Chemistry Curriculum
Mission Statement
The Chemistry Department at Whitman College is dedicated to providing exceptional education in chemistry, emphasizing rigorous academic training, hands-on experiential learning, and a robust liberal arts foundation. We strive to create a dynamic and inclusive learning environment where students are valued and supported as they develop critical thinking skills, engage in innovative research, and apply their knowledge to real-world challenges. Through our commitment to teaching excellence and our vibrant research program, we prepare our chemistry graduates for successful careers in science and beyond while instilling a lifelong passion for learning and discovery.
Learning Goals
Our learning goals are designed to equip students with a comprehensive and well-rounded education encompassing major areas of knowledge, effective communication, critical thinking, quantitative skills, research proficiency, and career exploration beyond Whitman.
Upon graduation, a student will be able to:
- Meet nationally set standards in analytical, organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry.
- Communicate scientific findings and information in graphical, written, and oral formats to both technical and nontechnical audiences.
- Apply chemical knowledge, intuition, and logic to interpret data and devise and defend solutions to real-world problems.
- Use appropriate mathematical, computational, and analytical techniques to solve chemical problems.
- Work collaboratively, design experiments, and perform standard laboratory techniques to collect data.
- Employ modern scientific literature search tools to locate, retrieve, and organize scientific information.
- Identify and mitigate risks in a chemistry laboratory.
- Pursue career objectives in post-graduate education, industry, government, and beyond.
Navigate the Chemistry Major
Our curriculum provides a strong foundation in core chemistry while allowing flexibility to specialize through different tracks and exploration. With rigorous coursework, hands-on research and experiential learning, you'll gain the skills to tackle complex scientific challenges and pursue diverse career paths. Dedicated faculty and personalized advising ensure you can tailor your academic journey to match your goals and interests.
Useful links and tips for your academic planning:
Find major requirements and additional tips to navigate the Chemistry major.
There are several tracks to fulfill your general chemistry requirements. Please complete the Chemistry Placement Tool so we can advise you on the appropriate introductory course(s) to enroll in.
Chemistry majors usually complete the year-long organic chemistry sequence in their sophomore year. Organic I is offered only in the fall, while Organic II is available only in the spring. It is recommended to take the corresponding lab courses alongside their respective lectures.
Required Supporting Courses: We highly recommend completing all required mathematics and physics (required for ACS certification, and other chemistry-related majors) courses within your first two years. However, if necessary, you can also take some of these courses during your junior year.
Junior and Senior Year. You can build your junior/senior year schedule based on your academic interests. Note: Certain chemistry courses are only offered in the fall, and others are only offered in the spring (check the chemistry advising sheet for details).
-
- Planning to study abroad? If so, aim to do it in the spring semester of your junior year (see recommended Off-Campus Studies programs and major specific recommendations).
- Considering an ACS-certified chemistry degree? If yes, plan to take biochemistry (BBMB 325) and a year of college physics courses.
- Interested in exploring different chemistry tracks? Consider choosing a selection of courses that enrich your academic interests (see optional tracks below).
Interested in a 3-2 Chemistry/engineering program? (see the requirement - add link here)
Senior Assessment: For chemistry majors, completing a thesis is a requirement. Consider participating in summer research (see research opportunities below) after your sophomore year, either at Whitman or through other nationally recognized REU programs. Typically, students spend one to two summers conducting research, which they later develop into their senior thesis. Thesis writing and oral presentation of your research primarily take place during your senior year, for which you must enroll in CHEM 490. You will present your research to a faculty panel (3) in the Fall semester. Your faculty mentor will guide you through the thesis writing process during your senior year.
Optional Chemistry Tracks
Building specialization within chemistry tracks involves taking focused courses and pursuing opportunities that allow students to delve deeper into specific areas of chemistry. Each track includes required chemistry courses, along with special topics courses offered by the chemistry department and other relevant courses at the college. By creating specific tracks within the chemistry major, students can tailor their studies to satisfy their academic interests.
