Chemistry
Office: 404 Chemistry Building
Phone: (434)924-7014
| All Chemistry courses apply toward fulfillment of the College area requirement in Natural Science/Mathematics |
Once you are in the CHEM 181,182/CHEM 281,282 sequence, you cannot then change to the CHEM 141,142/ CHEM 241,242 sequence after CHEM 182 because the subject matter is handled in an entirely different order. Changes may be made at the end of CHEM 141 or 181. Students who have done very well in CHEM 141 are encouraged to consider moving into the 80 sequence starting CHEM 182. The Chemistry Department currently offers one B.A. degree and six B.S. degrees in Chemistry. These are tailored to the needs and interests of students and range from a professional American Chemical Society certified B.S. to degrees with specializations in biochemistry, chemical physics, materials, chemical education, and environmental chemistry. Consult our undergraduate web site for details on the different programs.
The Chemistry Department offers three two-semester introductory course sequences designed for first-year students. These courses are: CHEM 121-122; CHEM 141-142; and CHEM 181-182. Class size in these courses ranges from approximately 100 in CHEM 181-182; 100 to 200 in CHEM 121-122; to over 400 in some sections of CHEM 141,142. CHEM 141-142 and CHEM 181-182 both have laboratories which are co-requisites—students must take the labs concurrently with the lectures. If a student has AP credit for the lectures (CHEM 141-142), however, then they may take CHEM 141L and 142L alone (see below). AP credit is never applied to laboratory classes. CHEM 121-122 have no lab, and are designed primarily for non-science majors.
Calculus is required for the B.A. and B.S. degrees. MATH 131-132 is the recommended sequence.
Advanced Placement
If you received a 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement examination, you will receive 6 credits for the CHEM 141-142 lecture course. You should take CHEM 141L and 142L or CHEM 141L and CHEM 222 if your anticipated major requires the equivalent of a full year of college chemistry with laboratory (e.g., premedical programs). Alternatively, if you have AP credit for CHEM 141, 142, you may take CHEM 181-182 (and their labs); you then receive AP credit for CHEM 141- 142 and College credit for CHEM 181-182.
We strongly recommend that students who have AP credit for CHEM 141, 142 consult with a chemistry adviser if they plan to take additional chemistry. There are a number of different options, and they are best discussed on an individual basis.
Students planning on majoring in chemistry are strongly advised to take Math 131, 132 and Physics 131, 132 rather than the lower level courses.
Drop Policy
The Chemistry Department adheres to the following guidelines for dropping chemistry lecture and lab classes up to the 300 level. In the 40s or 50s series, up until the College’s drop deadline, you must drop BOTH the lecture and lab section of a class in which you are enrolled. Between the College’s drop deadline and withdrawal deadline, you may withdraw from the lecture and keep the lab. Before electing this option, check with Mr. Bryan to make sure that you qualify. You may NOT drop CHEM 141L or CHEM 142L and remain in CHEM 141 or CHEM 142. After the withdrawal deadline, you must complete the work in any course in which you are enrolled in order to get a grade.