing and synthesizing new materials with specific useful properties and determining the relationships between physical properties and the composition and structure of these new materials. Materials chemistry encompasses all size regimes from bulk to nanoscale. Synthetic chemistry (inorganic and organic), physical chemistry, and analytical chemistry are all important components of this field. Suggested in-depth chemistry electives:  3120, 3630, 2610, 3310, 2610, 3860, 5320, 5610, 5620.

Requirements

• All required parts of either the Coalition Application, Common Application, or Universal College Application.
• $50 nonrefundable application fee, or fee waiver for qualified students
• Official high school transcript
• Counselor letter of recommendation
• Two academic teacher recommendations
• Standardized Test Results: SAT or ACT (SAT code: 1871 / ACT code: 4036)
• Official results of the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE Academic if applicable*
• A completed College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile, if applicable**

Scholarships

• Need-Based Aid for International Students
• Merit-Based Aid for International Students