Here are some ways to combine different courses:
Instrumental Analysis (Chem 320) and Biochemistry (BBMB 325), and a combination of Drug Design (Chem 333), Computational Biochemistry (Chem 425), Bioinorganic Chemistry (Chem 460), and Physical Chemistry II (Chem 346)
(note that this is an environmental-focused track through the chemistry major, which is different than the combined Chemistry-ES major): Physical Chemistry lecture and lab (Chem 346, 35) and Instrumental Analysis (Chem 320), and a combination of Global Chemistry Cycles (Chem 305) and Environmental Chemistry and Engineering (Chem 388)
Physical Chemistry (Chem 346, 352) and Instrumental Analysis (Chem 320), and a combination of Materials Chemistry (Chem 340) and Physical Organic Chemistry (Chem 447)
Physical Chemistry (Chem 346, 352) and Instrumental Analysis (Chem 320), and a combination of Advanced Organic Synthesis (Chem 456), Physical Organic Chemistry (Chem 447), and Computational Chemistry (Chem 275)
Physical Chemistry (Chem 346, 352) and Biochemistry (BBMB 325), and a combination of Computational Chemistry (Chem 275), Computational Biochemistry (Chem 425), Intro to Computational Problem Solving (CS 167), Introduction to Data Science (CS 215), Data Structures (CS 270)
Instrumental Analysis (Chem 320) and Biochemistry (BBMB 325), and a combination of Computational Biochemistry (Chem 425) and Bioinorganic Chemistry (Chem 460)
Physical Chemistry (Chem 346, 352) and Biochemistry (BBMB 325), and a combination of Computational Biochemistry (Chem 425), and Bioinorganic Chemistry (Chem 460), Biophysics (BBMB 324). Math 225 and Physics 156 are prerequisites for Biophysics (BBMB 324)
Work with the chemistry faculty to identify courses that build expertise towards interests not captured in one of the tracks above.
Research Opportunities
The Chemistry Department at Whitman is dedicated to providing students with enriching research opportunities that enhance their academic experience and prepare them for future careers. We offer a variety of research opportunities that allow students to work alongside experienced faculty, gain hands-on experience, and contribute to groundbreaking scientific discoveries. These opportunities not only deepen your understanding of chemistry but also help you build valuable skills and professional connections.
Here are some of the key research opportunities available for you:
- Summer Research Programs: Engage in intensive research projects during the summer months (8 to 10 weeks, paid through internal or external grants)
- Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU): Participate in nationally recognized REU programs. Seek advice from chemistry faculty about different REU programs or other research opportunities outside Whitman.
- Faculty-Led Research: Collaborate with faculty on ongoing research projects throughout the academic year. Either paid through internal grants or get course credit for conducting student research (Chem 390).
- Independent Study: Pursue your own research interests with guidance from a faculty mentor.
- Conference Participation: Present your research at local, national, and international conferences (consult with your faculty advisor).
- Internship/grant opportunities: Consult with the Office of Fellowship and Grants and the Career and Community Engagement Center (CCEC) for other internship opportunities.
Chemistry Resources & Academic Support
We offer a variety of resources and academic support to help chemistry majors succeed. Here are some of the key resources available to you:
The STEM hub hosts various academic events, such as registration advising and research highlights.
Support students with internships, grants, job opportunities, and graduate school applications (Fellowship and grants and CCEC)
When students declare their major, they choose a faculty advisor who provides personalized academic guidance and mentorship during their time at Whitman.
State-of-the-art labs equipped for hands-on learning and research.
Access to a vast library of scientific journals, books, and online databases.
Chemistry clubs that offer networking and professional development opportunities (ACS student chapter).
Peer and professional tutors are available for one-on-one or group sessions. For one-on-one tutoring, contact the Academic Resource Center ( ARC). Faculty teaching general chemistry hold open office hours weekly at the STEM Hub. Additionally, the chemistry department organizes weekly tutoring sessions at the STEM hub from 7-9 pm three nights a week for our introductory and organic chemistry courses.