Before Major Declaration

THINKING OF PURSUING A DEGREE IN CHEMISTRY?

Congratulations! While the Chemistry curriculum can be demanding, this guide is here to show you the ins and outs of planning for your future classes. Because there are so many different pathways (and so many different types of Chemistry students), we have separated the coursework into a series of decisions that you should start thinking about as soon as possible. If you're planning for next semester's courses, it might be good to read through with a pen and notebook in hand to mark down what you'll need to be taking. Let's get started!

POINTS TO CONSIDER

First year up until the Winter of your second year

Your first and second year, up until the middle of your fourth semester, give you time to explore. There are not many pressing choices to make at this point in terms of coursework, and we recommend students feel confident in identifying their interests during this period. Are you interested in the math and theory behind reaction kinetics and thermodynamics? Did you enjoy piecing together organic synthesis problems? Do you generally enjoy spending time in the lab? All of these are questions to keep in the back of your mind leading up to major declaration. Think about what concepts most interest you and let those interests guide your decision to pursue a degree in Chemistry, whether that be a major or minor track.  

Spring semester of your second year

By the Spring semester of your second year, you should start thinking about what type of involvement you want to have in the Chemistry Department. 

• Minoring in Chemistry gives you a solid foundation in thermodynamics and elements of inorganic and/or biochemistry, while giving you the bandwidth to major in another discipline. 

• Majoring in Chemistry gives you greater exposure to all of these disciplines and enables your senior thesis project to be rooted in Chemistry work. 

If you are considering a Chemistry major, it is also helpful to decide what type of major you are interesting in being: 

• An ACS (American Chemical Society) certified major is primarily for those planning to do graduate work or enter the science job market right after graduation.

• Biochemistry concentrators sit at the interface of applying Chemistry to biological systems, which takes people in all different directions from graduate to medical school. 

You can also combine these two tracks and be both a Biochemistry concentrator and ACS certified major if you choose. Additionally:

• If you're interested in coding (or computing), check out the scientific computing concentration, which is a little more complex than the other routes. Your first and second years is where you'll be building the foundation for your major specialization to come. 

MOVING FORWARD

Now that you have an overview of the potential paths to achieving a degree in Chemistry, navigate below to learn more about majoring and minoring in Chemistry. We also have specialized resources for students interested in professional schooling, whether that be health or research careers.